"It’s no trouble at all. Actually, you should have already met them—the two who were eating noodles right when we started. They work in the Manager's office. They have good salaries and are the Manager's right-hand men. If you run into them again, you can ask them."
"Oh, sir, thank you so much! If you hadn't pointed the way, we really wouldn't have known what to do. Sir, these are some steamed buns we have left over. If you don't mind, please help us taste one. You look like a man who appreciates good food, and you’ve been so kind to us. Once we bring our noodles this afternoon, I'll bring you a bowl. We’re all sold out for now."
Hearing Li Xiulan say this, the old man hurriedly refused: "No, no, I can't take them. These are for you to sell. I’m just an old man with a salary of my own; how could I take your things for free? These big buns cost several cents each—they’re expensive."
"Sir, please just take them. These are already leftovers, and we have to go home to get a fresh batch anyway. These were just for display, and they’ve gone cold. If you don’t mind, I’ll grill them for you—grilled buns taste quite good too."
As she spoke, she was already grilling the buns. Seeing how enthusiastic she was, the old man didn't refuse again. Once she handed him the buns, he took the money he had already prepared from his pocket, placed it on the table, and turned to leave.
Seeing this, Grandma grabbed the money and ran after him. She stuffed it back into his hand while showering him with words of gratitude, and only then did the old man reluctantly accept it.
"Xiulan, do we really need the permission of people from the mine to set up a stall here?" Zhang Guifen didn't quite understand; she had assumed they would need the mine’s approval.
"I think if Xiulan can get the mine's approval, it would be a good thing. Even if they don't officially approve, as long as they don't chase us away, that's fine too. You heard him—the mine has its own cafeteria. Even if the staff there draw a fixed salary, they still charge for food. We are essentially competing with them. If we don't clear things with them first, they could easily find a way to drive us off or make trouble for us. That would be bad."
Before Li Xiulan could speak, Grandma had already analyzed her thinking. Li Xiulan gave Grandma a thumbs-up.
"Grandma, you are so insightful; that’s exactly what I was thinking. Plus, I heard that the area around the perimeter of the mine is still part of the mine's property, even if they haven't expanded into it. Since we’re technically on their turf, it’s best if they agree to us being here so we don't have to worry. I also noticed a small warehouse next to the guard booth. The old man said it’s just used for some clutter and isn't full. Since it’s inconvenient to haul a cart back and forth every day, and we don't have space at the second sister's place, I was thinking it would be much more convenient if we could rent it. I just don't know how much the rent would be."
Li Xiulan had already set her sights on that small warehouse. She wanted to rent it as a storefront, which would be even better, but they didn't have enough for rent yet, so she would have to bide her time.
"Xiulan is the one with the vision. We’ll just focus on doing the work and let her call the shots," Grandma said to Zhang Guifen.
"Right, I’ll listen to you both. Xiulan, we must have made several yuan this morning! This is great. Let’s head home now and get lunch ready." Zhang Guifen was very excited; she had been mentally tallying the money as she collected it.
"Alright, let's head home. My dad and Jiayu might be getting impatient waiting for us." Since they couldn't take everything back at once, Grandma offered to stay behind and watch the stall while the two of them pulled the cart home.
On the way back at noon, they inevitably ran into villagers. Seeing the daughter-in-law and mother-in-law pushing a cart, everyone looked on with curiosity.
"Guifen, Xiulan, where have you two been? Back so early?"
"Just went to town for a bit, haha. We’re heading home now," Zhang Guifen replied with a smile, not giving a direct answer. After they left, the person didn't walk away but kept watching them before going off to chat with their old friends.
At home, Feng Sixi had been weaving items, but he was worried about the morning’s business, afraid that people wouldn't know quality when they saw it or would be too stingy to buy.
"You're back! How was business today? How much did you sell?" He usually walked slowly, but now, ignoring his limping gait, he hurried out to ask.
"Let’s go inside to talk." Zhang Guifen thought of the prying eyes of the villagers; walls have ears, so she waited until they were indoors to describe the morning’s events.
"We sold almost everything, only a few pieces left. We’re planning to bring more mantou next time. Have you finished washing the vegetables for lunch?"
"They're all washed and in the kitchen. You two go get ready. It sounds like business is going well."
"It’s more than just 'well.' Even those noodles are almost sold out. At first, I was worried people wouldn't want to spend the money, but Xiulan and Mom stayed calm. Then two men from the mine office came to eat, and not long after, several more people followed." Zhang Guifen said while helping out in the kitchen.
"Dad, I’ll need your help next. I’ll check on the stir-fried dishes for lunch first. If there aren't many buyers, I’ll make less. If I make fried rice, I’ll just need to bring the rice over in the morning."
Li Xiulan was stir-frying dishes. She was making meals similar to the boxed lunches at construction sites in the modern era, though with less oil. She had prepared several types of rice: pure white rice, rice mixed with cornmeal, and handmade noodles—as there were no machines for making dried noodles in town yet.
After the food was cooked, the two women headed out again. This time, they were followed by several pairs of eyes.
When they reached the mine entrance, the shift hadn't ended yet. Grandma was warming herself by a fire in the cold wind; seeing them arrive, she came over to help with the load.
"Mom, Grandma, you two eat first. Once it gets busy, there won't be time. We need to be full to have the strength to work."
"This food is for making money. I’ll just eat a mantou; you save this to sell," they both said in unison. Neither of them could bear to eat such rich, oily food.
"Food is the fuel of life. Besides, you've been working all morning. If you don't have some good food, how will you have the energy? I’ve already set aside portions for us. If we sell this food but don't even know what our own product tastes like, how can we do business?"
Li Xiulan insisted, and they finally agreed. They had expected Xiulan’s cooking to be the same as before, but after taking a few bites, they realized the stir-fry tasted much better than it used to. However, both of them assumed it was because she had used more oil than they were used to at home.
"Xiulan, your cooking is getting better and better."
"I’m just messing around and trying things out. Maybe it's just because I used more oil," Li Xiulan said, pretending she didn't know the reason.
"That must be it. If we had this much oil to cook with every day, it would surely taste good."
Soon, people began moving toward the mine entrance. Some were heading home to eat, while others wanted to see if the morning stall was still there; if not, they would settle for the cafeteria. Those who lived far away had brought their own lunches.
Zhang Lifeng, the Brigade Leader's son, had brought his own lunch. He had eaten at home before coming, and though he’d heard coworkers mentioning that the stall at the mine entrance was popular, he hadn't paid much attention and didn't know it was run by acquaintances.
After He Youcai rushed over, he started helping out. Since the stall was run by women, he was worried about troublemakers, so he stood by to help collect bowls and arrange tables.