Chapter 237 - 237 High Demand
237 High Demand
Everyone went shopping for things for the Mooncake Festival in groups of twos and threes. They would gossip as they walked alongside each other, particularly about the new foods in Tenghe town.
The dishes were so delicious that people could not stop talking about them.
“You’ll know how delicious these dishes are when you ask around. Also, why is there so much variety here when even the capital doesn’t have these things?”
“Exactly. My eldest son used to work in the capital and ate many things. He also noticed that the capital doesn’t have as many delicacies as our town.
“I’m getting hungry again just thinking about it. I want to buy some lamb skewers tonight.”
“Ooh, those skewers are delicious!”
“Now you have several choices. You can have haggis soup today and duck vermicelli tomorrow.”
“There’s a lot of haggis soup to go around, but the duck vermicelli will run out if you’re late to the stall.”
“They only open their stall at noon, so you must be quick. If you’re not, you won’t get any duck vermicelli.”
“The Liu family sells duck vermicelli. My cousin is their neighbor, and I’ve been there a few times.”
“Your cousin is from Willow Village? Then do you know how they make the dish?”
The woman sighed. “My cousin said that the Su family were the ones who taught them. They’re a family from Su Teng Village.
“So, that’s how it is. Making such delicious food seems like the Su family has a secret recipe passed down from generation to generation.”
“I just learned how to make dumplings at my cousin’s house. You should visit us, and I’ll teach you how to make them.”
Another woman said happily, “What are dumplings? They sound good, so I’ll visit your house tonight and learn how to make them.”
In the past two weeks, most Su Teng Village and Willow Village people had learned how to make dumplings. Anyone who learned to make them at home always thought the dumplings were delicious.
Since the villagers could not bear to use white flour to make dumplings, they could use coarse grain flour, and if they could not afford meat, they could use vegetables. Each dumpling would vary in taste, but they were all delicious nonetheless.
Many families wanted to improve their cooking these days and would make dumplings for their meals. A saying started spreading that families typically ate dumplings during the New Year.
Many heard this saying and planned to make dumplings during the New Year as a new tradition. Most also started calling them reunion dumplings.
The Su Teng and Willow Village people had learned to make these delicious dishes. Most would teach their relatives how to make them too. Even the townsfolk learned about them.
…
The demand for mooncakes was too great, and Su Binglan had been busy making more these days. She would make them in the morning and bring a few large boxes of mooncakes to her shop astride her horse.
At that moment, a long queue was outside the dessert shop.
“Shopkeeper, are the mooncakes here yet? Give me two boxes of mooncakes with egg yolk filling.”
“Shopkeeper, I ordered ten boxes. Please don’t forget.”
“As for me, I want two boxes of assorted mooncakes.”
Lin Zheng was helping at the shop. He was so busy that he could not even catch his breath. He comforted the customers, “One at a time, folks. The goods will be here soon, so don’t worry.”
Since Binglan’s Desserts started selling mooncakes, the business had skyrocketed beyond his imagination. Most townsfolk went there to buy mooncakes.
People from villages eight to ten miles away also went to town just to buy mooncakes from Binglan’s Desserts. Even Lin Zheng and his family enjoyed eating them as his parents, sister, eldest brother, and sister-in-law asked him to order some.
His family wanted mooncakes to bring to their in-law’s houses whenever they visited, and Lin Zheng also had to send a portion to his sister, who lived in the capital.
Fortunately, Lin Zheng was an insider at the dessert shop, and Su Binglan had reserved the portion he needed so that he could send some to his family in advance.
Su Binglan’s gestures moved the Lin family. They said it was right to let Lin Zheng work at Binglan’s Desserts.
However, others began to envy Lin Zheng because he always had the necessary amount of mooncakes. The envious ones said Lin Zheng’s parents had raised their son too well.
Meanwhile, his parents grinned from ear to ear. Whenever he returned home, his parents, eldest brother, and sister-in-law no longer had the same disapproving attitude toward him. They were more enthusiastic when they saw him these days.
His parents no longer thought he was useless and looked at him with gratification and admiration. Just thinking about it gave Lin Zheng goosebumps.
Of course, these changes only happened because of his master. If not for her, Lin Zheng would still be a thug. He was grateful to Su Binglan and would work hard to do whatever his master said.
Nonetheless, Lin Zheng was comforting the customers, even though he was anxious. After all, he did not know when his master would arrive with the mooncakes.
Suddenly, he saw Su Binglan at the door. “Master! You’re finally here!”
Lin Zheng was very observant as he went forward to help his master carry the boxes of mooncakes. Everyone was excited when they placed the mooncakes on the shelves. The customers glued their eyes on the mooncakes, wishing they could snatch at least one.
Lin Zheng said, “Don’t worry, everyone. One at a time. We have plenty of mooncakes, so there will be enough for everyone.”
Su Binglan did not expect her business to be so popular. Her parents and second brother would help her at home, while Su Wenzhe and his wife would help during the evening when they closed their shop.
Luo Jin’an also helped his wife make mooncakes after school in the evening and did not rest until midnight. Even so, the family ensured they made enough for the following day.
There was a high demand for mooncakes. The other townsfolk immediately went to reserve some for themselves as soon as they heard about it. Although there were no cell phones or internet access in that era, words spread quickly.
Since the people of that era grew accustomed to visiting their relatives, they would always talk about what was good to eat whenever they saw each other.
Everyone wished to visit their parent’s homes to teach them how to make dumplings, especially these days. It was also a way to strengthen ties through reciprocity.
…
Su Fengchen pushed two large boxes of grilled chicken and roast duck using a small cart. Previously, he wrapped the two dishes independently with special oil paper he made himself.
Still, there was a limit to how many grilled chicken and roast ducks he could make and sell. Therefore, many customers would be waiting in line as soon as Su Fengchen arrived to open his stall.
“Shopkeeper, you’re finally here. We’ve been waiting for quite a while.”
“You said you would save me a grilled chicken and roast duck yesterday. I hope you remembered.”
Su Fengchen was typically shy and rarely spoke. However, since starting his business, he had no choice but to interact more with people.
“O-Of course, I remember. Don’t worry, everyone. Let me get sorted, and I will be right with you,” he said.
“We’ll help you, shopkeeper.”
“Shopkeeper, I live far away in another town. If I lived in Tenghe Town, I would have gone to your house and ordered in advance, just like everyone else.”
Indeed, everyone learned that Su Fengchen lived in Su Teng Village. They would go to his house to order the two dishes beforehand.
Still, Su Fengchen had to save a batch to sell in town to serve his more distant customers. Since he had a low supply with high demand, many would order in advance.
As for Zhizhi, she also helped him prepare and cook the grilled chicken and roast duck. She knew Su Fengchen would typically finish work quickly, so she did not follow him to town.