TSWPF – Chapter 33 Making Food

Ever since the villagers found out that there was food in Song Mountain, most of them went there.

The village, which had never been very lively, became even quieter.

Sometimes, walking along the road, you could go quite a while without seeing a single person.

Seeing this, Li Qingling could only sigh quietly in her heart, hoping that the villagers wouldn’t be greedy, would listen to her, stay out of the deep mountains, and all return safely.

Liu Zhimou saw that she was worried about this and advised her to let it go a bit. They had only informed the villagers; whether they went or not was the villagers’ own decision. If something really happened, it wouldn’t be their responsibility.

With Liu Zhimou’s comforting words, Li Qingling gradually let go of her worries. She no longer fretted over the matter and instead began thinking about whether their family should start a small business.

They had some money at home, but they couldn’t just live off their savings.

She mentioned this to Liu Zhimou. He paused for a moment and asked what kind of small business she wanted to do.

He made a little money helping people copy books, but if there was another opportunity, that would be better.

Li Qingling didn’t know immediately what to do, so she decided to go to town first and see.

From her perspective, starting a small food business might be a good idea.

But she didn’t say this out loud; she wanted to check the market first and then discuss it with Liu Zhimou.

Having made up her mind, Li Qingling decided to head to town to investigate. After gathering the information, they would return to make preparations.

Liu Zhimou didn’t object; he knew nothing about small businesses and could only go along with Li Qingling’s plan.

“I’ll go with you,” he said. Though he didn’t understand small businesses, he could give some advice after seeing things.

Li Qingling nodded. Since it was something the two families were doing together, he would naturally participate.

After giving brief instructions to their younger siblings, they hurried toward town. This time, they walked faster, reaching the town in just one and a half hours.

They went straight to the bustling North Street. Most of the townsfolk there were ordinary people. If they set up a stall there, it would suit their situation.

Li Qingling had already visited the town once before, so she had a rough idea of things. But this time, she was there specifically to check the market and paid closer attention.

Seeing a small stall selling wontons, she dragged Liu Zhimou over for a bowl. Some were vegetarian, some were meat, and the broth was plain water, so the flavor was mediocre.

After tasting it, Li Qingling had a clearer idea. She then had Liu Zhimou try other street snacks and silently compared them in her mind.

By the time they finished North Street, both were completely full.

“What do you think? Confident?” Liu Zhimou asked, looking at the thoughtful Li Qingling.

He had never run a small business and didn’t know much about it. The main thing depended on Li Qingling, whom he believed had talent for this.

Not to mention, her cooking skills alone were impressive enough to earn admiration.

Li Qingling recalled the snacks she had eaten in the modern world and compared them with the street stalls on North Street.

After comparing, she had made up her mind.

Coincidentally, they passed by a blacksmith’s shop. She stopped and turned toward it. Liu Zhimou didn’t know what she intended to do but silently followed.

Li Qingling had decided to make egg pancakes. Her version was different from those of this era and required a mold.

“Excuse me, what do you need?” The blacksmith, wiping sweat from his face, came over.

“Master, I’d like to have a mold made. Is that possible?”

“Yes, what kind do you need? Do you have a design?”

Li Qingling thought for a moment, then asked for paper and a pen to draw it slowly.

Her drawing skills weren’t great, but fortunately, the blacksmith could understand it. Seeing the drawing, he said he could make it.

“That’s great,” Li Qingling smiled. “How much will it cost, and how long will it take?”

“One hundred wen. You can have it by tomorrow.” The mold was simple, so he could make it quickly.

Li Qingling paid without hesitation, in high spirits, and walked out with Liu Zhimou.

Her eyes lingered briefly on his hand holding hers, a smile flickering across them. Liu Zhimou asked what kind of small business she planned.

She had already had the mold made, so she must have decided.

She glanced at him and winked, “You’ll know tomorrow. For now, it’s a secret.” She planned to give him a surprise.

He chuckled, “Alright, I’ll wait.” There was no need to press; he would find out tomorrow anyway.

Li Qingling thought about egg pancakes—they would be hot, and without proper packaging, it could be troublesome. She needed a solution.

In the modern world, egg pancakes could be wrapped in plastic bags to eat immediately. Here, there were no plastic bags, so what could she use?

Seeing her frown, Liu Zhimou asked what was wrong.

“Brother Zhimou, is greaseproof paper expensive here?” Li Qingling thought she could make small bags from it—oil-resistant and attractive.

“Expensive…” Upon hearing this, Liu Zhimou nodded. Greaseproof paper was rare and costly here. “At least forty wen per foot. What do you want it for?”

Hearing the price, Li Qingling immediately abandoned the idea. A small stall wouldn’t make money yet, and spending that much on greaseproof paper wasn’t worth it.

“For selling snacks, packaging is needed. I wanted to make small bags for the customers,” she explained. Realizing the cost, she let go of Liu Zhimou’s hand, scratching her head in frustration. “It’s too expensive. I can’t think of an alternative right now.”

Feeling a little disappointed, Liu Zhimou squeezed her hand and cleared his throat. “Take your time. No rush.” Since he didn’t see what she was making, he had no better ideas.

Li Qingling pondered for a while, but eventually gave up.

“Let’s just buy some rice and meat for home!” She thought of the children at home, who hadn’t eaten meat for several days; this would satisfy them.

Liu Zhimou nodded, walking beside her toward the butcher’s shop.

After buying the supplies, they didn’t continue exploring and returned home directly.

Early the next morning, Li Qingling went to town to collect the mold. Upon receiving it, she instructed the blacksmith not to make such molds for anyone else.

She wanted to profit from this snack business without others copying her so quickly.

The blacksmith agreed to her request.

Li Qingling then bought some egg flour and hurried home.

Although she had never made egg pancakes herself, she had seen others make them. It wasn’t too difficult, but she still needed to try it, hoping it wouldn’t fail.

Back home, she had Liu Zhimou light the coal stove.

Seeing the mold, Liu Zhimou knew she was about to start cooking. Without a word, he rushed to the kitchen and fired up the long-unused stove.

“Sister, what’s this?” Li Qingfeng ran over, seeing the mold on the ground.

Li Qingling patted his head and said mysteriously, “You’ll see soon.”

Li Qingfeng had to suppress his curiosity and followed her closely, eager to see what delicious food his sister would make.

Li Qingling smiled at him, not shooing him away, letting him follow and do small tasks, like washing the mold.

Li Qingfeng happily complied, doing the tasks with a beaming smile.

“Sister Qingling, is there anything else I can do?” The eager Liu Zhiyan looked at her, eyes filled with anticipation.

Since the children wanted to help, Li Qingling didn’t stop them. She asked Liu Zhiyan to wash the vegetables they had picked.

With a task, Liu Zhiyan scurried off happily.

Since the two families started eating together, he had been won over by Sister Qingling’s cooking.

He used to think his brother’s cooking was decent, but compared to Sister Qingling’s, it was like night and day.

After tasting her food, he never wanted his brother’s cooking again.

“Sister, I… I want to help too!” Seeing that both older brothers were busy, only she wasn’t, Liu Zhirou ran over, hugging Li Qingling’s leg, wanting to work too.

Li Qingling squatted and gave her a quick kiss, “Rou Rou, go help your second brother wash the vegetables, okay?” Seeing such obedient children made her heart happy.

“Okay…” Liu Zhirou nodded, ran to her second brother, and helped.

Liu Zhiyan worried the little girl would get her clothes dirty, so he asked her to pick off the leaves and place them in a basin, which he would then wash.

Liu Zhirou didn’t mind the task. As long as she had something to do, she was happy.

Following his instructions, she moved to the other side and began picking vegetables.

Liu Zhimou lit the fire, stood by Li Qingling, and asked if there was anything else he could do to help.

Li Qingling saw Liu Zhiyan put the washed vegetables aside, so she asked Liu Zhimou to chop them.

She demonstrated how she wanted them cut.

He nodded and took the knife from her hand.

Li Qingling then brought out oil and salt, poured some into a basin, added the chopped vegetables, and mixed them.

She also prepared the flour, added water, and slowly stirred it into a batter. When ready, she placed the mold on the stove.

She poured some oil into the mold, added the batter, then the vegetables, and finally the eggs.

Soon, the aroma filled the air, making the children salivate with anticipation.