Chapter 281: Dare Not Act Up Anymore
Outside, everyone had more or less gotten the hang of it. The technique wasn’t difficult to begin with; as long as they controlled the heat and used the right seasonings, the food wouldn’t taste too bad.
Seeing that they were mostly ready, Gu Fei said, "If you all decide to sell this, you can discuss and set a price together, or you can decide on your own prices. It’s all up to you."
She pointed to a yellow paper bag on the table. "This is the chili powder I mixed. Everyone can take a little to practice with. Once your skills are good enough and you’re ready to start selling barbecue, you can just come to my shop to buy more."
"Well, I’ll be taking my leave now."
Everyone hurried to say their polite goodbyes. "Thank you for all your hard work today, Little Fei."
"Exactly. She spent her own silver and put in so much effort. How can a girl be so kind?"
Everyone had a clear sense of the situation. The barbecue grills, the chili powder, the charcoal, and all the ingredients—added up, each family had received a favor from Gu Fei worth at least one tael of silver.
Her money didn’t grow on trees, after all. Why should she just give it to them?
And that wasn’t even mentioning that she was teaching them a way to make a fortune.
Even Ms. Qian now felt a stir of genuine gratitude toward Gu Fei.
But she was deeply worried. She had just tasted what the others had grilled, and hers was by far the worst. ’What am I going to do?’
When Gu Zhang heard his daughter say she was leaving, he finally remembered that he hadn’t even gone to see his mother since arriving. He quickly headed for the main house.
The old woman, her heart filled with grievance, was crying softly by the oil lamp.
Gu Zhang entered to find his mother dabbing at her tears with a handkerchief. "Mother, what’s wrong?" he asked, surprised.
The old woman was about to scold her son out of habit, but his eldest aunt’s recent words echoed in her mind: "—so you can end up all alone."
Recalling how her second son had already put her in her place several times, the old woman didn’t dare make a scene. She forced a smile, turned to Gu Zhang, and said, "It’s nothing. My eyes were just irritated by the smoke from this oil lamp."
Gu Zhang relaxed. "Well, don’t sit so close to it, then."
"And you shouldn’t just sit in your room all day. After you eat, go for a walk in the courtyard before you rest. It’s good for your health."
The old woman managed a stiff smile. "Alright, I’ll remember that."
"Good. Mother, take care of yourself. I’m leaving now. I’ll come see you again when I have time." Gu Zhang turned and walked out.
As the large family walked home, Gu Erlang said, "Sister, I’m going to start selling barbecue tomorrow. I’ll set up right next to your shop. I saw that street has the most people. What do you think?"
Gu Fei thought for a moment. "That’s fine. Tomorrow morning, I’ll check your meat marinade for you first. And if you have any trouble while you’re grilling, I’ll be there to help you out."
Gu Erlang was overjoyed. Selling barbecue near his sister’s shop meant he could earn silver and see Lan Zhi often. It was the perfect way to kill two birds with one stone.
Mrs. Chen shot Er Lang a look; she saw right through his little scheme.
Mrs. Chen thought for a moment. "It’s fine for you to go, Er Lang."
"But I’ll give you the money to buy your own ingredients. Don’t use anything from your sister’s shop."
"Since you’re going to do this, do it yourself. Don’t rely on your sister for everything."
Gu Erlang felt deeply wronged. "I was planning to do it myself! I never said I’d rely on my sister."
Mrs. Chen eyed Gu Erlang sideways. "Also, the silver you earn... you’re planning to—"
Gu Erlang quickly interjected, "Give it to you, Mother, of course."
Mrs. Chen just smiled and said no more. She knew Gu Erlang had his little secrets. He and Sanlang drove carts in the city every day, and Sanlang always turned over more copper coins to her than Er Lang did.