Chapter 811: Crispy and Fragrant

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation   Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Lin Yishi was stunned when he saw the people surrounding his stall. He had never set up a stall to sell anything before, so he was worried that he would have to shout to get people’s attention.

He smiled at everyone around him, saying, “These are wild vegetable scones. It’s three copper per scone. I also sell meat pancakes, but those are five copper a piece.”

He had used very little flour to bake his scones and pancakes. He even rolled the dough thinly to make the pancake bigger. Even so, his prices were low, and his food was fragrant.

The villagers had never tried scones because they did not have time to cook such a thing in the morning. When they smelled Lin Yishi’s scones, they decided to check it out. “I’ll have a vegetable scone, please.”

“I’ll try the meat pancake.”

The villagers thought the scones looked small and might not fill their stomachs. Still, they dared not buy too many because they had never eaten anything like it. Therefore, they bought one to try first.

Lin Yishi was surprised that so many people wanted to try his food. He became excited and could not stop smiling. “All right, I’ll get your orders done.”

He hurriedly made the customers’ orders while collecting payment. He was sitting and working initially but had to stand because he wanted to work faster.

At that moment, everyone saw Lin Yishi’s leg and looked at him sympathetically. They wanted to support his business even more. Someone said, “I’ll have two meat pancakes, please,”

“Me too. I have a big appetite, after all. Actually, I’ll have one meat pancake and one vegetable scone.”

Soon after, many more people joined the queue. Lin Yishi teared up even though he smiled with excitement. He did not expect his business to become so famous so quickly.

He had only brought thirty scones with him when he set up the stall. Lin Yishi was afraid he would be unable to sell that many. However, he quickly sold out of his food.

Fortunately, his wife came with two more clothed baskets of scones. “Honey, I brought more.”

Lin Yishi was selling scones outside the dorm, while Cai Shi made more inside. She thought she should make more before leaving for work to help her husband.

Cai Shi was shocked when she came out. She did not expect to see so many people. She was so excited to know that her husband had sold out that she almost lost her grip on the baskets.

She quickly returned to her senses and properly placed down the scones. Then, she took charge of collecting the payment while her husband handed the customers their orders.

Meanwhile, the customers tasted their food and realized how crispy and tasty they were. Someone exclaimed, “Wow, it’s so crispy! The fragrance is intoxicating, too!”

“The meat and vegetables are different, but they’re both delicious.”

The customers waiting in line heard these claims and decided to buy more. Those who had only ordered one reentered the queue to buy more. Moreover, scones were new to the villagers.

“I’ve never had scones before.’

“Me neither. The stuffing is generous, and it tastes excellent.”

Those who went to line up again heard the customers in front ordering three scones at a time. The former grew a little worried, asking, “Shopkeeper, will you have more scones?”

Everyone was worried about Lin Yishi running out of scones while they lined up. They even noticed the dwindling number of scones on the table.

Cai Shi smiled and said, “We have more at home. I’ll bring them down now, okay?”

She ran back to the dorn to collect the remaining scones. Old Madam Lin noticed Cai Shi’s flustered appearance and asked, “Is everything okay out there?”

“Yeah, the scones are selling very well! So many people are lining up just to buy them. We’ve already sold more than eighty scones. I’m going to bake some more.

“Fortunately, we made more dough this morning. I thought we wouldn’t need anymore, but the customers are flocking to the stall.”

Old Madam Lin lit up when she heard that. She said excitedly, “You sold more than eighty scones already?! Am I hallucinating?”

Cai Shi smiled as she busied herself, “It’s true, Mother-in-law. I saw so many people lining up at the stall when I went out just now. I couldn’t believe it either.’

Old Madam Lin was so excited that she could barely speak. She did the math in her head and could imagine how much the family could earn in a month. She felt grateful just thinking about it.

She said, “I’ll wait with Xiaoxi outside for the carriage to arrive. You just focus on the scones, okay?”

“Don’t tire yourself out, Mother-in-law. I have a rest period from work at noon, so I can help then.”

The paper mill was nearby, making it much more convenient for Cai Shi to help with the scones. The more she thought about it, the more motivated she became. She felt she had an exciting future ahead because she could do anything here.

Lin Xiaoxi understood his mother and grandmother’s conversation. He said, “I’ll help out when I return from school.”

“We want you to study hard,” Old Madam Lin said, “Our lives will improve in no time. You don’t need to help us so much.”

Her heart ached for her grandson because he had helped the family with many things, even though he was still a child.

“Your grandma is right, Xiaoxi. Focus on your studies, okay? Your father and I can handle everything else.”

“Don’t tire yourself out, either, Cao Shi,” the older woman said, “You’ll be resting when you’re home for your noon break.”

“It’s okay, Mother-in-law. I have a long break at noon.” Cai Shi quickly finished making more scones as she spoke. Immediately after, she ran to the stall. Meanwhile, she paid attention to the time.

Since it was almost time for work, many of the employees left the streets to go to their jobs. However, the door to the paper mill was still closed, and its employees waited outside.

*•

After sending his granddaughter to medical school, Old Master Cao passed the many shops along the commercial street. He became emotional as he looked at the liveliness around him.

He and Cao Shan met several people wearing the same uniform when they arrived at the school entrance. Old Master Cao realized that some of them were also from the prefecture.

“Old Master Cao, are you dropping your grandchild off?”

“Yes, I am. Wow, 1 didn’t expect the medical school to be so big.”

“Yeah, 1 heard we can learn a lot here. The students who studied with the dean last year can now check people’s pulse and prescribe medicine. They can even bandage wounds to stop bleeding. It’s so impressive..”