CHAPTER 30: CHAPTER 30: GREAT FORTUNE

"Hey, these steamed dumplings aren’t cheap. Let me try one." The man picked up a steaming hot dumpling with his hand and put it in his mouth. With one bite, a burst of delicious flavor spread throughout his mouth instantly.

He ate several bites quickly, his face beaming with delight.

The man was honest and immediately said, "Girl, I must say, your family’s steamed dumplings are truly delicious, indescribably savory. The taste isn’t deceiving; it reminds me of the skill of an Imperial Chef. Alright, give me another basket to take home for my boy to try."

The man was quite generous.

Gu Xiaoqing immediately started to serve this man another basket of dumplings.

She took the money he handed her, flipped through her pocket, and gave him forty cents change.

She said, "Uncle, if you like it, come again. My family sets up the stall here every day at this time. Next time, try our pan-fried dumplings; I guarantee they’re just as delicious."

The man left, satisfied, seemingly eager to return home to let his son try.

With the first customer trying them, more people began to buy.

However, not many people bought them; many just looked and grumbled about the price.

"These dumplings are three cents each, which is too expensive; you can buy a pound of flour for that."

"Yes, only ten dumplings, it’s a bit pricey."

Gu Xiaoqing quickly explained, "Don’t just look at the price, everyone. Although they are three cents for just ten dumplings, these are meat-filled dumplings. The filling is carefully prepared, plus our family’s secret recipe is inside. It’s cheap at three cents. In the past, you couldn’t taste the culinary skill of an Imperial Chef for that price."

Upon hearing this, some people joined in, who had just bought dumplings. Some couldn’t resist and had already eaten one, savoring the delicious taste, and spoke up to support Gu Xiaoqing: "These dumplings are truly tasty. If you tell me it’s the skill of an Imperial Chef, I’d believe it. Three cents, worth it."

As a result, more and more people wanted to try, after all, they earned about forty yuan a month, and three cents wasn’t much of a concern.

If it’s not tasty, they’d just take it as a lesson learned.

However, each buyer who tasted them was left with a satisfied and surprised expression, spurring more people to want to experience how delicious the skill of an Imperial Chef truly was.

Thus, in less than two hours, Gu Xiaoqing’s family had sold all their dumpling fillings and dough. Many people came because they heard about it and, having arrived late, left regrettably as they couldn’t buy any. Numerous people confirmed they would return tomorrow, ready to try again.

The family began to pack up and prepare to go home.

Gu Ruhai and Li Xuemei were jubilant; they hadn’t expected their first day of business to be this successful. After all, neither of them had done business before, only talked about it, and were still quite anxious about it truly happening.

But the reality of such a splendid start reassured them.

Since the rest of the year would mostly be free time during the off-season, they initially planned to go to other villages or towns to find short-term jobs to supplement the family income.

Now they opened a door.

The couple instantly felt hopeful.

At least each day they could earn two to three yuan, which over a month would be at least tens of yuan. Such a delightful surprise left them excited beyond words.

Gu Xiaoying was equally thrilled.

Perhaps the only unhappy one was Gu Xiaojie, who had been hoping the dumplings wouldn’t sell out so he could enjoy them himself.

Can’t blame Gu Xiaojie; the child has developed an obsession with dumplings.

Years of envy gradually transformed into a persistent pursuit of these dumplings.

The family of five pushed their cart back to the village.

They reached home before four o’clock.

Upon arrival, they unpacked their things.

Gu Ruhai and Li Xuemei were impatient and wanted to count today’s income.

After all, the whole family had been eagerly anticipating the first day’s results.

But seeing Gu Xiaoqing so calm, neither Gu Ruhai nor Li Xuemei wished to rush her.

They could only anxiously watch their daughter dawdle.

Gu Xiaoqing finally finished her tasks and turned around to find four pairs of resentful eyes staring at her.

What was going on?

Until she noticed Gu Ruhai’s subtle gaze on her pocket, did she suddenly realize they were looking at the money.

Gu Xiaoqing couldn’t help but laugh.

What adorable family members.

She plopped down on the kang.

Gu Xiaoqing took out all the money she made today from her pocket, forming a small pile on the kang. There were dimes, nickels, pennies, even one and two cents.

She counted carefully, and even Gu Xiaoqing was astonished.

A total of eighteen yuan and fifty cents!

She never expected there would be so much.

This was after Gu Xiaoqing, for convenience, sold the remaining two baskets of dumplings for five cents together.

Gu Xiaoqing was elated beyond measure.

This business is indeed remarkably profitable.

No wonder so many people in the previous generation ran businesses; their families had two-story houses and cars. Turns out there were real secrets to this.

It seems deciding to set her parents on this path in this life was a wise decision.

At least this life, the family wouldn’t sell their daughter for dowry money.

Nor would they delay her brother’s treatment for lack of money.

This time, everyone would live well.

Gu Ruhai and Li Xuemei were utterly stunned.

In their hearts, making three yuan would have already been a tremendous success.

Originally, when they arrived in town today, they were worried about wasting the meat filling and dough, but they knew it was their daughter’s kindness, not to be taken lightly.

They also thought if Gu Xiaoqing got discouraged this time, she might give up on such whims in the future and focus on studying, which could lead to a promising future.

Who knew the accidental result would be so astonishing?

This is eighteen yuan and fifty cents.

Not one yuan and eighty cents.

This is a world of difference.

Gu Xiaoqing did the calculations.

Today, three jin of meat cost two yuan and forty cents, the flour and chives were from home, but this can’t continue.

According to the current market price, chives are just five cents per jin, white flour is expensive at three cents per jin, but today in total only spent three yuan sixty cents for flour and twenty-five cents for chives, plus two yuan forty cents for pork, totaling six yuan, two yuan and fifty cents, plus the cost for oil, salt, firewood, and the labor from parents and sister.

Only eight yuan in total.

Which means a net profit of ten yuan fifty cents.

And this is just the first day.