Chapter 138 - 138 Don’t Let Her See
“Uncle Chief said that I shouldn’t stand on ceremony with you, so you shouldn’t do the same with me either.”
Zhuang Qingning laughed, “When I just got back, saw a lot of lime had been scattered in the pit. Do you plan to get to work?”
“Hmm.” Zhuang Qingning nodded, “Dayong has already started. There were many weeds and small trees growing in the pit, so we burned them with lime to prevent the roots from sprouting again and damaging the floor. I guess in two or three days we will start transporting the soil.”
“I really appreciate Uncle Chief’s hard work, even with this iron pot. How much silver should I pay now? I’ll give it to Uncle Chief first. I can’t let you keep covering the costs for me.”
While Zhuang Qingning was speaking, she took out a money bag to count the silver.
“It’s not a lot of money, all things considered it might be fine to pay back later…”
However, since she said she was going to pay now, it makes sense to accept it. After all, once the money is reclaimed, it gives some peace of mind.
Zhuang Jingye thought for a moment, then reported the amount of silver that had been used in the past few days and the amount prepaid to Ye Dayong. He clearly explained where the money was used, even suggesting a line-by-line account for Zhuang Qingning to review later.
“Thanks for your hard work, Uncle Chief.” Zhuang Qingning saw Zhuang Jingye out of the tofu factory.
“You carry on with your work, if there’s anything else you need help with, feel free to ask me.” Zhuang Jingye, carrying the tofu Zhuang Qingning had given him, contentedly went home.
Zhuang Qingning went to find Zhuang Yonghe to get the stove for the two large pots started as soon as possible.
After several days of hard work, the production of tofu and tofu sheets could finally be mass-produced.
Other than the ones taken by Zhuang Yonghe for sale, most of them were sold in the shop in town.
As a result, the tofu shop’s business became even more prosperous.
Zhuang Qingning, counting the copper coins that went into her pocket every day, was all smiles.
As the business thrived, there was an increase in the quantity of basic tofu production. At this point, it had already reached intermediate tofu production, and the intermediate tofu production recipe water had been unlocked.
The tofu made from the intermediate tofu recipe water tasted better, had a higher yield, and more importantly, was easier to store and less likely to spoil due to weather conditions.
Naturally, this kind of tofu would sell better, and the tofu shop’s business would improve as a result.
If the tofu shop’s business improves, the volume of tofu production will gradually increase, and the experience points will also grow. This will unlock higher-level recipes and produce more delicious tofu…
A truly virtuous cycle!
Also, according to the increased sales values from the tofu recipes, she had unlocked two more dish recipes – homestyle tofu and Yuxiang (fish-flavored) tofu.
Taking into account the previously obtained Mapo Tofu and Salt and Pepper Tofu, she now had four recipes.
If she continues to accumulate like this, a tofu feast will soon be possible!
[Ding! Friendly reminder to the Host, you have recently gained a significant amount of diligence points, please check and exchange them for corresponding goods in time.]
[If the Host accumulates a large amount of diligence points, the Exchange Mall may automatically judge the Host as a rich person in diligence points, and the price for goods to be exchanged may rise from 10% to 300%]
In other words, they will raise the prices?
This mall is really good at doing business!
Despite the complaints, Zhuang Qingning checked her recently earned diligence points at Xiaowu’s prompt.
She has 416, indeed a lot, especially in comparison to the prices of exchangeable goods. Zhuang Qingning was very wealthy.
However, most of the items that could be exchanged were daily necessities.
Clothes, shoes, skincare department store items, medicines, and some beginner-level formulas.
After careful consideration, Zhuang Qingning exchanged 410 diligence points for a beginner’s soybean sprout production formula and unlocked the beginner’s soybean sprout production recipe water.
Tofu and bean sprouts are from the same system and can be sold together. Later, when she unlocks mung bean sprouts, black bean sprouts, and peanut sprouts…
Wonderful, simply wonderful!
“Big Sister Ning.” Zhang Qiuying’s voice pulled Zhuang Qingning back from her thoughts.
“Ah? What’s up, Qiuying?” Zhuang Qingning snapped back to reality.
“Lunch is ready, my mother asked me to call you and sister Sui to eat in the backyard. I’ll watch over the front.” Zhang Qiuying explained, “At this time, it’s lunchtime, so there probably aren’t many customers. I can handle it alone.”
Now the tofu factory at home was watched over by Zhuang Mingliang, so she didn’t have to worry about it at all. Besides, they only made tofu and tofu sheets once in the morning, so Zhuang Qingning just went to town in the morning by Bai San’s bullock cart. She thought that Zhuang Sifu would bring the tofu in the afternoon, so she could take advantage of his bullock cart to get back home and avoid walking under the hot sun.
This has been the case for several days now. Having lunch outside was not very convenient, so Zhuang Qingning let Mrs. Cao start a fire in the backyard to make lunch.
Today’s lunch was noodle soup with meat topping, which was Mrs. Cao’s signature dish, and cucumber salad made with cucumbers Yue Qingning had picked from their vegetable garden at home.
Zhuang Qingning had been thinking about the taste of this dish all morning. When she heard Zhang Qiuying calling her to have lunch, she felt a little hungry. So she agreed, and brought Zhuang Qingsui to the backyard to eat.
Mrs. Cao already had two bowls of noodles ready.
The beautifully hand-made noodles, with delicious meat topping, made your mouth water just by looking at them. Zhuang Qingning thanked her, then she and Zhuang Qingsui sat in the cool shadow of the courtyard and began to slurp the noodles.
“Mother, you should eat too.” Zhuang Qingning noticed that Mrs. Cao was still busy in the kitchen, so she spoke up.
“1 ate a little earlier. You girls enjoy your food.” Mrs. Cao answered from the kitchen, “I’ve prepared Qiuying’s noodles, and will go to take over for her. Then she can come back and eat.”
Seeing Mrs. Cao saying this, Zhuang Qingning didn’t press further and continued eating the delicious noodles with Zhuang Qingsui.
Mrs. Cao was busy in the kitchen for a while, then prepared the noodles, put the bowl on a plate and went to the front to call Zhang Qiuying.
“Qiuying, go have lunch. I’ve prepared the noodles for you.” Mrs. Cao wiped the sweat from her hands on her apron.
“Have Qingning and Sui finished eating?” Zhang Qiuying peeked into the courtyard.
“They’ve almost finished.” Mrs. Cao also craned her neck, “They only had a little left in their bowls when I came over. By the time you get in, they should be done. You should go eat too, you’ve been busy for a long time, you must be hungry.”
“Alright.” Zhang Qiuying agreed, and stepped towards the backyard.
“Don’t let your sister Ning see you eating. Be discreet.” Mrs. Cao reminded her, and for fear that Zhuang Qingning and Zhuang Qingsui would overhear, she deliberately lowered her voice.
“I know, mother, don’t worry.” Zhang Qiuying nodded and headed to the backyard.
Here, Zhuang Qingning and Zhuang Qingsui had finished their noodles and gone into the kitchen..