Chapter Eleven: The First Pot of Gold

Lin Sangqian cooked one side of the pie until it turned golden brown, the aroma already filling the air. Liao Shuxia couldn’t help but swallow in anticipation.

She flipped all the pies to the other side, and once both sides were golden, they were ready to come out of the pan.

Each member of the family took one for breakfast, and the remaining ten pies were meant to be taken to the town to sell.

Lin Hongda found a clean basket. Ideally, they should have lined it with oiled paper, but since there was none at home, Lin Sangqian used a thoroughly clean cloth instead. She placed the ten pies in the basket and covered them with another clean cloth.

Once everything was prepared, they began eating.

The crust was crisp and delicious, the combination of chives and eggs a perfect match. One bite satisfied them immensely.

Lin Hongda ate so heartily that oil dripped from his mouth; after finishing his pie, he still wanted more. But thinking of their dream of getting rich, he held himself back and didn’t take another. Once Lin Sangqian and Liao Shuxia finished, he picked up the basket, and the three set out together.

The village wasn’t far from town, but walking still took about half an hour. As soon as they reached the town’s entrance, Lin Sangqian was so tired she sat down on a large stone.

Her body was young but frail.

If she were in the modern world, she could probably walk an hour in high heels without any trouble.

“Little pup, tired already?” Liao Shuxia asked with concern. “Want a pie?”

Lin Sangqian gritted her teeth and refused.

After all, each pie could mean money.

Lin Hongda took out the water flask he carried, let her drink a few mouthfuls, and said, “Just stay here and wait. We’ll come back for you after we finish selling.”

“No,” Lin Sangqian struggled to stand. “I want to go too.”

It wasn’t that she didn’t trust her parents, but she wanted to see the town’s environment herself—what was being sold, what people liked.

What others conveyed was never as good as seeing with her own eyes.

Besides, her body needed exercise.

Lin Hongda and Liao Shuxia couldn’t persuade her otherwise, so each took one of her hands and led her forward.

Hand in hand, the family of three arrived at a bustling area of the town, filled with the scents of various foods and the calls of vendors echoing everywhere.

“Do you think we can really sell anything in a place like this, where we don’t know anyone?” Lin Hongda frowned, worried.

“What’s there to fear? Our pies are good; they’ll sell themselves.”

Liao Shuxia found an empty spot, had Lin Sangqian sit down, then asked Lin Hongda to place the basket on the ground. She cleared her throat and began calling out like the other vendors.

“Come and see! Fresh, hot chive and egg pies! Try one, and you’ll want another!”

Liao Shuxia’s voice was naturally strong and carried well, so even amid the clamoring, she attracted attention. Soon, several people glanced their way.

But since their faces were unfamiliar, most people just looked once and went to buy from other stalls.

Liao Shuxia wasn’t discouraged. She took a sip of water and kept calling out. Finally, a young girl with two braided pigtails approached.

“Auntie, are you the one selling pies here?”

“Yes, yes!” Liao Shuxia replied quickly. “Would you like to try one, miss?”

Lin Sangqian lifted the cloth covering the basket, showing the pies to the girl.

“How much for one?” the girl asked, leaning closer.

“Two copper coins,” Liao Shuxia said, the price they’d agreed upon at home.

“That’s a bit expensive,” the girl hesitated. “A bun only costs one coin.”

“Miss, our pies are definitely tastier than buns!” Liao Shuxia said with confidence.

The girl seemed about to leave, but Lin Sangqian spoke up, “You’re our first customer today. I’ll sell you one for one coin.”

With that, the girl couldn’t refuse and handed Liao Shuxia a coin. “I’ll take one.”

Liao Shuxia took the money, hands trembling slightly with joy.

After all, this was the first coin they had earned since coming to this world!

Lin Sangqian brought the basket to the girl and said apologetically, “We don’t have oiled paper at home, and I can’t hand it to you directly. Could you please take one yourself?”

“No problem.”

The girl took out a clean handkerchief, covered her hand, and picked out a pie from the basket.

The pie was still warm. As she brought it close, the aroma hit her, and she couldn’t wait to take a bite. Her eyes widened as she exclaimed, “Delicious!”

“Isn’t it?” Liao Shuxia said, smiling.

The girl ate with such relish that she attracted the attention of several passersby. A middle-aged man came over and said gruffly, “Give me one.”

Lin Hongda quickly held out the basket. “Two coins each, please help yourself.”

The man didn’t haggle, handed two coins to Liao Shuxia, and grabbed a pie, taking a big bite.

“Wonderful!” he praised sincerely, then took out two more coins. “Give me another.”

The girl had already finished her pie and said, “Give me two more! I want to take some home for my parents.”

She handed over four coins to Liao Shuxia.

Such a tasty pie was worth two coins in her eyes.

Lin Sangqian let her take the pies, then quietly slipped two coins back into her hand, winking at her.

The first customer, after all; if they said one coin, it would be one coin.

She believed this girl would surely become a regular.

The girl was deeply moved and held Lin Sangqian’s hand. “My name is Zhao Lan’er, I live in town. What’s yours?”

“I’m Lin Sangqian, from Shuangji Village.”

“Did your mother make these pies? She’s so skilled!”

The man was eating heartily, and soon several more people came to buy pies. They quickly sold out, earning unanimous praise.

Liao Shuxia held the seventeen coins, grinning from ear to ear.

Lin Sangqian smiled but didn’t claim credit.

After all, her body was only ten years old; claiming she made such delicious pies would hardly be believable.

With the pies sold out, it was time to sell handkerchiefs.

Lin Sangqian shot Liao Shuxia a look. Being mother and daughter, Liao Shuxia immediately understood, handed the money to Lin Hongda, and took out a handkerchief embroidered with a koi design, approaching Zhao Lan’er.

“Miss, your handkerchief got dirty picking up the pies. Would you like to buy a new one?” Liao Shuxia said, showing off the pattern.

Zhao Lan’er’s eyes lit up. “So pretty!”

“Isn’t it?” Liao Shuxia said with pride.

The design was a bit small, as she’d wanted to finish quickly to test if it would sell.

“I originally planned to sell them for ten coins each, but since fate brought us together, I’ll let you have one for five coins,” Lin Sangqian said.