PNB Chapter 18: Roles Reversed, It's Like a Ghost Story
Chapter 18: Roles Reversed, It's Like a Ghost Story
The next day, at 5:15 AM, Gao Mengli and Lin Xi got up.
It was time to steam cornbread again. Da Niu didn't sleep either. He quickly got up in the dark to help his parents start the fire. After all, "he who eats another's food is bound to him," so he had to be diligent.
I bought ten pounds of flour, and I used up two pounds of it yesterday.
There were eight jin left, and I made all of it into cornbread. I made 240 elm seed cornbreads.
I only used one basket of elm seeds, plus what was left over from yesterday, it seems like I picked too many...
It's okay though. After we sell them all today, we'll buy some more flour. Elm seeds won't spoil even if they're left out for a day, so we can keep making them tomorrow.
But this time it seems like there's too much; it won't do without wrapping it in clean gauze.
"Da Niu, could you go to the old house next door and borrow a clean gauze? There are too many steamed cornbreads, so we need to use gauze to line the basket to hold them all."
Seeing Gao Mengli struggling with the huge number of elm seeds, Lin Xi quickly squatted down next to Da Niu to discuss it.
If you ask him to borrow it, he won't go. His reason is simply that he's not familiar with the place.
He feared that if his cosplay of Lin Xi was exposed, he would be burned alive on a pile of firewood.
They're not like Da Niu, who's a grown man and easily fooled.
Upon hearing this, Da Niu realized it was a serious matter and went to the old house without hesitation. He used his "character" as collateral and borrowed two large gauze sheets from the old house next door that were used for making tofu.
Lin Xi quickly padded the basket and put some of the elm seed buns inside.
This time, the three-tiered steamer was placed directly inside the large iron pot. Gao Mengli and Lin Xi, each carrying a basket on their backs, carefully lifted the pot, one on each side.
However, since they couldn't bring the firewood and water buckets, they had to bring Da Niu along as well, so he could carry the firewood and the empty buckets.
If we need water, we'll go into town to get it.
There were quite a lot of things to carry today, and some of them were taking up space, so Gao Mengli wanted to give ten coins to pay for the oxcart, but unfortunately she only had eight coins.
"We'll give you the remaining two coins at noon." Gao Mengli frowned as she handed the coins to Zhao Chen.
Zhao Chen had no reason to disagree; this was already much better than the two of them riding in the same car for free in the past.
And now he's still paying for the car; even if they don't pay, he wouldn't dare say anything.
Throughout the journey, Zhao Chen was distracted while driving, because the aroma of those steamed buns was just too damn delicious.
Like a dancer, she kept seducing him, making him itch with desire.
He mustered his courage and looked at Lin Xi, his voice so low that only he could hear, "Could we use the food you sell to pay for the fare...?"
Lin Xi was slightly taken aback, not having heard clearly, "Huh? What did you say?"
He stared at Zhao Chen, who was staring at his steamer. Could it be that he wanted some cornbread?
He tentatively used bamboo tongs to pick up a steamed bun, and saw that Zhao Chen's eyes were gleaming with a fierce light.
"this?"
Upon hearing Lin Xi's question, Zhao Chen nodded hurriedly, practically drooling, "Yes, can I use this to pay the remaining two coins?"
This time, Lin Xi finally heard clearly that "food" emboldens people, and Zhao Chen's voice also became louder.
Lin Xi was overjoyed and quickly placed the elm seed bun in his hand, kindly reminding him, "Eat it while it's hot, be careful not to burn yourself!"
To be honest, Zhao Chen has a healthy, dark complexion. He doesn't look particularly good at first glance, but he's quite pleasing to the eye upon closer inspection.
Seeing Lin Xi's gaze, Gao Mengli's lips twitched, and she warned him in a low voice, "I think you're really hungry..."
The subtext is: If you're not afraid of dying, then climb up there.
Upon hearing this, Lin Xi shuddered, quickly averted his gaze, sat up straight, and tried his best to act like a normal man.
Zhao Chen, however, was clearly unaware of the cryptic conversation between the two. He took the warm elm seed buns, enjoying the fragrant aroma of the elm seeds combined with the allure of the white flour.
He couldn't wait to take a bite, and the wonderful taste instantly spread in his mouth.
The delicate fragrance of elm seeds blended with the rich flavor of wheat flour, creating a soft yet chewy texture. Zhao Chen's eyes lit up instantly; he had never tasted such delicious cornbread before.
As Zhao Chen chewed, he kept nodding, putting on a live "mukbang" in front of "Da Niu"—how could that be allowed?
The elm seed steamed buns were already very fragrant, and Da Niu really liked them. He watched Zhao Chen eat with relish, and he kept swallowing his saliva as well.
Gao Mengli quickly put one on Da Niu's plate as well, since they hadn't had breakfast yet when they left this morning.
So she and Lin Xi also took one out and ate it while sitting on the oxcart to fill their stomachs.
Zhao Chen was somewhat surprised that this couple would actually serve their son cornbread; it was truly a miracle.
Before, when Da Niu was at home, he was beaten three times a day for two days, and he was never full. In the dead of winter, he even had to wash their clothes with cold water.
However, now these two not only started doing business, but they also seem to be treating their son better than before.
He found it strange; had these two come to a realization?
But he only dared to fantasize in his mind; if asked to ask, he wouldn't dare.
The oxcart slowly made its way towards Pingyao County, arriving at the town gate half an hour later.
Upon seeing the familiar large pot and the familiar owner, the customers who had been squatting at their stall yesterday immediately stood up.
"Boss, boss, I want to buy cornbread, give me ten!"
"Boss, I'll have five steamed buns!"
"Don't push, I got here first, let me buy first."
"I was the first one here, you all line up after me."
Gao Mengli and Lin Xi were startled by the sudden arrival of the customer and quickly jumped off the oxcart.
"Don't worry, the stove hasn't been set up yet, and the water hasn't been boiled," Gao Mengli quickly reassured the customer.
Is there some kind of famine in the city? The food isn't even cooked yet, how can you sell it all cold?
“That makes sense…” The crowd fell silent for a moment after hearing Gao Mengli’s words; the boss was right.
They looked at the contents of the oxcart and then rushed forward.
One of the customers snatched the firewood from Da Niu's arms, while the other customers were not idle either, some carrying buckets to fetch water, some building stoves, some carrying pots and steamers, and some carrying baskets on their backs.
The speed was astonishing, leaving Gao Mengli and the others no time to react.
Da Niu thought his house had been robbed and was about to shout at them to stop.
He saw that the other person was helping, and he was glad he hadn't called out. He was a "petty person," so wouldn't it be better to show some courtesy?
Looking at the "crazy" city dwellers, Zhao Chen felt like he was getting to know these people all over again. Although he didn't know them before, this was the first time he'd seen customers being more enthusiastic than the shopkeepers...
This is completely upside down, it's unbelievable...
In the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, the fire was ready, the water was boiled, and the elm seed steamed buns were reheated.
The customers who were just a chaotic mess have now formed a long queue, just waiting for Gao Mengli and the others to start cooking!