Chef Hua
Chapter 66: Episode 57: Selling Sauces Too

Chapter 66: Episode 57: Selling Sauces Too

Pan Ping’an was the one who came running to the Jing Family courtyard with a large silver carp and a jar of aged wine in tow, clamoring as soon as he entered to have a good drink with Jing Taihe.

Last time, he had taken away two large baskets of Orange Cake and Crispy Yellow Turnip from Hua Xiaomai for five hundred copper coins. Nearly a month had passed, and although he did not know how the candied cakes were selling, the fact that he was willing to return for a second time suggested a satisfying income.

Hua Erniang was so delighted she couldn’t stop wriggling her waist. Upon entering the room and turning away from the others, she exchanged winks and giggles with Hua Xiaomai, whispering excitedly that this was shaping up to be a long-term deal. Hua Xiaomai stuck out her tongue and felt a wave of joy in her heart. She ran out with a bright smile to greet Pan Ping’an.

As it was close to dinnertime, Pan’s parents had also been pulled over to the Jing Family’s courtyard, where they sat by the flower beds, chatting and laughing with Jing Taihe. As soon as they saw Hua Xiaomai, Pan Ping’an immediately stood up and strode over with several big steps, laughing heartily, "Sister Hua, those Orange Cakes and Crispy Yellow Turnip you made were really good. They sold out in just three days, and you didn’t leave a single piece for me!"

"Really?" Hua Xiaomai had a feeling that the two types of candied cakes must have sold pretty well, but hearing from Pan Ping’an that they were all sold out in just three days, she still found it a bit incredible. Her bright eyes widened as she said, "I was worried that if they didn’t sell, your five hundred copper coins would be wasted!"

"Look at what you’re saying. Don’t you have a sense of your own craftsmanship?" Pan Ping’an remarked with a gush of words, gesticulating as he spoke, "I took those Orange Cakes and Crispy Yellow Turnip to the Provincial City and thought to myself to try selling them first at a few familiar restaurants. Whatever was left, I planned to peddle to the grocery stores, or just keep them for Da Hu and Er Hu to eat. But to my surprise, as soon as I went to the first restaurant, the Shopkeeper tasted them and immediately bought up half! The rest was bought by two other eateries, and I didn’t have to put in any effort at all!"

As he spoke, he seemed worried Hua Xiaomai would ask about the profits he made, so he hurriedly added, "This first time, I wasn’t sure how to price them right, and looking back, it seems I sold them too cheaply. I only made a little bit for my efforts, heh heh. The most pitiful ones were Da Hu and Er Hu – they were looking forward to tasting more of Sister Xiaomai’s cakes, but couldn’t even get a crumb. They sulked for a good two days!"

Since she had already received five hundred copper coins from him, Hua Xiaomai wasn’t keen on haggling over the price, so she let that matter slide and simply smiled, "I didn’t consider everything, Uncle Ping’an. This time, I’ll make some extra cakes, and you can take them back for Da Hu and Er Hu to eat. Just consider it a little gesture from me."

After a moment’s thought, she added, "This one’s on the house."

Pan Ping’an readily said, "How could I accept that," but his eyes rolled around as he started to grumble, "But Sister Hua, to tell the truth, we still lack experience! Those two types of candied cakes can’t last long, especially the Crispy Yellow Turnip – it loses its crispness after two or three days, and the taste is greatly diminished. Even though I sold the goods, which in principle means they’re no longer my concern, I still felt a bit guilty. In the end, I even gave back two copper coins to each of the three eateries, ah!"

The Crispy Yellow Turnip was indeed best right out of the fryer, but if stored well and kept from moisture, the taste wouldn’t change much within ten days to half a month. Pan Ping’an’s words were somewhat disingenuous, as if he was trying to make a good deal seem like a bad one. Hua Xiaomai smiled faintly, not minding whether he was telling the truth or not, and sat quietly listening without interjecting.

Seeing her so composed, Pan Ping’an began to feel a bit embarrassed and couldn’t continue beating around the bush. He chuckled, "Sister Hua, my main purpose for coming back this time is still our business deal. You see, the candied cakes you make are so popular – this could be a long-lasting business. We shouldn’t give up so easily, just for the sound of a few more copper coins clinking together, right? I wonder which types of treats you’re planning to make this month and if you’ve already thought about it?"

Hua Xiaomai nodded at his words and pondered, "I was guessing you’d be back in these couple of days, Uncle Ping’an, and I’ve been considering it for several days now. Right now it’s early spring, and there aren’t many fresh fruits, so it’s difficult to make candied fruits. If the Crispy Yellow Turnip is popular, then we’ll naturally continue making those. After a lot of thought, I could only add Almond Crisps and Fake Haws Cake – that’s made with old pumpkin. Other than that, I really don’t have anything else."