Chef Hua
Chapter 69: Episode 58: Can’t Be at a Disadvantage_2

Chapter 69: Episode 58: Can’t Be at a Disadvantage_2

She spoke calmly, and Pan Ping’an had no significant rebuttal. On reflection, it was indeed necessary to clarify the price beforehand to avoid giving too much money by mistake and suffering a loss in the end.

"Alright, then I’ll go and scout the market first, and we can talk in detail afterward," he said with a chuckle, reaching out to gather all the copper coins from the table back into his bosom.

Although the deal hadn’t been completely finalized, there was still a great hope. As a result, the meal in Jing Family’s small courtyard was quite enjoyable for both host and guests. Old Master Pan and Grandma, being of advanced age, usually went to bed around the hour of the Dog, and after Pan Ping’an exchanged a few more words with Jing Taihe, he also helped his parents back to the next courtyard.

Hua Xiaomai was sent back to the west room early by Second Master Hua, who herself stayed in the kitchen to wash dishes and tidy up. However, as Hua Xiaomai shook out the bedding and prepared to go to bed, Second Master Hua hurried in, stood at the doorway, first looking toward Old Master Pan’s courtyard, then carefully shut the door.

She was still wearing her apron, her hands, still dripping wet from not having dried them, Hua Xiaomai couldn’t bear to see this, so she hopped off the bed, grabbed a cloth, and tossed it to her, laughing and teasing: "Second Sister, what are you up to now?"

With two beautiful arched brows furrowed, Second Master Hua stood beside the table and expressed her worries. "I just can’t wrap my head around it. Pan Ping’an pulled out three or four strings of coins in one go, which is almost half a year’s expenses for our family. Why didn’t you take the money at once, what are you waiting for? I might not be very clear about how those sauces are made, but seeing that you’re not too busy every day, I’d wager it doesn’t take much effort, how could you..."

It was indeed about that issue. She must have been distracted while washing the dishes earlier, lost in thought for a long time, hadn’t she?

Hua Xiaomai shook her head, pulled her to sit down at the table, and said, "Second Sister, let me ask you, what is our purpose in doing business with Uncle Ping’an?"

"What else, to make money, of course!" Second Master Hua replied without a second thought, rolling her eyes.

Hua Xiaomai smiled and then asked, "I’ll ask you another question. How much do those sauces sell for on the market now?"

Second Master Hua paused for a moment, then thought carefully and said, "That’s hard to say. As you said, each type of sauce uses different ingredients, and besides that, the reputation of the store and the quality of the sauces also affect the price. Take the dried fermented black bean sauce, for example; the cheap ones can sell for five copper coins per catty, but if it’s from a time-honored shop in the county, the best quality can sell for fifty to sixty copper coins per catty without worrying about finding buyers!"

"There, you see?" Hua Xiaomai spread her hands.

"Tsk, what are you actually trying to say!" Second Master Hua had the least patience for beating around the bush, slapping her hand onto Hua Xiaomai’s head, "Speak properly to me!"

"Ouch, that hurts!" Hua Xiaomai gasped, quickly rubbing the top of her head, and glared at Second Master Hua, "Isn’t it obvious? I make sauces for our own family’s consumption, exceptionally clean, and made from the freshest ingredients, which tastes much better than the ones from Sauce Garden, so we can’t sell them too cheaply, right? Uncle Ping’an didn’t say anything and threw out a handful of money for a deposit; if I nonsensically accept it now, it’ll be difficult to do the accounting later."

"You mean... you’re worried that he might set the prices for each sauce too low while making a bundle himself?" Second Master Hua looked up at her younger sister, "That’s unlikely, right? The prices he offered for the preserved fruit and pastries before weren’t too high, but they were still market price. I think he probably won’t..."

"Here’s how I see it, Second Sister. We’re doing business with Uncle Ping’an because he has some connections in the provincial city, which can help us sell various foods. We won’t take advantage of him, but we absolutely can’t suffer a loss either. I asked him to explore the market prices first because I’m indeed afraid of not being clear, and second, I want to see how he plans to price the sauces after knowing their market prices. If the prices he quotes are fair, then naturally everyone will be happy, but if he quotes too low, I can still haggle with him. But if I had taken his money today, it wouldn’t be good to open my mouth about it later, as they say, ’one can’t criticize the hand that feeds one.’"

After saying all this in one breath, Hua Xiaomai took the teacup from the table and took several big gulps.

It was then that Second Master Hua fully understood, nodding vigorously. "Right, you’re so smart! It’s no good being greedy for small immediate benefits if it leads to regrets from a loss."

"Exactly," Hua Xiaomai stuck her tongue out at her, "Alright, Second Sister, I know you’re anxious, but don’t worry too much. I think that in the end, it’ll turn out well."

...

True to form, Pan Ping’an didn’t rush to bring up the matter of buying the sauces again. He had already agreed with Hua Xiaomai that the Almond Crisps and Fake Haws Cake, like the Crispy Yellow Turnip, would still sell for fifteen copper coins per catty, requesting thirty catties of each, and the chicken floss was set at twenty-five copper coins per catty for a total of ten catties, with a pickup arranged for three days later. Following this, he began living a life of coming home late and leaving early.

According to Old Master Pan, Pan Ping’an kept himself busy daily, after making rounds in several nearby village dry goods stores, he even made a special trip to the county town, clearly in pursuit of getting to know the various sauce prices.

Hua Xiaomai didn’t bother worrying too much; with endless chores at hand, she was just focused on keeping herself and Second Master Hua busy, mulling over securing the money for the preserved fruits regardless of whether the sauce deal would come to fruition.

That evening after dinner, as Hua Xiaomai was tending to a large pot of steamed pumpkin, adjusting the firewood now and then, Guan Rong paid another unexpected visit.

One simply can’t hide... Hearing Guan Rong talking with Second Master Hua in the courtyard, Hua Xiaomai felt a wave of distress wash over her.

"Sister-in-law Jing, is Xiaomai home? The old lady from Guzi Village who sells sweet soup is doing business in our village again, setting up her stand by the river. Xiaomai hasn’t tried her sweet soup yet, has she? I was thinking of inviting her to go have some. Is she free?" (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, welcome to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for the recommendation ticket, monthly ticket. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)