Chapter 30: Business is Booming
Su He's malt candy was flying off the shelves. Initially, she thought few would be willing to spend ten cents on a roll of malt candy for their kids. But she had underestimated just how much the villagers spoiled their sons and grandsons.
Most of those who got to eat the malt candy were boys. When it came to girls, parents didn't want to spend money on them.
The older generation favoring boys over girls was a fact of life in every generation, and Su He could do little about it.
"Grandma, can you ask Auntie to split one candy into two? One for me and one for my little sister?" A boy came up to Su He's cart and asked.
"Of course."
Su He took out two sticks, rolling a small portion onto each for the two children.
Other eagle-eyed parents noticed and asked for the same thing.
Splitting one into two was no issue for Su He, but the split portions ended up a little smaller than a single serving.
A nearby woman muttered under her breath, "Why are the split portions smaller than buying a whole one?"
Su He smiled and explained, "Sticks aren't free, you know. That's why the candy's a bit less."
She grumbled, "How much could a stick cost?" but ultimately accepted Su He's reasoning.
News spread among the kids, and soon they all crowded around Su He's cart, curious.
Even if they couldn't have any, they still wanted to see.
Su He had originally planned to hawk her wares, but now a crowd had already formed around her.
When Zhuang Zhuang and the others heard someone was selling malt candy in the village, Wu Yanhua got dragged along by her grandkids. She gaped in surprise as Su He happily handed out malt candy to customers.
"Grandma, is that Auntie? Auntie is selling malt candy!" Zhuang Zhuang said excitedly.
"That's your aunt," Wu Yanhua murmured.
"Grandma, I want malt candy," Zhuang Zhuang said, clinging to Wu Yanhua's leg.
"Me too! Me too!" Fu Tinghua's second brother's oldest son, Niu Niu (Little Ox), chimed in.
Wu Yanhua was watching five grandkids: Da Ya, her first son's oldest daughter; Zhuang Zhuang, her youngest son; Niu Niu, Fu Tinghua's second brother's oldest son; Ya Ya, her second son's youngest daughter; and Shi Tou, her third son's son.
Except for Da Ya, who was in grade school, the other four children were with Wu Yanhua.
Hearing their voices, Su He looked up and saw Wu Yanhua standing not far away with the four children.
"Mom, you're here? Here, let me make up some candy for the kids."
After finishing the orders for those who had already paid, Su He made up a portion for each of the four children Wu Yanhua had brought.
"Thank you, Auntie."
"Thank you, Auntie."
"Thank you, Auntie."
"Thank you, Auntie."
The kids all chimed in with thanks as soon as they received their candy.
Su He made another piece of maltose candy and handed it to Wu Yanhua, then asked, "Mom, would you like to try some?"
Wu Yanhua gave Su He a complicated look but eventually took the candy.
"How much does it cost?" Wu Yanhua said while reaching into her pocket for money.
"Mom, it's on me. Don't worry about paying," Su He quickly replied.
"I can't do that. The ingredients for this candy must be expensive. I can't take it for free," Wu Yanhua frowned.
"Really, it's fine. Just watch Zhuang Zhuang and the others before they run off somewhere."
After saying this, Su He made two more pieces of maltose candy for Zai Zai and Niu Niu, then said, "Share these with your big brothers and sisters—it'll taste even better. Then go play with them."
Seeing Su He send the two kids to join the others, Wu Yanhua assumed she wanted help watching them and didn't insist on paying.
Other children watched enviously as the lucky ones got free maltose candy, wondering why their own mothers didn't make such treats.
Villagers who witnessed Su He and Wu Yanhua getting along so well quickly dismissed the rumors of their discord.
Auntie Liu also brought her grandson to buy maltose candy, but upon realizing it was Su He selling it, her expression darkened. She grabbed her grandson's hand and turned to leave.
"Grandma, I want some! I want candy~" Her grandson threw a tantrum for candy. Having come all this way, how could they just turn back? No way!
Seeing her grandson rolling on the ground demanding candy, Auntie Liu had no choice but to give him some coins to buy it himself.
The boy took the money and eagerly ran up to Su He, handing it over for his treat.
Su He smiled and wrapped up a piece for him. After one lick, he sighed blissfully and told his grandma, "Sooo sweet! Tastes amazing!"
Auntie Liu had nothing to say.
Su He hadn't expected all her candy to sell out in just fifteen minutes.
Apparently, country people could afford treats too. Though if she sold it every day, people would get tired of it, occasional purchases were manageable. So, Su He decided to sell it only twice a week.
As she packed up, people who came late rushed up and called out, "We'd like some candy!"
Su He paused and replied apologetically, "Sorry, we're all out already."
"Already gone? That fast? Will you sell more tomorrow?" someone asked.
"Not tomorrow. I just sell twice a week—next time will be the day after tomorrow."
The day after tomorrow was the weekend, when kids would be out of school, meaning more customers.
"How come there's none left? My grandson's waiting for some—he'll have a meltdown if I don't get any," someone grumbled nearby.
"Sorry about that. Get here sooner next time, and I'll make extra. There'll be plenty," Su He said warmly.
Her friendly and polite manner made someone curious enough to ask, "Mrs. Ting Hua, who taught you this skill?"
The question was somewhat impolite—after all, these skills put food on the table. But Su He didn't mind and answered cheerfully, "I loved maltose candy as a child, so I worked on figuring out in my spare time how to make it. And I succeeded!"
Just then, a child chimed in, "The candy's delicious—better than what they sell in the city!"
"I'm kinda worried nobody'd want it before I came out today."
Su He chatted and laughed with the crowd, and those around her couldn't help but marvel—the Fu family sure knows how to pick'em.
Su He didn't look as heavy as she used to, and she carried herself with grace and confidence.
Not far from the crowd, Wu Yanhua watched Su He with growing mixed feelings.
This Su He—why did she seem more and more like a whole different person the longer they interacted?
Before, she could at least use Su He's domineering personality as an excuse to dislike her. But now that Su He's temperament had changed, her old excuse didn't work anymore.