I Crossed Over with My Enemy, Only to Find Him Running the Empire - Chapter 70

Chapter 70: Going to the Market

Zhang Jinhua immediately pulled a long face. “Why are you asking so many questions! Since Tieniu heard about it from the academy, it’s a business for our Wu family. Qiaoqiao, keep the method tight; don’t spread it around!”

Mrs. Wei shut her mouth sullenly, but her mind was already elsewhere: When Canghai comes home from school, I’ll have him ask the Master as well. Then I can tell my own family—wouldn’t that be another source of income for them?

After dinner, while Li Qiaoqiao was cleaning up the kitchen, Mrs. Liu leaned in to help and whispered, “Qiaoqiao, are those sprouts really grown indoors? How exactly do you do it? Teach me, will you?”

Li Qiaoqiao knew that Mrs. Liu was straightforward and not a gossip-monger like Mrs. Wei, so she smiled. “If the Third Sister-in-law wants to learn, of course I’ll teach you. It’s actually very simple: soak the beans in water, place them in a dark spot, and rinse them a few times a day. You can eat them in four or five days.”

Mrs. Liu was astonished. “Is it that simple?”

“That simple,” Li Qiaoqiao nodded. “When I start a new batch tomorrow, just come and watch.”

…

Night fell before Wu Ya returned from the academy. As soon as he walked through the door, Zhang Jinhua pulled him aside for a round of praise, saying his schooling was already paying off by bringing home such a good business.

Wu Ya was completely bewildered. It wasn’t until they were back in their room that Li Qiaoqiao quietly explained the whole story.

Wu Ya laughed. “You’re quite clever, pinning the whole thing on me.”

“How else could I explain it? A country girl like me, how would I know how to grow bean sprouts?” Li Qiaoqiao winked. “From now on, whenever there’s something new, we’ll just say you learned it at the academy.”

Wu Ya agreed, thinking her foresight was sound. He had spent the day at school struggling to act like a child, but knowing this was the path to changing their fate, he felt at peace with it.

…

Li Qiaoqiao understood that being popular in the Wu household didn’t guarantee the sprouts would sell well in town. She had to test the waters first.

Being cautious, she divided the first batch of sprouts into small bundles. During her afternoon chores of laundry and carrying water, she gave them to a few village wives she was on good terms with.

“Sister Wang, this is a new batch of sprouts we tried; they’re crisp and refreshing, have a taste.” “Sister Li, these are very tender. They’re delicious if you just blanch them in boiling water and toss them with seasoning.”

The women who received the sprouts were all fascinated. When they saw Li Qiaoqiao the next day, they couldn’t stop praising them.

“Qiaoqiao, those sprouts were truly delicious! my husband said they tasted better than meat!” “My mother-in-law has bad teeth, but even she said they were soft and asked where I bought them!”

With this feedback, Li Qiaoqiao felt confident. Not only did the Wu family like them, but outsiders accepted them too. She went home and discussed with Zhang Jinhua the idea of taking the sprouts to the town’s morning market.

Zhang Jinhua calculated for a moment and nodded. “Since everyone says they’re good, there’s no harm in trying. Start a batch tomorrow, and go to town the morning after to see if they sell.”

With her mother-in-law’s approval, Li Qiaoqiao moved immediately. On the surface, she placed two wooden basins in the kitchen corner with a few beans to keep up appearances. But in the dead of night, after the family was asleep, she quietly lit the oil lamp and returned to her modern apartment via the Concentric Lock.

Li Qiaoqiao nimbly divided a large bag of wild beans and soaked them in modern containers. Stainless steel basins, plastic crates, and even vegetable baskets were put to use; her bathroom became a temporary sprout factory.

“This is so convenient,” Li Qiaoqiao looked at the neatly arranged containers with satisfaction. The efficiency of modern tools far surpassed the wooden tubs and earthenware jars of ancient times.

The next afternoon, when Wu Ya returned from school, she pulled him in to help process the remaining beans. Hiding in their room, they moved in and out of the space using the lock. With the help of modern tools, they finished sorting and soaking all the beans in no time.

“With these tools, our efficiency is so much higher,” Wu Ya wiped his sweat and remarked.

Li Qiaoqiao inspected the first batch of mature sprouts tender, white, and straight. They were very inviting. She decided to head to town early the next morning for the trial sale.

…

The next day, before dawn, Li Qiaoqiao woke up to prepare. She gently nudged the sleeping Wu Ya. “Wu Ya, wake up. Help me push the cart to town.”

Wu Ya turned over groggily and mumbled, “I have school today, let me sleep a bit more…”

Li Qiaoqiao had expected this. She leaned down and whispered in his ear, “Help me push the cart, and I’ll make you a Jianbing Guozi (savory crepe) later using the white flour I’ve hidden.”

Wu Ya’s eyes snapped open instantly. Since transmigrating to this world, he hadn’t had a decent breakfast every day with watery porridge and pickles. Li Qiaoqiao’s Jianbing Guozi hit him right where it counted.

“You mean it?” He sat bolt upright.

“I mean it,” she laughed.

Wu Ya got dressed and got out of bed with newfound energy. They crept through the yard and brought out the wheelbarrow. Li Qiaoqiao signaled Wu Ya to hold the lock; with a thought, the two of them and the cart appeared in the modern apartment’s living room.

“Go wash up, I’ll cook,” she ordered, heading for the kitchen.

Wu Ya walked familiarly into the bathroom. He washed his face, looking at his reflection; he was still a bit unaccustomed to his new appearance. In the kitchen, Li Qiaoqiao was busy mixing batter and cracking eggs. She found some stocked ham sausages and lettuce, and soon, two fragrant crepes were ready. She also boiled a pot of millet porridge and sliced a plate of pickles.

“Eat. You need the energy for work,” she said, handing a crepe to Wu Ya.

Wu Ya took a massive bite, nearly moved to tears. “It’s been so long since I’ve had a proper breakfast.”

Li Qiaoqiao ate in small bites, reminding him, “The ingredients are limited, so eat sparingly. These modern foods are a finite resource; we have to save some for emergencies.”

Wu Ya nodded and slowed down, savoring the rare modern delicacy. He realized that Li Qiaoqiao’s cooking skills were truly impressive, but even more impressive was her ability to make something delicious under limited conditions.

…

Well-fed and energized, the two began bagging the sprouts. Li Qiaoqiao used clean, coarse cloth wraps, which were both breathable and hygienic. Several dozen catties of sprouts were packed into large bags and stacked neatly on the wheelbarrow.

Once everything was ready, Li Qiaoqiao confirmed no ancient items were left in the apartment before returning with Wu Ya.

The sky was just beginning to brighten, and the Wu courtyard was already showing signs of life. As they pushed the loaded wheelbarrow out of the gate, a voice called from behind: “Fourth Brother, Qiaoqiao, wait for me!”

They turned to see the Third Sister-in-law, Mrs. Liu, jogging toward them. Panting, she said, “Mother isn’t comfortable with you two doing business for the first time, so she sent me along to look after things. It just so happens your Third Brother is watching the house today, so I’m free.”

Li Qiaoqiao understood immediately; her mother-in-law was worried about her first foray into trade and sent the reliable Mrs. Liu to help. She could see Mrs. Liu genuinely wanted to help, unlike Mrs. Wei’s ulterior motives, so she accepted happily. “That’s great! I was worried I couldn’t handle it all alone.”

And so, the three of them set off together. Wu Ya pushed the cart while Li Qiaoqiao and Mrs. Liu walked on either side.

On the early morning country road, many villagers were already heading to the market peddlers with shoulder poles, farmers pushing vegetables, and groups of women walking together. As Li Qiaoqiao walked, she observed the others’ goods and attire, learning how to be a proper merchant.