Chapter 249 - 249: Not an Ordinary Mother
“Mom, Mom, what’s for breakfast today? Wow, so many pastries!” Su Li’s eyes lit up as he looked at the table full of pastries, neatly packed in banana leaves. He looked at his mom with curiosity.
There were only two types of pastries, one with a caramel color and the other pure white, resembling fermented cakes, each cut into thick triangular pieces. On top of them were golden osmanthus flowers, making them look both tempting in appearance and aroma.
Gu Zi tore a piece of banana leaf and turned it into a small box, placing the fermented cakes one by one inside. Two pieces of fermented cakes went into each box, and the boxes were placed in a steamer.
Gu Zi worked swiftly, and she could see that one big steamer was about to be filled up.
She explained, “Today, Lele and I are going to the market to set up a stall.
These are for the stall. Your breakfast and lunch boxes are in the kitchen.’
Gu Zi was about to ask him how he ended up downstairs with one sneaker and one basketball shoe, but she immediately saw Su Bing coming in, holding his shoes.
She smiled and continued packing.
Su Bing caught his brother and asked him to change his shoes properly before having breakfast. Then he greeted his mother and went into the kitchen.
Su Li pouted but didn’t resist. He quickly changed his shoes and neatly placed the slippers before rushing into the kitchen.
He looked at the plate of plump white fermented cakes and pinched a large piece to put in his mouth. The sweet and soft fermented cake, combined with osmanthus honey and osmanthus flowers on top, gave him a sense of happiness that penetrated deep into his heart.
“It’s so satisfying and delicious!”
Su Li showed an expression of enjoyment, looking like a gourmet critic. Su Bing’s expression didn’t change much, but he ate a piece of white sugar fermented cake and then reached for the red sugar fermented cake. He also found it delicious.
For Su Bing, who didn’t have a sweet tooth, the fermented cakes made by his mother had just the right amount of sweetness. The simple fragrance of rice completely won over his taste buds.
When Gu Zi came in to put away the kitchenware, she heard Su Li’s praise and said, “I was worried about the sales, but seeing how much you both love them, I suddenly feel relieved.”
Although most villagers in these villages weren’t considered wealthy, they were no longer in a state of struggling for basic meals as before.
Gu Zi had visited the supply and marketing cooperative several times and not only purchased items but also inquired about the situation.
Nowadays, the small snacks sold by the cooperative had become an extra source of snacks for more and more children in the village. This indicated that adults were willing to spend money on their children for such treats.
The fermented cakes she made were not something that every household could replicate in terms of taste. As long as people were willing to try them once, they would be amazed by the flavor, and she could establish a stable customer base.
Su Bing gave a positive evaluation and encouraged, “It’s delicious. With this skill, you’ll definitely sell well.”
Gu Zi’s heart warmed slightly; this was the first time she received verbal approval from this future big shot.
Su Li had his own thoughts. He was wondering if, in the future, with more customers buying from outside, his mom would have less time to cook for them. She would be taking care of them and setting up the stall; wouldn’t that make her very tired?
After leaving the house, Su Li asked his older brother, “Dad clearly said he made a lot of money, so why does Mom still have to sell pastries?”
Su Bing explained, “Because our mom is not just an ordinary mom. She’s not selling pastries solely for money.”
Su Li sat on the back of the bicycle, listening without fully understanding. When he looked back at their home, he saw his mom had already wheeled the cart into the yard.
She was dressed in a white short-sleeved denim shirt, and the morning breeze ruffled her long hair, making her look like a scene from a movie.
At 8 0’clock in the morning, Gu Zi set up her small stall at the entrance of the market. Li Zhu’s mother and Zhang Cuihua were once again the first two customers, and they praised her enthusiastically.
Li Zhu’s mother said, “This is the first time I’ve had such delicious fermented cakes. They taste completely different from the ones I make at home.”
Zhang Cuihua added, “No wonder everyone envies Gu Zi’s skillful hands. These are so soft and not sticky at all.”
They helped Gu Zi call out to attract customers, and their momentum drew attention to the new stall.
“White sugar fermented cakes, red sugar fermented cakes, two mao per jin (unit of weight), taste the flavor of happiness!”
The three of them called out like this, and people passing by couldn’t help but look over with curiosity when they heard the commotion.
Gu Zi took advantage of the opportunity to open the large steamer. The fragrances of rice, sweetness, and osmanthus flowers blended into the air, creating an irresistible temptation for the customers. Some who were about to leave turned back upon catching a whiff of that delightful aroma..