Back to the 1970s: Building My Fortune Through Time Trading-Chapter 332: Lao Gan Ma

Holy cow! That was fast, did it come by rocket?

She’s genuinely a bit skeptical now whether thirty jars of Old Gan Ma sauce can even cover the shipping cost for that big spender dude.

She sneaked to a corner to confirm receipt, and while she was at it, she pulled out a jar and shoved it in her pocket, swaggering into the cafeteria in high spirits.

Qin Shuang was having lunch with Zhang Yulan, and she waved eagerly at Su Xiaoxiao from afar: "Xiaoxiao, over here."

They’d already gotten her food, saving her a trip.

Su Xiaoxiao walked over and pulled out the Old Gan Ma from her pocket.

Qin Shuang glanced over, puzzled: "Xiaoxiao, what did you bring?"

It looked all black, with what seemed like a layer of oil floating on the surface, hard to tell what it was.

It kind of resembled homemade pickled sauce, but seemed a bit different.

Su Xiaoxiao thanked Qin Shuang for getting her food, sat down, and opened the glass jar.

The aroma wafted out immediately, spicy and fragrant enough to make mouths water uncontrollably.

"This is chili sauce, give it a try."

To avoid unnecessary trouble, Su Xiaoxiao had torn off the label and changed the lid before she came in.

"This smell alone is delicious, is this homemade?"

Zhang Yulan inhaled the nice scent and reached her chopsticks out to grab a pinch.

It was oily, like sauce stir-fried with oil, and seemed to contain other stuff.

"Yeah, homemade, try it with corn bread, it’s super good."

Qin Shuang also tentatively reached out her chopsticks, she couldn’t handle too much spice, so she just took a tiny bit.

She tentatively spread it on the corn bread and took a bite, her face instantly lit up with amazement.

"Xiaoxiao, this chili sauce is delicious."

The spice level was bearable for her, and it tasted just as fragrant; with corn bread, it was even better than the dishes.

Zhang Yulan also took a bite without stopping: "Delicious, so delicious, it’s my first time tasting such good chili sauce, it’s perfect with rice!"

One bite led to another, she couldn’t stop her chopsticks.

"Why make a fuss over some silly sauce, clearly you haven’t seen good stuff."

Zhang Dongmei was sitting at the nearby table, and seeing the three of them gathered around the jar of sauce like it was something they’d never seen before, she spoke with a sarcastic tone.

"Xiaoxiao, don’t mind her, she’s just sour grapes."

Zhang Yulan glared at Zhang Dongmei, "We’ve never seen good stuff, so what if we’re curious? Why do you care?"

"Who’s sour grapes? This stuff looks disgusting, even a dog wouldn’t eat it."

Zhang Dongmei glared back, "A small jar of sauce and you’re treating it like treasure, bunch of paupers!"

Just as she finished, a voice chimed in from the side.

"Comrade Su, can I try your chili sauce?"

Qian Xiaoyan, wearing a light pink velvet dress, moved closer, her pretty almond-shaped eyes full of anticipation.

Su Xiaoxiao felt a bit uneasy being stared at by her eyes and generously said, "If you don’t mind, join us."

With permission granted, Qian Xiaoyan eagerly sat down next to Zhang Yulan.

She pushed her lunchbox forward, "I brought some dishes from home, if you don’t mind, let’s share."

Su Xiaoxiao glanced over, no doubt a rich girl, half the lunchbox was boiled shrimp and the other half was potato stew with meat, mostly meat, all premium dishes.

Another lunchbox, probably bought at the cafeteria, held a serving of tofu with cabbage stew.

The three shared a look, full of envy.

Alas, they’re all sales clerks, but can’t compare.

Zhang Dongmei used to try to cozy up to Qian Xiaoyan, but after some performance rehearsal issues, Qian Xiaoyan didn’t really interact with her.

Now seeing Qian Xiaoyan proactively dining with Su Xiaoxiao, with such rich food, she was so jealous her eyes might turn red.

That pauper Su Xiaoxiao, how does she get so lucky?

Why is everyone drawn to her?

Though Qian Xiaoyan came from a well-off family, she was down-to-earth, eagerly picking up a large chopstick-full of Old Gan Ma.

Su Xiaoxiao was about to remind her it’s spicy, but she’d already confidently torn the bun in half and stuffed in a load of Old Gan Ma.

She opened her mouth wide and took a big bite.

"Hiss..."

At that bite, she hissed a bit, then went on devouring the bun without a care, leaving the three watching her wide-eyed.

After wolfing down the whole bun, Qian Xiaoyan burped sheepishly: "Comrade Su, sorry, this chili sauce is too good, did I eat too much?"

"I’m full, you guys feel free to finish these dishes, can you sell me a bottle of that chili sauce? It’s so tasty."

This stuff is so fragrant and spicy, perfect sides for rice.

One taste leaves you wanting more.

Su Xiaoxiao was surprised such a wealthy lady was this down-to-earth.

She nodded immediately: "Sure, one bottle for one dollar, no receipt."

"Give me two bottles then."

Qian Xiaoyan quickly handed two dollars to Su Xiaoxiao.

Having tasted the sauce, Zhang Yulan and Qin Shuang were also tempted.

"Xiaoxiao, get us each a bottle too."

The price wasn’t cheap, but considering the thickness and mixture of oil and sauce, it was reasonable.

Both handed money to Su Xiaoxiao for a bottle.

With Su Xiaoxiao’s chili sauce, lunch was extra enjoyable; the four were stuffed by the time they finished.

On the way back, they mostly supported their bellies while heading back.

Su Xiaoxiao’s jar of chili sauce was more than half gone, leaving only the bottom.

The three felt a bit embarrassed.

"Xiaoxiao, I’ll treat you to lunch tomorrow, it’d be awkward to keep taking without repaying."

Zhang Yulan said, feeling bad for constantly eating at Su Xiaoxiao’s expense.

Qin Shuang also chimed in: "Tomorrow I’ll bring over that top pastry from East City, their mung bean cake is delicious."

Qian Xiaoyan added: "Whatever you want for lunch tomorrow, just tell me, I’ll bring it."

Girls’ friendships can be that simple, within one meal the four of them were close like sisters.

Su Xiaoxiao walked back with the remaining Old Gan Ma, the four were just leaving when they ran into Yan Guohua who had just finished his work.

"General Manager!"

The four called to Yan Guohua in unison, surprising him.

Yan Guohua, having worked himself hungry all morning, was just about to eat when another call came from the city supplier which caused a delay.

He nodded at them and was about to leave when he spotted the glass jar in Su Xiaoxiao’s hand.

Curiously he asked: "Xiao Su, is this homemade sauce?"

He usually liked this stuff, dipping onions in sauce, the flavor growing with every bite.

Su Xiaoxiao hurriedly offered the jar: "General Manager, this is my homemade chili sauce. If you don’t mind, try some."

Yan Guohua had been stuck with bland radish, cabbage, and potatoes recently, longing for some flavor, took the jar without hesitation and thanked her: "Thank you, let me have a try."

With thanks given, he took the jar and left.

As soon as he left, a derogatory voice came from the side.