Back to the 1980s: Transmigrated as the Bigshot's Pampered Wife-Chapter 35: Business is Booming

"Haha..." Gu Jiaojiao laughed, a wide smile revealing her teeth. She was genuinely happy.

’In her past life, she loved watching the stall owners make savory crepes, their movements fluid and effortlessly cool.’

’Afterward, she’d go home and practice making them herself to de-stress. If she made too many, she’d offer them to her grandfather.’

’Her grandfather would happily reward her with ten thousand yuan, and so she became an absolute expert at it.’

"Hehe, Sister-in-law, you’re incredible! Your movements are more beautiful than a dance from the arts troupe. I’m stuffed, but I can still manage a small piece."

Dong Qihua praised her from the heart, even pulling out a yuan to give to Gu Jiaojiao.

"Thank you for your business. Come again," Gu Jiaojiao said with a straight face, taking the money and handing it to Su’s mother.

This made everyone roar with laughter, and each person there tried a piece of the savory crepe.

"This is absolutely delicious. I’ve never eaten anything like it. Jiaojiao, you could set up your stall right here in the compound, couldn’t you?"

"Uncle Dong, everyone who works in the compound goes home for their meals. I don’t think anyone would buy from us," Gu Jiaojiao said, unsure.

"Why wouldn’t they? I’d definitely buy some if I saw you! Besides, there are already restaurants in the compound," Dong Qihua immediately countered.

"Then maybe we can try setting up at the entrance to the compound’s textile factory this afternoon," Su’s mother said, also sounding unsure.

"Sounds good. The cart is mobile, after all. We can just push it wherever the business is best," Gu Jiaojiao decided.

Actually, Uncle Dong wanted to suggest they set up the stall in front of his workplace, but he held his tongue, afraid the Su Family wouldn’t be brave enough.

Gu Jiaojiao truly had no idea what Uncle Dong was thinking. If she had, she would have certainly told everyone.

Even in her time, running a food stall meant constantly being chased by city inspectors. When they chased you from one end of the street, the vendors would just sell at the other.

When the inspectors moved to the other end, the vendors would just come back. It was an endless, cheerful game of cat and mouse.

After lunch and a short rest, Dong Qihua and his father had to leave for work.

Since it was Uncle Dong’s first visit, Gu Jiaojiao gave him a box of fine tea as a gift.

"Thank you, Jiaojiao. Then your uncle won’t stand on ceremony. Uncle Gu, Brother-in-law, Sister, Brother Su, I’m off to work."

Uncle Dong left, completely reassured.

Dong Qihua kept looking back as he walked away. Seeing him like this, Gu Jiaojiao gave him a few packs of spicy strips.

She removed the original packaging from the spicy strips—which came from her dimensional space—and wrapped them in oiled paper for him. "I made these myself. They’re nothing fancy."

Dong Qihua was Su Shuochi’s good friend, and also her cousin, but it seemed he hadn’t put two and two together yet.

"Thank you, Sister-in-law! I’ll definitely bring my colleagues to your food stall to buy some snacks."

"You’re more than welcome," Gu Jiaojiao said politely.

’In her past life, she’d never had to stoop so low just to make ends meet. Her focus had been solely on her studies and medicine.’

’Now, here she was, with the dirt-poor Su family, and saddled with the equally poor and ailing Gu Family.’

’What else could she do but swallow her pride, roll up her sleeves, and earn money to support them all?’

She then patiently coaxed Old Sir Gu and the rest of the Gu Family to go upstairs and rest. They really did need it, so they agreed.

While the Gu Family washed up, Gu Jiaojiao took a lightweight quilt and a bamboo cooling mat from her dimensional space and made the beds.

Second Brother Gu, however, didn’t want to rest. "Jiaojiao, I want to come with you to the stall."

Gu Jiaojiao saw that he seemed to be in good spirits and agreed. An extra pair of hands could only help.

Mr. Su and Second Brother Gu walked ahead, pushing the food cart. Mr. Su was actually a little nervous, but seeing Second Brother Gu’s enthusiasm...

...his own timidity shrank into a corner of his heart. He held his head high and walked with long, confident strides. Su’s mother followed closely behind, carrying baskets of bowls and chopsticks on a shoulder pole.

Gu Jiaojiao pushed Su Shuochi at the very back. She asked uncertainly, "Su Shuochi, are you sure you want to go?"

"Of course. Weren’t you the one who said this is a legitimate small business? That we’re not stealing or robbing anyone?"

’Su Shuochi knew his mother was an excellent cook, but this was her first time ever running a street stall.’

’His wife had to be there to steer the ship and give his parents confidence.’

’And if his wife had to go, then he definitely had to go too. He had been wallowing in self-pity for long enough since his injury.’

’He could no longer serve his country, but couldn’t he at least do what little he could for his family?’

Seeing he was truly determined, Gu Jiaojiao started pushing his wheelchair. Running a stall in this era inevitably meant facing a few scornful looks.

’But the Su family was eating and drinking well every day; they needed a legitimate, public source for that income.’

Buoyed by Gu Jiaojiao’s encouragement, the group arrived at the entrance to the textile factory, brimming with confidence.

Mr. Su skillfully set up the stall, and Gu Jiaojiao began methodically assigning tasks to everyone.

For their trial run, they decided to sell liangpi. Not only were the cold skin noodles inexpensive, but they were also simple to prepare. Most importantly, they had a wonderfully fresh, smooth texture.

They were incredibly refreshing to eat. A bowl of liangpi on a summer day was simply invigorating.

In the winter, you could have stir-fried liangpi and still enjoy that delicious flavor. That was why Gu Jiaojiao had chosen it.

’In her time, the price of liangpi varied by city, but even the cheapest bowl cost six yuan, with more expensive ones going for over ten.’

Gu Jiaojiao set the price at thirty cents a bowl. The Su Family had no objections. Second Brother Gu thought it was a bit expensive, but he didn’t voice any opposition.

They had just gotten everything ready when someone called out curiously from behind the factory’s iron gate, "What are you all doing?"

"We’re selling liangpi! They’re delicious! Thirty cents a bowl. Would you like to try one, sir?"

A manager from the factory walked out of the gate and up to the stall. "Let me try a bowl."

Su’s mother took several pristine, jade-white sheets of noodles from a basket, all washed clean, and placed them in a large bowl.

She then added the prepared toppings: cilantro, peanuts, shredded kelp, diced pickled mustard root, chopped scallions, vinegar, soy sauce, and sesame oil, tossing everything together vigorously.

"Do you want it spicy?"

"The spicier, the better."

Su’s mother skillfully ladled on a spoonful of fiery red chili oil, then used bamboo chopsticks to toss the noodles vigorously.

And just like that, a bowl of incredibly fragrant liangpi, a feast for the eyes, nose, and palate, was ready. Su’s mother’s movements had been clean and efficient from start to finish.

In this era, true delicacies were rare. Most people were just focused on getting enough food to fill their bellies.

They hadn’t yet started to pursue gourmet flavors, which made the fragrant aroma wafting from the liangpi all the more enticing.

The man cheerfully paid his thirty cents and used his chopsticks to lift a few strands of the cold noodles from the bowl.

He twirled his chopsticks a few times, winding the noodles around them like a fishing line on a reel.

He slurped them down in one mouthful, repeated the process a few times, and the large bowl of liangpi was empty.

Even after he finished, he lingered, savoring the aftertaste. It was so delicious. ’So refreshing, my spirits are soaring.’

The Su family was generous with their portions; the bowl was quite large, and he was genuinely full.

"I’m going back inside to spread the word. I’ll tell them to come try it after their shift."

"Thank you, sir," Gu Jiaojiao said graciously.

By the time the workday ended, the liangpi stall was swarmed with people. Some of them normally went home to cook their own dinner...

...but the pervasive, fragrant aroma of the liangpi made them want a bowl. Besides, their manager had already sung its praises.

The stall was surrounded by a crowd, and those who were already eating couldn’t help but exclaim, "This liangpi is packed with flavor! I could eat this forever!"