The Evil Mother-in-law: Torment Children, Work Hard, Be Rich!-Chapter 24: Big Patron

Tong Huaqiong listened to the young man promoting the family’s green bean cake to the people around, she almost wanted to light incense and worship him.

What a treasure!

Although people might not want to notice her small stall, it doesn’t mean they wouldn’t want to take advantage of a good deal.

Free tasting, how enticing! 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

If you don’t take advantage of a freebie, you’re a fool!

Even Tong Huaqiong, who was poisoned by the marketing tactics of later generations, would be attracted to the free samples of new products in the supermarket for a taste!

Let alone the people here.

Crispy Food Garden doesn’t offer taste tests, focusing on a take-it-or-leave-it policy.

When people queuing at the Crispy Food Garden heard there was free tasting, there was indeed a commotion, and many people at the end of the line left to gather around Tong Huaqiong’s stall.

"Can you really try your green bean cake for free?" an old lady in the crowd asked.

"Dear sister, why don’t you try it and see if it’s tasty. It’s okay if you don’t buy after tasting."

Tong Huaqiong pierced a small piece of green bean cake and handed it to the old lady’s mouth.

Compared to the young man, she was happier that the old lady was willing to visit her stall.

Old ladies have an innate ability to spread information, just like in later times, they’re always aware of where there’s free eggs or which supermarket is offering discounts on rice, flour, and oil.

"You don’t even have to buy to taste it!"

The crowd was in an uproar immediately.

"I think it tastes pretty good."

If it’s free, only a fool wouldn’t eat!

Anyway, in broad daylight, even if something went wrong with what they ate, the mother and daughter wouldn’t benefit, so the old lady unhesitatingly swallowed the green bean cake Tong Huaqiong offered.

Then she gave a somewhat reserved evaluation.

But from the expression on the old lady’s face, Tong Huaqiong noticed a slight surprise at the deliciousness of the green bean cake, and she understood the reason for the reserved evaluation — it was to prepare for bargaining.

It was just like how her mother would always find faults even if she was satisfied when taking her shopping for clothes in the past.

She understood the tactic.

Indeed, an old lady is an old lady, and from ancient times to the present, old ladies have always been fiercely competitive.

"This isn’t too bad, sister. My green bean cake is made with solid ingredients. Don’t you feel it’s sweeter and more fragrant than usual? Just guess how much sugar I used for these green bean cakes? A whole two pounds of sugar."

The people around became even more interested at this point.

What kind of bottom line is this, using two pounds of sugar for just a small batch of green bean cake.

As if sugar were as common as flour.

"Not bad, it’s slightly sweeter than what I’ve had before," the old lady nodded.

"How much is it?" the old lady asked.

"We’re doing small business, can be sold individually. This green bean cake is six copper coins each, green bean pastry is eight copper coins each, and dry cake is three copper coins each. How many pieces would you like, madam?" Taohua happily said.

Nice, as soon as the price is quoted, everyone knows a sale is coming!

Tong Huaqiong was very pleased with her chubby daughter’s performance.

"It’s a bit pricey," the old lady’s eyes gleamed with sharpness.

All the old ladies understood each other’s thoughts. Tong Huaqiong took the old lady’s hand and earnestly said, "Dear sister, if you find it delicious, you could buy two pieces first. To be honest, we’ve been worrying about our families for half our lives. It’s not even a question of six copper coins apiece; even if the green bean cake were made of gold, and you bought it to eat, would your family’s children say a word against you?"

Sure enough, with a few words, the old lady regarded Tong Huaqiong as a confidante.

Exactly, after laboring for half her life, she should at least be able to decide to eat a piece of green bean cake.

So she made the copper coins on her waist jingle and said, "My children are all filial. I wouldn’t be lining up early in the morning to buy green bean cake if they weren’t. But dear sister, while your green bean cake is indeed delicious, it is a bit pricey. I came to your stall because the queue at Crispy Food Garden was too long. I need to hurry home to sun-dry my clothes after buying."

"If you don’t give me a better price, I won’t mind. I can queue up at Crispy Food Garden this afternoon all the same."

This was the tug-of-war of bargaining.

Tong Huaqiong really couldn’t let the customer walk away, so she said with a troubled face, "I’ll call you sister, but please don’t make things difficult for this younger sister. My husband passed away early, and it’s not easy bringing my daughter to sell pastries."

After selling her woes, Tong Huaqiong continued speaking quietly, "Let’s do it this way, you buy two green bean cakes and two green bean pastries, and I’ll gift you a dry cake. Just see those sesame seeds atop the dry cake to know the ingredients are solid. This way, you won’t lose out, and I’m not making a loss either."

Moved by Tong Huaqiong’s words, the old lady took out the copper coins and said, "Alright, let’s go with that."

Taohua collected the money, and Tong Huaqiong wrapped up the green bean cakes, green bean pastries, and dry cakes and handed them to the old lady.

Before leaving, the old lady tasted two more pieces of green bean pastry from the sample box.

The old lady didn’t miss a single freebie!

No, there must be a rule for this sample box, each person can only sample one piece, otherwise, Tong Huaqiong’s business hasn’t even started, and she’d be plucked clean.

Following this, under the old lady’s influence, many people stepped forward to sample.

No one who tasted did not buy.

Firstly, these green bean cakes and pastries were indeed delicious; secondly, they could be bought individually, reducing pressure; thirdly, Tong Huaqiong and Taohua not only were clean but also kept their stall tidy, putting customers at ease.

As a result, business was quite brisk!

Soon, the basket of green bean cakes and pastries was down to just a bottom layer.

"I’ll buy out what’s left."

A middle-aged man, shaking a fan and sporting a short neck with a protruding belly, said after sampling, pointed at the green bean cakes and pastries in the basket with his fan.

Tong Huaqiong felt a surge of joy.

Recalling that famous skit line, a big head and short neck, you’re either a cook or a big shot, and judging from the silks and satins this man wore, he must be a big shot!

Rationally, having someone purchase all the remaining green bean cakes and pastries would make Tong Huaqiong very happy.

But this time, Tong Huaqiong didn’t want to do that.

Because by now, quite a few people had gathered around due to her free tasting.

If she sold all the remaining green bean cakes and pastries to the big shot, wouldn’t the rest leave disappointed?

That would be no different from Crispy Food Garden keeping the rest of the green bean cakes for the wealthy landlord.

She must establish a fair and just image.

"Mr. Huang, with your wealth, you can buy from Crispy Food Garden. Why compete with us?"

The muttering in the crowd solidified Tong Huaqiong’s decision.

"Mr. Huang, I am honored you’d look after my small business. No wonder people say Mr. Huang cherishes the poor and pities the weak, today it’s proven true."

Tong Huaqiong chose to flatter Mr. Huang with a wide smile.

Just like in later generations, it’s customary to call someone "boss" when meeting a wealthy person, here addressing them as "lord" is the way.

Upon hearing Tong Huaqiong’s compliments, Mr. Huang happily puffed out his chest.

It seemed his reputation for kindness truly spread, even an unfamiliar widow knew about it.

"However, I can only sell you eight of the green bean cakes and pastries each," Tong Huaqiong said.

What?

There’s no logic in driving a customer away when they’re at your door.

Mr. Huang couldn’t understand, he thought the widow’s brain wasn’t functioning well, how could she do business like this.

"Mr. Huang, it’s not that I don’t want to sell you all of them, it’s mainly because everyone else also wants to try some. Can you buy eight pieces first and leave the rest for others? If it were anyone else, I wouldn’t dare ask. It’s only because I’ve heard you’re the kindest that I dared to make such a request."

After Tong Huaqiong’s words, Mr. Huang calmed down.

This widow seemed sincere, considering the other customers.

Alright, alright, let’s go by her suggestion. Her green bean cakes and pastries tasted even better than those from Crispy Food Garden.

Yet the green bean cakes at Crispy Food Garden were sold out.

Earlier, he had discreetly inquired and learned those green bean cakes were reserved for Landlord Hong. Mr. Huang and Landlord Hong didn’t get along, and angered by this revelation, he grew dissatisfied with Crispy Food Garden.

"Fine, let’s do as you suggested," Mr. Huang said while fanning himself.

"I’m not like some people who don’t place orders in advance yet buy out the green bean cakes when everyone lines up, just to flaunt their wealth?" Mr. Huang seized the chance to step on Landlord Hong.

Tong Huaqiong smiled slightly, "Not everyone has the same magnanimity as Mr. Huang. Should you find it satisfactory, you could place an order in advance next time, and I’ll personally deliver it to you."

With such a substantial benefactor, Tong Huaqiong would be remiss not to cling to the opportunity.

Mr. Huang was pleased with this and said, "Can you make other kinds of pastries? My mother’s birthday is in seven days, and I want to order a batch of pastries. She is tired of the same pastries in Pingchuan County. If you can make something different, I’ll entrust you with all the birthday pastries."

Tong Huaqiong’s eyes lit up, she could definitely do it.