Reborn in the 1980s: I became a stepmother in the 1980s

Part 160 Business is booming

She actually thought the price was quite reasonable, just saying she wanted to negotiate a bit more. Unexpectedly, the other party didn't play by the usual rules at all and directly suggested she go eat steamed buns instead!

"Huh, it's just a pastry, what's so great about it? With this money, she could have gone and bought meat buns instead."

Thinking this, the lady immediately mocked, "Clearly you're from the city, you don't understand the market, don't know the hardships of life. Selling at such a high price, who would buy from you, huh?"

After saying this, she grabbed her grandson and started to leave. Little did she know, her grandson forcefully shook her hand away and shouted, "Granny, I want pastry! I want pastry! I don't want steamed buns, buy it for me quickly!"

The lady was speechless.

Si Nian did not get angry at the other party's intentional suppression, but calmly took a piece of osmanthus cake from the foam box and cut it into small pieces sprinkled with sesame and osmanthus to share with the adults and the eagerly watching children nearby, but not with the lady and her grandson. She said calmly, "Everyone, rest assured, I'm Si Nian and I don't force people to buy. If you like the taste and think it's worth the price, buy it again. If you don't like it, that's okay."

The lady's grandson became impatient and, seeing that Si Nian wouldn't give him any, sat on the ground and cried, "It's all because of you, granny! She won't let us have a taste, I want some, I want some, I just want some."

The other children, seeing his tantrum, hid behind their parents.

After tasting the cake, their eyes lit up immediately: "So sweet and fragrant! Didn't skimp on the sugar, did you?"

Si Nian replied calmly, "I used pure white sugar and honey, absolutely healthy."

"In that case, it's not expensive at all, just 25 cents. Aren't you losing out if you don't buy?"

Pure white sugar is one thing, but using honey too? No wonder so many people left without even learning. So that's the reason.

Everyone sighed.

Si Nian said, "Since we're all neighbors, of course I'll give you a family discount. In town, I sell these for fifty cents."

This pleased everyone, and they crowded around saying, "Alright, give me two pounds."

"I'll take two pounds too."

"I'll have a bit of this mung bean cake as well."

The people around pushed the disgruntled lady out.

Seeing that just a moment ago she confidently said no one would buy, but now so many people were crowding around, the lady's face turned pale and then green.

Seeing everyone buying a lot, she also became anxious!

Her grandson was still crying loudly beside her. Unable to lose face, she angrily vented her frustration on him, giving him a couple of smacks on his bottom, then dragged him away.

After everyone left, someone whispered to Si Nian, "Comrade Si Nian, that sister-in-law from Luo's family is like that, always trying to grab a bargain. Don't mind her."

Si Nian just acknowledged with a grunt. In business, you encounter all kinds of people. She was used to it.

Previous customers were even more difficult. She didn't care at all.

But this was exactly why Si Nian decided to come along today.

She knew her mother and sister-in-law were both soft-hearted. This being their first business venture, if they had encountered such a situation, they likely would have dropped the price.

The road was bustling with people, and as soon as she opened the box, the fragrance filled the air. In addition, Si Nian was young and attractive, riding a conspicuous bicycle. Humans being naturally curious, everyone gathered around when they saw so many people buying. They all thought it must be something good. Seeing everyone eating, they couldn't resist buying a piece to try.

Once they tasted it, they were pleasantly surprised. It was unexpectedly fragrant, sweet, and soft, and yet so affordable. Its rich flavor lingered on the palate.

Those who initially bought just one piece went back to buy two pounds, intending to share it with their families. The price was indeed reasonable, considering a pound of steamed buns cost several cents and lacked flavor, unlike these delectable pastries that grew tastier with each bite.

Only fools would opt for steamed buns.

Si Nian hadn't anticipated such brisk sales; the pastries were almost sold out before reaching town. As the sun gradually rose in the east, she found herself sweating. Just as she entered town, a small car pulled up behind her.

"Wait, comrade, wait!"

Si Nian turned her head and saw a round-faced man poking his head out from a white car.

The man looked surprised. "Well, if it isn't little Zhou's wife! I spotted you from a distance and thought I must be seeing things. Isn't Zhou making good money with his pig farm? Why are you out here doing business?"

Recognizing him as Mr. Wang, the boss of the department store who attended her wedding and gifted her a gold necklace, Si Nian stopped her bicycle and greeted him warmly. "Uncle Wang, what brings you here?"

"I'm here to check on some goods in the village. Heading back to the city today, and I saw you from afar. What are you selling that smells so good?"

His department store thrived because of its affordable and fresh products sourced directly from rural areas. Although he collaborated with Zhou's family on pork, it was due to his son serving under Zhou Yueshen and receiving great care during military missions. When he heard Zhou started a pig farm, Mr. Wang was the first to invest, establishing a strong relationship between the two families.

"It's osmanthus cake. Let me pack some for you to taste," Si Nian offered, handing him a small bag.

Mr. Wang, known for his love of food due to his round figure that didn't seem greasy, smiled warmly, reminiscent of Maitreya Buddha. Taking a bite, he was pleasantly surprised. "Wow, this is incredibly fragrant! Did you make these yourself?"

He commented on the crowd around her earlier and couldn't believe how delicious they were.

Shaking her head, Si Nian replied, "My mom made them. I'm helping them sell in town."

"No wonder," Mr. Wang nodded knowingly. "Even with Zhou's wealth, he has you out here early in the morning doing business. How much do you have left? Give Uncle some more; I'll take it back for my grandson."

Si Nian glanced into the box and said, "There are five pounds of osmanthus cakes left and around ten pounds of mung bean cakes."

"Alright, I'll take all the osmanthus cakes and another two pounds of mung bean cakes," Mr. Wang replied, pulling out a large bill and handing it to Si Nian.

"You're too kind, Uncle. No need to pay. Consider this a taste for you. If you like it, feel free to come back another time," Si Nian insisted.

"How can that be? We're all in business here. I can't take advantage of you. Please accept it," Mr. Wang insisted, handing over the money. After all, Si Nian had already given him a taste in a small bag, and it wouldn't be right to refuse payment now.

Si Nian accepted politely, completing the transaction. As she watched Mr. Wang leave, she looked at the remaining mung bean cakes and fell silent for a while.

Her mother hadn't made much—only thirty pounds of cakes in total: fifteen pounds of mung bean and fifteen pounds of osmanthus cakes. The osmanthus cakes were more popular due to their fragrance, so they sold faster. Now, only the mung bean cakes were left.