Chapter 235: Her Eldest Daughter Didn't Come

Don't think it's just selling goods, but working at the Qiao Ji Snack Puzi truly opens one's eyes—almost any kind of food, any kind of ingredient, you can see.

Hear what hasn't been heard, see what hasn't been seen!

Niu, who knows this well, follows behind the assistant, notebook in his left hand, pen in his right, humming a song, couldn't be happier.

Qiao Mai locks the side room door and follows them to the front.

Tianshui Town could be described as a sea of people; a large portion are there for the Wang Jiaru's Wedding, the rest are setting up stalls, shopping, or just passing by.

They all thought today was a market, each still dazed, and only after asking did they learn it was the mayor's big wedding today.

Wow, the iron tree finally blossoms, the mayor finally is getting married, it's really not easy!

After asking further, "What? The bride is actually the boss's wife from Xiu Zhuang?"

"Yes, what's all the fuss, they've been together for a long time already."

"Quickly, tell me what's going on?"

"No problem, as long as you want to buy, we let you try; if it's not tasty, just don't buy it!"

For people like this, assistants usually give them a high rating.

"Got it, Steward, I say, will you show your face?"

The assistant brings out a plate of some uncommon fruits and nuts.

It lets them benefit, they won't be at a loss.

Qiao Mai, looking through the window, can see that man's face in agony—my sister's, this man—he drinks expensive wine without complaint, yet when buying snacks for his family, he can't bear to part with them.

Don't think that, even though they cheer for the groom and bride all the way, they are thinking that Qiao Ji's rare foods, if they go late, might be sold out.

At this time, there aren't many buyers; they've all gone to Qian's house, and no matter how greedy they are, they still have to go through the motions, right?

"There are so many people, not fewer than the big families in Jingcheng getting married."

Inside the shop, sunlight is abundant; in the middle are fruits, on the left nuts, on the right miscellaneous foods.

As they talked, they saw new goods at the Qiao Ji Snack Puzi, and everyone rushed into the shop; at that moment the assistants were hurriedly labeling the items on the shelves.

When they saw Qiao Mai, they felt quite embarrassed.

"I want that one, that one, and that one!"

Honghong carpet stretched from the mayor's house all the way to Lu's house; it must be said, for this wedding, Qian really put in utmost effort.

"Yes, yes, I say, there are so many unfamiliar ones in here, huh?"

The diners entered, saw some people buying, and immediately joined the frantic shopping mode.

Since he arrived at the snack shop, he's never gotten angry with a customer; every day he's smiling, not pretending, he's truly happy.

"The cost price is already high, plus freight and labor, and besides, it's not even April yet; you can taste such fruit, that's a scorpion's something—unique!"

Actually she was crying with joy; her mother finally had a sweet ending, being able to marry a man who truly loves her and cherishes her to the bone, so she no longer has to worry about her.

Qiao Mai, hands behind her back, follows the wedding procession; after all, he's her Enemy, receiving and sending, it's also her heartfelt gesture.

"What a good fellow!"

"Cream strawberries, Five Taels of Silver per jin; big cherries, Five Taels of Silver per jin; peaches, Yijian per jin. How many jin would you like?"

"Damn, why so expensive?"

"Don't go, too many people, too chaotic!"

Indeed, the Qiao Ji Puzi has more items than Qian's house; it's a feast for the eyes, and the key is that as soon as you step inside, the fragrant fruit aroma hits you.

"Alright, alright, ten jin of Peach, and five jin each of the others."

They're going to fetch the Wang Jiaru's Bride; because it's close, they didn't prepare a sedan chair, but Qian walked personally to bring her back.

"Yes, can't we? It's rare for the mayor to marry, everyone gathers, and when leaving, we also have to bring our snacks back, don't you think?"

After receiving and sending, Qiao Mai, as if having completed a mission, returns to the Qiao Ji Snack Puzi, where the Grandmother has just sat there.

Working under such a grandfather feels refreshing.

Qiao Mai sits in front of her own shop, cracking sunflower seeds, listening with great interest.

But on this joyous day, the only regret for Lu is that his big daughter didn't come.

"Just eat enough, keep in mind your family's goods, otherwise fear they'll be bought out."

She lets out a sigh of relief; from now on Lu will be guarded by Qian's house, and she won't have to worry anymore.

"We're setting the price now; we'll start selling in a moment."

Qiao Mai waves to the assistant outside; the assistant comes close, "Go fetch the newly arrived goods, arrange a bit of each on the table for the Grandmother to taste?"

The Grandmother's hand goes straight for the Strawberry and cherry, "I just love this bite."

Niu, while setting the price, answers the customers with a cheerful smile.

People gather together, talking wildly, digging up stories about Lu and Qian's younger days.

All are buying for their own children, who love the food here; normally they are reluctant, but today, using the mayor's happy event, they let the kids drink and drink joyfully.

"Delicious but don't overeat!"

Basket after basket, tidy and attractive, each labeled with a price tag.

The Grandmother, watching from the side, laughs; those entering the shop to buy things are mostly wealthy, but also ordinary folks.

Over there, Lu had already prepared, eighty loads of dowry, watched over by the mayor's guards.

The two talk, and see some people already coming out of the Qian Family, walking here while wiping their mouths.

Qiao Mai watches Qian's wedding procession, sees him take her hand, and sees them together step onto the red carpet into the Qian Family's main gate.

"Look at the shop, I'm too familiar with the Wang Jiaru's Groom and Bride; whether we go or not…"…

"Hmm, Qian gets along well with people, is righteous and loves to do good, so naturally he has many friends."

"Qiao Niang, why didn't you go?"

Some of them could have originally loitered in the mayor's house, but before fetching the Wang Jiaru's Bride and before the banquet starts, they still feel it's better to stay here.

The Master has powerful backing, so ordinary people rarely dare cause trouble; the shop brings in plenty of business each day, and the Master occasionally gives a small reward—who wouldn't be happy?

The diners are all in the shop, some sitting, some standing.

Xiuhong and Xiuyu stand guard over Lu San-niang, whose head is already covered with a red veil; Ruyi, beside her, quietly wipes away tears, as if today were her own daughter's wedding.

The diners stared with eyes wide open, "I say, Shopkeeper Niu, are you and your owners trying to borrow money from the mayor's grand wedding to make a quick profit?"

Soon, cannons roared at the mayor's house entrance; Mayor Qian, clad in red, stood at the doorway with a jubilant smile, while the matchmaker and guests trailed behind him.

"Yes, Master!"

It's likely not that Ruxin didn't come, but that Shopkeeper Lu was angry with her and never mentioned it.

"Haha, everyone has their own taste—oh dear, that Peach looks so fresh, I really want to eat it. It's pretty pricey, isn't it?"

"Oh, then please come in quickly; if you linger a bit longer, it might actually be sold out!"

The dozens of baskets of goods brought from Jixiang Courtyard were placed in the back yard, and the workers used Exquisite bamboo baskets to pack fruit and nuts before arranging them on the shelves.

Qiao Mai specifically told them that anyone who can save money to shop at the store should be treated generously.

Many diners in the shop wailed, "I say, Shopkeeper Niu, your prices are really steep; buying once would bankrupt my household."

"Pah, pah, pah—don't utter such inauspicious words. These prices are far cheaper than those in the capital; if the shop weren't in this tiny spot, you wouldn't even get them. In Fucheng, the big households—don't even mention five liang per jin, they'd buy whatever they want even at ten liang. Take the Peach, for instance: Yijian per jin; if you still find it pricey, then my Master will just take it home and eat it themselves."

"Not pricey, not pricey—I'll buy, I'll buy—if that's not enough, I'm truly impressed by your talk; I can't argue with you, haha."

(End of chapter)