Chapter 184: 184. The Explosively Popular Soap

184. Chapter 184: The Explosively Popular Soap

As he ate, he sighed, "Cao Popo's skill is simply unmatched—especially these tofu skin buns, they're delicious beyond words! I heard many restaurant shopkeepers used to come begging for her tofu bun prescription, but she refused to sell it. Some even hired hooligans to sabotage her, forcing her to set up a stall on this tiny night market street…"

Jiang Xiaoxiao listened, unable to suppress a sigh.

In this era, social hierarchy was rigid, and the gap between rich and poor was vast; ordinary people couldn't even run a business in peace—any moment, someone powerful might seize their profitable prescription.

She'd bet her life that her family's soap wouldn't last more than a few days before someone showed up to force-buy the prescription…

Halfway through the tofu skin buns, three bowls of wontons were boiled and set on the table; with the half-tael of pig head meat, the three ate with full satisfaction and joy.

Satiated and drowsy, the three returned to the shop after eating.

The backyard had several rooms, and the mother and daughter planned to rest there.

The soap inventory in the shop was more than sufficient; they weren't in a hurry to return to the village.

On the first two days of opening, the mother and daughter had intended to stay in the shop—to easily monitor it, and because, with a new shop, any trouble could be handled promptly.

It truly was a wise decision to buy this shop with a backyard!

As for the house and soap workshop back in the village, Zhao Dasao and the village head were watching over them; no major problems should arise.

After a simple wash and rinse, the mother and daughter prepared to sleep.

The backyard house had three rooms; Jiang Xiaoxiao and her mother shared one, leaving two empty.

Jiang Wei decided to have Xiao Linzi pick one of the empty rooms to rest in—no need to travel all the way back home.

And from now on, he could live here permanently.

The soap shop had just begun; many uncertainties remained. Having someone here day and night to watch over it gave her peace of mind.

Xiao Linzi was naturally delighted—where else could he find a job that paid wages and provided meals and lodging?

Thus passed one night.

Before dawn, the front of the soap shop was already packed.

Everyone had come to buy soap.

After one night's spread, the soap's reputation had fully taken root in Yong'an Town.

Those who bought it used it that very night—for washing faces, bathing, or laundry—and found it far more effective than they'd imagined!

One told ten, ten told a hundred; Jiang's Soap Dian Pu's fame spread throughout Yong'an Town overnight, even reaching neighboring Qingping County, where people arrived early in the morning to buy.

Jiang Xiaoxiao was still asleep when the noise outside woke her.

She reached out instinctively—her mother had already risen; the shop must be swamped.

She dared not linger in bed, leapt up, shook her head hard to clear it, washed up quickly, and hurried to the front shop to help.

The shop was packed—more people than yesterday.

Xiao Linzi was drenched in sweat, never stopping his feet.

Before the display window, customers crowded, selecting soap; the crowd buzzed with chatter—some were yesterday's regulars, others new arrivals drawn by rumor.

"Look, doesn't my hand look whiter? I washed it with this soap last night—stains I'd had for years vanished completely, and my skin even lightened a bit…"

"What's that? Look at my clothes—don't they smell sweet? I just washed them slightly with the soap, and now they've a fragrance!"

"Mm, it really is fragrant—like a faint wild ginger blossom scent! This smell is better than the rouge and face powder sold in other shops!"

"I found this soap lasts forever—I used bath beans before; after washing a few dozen clothes, they'd be gone. But this small bar? I estimate it'll last two months. I'll buy several more—this is a steal…"

…

Jiang Xiaoxiao watched the crowded shop, everyone murmuring over the soap in the display.

She rushed over to help, but being small and short, she was instantly shoved around, disoriented, unable to tell north from south.

The next moment, someone lifted her from behind and placed her on a tall stool beside the counter.

Jiang Xiaoxiao turned—Zhou Bo's smiling face greeted her: "Your soap business is truly booming."

He sighed, then called his servant to assist.

Seeing she couldn't help much just then, Jiang Xiaoxiao sat on the stool and chatted with Zhou Bo: "Uncle Zhou, why are you here?"

Zhou Bo lifted the gift box in his hand: "I came to congratulate you on your shop's opening, and to see how your business is going…"

He glanced around the packed shop and chuckled: "But now, I see there's no need for me to worry."

Jiang Xiaoxiao smiled: "I haven't thanked you yet for recommending such a perfect location for our shop!"

Zhou Bo waved his hand: "No need to thank me—it was just a favor. But you must hire more staff quickly, or you won't manage."

Jiang Xiaoxiao saw Zhou Bo's servant, also overwhelmed, and couldn't help laughing.

She hadn't expected her soap to be this popular…

But the job notices were already posted; someone should apply soon.

As she thought this, a group entered through the door.

The lead man, over forty, dressed in silk and brocade, was stout and sneered as he sized up the shop.

"Who's the owner of this shop? Come out and greet us at once!"

Jiang Xiaoxiao frowned as the man's servants shouted arrogantly—her shop had only opened two days, and trouble had already arrived…

She turned to see Jiang Wei busy collecting money behind the counter, then straightened her clothes and stepped forward: "I'm the owner of this shop. What do you want?"

"You?" The man tilted his head, looking down at her with disdain, clearly doubting she was the owner.

"Little girl, get out of the way!" The servant beside him shoved her aside impatiently. "Old Master, ignore her—the real owner must be inside. Let's go in."

Old Master?

Jiang Xiaoxiao paused, studying the man again—he had so many servants trailing him; could he be someone of high status?

Zhou Bo leaned close, whispering: "He's Sun the Rich Merchant from Qingping County."

So it's him!

Jiang Xiaoxiao remembered instantly—the man who had bullied her at Qingping County's Shuzhai, Zheng Yaocai, was this man's brother-in-law.

Hmph, this Grandson Yuan isn't any good—he's seized over half of Qingping County's Cao Boat Business, forcibly conscripted laborers, withheld wages, and done every kind of evil!