Chapter 147: Chapter 147: Sold Out-!
Translator: 549690339
“How labor-intensive could it be to make such a huge price difference?” Shopkeeper Zhou, always a smiley man, widened his eyes in astonishment. Tofu and bean curd, which required high technical expertise and tasted delicious, sold for only twenty coins a bowl. And this tofu skin cost a tael of silver per catty, could it really involve countless procedures?
“Anyway, it’s very laborious. It took me days to make this much,” Qiao Xiaomai reluctantly elaborated.
“Then can I ask what it’s made of?” Shopkeeper Zhou asked.
The bean sprouts were obvious, judging by both their name and appearance, they were clearly made from soybeans.
But this tofu skin, he really couldn’t figure it out.
“That’s a secret, but it’s edible and tastes really good,” Qiao Xiaomai refused to disclose the ingredient.
There was no other way; this was indeed too intriguing.
Once you learn how to make soy milk, tofu and bean curd, with a little thought, you can make tofu skin.
“OK, I’ll have my men try it,” Shopkeeper Zhou didn’t push further. He called over a waiter and ordered him to take the bean sprouts and tofu skin to the kitchen.
Of course, only a strip of tofu skin was given for the test, as it seemed to be well-preserved and could last for a long time. If it tasted good, he would have to think about how to get its maximum value.
“So, Shopkeeper, can I deliver these bean sprouts to Jiweiju now?” Qiao Xiaomai didn’t want to wait any longer.
Upon hearing this, Shopkeeper Zhou instantly threw on a dazzling smile, “Miss Qiao, Zuixian Building can easily handle these little things. There is no need for you to run around.”
“Well, I’ve sold the tofu skin to you, but let’s split the bean sprouts evenly between our houses. As you know, I can’t offend them either,” Qiao Xiaomai looked troubled.
“Fair enough.” Shopkeeper Zhou nodded regretfully.
Both houses have been in competition for years, and whenever one invents something new, the other will surely know it at once.
Even if he wanted to monopolize, it would never work out.
Now that Qiao Xiaomai has sold him the chicken feet and tofu skin, Zuixian Building has the upper hand in this competition.
With this realization, Shopkeeper Zhou’s spirits lifted. He waved his hand generously, smiling widely, “Go ahead, come back for your silver later.”
By saying this, he had implicitly agreed to purchase the tofu skin.
And indeed, there was no poorly-tasting food that came from Qiao Xiaomai.
Therefore, Qiao Xiaomai left Qiao Changshun and Qiao Dami waiting at Zuixian Building, while she took a sack to Jiweiju by herself.
Of course, to keep a low profile, she pretended to be exhausted. By the time she reached Jiweiju, she was panting and sweating.
Shopkeeper He was very interested in the bean sprouts. After tasting a raw one, he immediately paid for them without having the chef try out first.
With a hundred coin in her pouch, Qiao Xiaomai returned to Zuixian Building.
By then, stir-fried bean sprouts and tofu skin had been prepared.
The bean sprouts tasted good. Shopkeeper Zhou nodded approvingly. There was another dish that could be put on the menu.
When he tasted the tofu skin, he chewed each mouthful for a dozen times or more, like he was savoring some heavenly delicacy.
Unfortunately, even after he finished his small plate of stir-fried tofu skin, he still couldn’t figure out what the ingredient was.
But he was certain that tofu skin was delicious—it was better than tofu and could definitely stand shoulder to shoulder with bean curd.
“Miss Qiao, are you sure you’re not going to sell the recipe?” He couldn’t help but ask again.
“No,” Qiao Xiaomai answered firmly.
If the price was high, then it wouldn’t work because it didn’t require such complex techniques.
And if it was low, well, she deemed it unfair.
So, it was most reasonable for her to earn as much as she could before Zusixian
Building figured out the trick..