As soon as one basket of buns was sold, Lin Chuxia placed the basket to the side and put another loaded with buns from the cart onto the stove, ensuring it was on the bottom layer.
In this way, selling layer by layer, then placing them layer by layer, she ensured that there were always five baskets of buns on the stove, guaranteeing that every customer got a warm bun.
As the train was about to arrive at the station, the area in front of her stall quieted down. Lin Chuxia took the opportunity to organize her stall and checked the fire.
Before long, the train entered the station. Apart from those boarding, there were also a few passengers getting off. Having traveled for days on the train, they were hungry and eager to buy and eat several warm buns, with some sitting right beside the stall to eat.
Lin Chuxia thought about closing the stall and buying two thermos flasks, planning to bring two flasks of hot water and a few bowls the next day.
If customers ate by the stall, she could provide hot water free of charge.
In business, aside from the reputation of the product itself, it’s important to keep up with the service.
Fifteen baskets of buns were sold out before the next train even arrived.
The buyers weren’t only train passengers but also local residents, whom Lin Chuxia treated more cautiously, as these were potential long-term customers.
She was confident in the taste of her buns, believing that maintaining a long-term business would rely on loyal customers bringing in new ones.
Back home, Mrs. Qin looked at the sun still hanging in the sky and was a bit surprised, “All sold?”
“All sold.”
Mrs. Qin laughed, “I knew your buns would sell out, but I didn’t expect it to be so quick. You must be tired; go take a rest. If there’s anything you need help with, let me know.”
Seeing Lin Chuxia about to unload things, Mrs. Qin hurriedly came over.
“There’s no need, Mom. Just put it aside for now. I’ll take a sip of water and then get to it. I want to drink that corn porridge you make; cook an extra bowl tonight.”
Since Mr. Qin wasn’t in good health, Mrs. Qin liked to make extra porridge at meal times, almost daily preparing corn or millet porridge.
Mrs. Qin’s eyes lit up with joy, “Then I’ll go make some porridge.”
“Mom, let’s also have some meat buns for dinner tonight. I saved a few.”
“Alright, I’ll make a cold dish to go with it.”
Seeing Mrs. Qin head to the kitchen, Lin Chuxia went back to her room.
Her small bag was stuffed with change. Pouring herself a cup of water, she began counting the money while drinking.
The ten-dollar banknotes from selling buns were set aside. The two- and one-dollar bills were sorted and stacked neatly, followed by fifty, twenty, and ten-cent coins, and also five-, two-, and one-cent coins.
She sold each bun for ten cents, not wanting too much loose change, as making change was too cumbersome.
At this point, the five-, two-, and one-cent coins included not only metal coins but also paper notes.
After stacking and counting the money, it totaled 14 dollars and 65 cents.
She brought 15 baskets of buns today, each with 10 buns, priced at ten cents each, which should be 15 dollars.
However, in any business, there are losses. She gave her brother one, and later discovered a few were stuck and sold those cheaply.
Excluding costs like the stove and baskets, she bought four pounds of pork at nine cents per pound, two pounds of green onions at six cents per pound, and mixed about five pounds of white flour at twelve cents per pound. Including ginger and seasonings, the total cost was about five dollars.
Subtracting the cost, her income for the day was about ten dollars, which made Lin Chuxia quite satisfied.
In her previous life, she started doing business by trial and error, making even one or two dollars a day made her very happy.
With experience now, she wouldn’t be taking any detours.
After keeping the money safe, Lin Chuxia unloaded the cart. The used baskets needed to be cleaned properly; with the weather being hot, food hygiene had to be prioritized.
Before long, Brother Qin and his wife returned from the fields, and upon seeing Lin Chuxia washing baskets in the yard, Qin Han looked surprised.
“Sister-in-law, back so early from business today?”
“Yes, Brother. I prepared fewer buns today, so I came back early. I still have some buns left, so don’t bother cooking dinner, Sister-in-law.”
Qin Han laughed without hesitation when he heard this, “That’s great! I’ve been craving buns for days now.”
Zhang Guilan chimed in, “That’s great. Saved me the trouble.”
Once inside, the smiles on their faces faded.
Zhang Guilan glanced out the window and whispered, “I told you, doing business isn’t easy. Sister-in-law bought quite a lot for her business. When will she break even?”
“Keep your voice down, don’t let anyone outside hear. Also, try to talk less during dinner. Sister-in-law’s intentions are good. Money is always hard to earn. Anyway, the second brother has a salary, so he can afford her trying things out. Worst case, we get to eat more buns.”
Zhang Guilan snorted, “You wish! Those are meat buns. You ask around from the east to the west side of the village, who else eats meat buns daily?”
Qin Family Village was close to the county and was a farming community. They lived relatively better than ordinary farmers, but it was limited to being well-fed. Having pure white bread at every meal was considered good, let alone meat buns every day.
“Aren’t you going with her to buy coal tomorrow? Here, I still have 10 dollars. Use it to cover the coal costs,” Zhang Guilan said, taking 10 dollars out from a cabinet beside the bed.
Qin Han didn’t take it, “This is our last 10 dollars. Didn’t you say you wanted to buy fabric for a new dress, and Zhuangzhuang’s clothes are getting small too…”
Zhang Guilan pushed the money into his hand without another word, “A new dress can be made anytime. In a few days when the beans are in, we can sell them for money to make it then. Don’t you feel guilty eating their meat buns every day?”
Qin Han thought for a moment, realizing she was right. He had no idea how many meat buns sister-in-law had left, or how many days they’d be eating them.
Lin Chuxia was entirely unaware of the mental gymnastics her brother- and sister-in-law were going through. After washing the baskets, she went to the kitchen to help Mrs. Qin with dinner.
By the time Qin Han and Zhang Guilan finished tidying up, dinner was ready.
A table was set in the yard, and the whole family sat around it, eating together like they hadn’t divided the family yet.
Qin Han had regained his cheerful demeanor. He took a meat bun and handed it to Mr. Qin, “These meat buns smell so good, they’re making me hungry. Thanks to sister-in-law, we’re in for a treat today. I need to eat several.”
Zhang Guilan had already taken a bite and couldn’t help but widen her eyes, “These are absolutely delicious! I’ve never tasted any meat buns this good.”
Qin Han glanced at his wife and thought to himself, even though she usually acted carefree, she paid attention to details when it mattered.
Her expression and tone were so convincing that if they hadn’t discussed it in the room, he would have believed her.
Since his wife was performing so well, he couldn’t fall behind.
“Is that so? Let me try,” Qin Han also took a bite.
When Qin Yang left, Lin Chuxia had only given a few meat buns to Mr. and Mrs. Qin. This was the first time Qin Han and Zhang Guilan were eating her meat buns.
With the first bite, Qin Han’s expression changed, then he took another bite right away.
A meat bun was gone in three bites before he managed to speak, “This is incredible, sister-in-law! How did you make it better than those from the State-Owned Restaurant? Such tasty meat buns are left unsold? People don’t know what they’re missing.”