Ugly girl only wants to farm

Chapter 259 Empress Xu's Meat Tofu Pudding

They had been arguing for a long time about what to name their little shop. Yue Niang kept saying that they should just call it Xu's Snack Shop, since Xu Chaoyan was paying for most of it anyway. But the uncle quickly interrupted his daughter.

"Shouldn't this be called Meng's Shop? A woman who marries should take her husband's surname."

The old woman also became displeased upon hearing this: "You old hag, you're always gossiping about young people's affairs. You're discussing it yourselves, so why should she take the husband's surname? Shouldn't a woman have her own surname and name?"

After saying that, she glared at her old man with a reproachful look: "I told you, you old fool, that for decades you've never called me by my name outside, causing everyone to call me Aunt Zhang, making me almost forget what my own surname is. Do you think you did that on purpose?"

The couple almost came to blows over the name of the shop, with the mother stubbornly insisting that the husband divorce her.

Meng Jiuhe and Zhang Xuyang couldn't get a word in edgewise until everyone calmed down.

Meng Jiuhe then spoke up: "This small shop is run by my wife and elder sister, so they should be the ones to take it. What does it have to do with us?"

Xu Chaoyan made the final decision: "How about having a bowl of earthy food?"

After she finished speaking, everyone involuntarily looked at her. Aunt Zhang was stunned for a long time before she spoke up: "Meng family daughter-in-law, what's the meaning of this fireworks? Do we have to set off fireworks for the opening? That's such a waste. Why don't we save the money?"

Yue Niang smiled and explained for her mother, "Mother, that's a polite way of saying it, not something like fireworks or firecrackers."

"Oh, I see. I was just saying that hanging up a string of firecrackers would be fine. The crackling and popping is just for fun and a waste of money. Besides, fireworks are even more expensive."

Meng Jiuhe looked at his wife with an approving gaze: "Wife, I didn't expect you to be so poetic and artistic."

After thinking for a moment, Yue Niang said, "Sister, how about we call it something simple, easy to pronounce and easy to remember? This one is a bit hard to pronounce, but Xu Ji Douhua Shop is easy to remember."

Fine, let them call it Xu Ji if they want.

They arrived at the shop early in the morning and ordered a pot of fresh tofu pudding, along with some meat dishes, stir-fried a few side dishes, and a pot of rich, fragrant bone broth.

As the first rays of morning sunlight pierced through the crack in the door, Xu Chaoyan leaned against a stool to rest, supporting her aching back.

"Sister, you should take a break too. I didn't expect you to be this tired on the first day. I don't know how you'll be in the future. There's such a big difference between a food stall and this shop."

The county school area is mostly filled with students, and there are also many shops around it. Gradually, more and more people appeared on the street. Xu Chaoyan didn't check the time. According to her, any time is a good time, auspicious and without any taboos.

She stood at the doorway and personally lit the string of firecrackers when the street was at its busiest. The crackling sounds startled everyone, who quickly scattered. It was still early, so Meng Jiuhe and Zhang Xuyang also stood aside to help attract customers.

"Today is our grand opening! All customers who enter the store will receive a 20% discount and a complimentary side dish. We welcome all our fellow villagers to come and try our products. Our tofu pudding is made entirely with fresh ingredients and is never overnight. We are honest and trustworthy."

Xu Chaoyan raised her hand like a megaphone and shouted, while Yue Niang, standing to the side, was a little reserved. She tried several times but couldn't make a sound. This shop and the stall were different. Suddenly surrounded by a group of people, she felt a little shy.

Then, carrying a wooden lacquered tray filled with various candies, he would release a few candies whenever he saw a child.

Xu Niangniang's meat-flavored tofu pudding officially opened for business today.

Meng Jiu handed over a cup of hot tea: "My wife, have some water to soothe your throat. I have a question that I don't understand. Could you please answer it for me?"

Xu Chaoyan took the teacup and drank it all in one gulp. The tea slid down her throat like sweet rain, and she finally caught her breath. She had been so busy that she had forgotten to drink water, and now she felt her throat was dry.

“Scholar Meng, is there anything you don’t know that you need me to answer for you?”

Meng Jiuhe pointed at the sign above her head: "Didn't you say it was called Xu's Snack Shop before? How did it become Empress Xu's Meat Tofu Pudding?"

Xu Chaoyan looked up at the flamboyant characters on the signboard: "But we can't be too casual about it. I'm in the business of making meat-based tofu pudding. Wouldn't it be better if it were simple, easy to understand, and catchy? Besides, 'auntie' means older women, so it makes it seem like we've been in business for a long time, and everyone will think we're experienced."

After listening to the twisted logic for a while, Meng Jiuhe smiled indulgently and said, "You? You just know how to fool people. That's how you fooled me into getting you."

Xu Chaoyan blushed and said, "That's not the same thing." She quickly changed the subject, fearing that if she continued, her past would be exposed.

Just then, a few students came to reserve a table, saying that they would be prepared for them at noon. They had been waiting for Xu Chaoyan to open the shop for ages, and when the shop finally opened, they couldn't hide the smiles on their faces.

"Boss Xu, we've been waiting for you to open your shop! We no longer have to eat that bland cabbage soup. We're especially craving your bone broth. I wonder what kind of surprise you'll bring us this time."

Xu Chaoyan handed the teacup to Meng Jiu and took the opportunity to slip away, looking at them mysteriously before grabbing a handful of sunflower seeds and stuffing them into their hands.

"You guys have a little treat first. We welcome you all to come around noon. We promise you won't be disappointed this time."

"Hey boss, stop keeping me in suspense! What is this 'meat tofu pudding'? And how is it eaten? I've only ever had sweet tofu pudding at home before. It's alright with a spoonful of sugar syrup on top. I wonder what your 'meat tofu pudding' is? And how does it taste?"

Xu Chaoyan glanced at the sky and urged, "You all hurry up and go, or the master will punish you. You'll find out by noon. I guarantee you'll want to come back again and again."

She then urged Meng Jiu and the others to leave quickly, and gave them a few more candies: "It's getting late, and there are only a few guests here and there who are just looking around. If you're hungry, have a candy."

This place is mainly frequented by students, with only a few tourists looking on out of curiosity. It's still early before noon, so they can have a meal and rest for a while.

Meng Jiuxia took a rag and carefully wiped all the tables again, and Xiao Yaya followed along and imitated her quite well.

The old lady recently found a job mending clothes for people. Little Yaya was bored at home, so she brought her out today to see the world. The old lady was quite old and wanted to say a few words of advice to her, but she couldn't persuade her otherwise, so she had no choice but to agree.

She said she couldn't stay idle at home and would mend clothes to earn a few coins to supplement her family's income.

The aroma of tofu pudding wafting from the large pot at the entrance attracted many customers.

"Welcome everyone to come in and try our tofu pudding. A bowl of tofu pudding, a small bowl of brown rice, and a dish of dipping sauce cost only seven coins. It's a great deal, and we'll even give you a free dish of kimchi."

After serving a bowl of tofu pudding to someone, Yue Niang looked outside for a long time.

After confirming the temperature of the iron pot, Xu Chaoyan casually asked, "Sister, what are you looking at? Did you run into someone you know?"

Zhang Yueniang pointed to the corner ahead: "I just caught a glimpse of that person. She looks like the woman we met while sheltering from the rain. It's strange, her gaze here seems a bit off. Or maybe I'm just seeing things from that distance."

The meat-filled tofu pudding is shown in the picture. Please move to the author's note.