Chapter 171 - 171 160 Thoughts

Words : 1438 Updated : Sep 21st, 2025

171: Chapter 160: Thoughts 171: Chapter 160: Thoughts By the third skewer, Junior Ms. Qian seemed to have found some rhythm. She picked up a skewer of yam beans, quickly rolled it around in the syrup, and swiftly thrust it into Manbao’s hand, who immediately passed it to Datou. Only then did the syrup on the top yam bean begin to slowly drip down, landing on the second yam bean. Since there was enough syrup on the second yam bean, it started to drip down as well... Now that it was cold, the heated syrup exposed to the air congealed into a thin layer of sugar crystals quite quickly, looking irresistibly exquisite. Not to mention Datou and the others, even Manbao couldn’t help but swallow her saliva as she watched. It looked so tasty. Junior Ms. Qian only had time to glance at it before she rapidly stirred the remaining yam beans. The syrup would trickle down, and since they didn’t have anything else to stick the yam beans on, they could only hold them in their hands. The children accidentally got syrup on their hands but were loath to let go, even licking it off, then looking up with shining eyes. Manbao looked at the yam beans in her hand and couldn’t resist licking her fingers too, mmm, they tasted different from the candy she usually ate. Manbao’s eyes gleamed. Keke had also never seen the real thing before, so when he saw Manbao ready to eat, he couldn’t help but say, “Wait a bit longer, let the syrup cool and solidify before you eat it?” Manbao then retracted her mouth, holding the candied haw earnestly as she watched, feeling like it was only fair for her not to suffer alone. She smacked Datou and the others on the head and forbade them from eating, saying, “Wait for the syrup to cool before eating, this is called ‘bingtanghulu’. If you eat it now, where’s the ice?” Saliva-swallowing Datou asked, “How cold does it have to be before we can eat it?” “Don’t know,” Manbao also waited earnestly, but she quickly thought of a plan, “Let’s go outside and wait; it’s colder out there.” Junior Ms. Qian was already annoyed by their obstruction in the kitchen and said nothing when they took the initiative to run outside. Old Zhou had no idea what they were up to in the kitchen, and was stunned to see the children each holding a skewer of candied haw as they ran out. Zhou SiLang had just finished eating and was thinking of going back to his room to lie down when he saw the treat in Manbao and the others’ hands. He stopped leaving and even came over to ask, “Where did you get those from?” Manbao and the others lined up and squatted in the yard to catch the cold breeze. Upon hearing him, they said, “Big sister-in-law made them for us.” Zhou WuLang immediately turned around and headed to the kitchen, “Big sister-in-law, I want to eat candied haw too!” “This is all children’s food, there were only eight skewers in total.” Zhou SiLang turned sad when he heard that and thought for a moment before running off to find Manbao. Zhou WuLang and Zhou Liulang, having been resting inside, heard Zhou SiLang’s shout and immediately came out. Seeing Manbao and her nieces and nephews each holding a skewer of candied haw, their mouths began to water. They came over to look, “Did big sister-in-law really make these?” “They’re amazing, just as good as the ones sold in the streets. Datou, can Fifth Uncle have one?” Datou was reluctant and turned his body away, using his bottom to face him. Zhou Liulang went to find Erya, “Last time you asked me to buy you a hair ribbon, and I bought it for you.” Erya was reluctant but still said, “Just one.” Zhou Liulang was happy, “No problem!” His eyes began to glance at the others. Zhou SiLang and Zhou WuLang quickly figured out which of the children present owed them a favor. Including Manbao, they had all helped and been asked for help, the two smiled slyly and started to scamper around the place, managing to con one from here and then another from there. Manbao was the first to realize something was amiss. This way, the three of them ended up getting even more yam beans. She hummed in displeasure and refused to give any away, running back instead to get a large bowl, holding up her candied haw earnestly waiting for it to cool. “If we pluck them all off and then distribute them evenly, wouldn’t that be better?” Zhou SiLang gladly agreed. But what Manbao meant by distributing them evenly included the whole family. Before the unsuspecting Datou and the others realized what was happening, they saw the young aunt carrying a large bowl and rushing to their grandmother. It was then they understood. The children pursed their lips, feeling a little aggrieved, but they also knew that they must first show respect to the elders with their food. Ms. Qian and Old Zhou had just one each, patting Manbao’s little head with a smile, “It’s very tasty. Just give one to your brothers and sisters-in-law, and you can share the rest with your nieces and nephews.” Manbao happily agreed, but she couldn’t possibly only share with her nieces and nephews. Instead, she included her three older brothers, Zhou Si, Zhou Wu, and Zhou Liu, as well. But Zhou Dalang and Junior Ms. Qian also each had one. While eating, Junior Ms. Qian said, “All the sugar wasn’t wasted.” Zhou SiLang, eating with relish, said, “Big sister-in-law, you make them even tastier than the ones sold in the county town.” Junior Ms. Qian smiled, “Your mouth really knows how to sweet-talk.” Manbao immediately added, “Big sister-in-law, it’s not sweet-talk, it’s truly better than the county town’s. Their ‘bingtanghulu’ is made of sour hawthorn, not at all tasty.” Zhou WuLang, showing reason, said, “They’re alright, but not as tasty as big sister-in-law’s.” Datou and the other little ones were already eating so much they couldn’t lift their heads. Junior Ms. Qian, with a thoughtful look, “Is it really better than the ones in the county town?” The four who had tasted the county town’s candied haw nodded vigorously and thought to themselves that they never lied. Junior Ms. Qian became tempted and glanced at her husband. However, she said nothing. After everyone had tried it and Manbao, still feeling unsatisfied, was about to return to her room to read, Junior Ms. Qian followed her. Avoiding the other family members, Junior Ms. Qian asked her in a low voice, “Manbao, how much does a skewer of ‘bingtanghulu’ sell for in the county town?” “Five coins a skewer,” Manbao replied. Junior Ms. Qian was astounded, “That expensive?” That would buy five hard-boiled eggs. “A big one. A small one for three coins,” Manbao added. Junior Ms. Qian resisted the urge to smack her on the head, “What do you think if your sister-in-law made candied yams to sell, would people buy them?” Manbao nodded vigorously, “They definitely would, yam beans are much tastier than hawthorns.” Junior Ms. Qian calculated the cost of the brown sugar and felt there was quite a profit to be made, especially since yam beans were from their own home and wouldn’t cost any money. Junior Ms. Qian struggled for a moment, then hesitantly said, “Then, should I make a few skewers to try selling them?” “Yeah, yeah, big sister-in-law, make them now,” Manbao exclaimed. If they were made now, she could have another skewer tonight, and then another one tomorrow morning... Manbao wiped her mouth and urged Junior Ms. Qian, “Make them tonight, and let Fifth Brother take them to the county tomorrow to try selling.” “I wouldn’t let them take it. It wouldn’t be enough for their appetites. I’ll have your eldest sister take them,” Junior Ms. Qian declared. No matter who it would be, they had to make them that night, and had to bind them properly with straw to make them easier to transport. When there’s a will, there’s a way. Junior Ms. Qian rolled up her sleeves and went out, telling her husband to bind the straw sheaves, while Manbao, full of excitement, followed behind. She was going to have one more! No, better yet, two more!

Chapter 171 - 171 160 Thoughts

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