Chapter 230 - 149: Mapo Tofu
The boy reached out, took it, and popped it into his mouth, a pure smile spreading across his face.
Zhou Yan couldn’t help but let the corners of his mouth lift into a slight smile. ’Life is hard, but maybe it’s not so bad after all.’
"Is Lai Fu selling the tofu by himself now?" the old lady asked, sitting down beside Mrs. Sun.
"Yes, he’s been going for three days now. The first two days, he only sold two jin of tofu. We had to turn the rest into fermented tofu." Mrs. Sun gazed at Lai Fu, her expression tinged with a faint sorrow. "Today, though, he sold both blocks he took with him. He came back and signed to me that a kind person helped him sell it all. There’s no other way. I don’t know how many more days I can keep making tofu, so I have to make him do it, make him sell it. No matter how hard or tiring it is, it’s a way to survive."
"Lai Fu is doing well. He’s only been learning from you for a year, and his tofu is already looking quite professional," the old lady said reassuringly. "You just focus on getting your legs and eyes better. Teach him slowly, and he’ll become another great tofu master in the future."
"Fangfang, I know my own body." Mrs. Sun gripped the old lady’s hand, her gaze on Lai Fu filled with melancholy. "Last year, after Liwei and Qiaoqian were swept away by the flood and the house collapsed, I was bedridden for three months. I cried until I had no tears left, and my health was ruined. We spent what little money we had on medicine. I’m not afraid of death. It’ll be more lively on the other side, anyway. I just can’t rest easy about Lai Fu. I can only close my eyes for good once I see he has a way to make a living. If he can’t make the tofu well enough to sell, it might be better to send him away to find work."
The old lady patted her hand gently. "Don’t you worry. Times are different now. There will always be a way for him to get by."
Zhou Yan took a sip of tea. ’They put in a little too much sugar.’ It was cloyingly sweet. He quietly set the cup back down.
Lai Fu stood by Mrs. Sun’s side, his clean, bright eyes fixed on Zhou Yan. When he saw Zhou Yan looking back, he broke into a smile.
Zhou Yan was starting to understand. Mrs. Sun was likely afraid that Lai Fu wouldn’t be able to support himself after she was gone, which was why she was making him sell tofu on his own.
Of the two blocks of tofu, the one rated [Good] must have been made by Lai Fu.
’It wasn’t actually that bad. Even though there was a gap between it and perfection, it was definitely good enough to be sold at the market. Of the three other tofu stalls nearby, only one was slightly better than his.’
’His sales skills, however, definitely needed some work.’
’To be sitting on a block of [Perfect] tofu and only manage to sell one jin all day...’
’If it weren’t for a kind person like me, he probably wouldn’t have sold those two blocks today either.’
’But in this day and age, sending a deaf-mute boy out to find manual labor is hardly a good path.’
Zhou Yan sighed internally. ’My grandaunt has really had a hard life.’
Widowed in her youth, she lost her son in her old age, left with only her young, deaf-mute grandson to depend on.
A rope always snaps at its weakest point; misfortune always preys on the afflicted...
[DING! Side Quest triggered: The Battle to Preserve the West Bank Tofu Legacy! As the inheritor of West Bank Tofu, Sun Lihua is now advanced in age. She is attempting to pass down the art of making West Bank Tofu to Gu Laifu, but because Gu Laifu is deaf and mute, sales have become a problem, and their income does not cover their expenses. Consequently, Sun Lihua has lost faith in passing down the craft. She has already begun seeking help from relatives, preparing to send Lai Fu south to find work and a way to survive.]
[The only West Bank Tofu legacy in Suji Town is about to be lost. The Player is requested to intervene, improve and stabilize Lai Fu’s tofu sales, and change Sun Lihua’s mind. Ensure she continues to pass down the West Bank Tofu tradition, thereby guaranteeing a future supply of [Perfect] tofu and tofu-related products for the Player’s restaurant.]
[Quest Reward: Mapo Tofu! Accept: Yes/No]
Before Zhou Yan could even finish his sentimental thoughts, a system quest popped up before his eyes.
After reading the quest, Zhou Yan didn’t hesitate for a second and immediately chose to accept.
’Mapo Tofu!’
’Where else could I learn to make the perfect Mapo Tofu?’
’Learning from the system is obviously the fastest way.’
’Once I learn it, I can even ask Master Xiao if he wants to learn it too, hehe.’
Of course, more importantly, Zhou Yan believed the system’s assessment was correct.
Within Suji Town, his grandaunt’s method for making West Bank Tofu was absolutely second to none.
Once that legacy was broken, if he wanted to make any tofu dishes, he’d be forced to choose from a pile of [Good] and [Quite Good] tofu.
’Me, make my own tofu?’
’The old lady already said it: striking iron, poling a boat, and grinding tofu are the three great hardships of life.’
’He was here to enjoy life, not to suffer.’
His gaze shifted to Lai Fu, his smile gradually turning wicked.
’No other choice. The kid will just have to suffer a bit.’
Zhou Yan took out a pen and paper and, with a few quick strokes, wrote a line of words, handing it to Lai Fu: Lai Fu, do you like making tofu?
After reading it, Lai Fu nodded vigorously, a light shining in his eyes.
Zhou Yan wrote again: "Then do you want to go south to find work?"
Lai Fu shook his head, his gaze subconsciously darting toward Mrs. Sun, his eyes filled with worry.
Zhou Yan understood everything.
"Grandaunt," Zhou Yan began, looking at Mrs. Sun with a smile, "I actually ran into Lai Fu this morning, I just didn’t recognize him. I bought two blocks of tofu from him and took them home. The moment my grandma tasted it, she said the craftsmanship was almost the same as yours. I didn’t expect it to be true."
"Don’t you worry. He’s got us cousins to back him up. If Lai Fu likes making tofu, then let him make tofu in peace. Sending him south to find work is no guarantee he’ll find a job. Besides, with no one here to look after you, he wouldn’t be able to go with a clear conscience, right?"
"Really?" Mrs. Sun was stunned for a moment. Then, as if realizing something, she turned to look at Lai Fu.