Thinking about how there were many more people in the county than in Sixteen Town, since business was very good, it surely meant big profits, and it was unlikely that the fermented bean curd would go to waste, so An Jing naturally wouldn’t say anything further.
"Fine, two thousand catties it is, but the delivery time is uncertain, we need to make that one thousand catties for Hundred Dishes Restaurant first."
"This..." Xing Cashier pondered for a moment, then said, "Mrs. An should still set a deadline. Otherwise, I won’t have any peace of mind, and it’ll also be difficult to explain to our owner."
An Jing also felt that was reasonable, thought for a bit, and then said, "These two thousand catties of fermented bean curd, we can deliver them to you at the earliest in one and a half months and at the latest in three months. If you don’t think this deadline is workable, then I’m sorry, but we won’t do business."
Xing Cashier was stunned, not expecting this farmer’s son to so readily push away a deal that was practically handed to him. Those two thousand catties of fermented bean curd equaled twenty taels of silver—how could a farmer’s son ever come up with twenty taels? It was a sum a farmer’s son might never see in a lifetime.
If it were any other farmer’s son, they would surely have worked themselves to death to rush out those two thousand catties of fermented bean curd, but Ke Anjing was different, talking so decisively about leaving business on the table without any hint of regret.
Xing Cashier looked again towards Xiao Changyi, who, just like last time, although silent and expressionless, still exuded a presence that was impossible to ignore.
Indeed, the man’s presence was very strong.
However, this man’s silence seemed to indicate that he was indifferent about whether or not the deal went through.
...These people had a rather casual approach to business.
Xing Cashier thought this to himself, but his face became even more cordial and polite, "This deadline is acceptable, but still, we hope that Xiao Bio Gong and Mrs. An can do their best to deliver the fermented bean curd within those few days after a month and a half."
Seeing how sincere Xing Cashier was, An Jing nodded, "We’ll do our best."
Afterwards, Xing Cashier paid ten taels as a deposit before returning to town.
As soon as Xing Cashier was seen off, An Jing and Xiao Changyi planned to find Shi Xiaolan to make tofu, as they needed to have tofu before they could make fermented bean curd. But before An Jing and Changyi could go to An Village to find Shi Xiaolan, Shi Xiaolan came looking for them with a basket in hand.
"An Jing, didn’t you tell me before that you wanted to raise chickens? My old hen has hatched some chicks, so I’ve caught a few for you."
With a smile, Shi Xiaolan lifted the cloth covering the basket to let An Jing and Changyi see, and immediately they saw six chicks inside the basket.
"Thanks, Xiao Lan. My husband and I were just talking about this last night, planning to buy a few to raise. I didn’t expect you to bring them today, saving us the trip to town."
Gratefully taking the basket, An Jing asked Changyi to find a place to settle the chicks, then took out eighteen coins from her purse for Shi Xiaolan. Eggs cost one coin each, and newly hatched chicks cost three coins each, but Shi Xiaolan simply refused to take the money. She had come to give the chicks to An Jing, not to sell them.
But how could An Jing possibly accept such valuable things for free? Eighteen coins meant a lot for a farmer’s family.
"If you don’t accept it, then I might as well give the chicks back to you."
Saying so, An Jing made as if to return the chicks to Shi Xiaolan, who had no choice but to accept the eighteen coins.
Only after Shi Xiaolan accepted the money did An Jing begin to discuss the matter of making three thousand catties of tofu. Shi Xiaolan, as expected, was shocked by what An Jing said. She stood there stunned for a long time before she recovered from the surprise.