However, as Yang Ruxin looked at the somewhat wobbly dining table, she thought that it was time to get some furniture, at least a bigger dining table. Otherwise, there wouldn’t be enough space if she made too many dishes.
"What’s cooking that smells so good?" Gu Yao said as he walked in.
"You have a sharp nose." Yang Ruxin glanced at Gu Yao. "But you’ve come at the right time, so I don’t have to send it over. Take it back with you, and Aunt Feng won’t have to cook lunch."
Gu Yao laughed. His big brother was always spot-on. Sure enough, there was food prepared for him. He then unceremoniously picked up the basket and was ready to leave.
"The eggs and Doujiao are stir-fried with shrimp paste. Let me know how it tastes," Yang Ruxin called out from behind her.
"Got it!" Gu Yao agreed as he left.
That afternoon, most of the kids were stuffed, and the shrimp paste that Yang Ruxin had high hopes for didn’t disappoint, as everyone found its flavor exceptionally savory.
Yang Ruxin smiled proudly. Although there were several types of condiments in this era, not many households could afford or have access to a complete set. The most common ingredients in ordinary families were vegetable oil and salt. As for spices like star anise, fennel, and Sichuan peppers, they would only occasionally be purchased and were primarily reserved for cooking during festivals. Now, many families in the village hardly used oil, rubbing just a bit of fat on the bottom of the pan, boiling vegetables in water, and eating them with salt-pickled vegetables.
However, shrimp paste had an instant umami-boosting effect, comparable to modern-day chicken and MSG. If she could popularize this product...
With that thought, Yang Ruxin got excited and hurried out.
"Big sis, where are you going?" Sanni called out from behind.
"I’m going to talk to Gu Qingheng about something," Yang Ruxin replied without looking back, having completely forgotten her previous resolution to keep her distance from Gu Qingheng.
The Gu Family had just finished dinner, with the Feng Family busy cleaning up the kitchen, while Gu Yao and Gu Qingheng were talking in the courtyard.
"How was it? Did you enjoy the eggs and Doujiao tonight?" Yang Ruxin asked as soon as she entered.
"So, Xinxin is thinking of going into the shrimp paste business?" Gu Qingheng slightly raised his eyebrows, turning toward Yang Ruxin’s direction.
"Gu Qingheng, can’t you be less clever?" Yang Ruxin walked over, frowning at him. "Even though you’re blind, why do I feel like you can guess whatever I’m planning to do? I feel like a fool in front of you."
"You’re being so obvious that I don’t even need to think hard to guess. I figured it out," Gu Yao couldn’t help but interject. "Besides, big brother is such a smart person, right?"
"Alright then," Yang Ruxin nodded helplessly. "I really do want to start a business. We don’t have land, and hunting is a matter of luck, so business is the only way to make money." She paused. "Now, I want to get your opinions on starting with the shrimp paste business, what do you think?"
"It’s possible," Gu Qingheng nodded. "The product is incredibly savory, but the ingredients are a bit troublesome to procure..." The small shrimp weren’t always available; Gu Yao had to go to the docks before dawn to buy the small shrimp, and that was only after making arrangements with Uncle Lü beforehand, otherwise, it would have been uncertain to secure them.
Yang Ruxin nodded, as she had considered this: "I know, but I’m going to make it as a condiment, not on a large scale. Later, I can talk to Uncle Lü and ask him to help collect these small shrimp. What do you think?"