"Wait here for me," Song Nianchu instructed before walking away.
The others exchanged glances but obediently stayed put.
Ten minutes later, Song Nianchu returned, carrying a large bag in each hand.
"Nianchu, what did you bring?" Aunt Wu hurried over, instinctively reaching out to help.
Fortunately, Hua reacted quickly and grabbed her mother's arm.
"Mom, don’t cause Nianchu any more trouble."
Aunt Wu snapped back to reality and immediately withdrew her hand.
"These are something special," Song Nianchu said with a smile as she set the bags down and opened them, revealing their contents.
Inside were rows of glass jars.
"Nianchu, where did you find so many glass jars?" Aunt Wu asked in surprise.
"We’re going to pack the two batches of dishes we just made into these jars," Song Nianchu explained.
"Why put them in jars? For cleanliness? But won’t they just be poured out again at the restaurant?" Hua didn’t understand.
"These aren’t for immediate consumption. First, help me wash the jars, and I’ll explain as we go," Song Nianchu urged.
"Alright," Aunt Wu agreed.
The group carried the jars to the side and began washing them.
As they worked, Song Nianchu explained her plan.
"Oh, so you mean we’re turning these dishes into canned goods for sale? Like peach cans?" Hua was the first to catch on.
"Exactly," Song Nianchu nodded.
"But will they sell? I’ve only ever seen people buy fruit cans," Hua asked while scrubbing.
"We won’t know until we try. Today, let’s just prepare ten jars of each," Song Nianchu said.
"Got it!" Though Hua still had doubts, she trusted Song Nianchu completely.
After all, she had managed to win over Manager Li, convincing him to willingly purchase their village’s ingredients—proof of her capability.
The six of them quickly cleaned twenty jars. Song Nianchu then had them dry each one meticulously, ensuring not a single drop of water or oil remained.
Once the jars were completely dry, she directed them to start filling.
Each jar was filled to about 90% capacity before being sealed, completing the canned goods.
Still, Song Nianchu felt something was missing—labels would have made them even better.
But with print shops still rare, she had no time to prepare them. For now, this would have to do.
"Nianchu, we’ve finished packing everything. Is there anything else we need to do?" Aunt Wu asked.
"No, this is enough for today," Song Nianchu replied, pleased with the morning’s work.
She loaded everything into a bamboo basket and hoisted it onto her back.
"I’m heading to town to deliver these. Since there’s nothing else for you to do here, you can all go home for now," she said.
"But it’s still early," Aunt Wu glanced at the sun.
"You all came early too. After I deliver these, there won’t be much left to do, and it’d be boring to stay. Go home and come back in the afternoon," Song Nianchu insisted.
Aunt Wu thought for a moment before nodding.
"Alright, we’ll go home first and come back earlier in the afternoon."
"Sounds good," Song Nianchu agreed, then added, "Oh, Aunt Wu, take the others and move these jars into the inner room. And lock the door."
"Will do," Aunt Wu readily agreed.
With everything settled, Song Nianchu didn’t waste any more time.
"Alright, I’ll be off now."
"Take care," Aunt Wu and the others saw her to the door.
They watched as she walked briskly away, carrying the heavy basket effortlessly.
"Nianchu’s strength is really something to envy," Hua remarked.
"Everything in this world has two sides. You only see the benefits of her strength, but forget that because of it, she couldn’t find a good husband and had to settle for a reformed troublemaker like Mu Shi'an," Aunt Wu said, her voice tinged with pity.
In her eyes, Song Nianchu was perfect in every way—far too good for someone like Mu Shi'an.
"Mom, Mu Shi'an is quite handsome. He and Nianchu actually look well-matched," Hua, being younger, saw things differently.
"Handsome? What’s the use of that? Look at him—can’t carry a load, can’t lift a finger. Nianchu will have to support the whole family. And I heard his two younger brothers have been staying at her place these days too."
"This isn’t just taking in a son-in-law—it’s inviting a whole mess. I never should have listened to your father and encouraged them to get together," Aunt Wu grumbled, her traditional mindset showing.
For farmers like them, strength and stamina were what mattered.
After all, the more you could do, the more work points you earned.
Good looks were useless.
"Nianchu seems happy with it, so don’t worry so much," Hua soothed.
"Now that the deed is done, there’s no turning back. All we can do is help her more when she has children," Aunt Wu sighed.
"Of course," Hua agreed quickly.
Meanwhile, Song Nianchu, unaware of Aunt Wu’s lingering guilt, had already delivered the goods to Manager Li.
"These cans are quite well-made. What price do you think we should set?" Manager Li examined a can of cumin squid thoughtfully.
"The glass jars are large, holding more than what we serve in the restaurant. And the jars aren’t cheap either. I think one yuan and fifty cents would be fair," Song Nianchu suggested.
"One fifty? That’s reasonable. Let’s try it at that price first," Manager Li nodded.
"Great. But our wholesale price to you will have to be a bit higher—one thirty per jar," Song Nianchu said with a smile.
"No problem. Between us, a few cents here and there don’t matter," Manager Li said generously.
"Thank you for understanding," Song Nianchu’s eyes crinkled with joy.
Manager Li handed her the payment for the day’s delivery.
"Thank you, Manager Li." Song Nianchu’s smile widened as she took the thick stack of bills.
"I really admire your drive," Manager Li said, finding her eager, money-loving expression more endearing than off-putting.
