Chapter 18

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They were really making money!!!
The little brother and sister were so happy they looked silly with joy.
Letting them giggle at the two copper coins, Sang Luo seized the moment and continued handing out samples to the nearby vendors.
As she distributed the samples, she called out loudly, “On this opening morning, for the first three orders, we offer a lucky deal—buy one piece and get a small extra piece free! If you want to buy, don’t miss this chance. Pay for one, get half a piece extra!”
Her loud invitation made an elderly woman who just tasted the sample feel tempted.
Normally, she might hesitate to spend two cash coins on a vegetable dish if she had nothing better to do—after all, they grew their own vegetables at home, so what did it matter what they ate?
But paying two coins to get a dish plus a complimentary sweet side dish? The side dish was free, handed out without charge!
Instantly, the elderly woman thought, “This is doable!”
This dish, mixed with a little sugar water, tasted good, and her little grandchildren at home would definitely love it.
Spending two coins on a large plate of savory food meant the whole family could enjoy something new, and the extra half piece soaked in sugar water would sweeten the mouths of the grandchildren.
With that thought, she took a few steps forward and approached Sang Luo.
“Miss, I’ll trade you eggs for this. How about that?”
She was still reluctant to spend money, so exchanging her own fresh eggs felt much easier to bear.
“Sure, why not.”
Barter was still common at times like this, especially at rural markets. Some paid cash, others traded goods; as long as both parties agreed, the deal could be made.
Sang Luo’s family was lacking everything, so this was perfectly fine.
Eggs were going for one coin each at the moment, and upon Sang Luo’s agreement, the elderly woman turned and plucked two eggs from her basket to hand over.
Shen Ning took the eggs and glanced at them; the old woman seemed honest, not deliberately picking small eggs.
Since that was the case, Sang Luo was generous too, selecting a fairly large extra piece of “Immortal Tofu” as a gift when she handed over the tofu to the old woman, smiling warmly, “Thank you for your patronage. If you enjoy it, come find me again next time—buying or bartering, either works.”
The old woman’s wrinkled eyes crinkled with laughter upon seeing the extra piece.
“Much appreciated, much appreciated!”
Joyfully clutching her two pieces of tofu, she returned to her stall.
Once the bartering gate opened, the nearby vendors who had tasted the samples started feeling tempted. Didn’t the young lady just say the first three orders came with a free extra piece?
A stout woman carrying a basket was quicker to act; she rushed over from afar and, before even reaching the stall, shouted, “Third order, mine!”
As soon as she arrived, she pulled out two copper coins and shoved them into Shen An’s hand, grinning as she said to Sang Luo, “There’s an extra piece, right?”
Free food, plus a complimentary piece, and fresh to boot—she had been listening from far away.
She had planned to come over and try the free sample, but before she finished the short walk, two of the three free extras had already been given out. Seeing that, she rushed forward and paid without even tasting first!

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Fresh food that sells on the first try never fails.
Now that the money had been paid and the deal was settled, people finally had time to look at what this “Immortal Tofu” looked like.
Looking down at the pottery basin, they saw the small cut pieces and knew these were the samples.
The dish looked very appealing, especially to women like the stout one who disliked heat—the green color alone was refreshing and delightful!
Her mouth watered with envy, and she looked at Shen Ning standing nearby. “Miss, could you give me a sample too? I don’t know what it tastes like.”
The vendor who had missed out on the third free piece was devastated—how could someone want to try it without knowing the flavor and then compete with her?
What?!
That’s just not fair!
Too infuriating!
Shen Ning had been busy passing leaves to her elder sister-in-law and hadn’t quite caught on, but when the stout woman pointed out this task to her, she quickly understood.
“Okay, sure, please wait a moment.”
She turned and scooped a piece with a spoon, placed it carefully on a leaf, and handed it gently to the stout woman.
The stout woman had just come to buy food, and now she got a free snack—she was thrilled.
She loved to eat, and bringing the leaf to her mouth, she tilted her head back and swallowed the piece without wasting a drop of the sugary juice on the leaf.
Chewing slowly, her eyes brightened!
Bouncy, crisp, smooth, sweet—oh, how perfectly it suited her taste! If only there were more sugar, the flavor would be even better!
One piece plus an extra side wasn’t enough to satisfy her; she could easily finish it as a snack alone!
Without hesitation, the stout woman pulled another two coins from her purse. “Miss, give me one more piece. I want two pieces plus the side, that’s three pieces total, right?”
Sang Luo smiled, “That’s right.”
As she spoke, she added another piece onto the lotus leaf. “Three pieces of Immortal Tofu, here you go!”
The stout woman took it with a smile, carefully placing it in her small bamboo basket, feeling satisfied as she strode away proudly, catching the envious gazes of others who had wanted to buy the third piece but missed out.
The woman who lost the third piece stood dumbfounded: “...So, the extra piece is gone. Am I buying this or not?”
Before she could hesitate, Sang Luo called out again: “Immortal Tofu, fresh and delicious, bouncy and smooth, savory or sweet, good for clearing heat, detoxifying, and anti-aging—something you’ve never tasted before!”
“For only two coins, one large piece, you can bring home a fresh new dish for your family.”
“Don’t miss out as you pass by! This isn’t easy to make; there were just over thirty pieces, now only twenty-eight remain. First come, first served—miss it now, and you’ll have to wait for the next market!”

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That last line, with the direct countdown, immediately dispelled the hesitation in those like the woman who missed the extra piece.
Just two coins to let the whole family try something new—what was there to hesitate about? Hesitate too long and it’s gone!
Bought!
Once one person acted, a second stepped forward.
The market had grown busier without anyone noticing. More people saw the crowd and commotion here, and hearing a woman’s voice shouting about “Immortal Tofu,” they came over to see what the fuss was about.
Sang Luo sold the goods while Shen An collected the money. After the stout woman got her sample, Shen Ning finally realized what she was supposed to do!
If her elder sister-in-law was busy, she could help!
Holding leaves and a spoon, she began preparing more samples.
The young girl was shy, but because her elder sister-in-law was now making money, her little face flushed with excitement, and summoning her courage, she called out, “Anyone who hasn’t tasted it yet, come get a small free sample.”
It was her first time attracting customers, and her voice wasn’t as bold as Sang Luo’s, but with the little stall gaining popularity, her words had an effect.
“Free tasting? Then give me a piece to try.”
The word “free” held great appeal in a rural market like this.
Who wouldn’t eat free food?
Passersby stopped and gathered.
Shen Ning was suddenly busy beyond expectation; her words grew smoother.
“Yes, free.”
“One piece per person.”
“Ma’am, you already had one.”
Sang Luo was busy but never idle, shouting while selling, even updating in real time: “Delicious Immortal Tofu, only twenty-six pieces left. Haven’t tried it yet? Come taste! Free samples available. If you liked it, don’t hesitate—two coins to take some home for your family!”
At this early morning market just coming to life, along the two long streets, only this one stall at the crossroads was packed with people, bustling with excitement.
People naturally love a crowd, especially at markets where lively scenes mean good food and good bargains!
Moreover, Sang Luo’s clear, constant voice, her endless variety of phrases—fresh food, free samples, two coins a piece, almost sold out, hurry or miss out—each idea spurred people to quicken their pace.
Chen Youtian, who honestly squatted nearby selling eggs but hadn’t sold a single one for a long time, was dazed and overwhelmed.
“Oh my dear mother, with Sang’s skill, I really don’t need to watch over things myself.”