Chapter 62: Leng Yun’s Talent

“It’s about using the idea that ‘the harder something is to get, the more people want it,’ and the more people buy something, the better and more worthwhile it seems.”

Scarcity marketing and herd mentality.

Waiting in line for hours to buy a cup of milk tea, queuing for hours just to check in—such things are everywhere. Businesses love using these tactics because they work surprisingly well.

Of course, success or failure ultimately depends on whether the food tastes good.

There were probably merchants in ancient times who understood these selling techniques too, and some might have even mastered them to perfection. But Wen Nuan Nuan never expected Leng Yun, so young, to grasp them as well.

“Little Brother, you’re amazing!” If it weren’t for the awkward timing, Wen Nuan Nuan would have clapped.

Leng Yun felt a little embarrassed by the praise. “Mother has the skill of brewing wine, but she’s often ill and weak, so she can only brew it once in a long while.

Every time Mother finished brewing the wine, we’d go to the city to sell it. On the first day, I’d bring only a small amount and sell it out early. Then I’d tell those who didn’t get any to come early the next day, to the same spot.

That way, on the second day, when I brought more, the people waiting would crowd around to buy it as soon as I arrived. Even passersby who hadn’t planned to buy would come over and take some wine home.”

Unfortunately, later on, Mother’s illness worsened, and she could no longer brew wine. The money for her treatment was all spent, and they couldn’t afford to buy rice to brew and sell wine anymore.

Leng Tian, recalling their past days of selling rice wine, suddenly realized, “No wonder I could never sell much, while you sold it so quickly and well, Little Brother. I always wondered if our wine was even the same.”

Wen Nuan Nuan was thrilled. Little Brother was truly a natural at business.

Born to be a merchant.

His mind worked even faster than hers.

After all, she benefited from the education she’d received and the analytical articles she’d read, giving her broader knowledge and exposure.

But Little Brother relied entirely on his innate talent and his own thoughtful reflections!

This put him on a completely different level from her, one she couldn’t compare to.

No, she had to bring Little Brother on board.

She originally thought she was just changing places to work, but now she had a dream.

She had silver and recipes—she could totally invest in Little Brother.

Even if she wasn’t cut out for business, lacked a merchant’s mind, and wasn’t good at practical operations, she had plenty of theoretical knowledge.

Later, Leng Yun, the capable little operator, could handle purchasing, stocking, selling, managing people, selecting and decorating shop locations…

She could just sit back and wait for the silver to roll in.

Gold, silver, and jewels would flow endlessly into her arms. She might even get to experience a white jade bed. Just thinking about such a life made her giddy.

No, that was getting a bit too carried away.

Having a Hetian jade seed bracelet or a high-quality jadeite bracelet would be enough. If possible, she’d also like a double-sided embroidered Suzhou silk fan—something she’d wanted to buy before but couldn’t afford as a humble worker.

Come to think of it, she wouldn’t just be sitting around waiting for silver. She had recipes and could develop new products. After all, she was the one who held the core technology.

“Sister-in-law, I also learned how to brew wine. Most of the time, I assisted Mother. And I noticed that the wine jars placed near the stove produced more wine and smelled sweeter than the others. At night, I often moved the jars around so each one could spend some time near the stove.”

Wen Nuan Nuan thought this was using temperature for fermentation. In winter, when making fermented glutinous rice, you had to wrap it in a cotton quilt—same principle. Little Brother might not know the professional terminology, but he was observant, good at summarizing experiences, and quick to adjust and implement.

He was both thoughtful and skilled with his hands.

Indeed, those who excel in their fields all have extraordinary abilities, and it shows even from a young age.

No wonder she used to be just an ordinary office worker, nothing more, nothing less. Sigh, she didn’t deserve anything else—her brain simply wasn’t up to it.

Wen Nuan Nuan’s thoughts began to wander, and her vision expanded: “We can do more than just sell braised dishes and brew Rice Wine. We could even open a restaurant, specializing in braised dishes and brewing. As long as we keep the braising sauce recipes among ourselves, even if the chefs we hire get poached by competitors, it won’t matter. What matters is that our restaurant has its own unique appeal.

Once we’re established, we could also buy servants bound by indenture for life, teach them some signature dishes, and pay them extra wages each month. That way, we wouldn’t have to worry about them being poached either.”

“When we reach Jingcheng and settle down, and you’re a bit older, how about I provide the silver, and you open a shop? We’ll split the earnings fifty-fifty.”

“What are you talking about, sister-in-law? All the money I earn should be yours. Just keep making delicious food for me!” Leng Yun said, munching on dried peach, a bright smile spreading across his little face.

Wen Nuan Nuan didn’t believe him. After all, they would have their own families in the future—how could she take all their money? Even if he was willing to give it, she couldn’t accept it.

People should always know their place.

Still, hearing such words warmed her heart. There was no need to contradict a child’s playful remarks. “Of course, there’ll be delicious food for you—for each of you! Every day, every meal, more than you could ever finish!”

“As long as there’s delicious food! I’ll work in the shop too when the time comes,” Leng Tian said with a simple, honest grin.

Leng Chen followed with a shy smile, his head lowered slightly, a hint of melancholy in his expression.

Wen Nuan Nuan noticed it keenly.

Unlike Leng Tian, who was straightforward and carefree, Leng Chen was thoughtful and meticulous, often overthinking things.

“You’re still young. Everyone has their own likes and talents. Don’t worry—when the time is right, everything will fall into place,” Wen Nuan Nuan said softly, leaning closer to Leng Chen.

She really knew how to dish out comforting words.

Leng Chen lifted his head, his bright, clear eyes shining like stars.

He nodded emphatically!

Wen Nuan Nuan was immensely satisfied. Children should be carefree and happy—after all, they won’t always be so easily content.

“Now that we’ve talked about the future, let’s talk about the present,” Wen Nuan Nuan said, her cheerful expression softening slightly.

Dreams were all well and good, but the practical matters of daily life were what truly mattered.

“What?” The three little ones looked confused, not quite catching on.

Wen Nuan Nuan prompted them cheerfully: “Tomorrow—what are we going to do?”

Leng Tian was puzzled. “Aren’t we gathering grass?”

Wasn’t that their most important task now—gathering enough grass to feed the two horses through next winter?

There might be withered grass along the way, but even if there was, it would be sparse and dry. While some grass hadn’t frozen yet, they needed to gather as much fresh grass as possible. That way, the horses could have fresh fodder next year, which would also help keep them hydrated.

It was a win-win.

Wen Nuan Nuan had to give a clearer hint: “How about we take a break from gathering grass and make some charcoal?”

Then they could have hotpot!

Not just hotpot—they could place an iron grill over the red clay small stove and roast rice cakes and glutinous rice cakes until they puffed up. Whether dipped in chili powder, soybean flour, or brown sugar syrup, she loved them all!

Or they could grill pork belly, marinated chicken wings, squid… on an iron plate until they sizzled, slightly charred, and then dip them in a special sauce, wrapped in the freshest lettuce.

No—children were the ones who had to choose. She was an adult; she could have it all!

“Sister-in-law, you should’ve said so earlier. I can handle it alone,” Leng Tian said, patting his chest confidently.

Isn’t charcoal burning a massive project? Is that why it hasn’t started yet?

Wen Nuan Nuan looked up at Leng Xiao with a puzzled expression.

Leng Xiao also lowered his gaze, his voice deep yet affectionate: “I’ll accompany you tomorrow.”