Chapter 271: Chapter 271: Ice Jelly, Part 2

Tan You didn’t have a single bite herself. After Tan Tao finished a bowl of ice jelly, she filled another and handed it to him. "Try this one, too."

Tan Tao wasn’t actually stupid. Some people just aren’t cut out for academics; it doesn’t mean they aren’t smart.

He looked at the bowl of ice jelly, then back at Tan You. "Youyou, if we were to sell this, do you think anyone would buy it?"

"Of course they would. The barbecue street in the city is really lively at night. Someone will definitely buy it."

Tan You knew Tan Tao was quick on the uptake. She smiled. "You can’t do this business alone, though. You need someone to protect you. To do business on the barbecue street, you need connections."

Tan Tao lowered his head and thought for a few seconds. "I get it. Tan You, can you teach me how to make this? I’ll figure out the business side of things myself."

"I won’t let you teach me for free. I’ll find a way to scrape together some money to pay you."

Tan You looked at Tan Tao, who was half a head shorter than her. "In that case, 200 yuan will do."

Tan Tao was grateful. "Okay. I know you’re doing this to help me out."

Tan Deming asked, "Are you planning to ask your Fourth Uncle for help? Tan Jin’s father?"

Tan Tao didn’t hide it. "Yeah. He has a shop in the city, after all. I won’t go myself; I’ll have my dad bring it up."

Tan You smiled to herself. ’See? No one’s a real fool.’ Anyone would choose opening a shop over taking their son to be a mason. It wasn’t that Tan You looked down on the masonry profession, but comparatively, anyone would choose the easier job.

After using the Tan family’s phone to call his father, Tan Tao spent the entire afternoon in their kitchen, learning how to make ice jelly from Tan You. When Tan Nanfeng rode his motorcycle back to the village, he didn’t head home first; he went straight to Tan You’s house.

Tan Tao presented him with eight bowls of ice jelly, covering all the different flavors. Without a word, Tan Nanfeng wolfed down three bowls. Though he was a mason, he had seen a bit of the world in his youth.

He had, of course, eaten authentic ice jelly before. Just by looking at the bowls his son had made, he could tell they looked pretty good. After tasting them himself, Tan Nanfeng knew this business would work.

He looked at Tan You. "I know you’re looking out for Tan Tao. Our family is indebted to you. Once the shop is up and running..."

"There’s no need to talk about the future," Tan You said, holding up a hand. "I’m not helping you; I’m helping him. Besides, Tan Tao already paid me. I think it’s enough."

Tan Nanfeng lowered his head slightly. ’How petty of me.’ "Alright. We won’t interfere in you younger folks’ affairs. Tan Tao is lucky to have a friend like you."

Tan You glanced at Tan Tao. "I just hope he has a better life in the future. There are limited options for a kid his age who isn’t in school. I hope you do well, and I hope no one looks down on you."

Tan Tao’s nose tingled. He deliberately changed the subject. "I’m a year older than you, and you’re calling me a kid."

Tan You just smiled, not arguing with him. "Go on home. If there’s anything you don’t understand, feel free to come and ask me anytime."

"You should pack these up and take them with you, too. Let your sister and your mom have a taste."

Tan Nanfeng wanted to refuse. ’How could we just eat and take things from her house?’ But Tan Tao had already started packing. "I won’t be polite then. If you need any help in the future, just let me know."

Tan You understood Tan Tao’s meaning. ’Only strangers act so formally; close friends don’t draw such clear lines.’ She just smiled. "Alright. Go on home."

Both Tan Nanfeng and Tan Tao were people of action. Or rather, they were people who had grown to fear poverty. The moment they grasped even the slightest glimmer of hope, their drive to act was extraordinary.

The day after learning how to make ice jelly from Tan You, Tan Nanfeng and Tan Tao went to the barbecue street to set up a stall that very evening. At this time, the barbecue street wasn’t lined with formal shops. Instead, everyone rode their own modified tricycles, making it easy to come and go.

You could set up a stall as long as you paid the fee to the management office. Of course, the office wouldn’t get involved if any conflicts arose.

That night, long after Tan You had gone to sleep, there was a knock on the main gate. Tan Deming was a light sleeper. When he went to open it, he saw Tan Tao’s entire family of four standing outside.

Tan Deming yawned and opened the gate. "Come in and we’ll talk."

Tan Tao glanced at Tan You’s room. "Grandpa, is Youyou asleep?"

"Yes. Did you all just get back?" Tan You pushed her door open and walked out. "Auntie and Sister Qin went too?"

Tan Qin looked at Tan You and smiled. She wasn’t good with words, so she just gave Tan You a very sweet and gentle smile.

For some reason, Tan You’s heart softened. She stroked Tan Qin’s hair. "Sit down and let’s talk."

Tan Tao barely managed to contain his excitement. "Youyou, we made money!"

Tan You could tell just by his expression. She glanced at the satchel on Tan Nanfeng’s hip. "That’s great. But isn’t it unsafe to bring the money back here? The village is so far from the city. If you want to do this business long-term, you should rent a place in the city." 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

At this point, Tan Nanfeng was ready to do whatever Tan You said. "Rent. We’ll rent. I’ll go look at places tomorrow during the day. If things go smoothly, we’ll be living in the city by tomorrow night."

Tan You smiled. "That’s good. Just sell the ice jelly for now. When autumn and winter come, you can sell something else. By the way, come over to my house tomorrow afternoon. I’m making boneless chicken feet, so you can come have a taste."

She was speaking to Tan Tao, who immediately nodded. "Okay, I’ll come over at noon tomorrow."

After seeing the overjoyed family of four off, Tan Deming looked at Tan You searchingly. "Why did you help them so readily?"

Tan You yawned. "I have my own selfish reasons."

She yawned again. "Our family has no roots or connections in the city. If Tan Tao’s family can get established, I can also find a way to bring Mom and Dad back. Then, Tan Tao’s family can help us out."

"I can’t just let them keep doing hard labor in C City. They’re my parents, after all. How could I just wash my hands of them?"

"Anyway, let’s talk about tomorrow’s business tomorrow. I’m so sleepy I can’t keep my eyes open."

Tan Deming wanted to say more, but seeing that Tan You had already gone into her bedroom, he kept quiet and returned to his own room.

He started pondering it himself. ’Tan Tao’s family is making ice jelly and boneless chicken feet, so what is my eldest granddaughter planning for her own parents? They’ve been trying out so many things at home lately. What does she have in mind for her mother?’

Tan You hadn’t quite figured out what she wanted Cheng Wenhui to do yet, but she wasn’t in a hurry. First, she needed to let Tan Tao’s family get established. That would make it easier for her to plan things later.

The next day at noon, Tan Tao came over as soon as he finished lunch. Tan You looked at him. "Sit down and have some more."

Even though he had already eaten at home, Tan Tao obediently sat down at the table. For some reason, seeing Tan You now made him feel like a mouse facing a cat; he couldn’t help but tense up completely.

"My dad and mom went out first thing this morning. My sister is at home packing," Tan Tao said, trying to make conversation after a couple of bites of rice.

Tan You asked, "Why didn’t you bring your sister? It’s not like we can’t spare a bite of food for her."