OFTLHFRO C29

Chapter 29: This Is Confidence in You

After looking around once, the house turned out to be quite spacious.

At the front, there was a storefront that could fit three smaller tables inside, and further in was the courtyard for making tofu, as well as the living quarters.

If another floor were added on top, it could even be turned into a milk tea shop.

After inspecting it and finding no other issues, Huo Yan handed over the money, received the deed to the house and the land, and was told they only needed to go to the county office next time to process the transfer.

The auntie kindly advised them, “If you plan to make tofu, go to Liu’s grain store. Their soybeans are good, you won’t be shortchanged in weight or quality. Huang’s store isn’t reliable. We always buy soybeans from Liu’s when we make tofu.”

Luo Mingchen didn’t refuse their goodwill and replied with a smile, “Alright, we understand.”

“These are the house deed and land deed. We’ll move our belongings out by tomorrow. You can come inspect it in the afternoon. Here are the keys.”

After taking the keys, the two of them, while still carrying the baby, went to buy some blue bricks and roof tiles. They placed those at the new home, then headed to a nearby small restaurant to wait for Huo Yuhui and Huo Xiang to get out of school at noon so they could eat together.

Looking at the small restaurant, Luo Mingchen asked, “Boss, may I rent half a day here to sell some pastries?”

He had made quite a few bowl cakes. Although they were stored in his personal space and wouldn’t spoil if left unsold, it would still be nice if they could actually be sold.

After all, yesterday he had promised some students that he would sell bowl cakes today.

The restaurant owner still remembered the two of them and asked curiously, “Why don’t you go rent a stall?”

Luo Mingchen simply replied, “We came too late, and the suitable stalls had already been taken.”

The boss’s wife poked her head out from the kitchen and said, “Ah, so it’s you two. Are you here to sell that kind of cake again?”

Luo Mingchen paused slightly, “Bowl cake.”

“Yes, I heard from my eldest son. He said one of his classmates told him that your cake was delicious. It’s just a pity he gave me money to buy one but they were already sold out. If you’re going to sell, could you sell us some first?”

Naturally, Luo Mingchen wouldn’t refuse. “Of course. About the stall then?”

The boss’s wife smiled warmly. “If it’s only for half a day, we won’t charge you. It doesn’t take up much space anyway, and who knows, you might even bring us more customers.”

Hearing this, the restaurant owner glanced at his wife with eyes full of tenderness, then asked Luo Mingchen, “Do you need a stand?”

“No need, we brought one.”

With permission granted, Luo Mingchen went with Huo Yan into the alley to bring back the bowl cakes and the stand.

Seeing how quickly they returned, the husband and wife were a little surprised.

Luo Mingchen explained with a smile, “We bought a shop over there and plan to do a small business.”

Hearing this, the couple understood.

Since the two refused to charge them for the stall, Luo Mingchen couldn’t take advantage of them by giving away too much. For four bowl cakes, he only charged them half price.

In truth, he originally intended to give four away for free.

But the boss’s wife wouldn’t accept charity, saying they were raising three children and it wasn’t easy.

Warmth spread in Luo Mingchen’s heart.

There were indeed many good people in this world. Although there were unpleasant ones, kindness from some could still heal those wounds.

At noon, some students originally went to buy bowl cakes, but when they saw unfamiliar sellers at the usual place selling tofu instead, they left disappointed to buy candied hawthorn.

Unexpectedly, others eating nearby said someone was selling bowl cakes in front of the small restaurant. At the news, several immediately ran over in excitement.

Truth be told, it was the first time the restaurant couple had realized there were so many students from the academy.

Some people waiting in line became hungry after smelling the food and also ordered dishes to take away.

Luo Mingchen honestly hadn’t expected that so many students would show up today.

At first, only two or three came, buying very few. Later, a large crowd rushed over at once.

Of the one hundred and twenty cakes he had made, all were sold out in less than half an hour, leaving some unable to buy any.

A young girl in a pink dress huffed angrily, “Why didn’t you make more? I couldn’t buy any yesterday, and today you changed locations, and I still didn’t get any.”

Luo Mingchen discreetly took out an apple from his space and handed it to her with a smile. “Miss, don’t be upset. Have a fruit. Come again tomorrow, and I promise you’ll get some, alright?”

Seeing the large apple, the young girl bit her lip but still accepted it, lifting her chin as she placed two copper coins into his hand. “I don’t take things from others for free. If tomorrow I still can’t buy any, I’ll drag you home myself to make them in front of me.”

Uh, well…

Luo Mingchen was both amused and exasperated, but he couldn’t bear any dislike toward this spoiled yet adorable young lady. He coaxed lightly, “Alright, alright. Take care, miss. Remember to wash the fruit before eating.”

“I know.”

After she left, Luo Mingchen let out a breath of relief, pocketed the two coins, and turned back to see Huo Yan staring at him. He joked, “Aren’t you hungry? Stop looking at me, I’m starving. Let’s eat first.”

“Mm.”

Huo Xinyue ate with her two brothers; otherwise, she would have been starving by the time they were done.

When the dishes arrived, the boss’s wife tallied up the profits they had made that afternoon.

After counting, she wished she could commit to long-term cooperation with Luo Mingchen, but it was a pity they already had their own shop.

So, before they left, the boss’s wife smiled and said, “If you still want to sell tomorrow, just come straight over. This spot will be reserved for you.”

The two thanked her and left, going on to hire people to repair their house.

Seeing Huo Yan hand money to others, Luo Mingchen felt a pang of heartache. “We spend money like running water every day.”

Yet earning money was so difficult…

Huo Yan didn’t mind. “The initial investment is for the sake of future returns. If it doesn’t work, we can always switch to something else.”

Hearing him, Luo Mingchen said, “You really do take things with ease.”

“This is because I believe in your abilities.”

Hearing this, to be honest, Luo Mingchen was moved.

Ever since his mother died, few had placed trust in him. Most thought he lacked capability, urging him to submit to fate and not dream of impractical things.

But Luo Mingchen had refused to give in. He insisted on taking the college entrance exam, and the results had been decent.

When their eyes met, Luo Mingchen shifted his gaze nervously. “I’ll go check what’s going on with that mother and daughter. You stay here and watch over Yueyue.”

Huo Xinyue was already asleep. Even when she was awake, she was quiet, her big round eyes constantly observing her surroundings.

Huo Yan did not object. He suggested, “I think you should ask around these two streets. They’re unlikely to have appeared out of nowhere.”

“Alright.”

Following his advice, Luo Mingchen went out to inquire.

Sure enough, the vendors who had had a good relationship with them soon revealed the truth.

That pair of mother and daughter weren’t doing this for the first time. They had previously driven away another tofu seller.

Since the steward was fond of that woman, he would easily grant their requests, and since it meant collecting two rents, why not agree?

Moreover, the mother and daughter were skilled in feigning pitifulness; always weeping and acting helpless, easily misleading those unaware of the truth.

As for their claims of having a younger brother to care for, that was a lie. The so-called younger brother was a sixteen-year-old wastrel who frequented the gambling dens.

They lived in a more remote part of town. Instead of doing honest work, they resorted to shady tricks—always forcing others to swap stalls when business was good, so they could sell more tofu.

Yet theirs was recognized as the worst tofu in all of Taohua Town. Many in town already knew as much.