2 Popcorn

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Wen Zhongxia smiled, “It’s nothing, it won’t explode. You’ll see what’s going on soon.”

Xu Xiu looked suspicious but after a moment’s thought, she hid Wen Mengdong behind her.

The loud popping sound in the pot continued for a while, then gradually faded and soon fell silent.

Wen Zhongxia pressed down on the lid and silently counted another minute before opening it.

“Hey, it worked!”

The white popcorn, tinged with a slight golden brown, nearly filled half the small pot, filling the air with a faint, pleasant aroma.

“This… this is corn?” Xu Xiu was stunned.

Wen Mengdong let out several “wow”s, his childish voice full of wonder: “Sister, can you do magic tricks?”

Wen Zhongxia smiled, “It’s not magic. This is popcorn made from corn.”

She scooped some into a bowl and handed it to her sister-in-law and little brother: “Try it, it’s very tasty.”

Wen Mengdong couldn’t wait to pinch a piece, blew on it twice, then popped it into his mouth. His eyes sparkled, “Sister, it’s delicious, so fragrant.”

“Wait until it cools down, it’ll be crunchier and even better.”

Xu Xiu looked at the popcorn in her hand from every angle and sighed, “It really does look like a little white flower.”

She ate two pieces and kept praising their taste.

Wen Zhongxia hadn’t expected such success in such a rudimentary setting; more than eighty percent had popped. She had thought even half would be good enough.

“Xia’er,” Xu Xiu looked at her oddly, “When did you learn to make this kind of food? I don’t remember you ever going into the kitchen much before.”

Here it came—the inevitable suspicion faced by anyone who had traveled through time. Luckily, Wen Zhongxia had prepared an answer.

“During the time I was bedridden and dazed, I dreamed of my mother. She taught me cooking skills.”

Xu Xiu was surprised, “Your mother appeared in your dream? What did she say?”

“She said that in life, one must have a skill. If you have cooking skills, you can support yourself.”

Wen Zhongxia watched Xu Xiu’s expression carefully. At first, she was skeptical, but after a few seconds of thought, she nodded: “Your mother was indeed an excellent cook, but why didn’t she ever make popcorn like this before?”

“She learned it from a travelogue about regional foods. She picked up many things but fell ill before she could try them all. My father’s study is full of such travel books, and she liked to read them whenever she could.”

Wen Zhongxia was taking the popcorn out of the pot as she spoke, “She taught me a lot. After I woke up, it felt like I just knew how to do it without a teacher.”

The original mother came from a modest family, skilled and resourceful. When Wen Xun was just a scholar, he once tasted a meal she cooked and was conquered by her culinary talent, which later led to their marriage.

Ancient people were superstitious, and Xu Xiu was a devout Buddhist, so this was the simplest explanation to smooth things over.

Xu Xiu imagined the scene and was half convinced, but she couldn’t think of any other possibility.

She whispered “Amitabha” and then went into the courtyard, standing in the center facing all four directions, bowing respectfully.

Heaven never forsakes those in despair—this was surely a blessing for their family.

Wen Zhongxia watched her through the window and sighed deeply.

In truth, she felt awkward inhabiting another’s body, but it was beyond her control. For now, she had to live well on behalf of the original owner.

When Xu Xiu returned, she was noticeably more uplifted.

“Xia’er, can we sell this popcorn now?”

Wen Zhongxia replied, “It’s only a semi-finished product. We still need one more thing—sugar.”

After the popcorn is formed, it must be coated with syrup. Once cooled, the syrup forms a crispy shell that not only makes the flavor sweeter and crunchier but also seals out air to keep it from getting soggy.

Xu Xiu lowered her head in thought, then suddenly turned and ran out again. Soon she returned carrying a small box containing a few copper coins.

“Xia’er, just so you know, we only have sixty-five wen now. After buying sugar and oil, there will be barely anything left.”

Xu Xiu had originally been saving the money to buy medicine for Wen Zhongxia. She seemed to have made a very difficult decision and said, “There’s no other way now. We have to take the risk.”

Wen Zhongxia understood her hesitation. The fact that Xu Xiu accepted her idea so quickly was already beyond expectation.

“Sister-in-law, trust me. I absolutely won’t let the three of us end up on the streets.”

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She was a modern chef with food on her mind. Even if popcorn failed, she had other ideas.

Xu Xiu felt more confident hearing this.

The sun had just risen, and the snow hadn’t melted yet. Concerned that Wen Zhongxia might catch a chill if she went out, Xu Xiu told her to stay home while she went to buy sugar and oil.

With only three days left, Xu Xiu dared not waste a moment. She grabbed a small cloth bag and rushed out.

After she left, Wen Zhongxia looked at the popcorn on the table and asked her little brother, “Why aren’t you eating anymore?”

“I’m saving the popcorn to sell, not eating it,” Wen Mengdong said, though his eyes were glued to the popcorn.

If the Wen family hadn’t fallen on hard times, he too would be a well-fed little noble.

Wen Zhongxia smiled and gently tousled his soft hair, “This batch isn’t for selling. Eat without worry. It won’t taste good once it gets damp.”

Only then did Wen Mengdong grab a few pieces and crunch them happily.

“I’ll just eat a little, and save some for sister-in-law.”

“Such a good boy.”

About half an hour later, Xu Xiu returned.

She bought half a catty of maltose sugar for twenty-two wen and two-tenths of oil for twenty wen, also buying the cheapest paper for five copper coins. She hadn’t dared spend all their money.

Xu Xiu bought maltose, a cheaper kind of sugar. Refined cane sugar was sold by weight and was beyond their means.

Maltose was less sweet but sweet enough for common folk.

...

“No, no, you stay home. I’ll sell.” When the popcorn was ready, Xu Xiu immediately refused Wen Zhongxia’s offer to sell together.

The young lady had once been a privileged noble in the capital, so doing business openly like this would be scandalous.

“Sister-in-law, when are you going to worry about face? Survival is the top priority,” Wen Zhongxia said. “Besides, if you can go, why can’t I?”

“You’re different from me.”

“We’re both women, two eyes and two hands. What difference is there?”

“You’re not married yet. It’ll be harder to find a good match later.”

Mentioning this, Xu Xiu recalled the broken engagement her sister-in-law had. The Minister of Rites had repeatedly sent matchmakers for his son. Her father-in-law, knowing the official well, had agreed.

But after the Wen family’s downfall, that family was the quickest to sever ties—they were never truly united.

If not for that broken engagement, her sister-in-law wouldn’t have cried herself to sleep every night.

“If I can’t find a match, then I won’t. When I earn enough, I’ll invite a few young officials to marry into the family.” Wen Zhongxia blurted out what she and her sisters often joked about in her previous life.

Marry into the family? Several of them?

Xu Xiu’s eyes nearly popped out at such a shocking idea.

Realizing her slip, Wen Zhongxia quickly reassured her ancient-minded sister-in-law, putting an arm around her shoulder: “I’m just joking. Don’t think too much. Earning money with your own hands isn’t shameful.”

“No money, you can’t even live, let alone marry, right?”

Xu Xiu was left speechless.

She couldn’t argue with her sister-in-law, and since Wen Zhongxia had made the popcorn and came up with the plan, Xu Xiu was afraid of messing up the business herself. She finally nodded her consent.

By midday, the temperature had risen considerably. Xu Xiu wrapped Wen Zhongxia in the only short cloak left at home.

She tied the strings at her chest and smoothed out the wrinkles, muttering, “You just recovered from illness. Dress warmly when you go out. Don’t fall ill again.”

During those days when Wen Zhongxia had a persistent fever, Xu Xiu had fretted so much her lips had blistered.

They say a sister-in-law is like a mother. If anything happened to the young lady now, how could Xu Xiu face her father-in-law and husband?

Wen Zhongxia’s family ties had been thin in her past life, but now, facing her sister-in-law’s meticulous care, her heart felt warm. She said, “Don’t worry, sister-in-law. I’m fully recovered. You took care of me before, now I’ll help you share the burden.”

“Winter’er will help sister-in-law too.” Wen Mengdong squeezed between the two adults, his eyes shining with innocent enthusiasm.

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Wen Zhongxia and Xu Xiu exchanged a knowing smile.

Once ready, the three of them headed straight to Madao Street.

Madao Street had originally been lined with mule and horse carriage businesses for hire by commoners, but it had developed into a commercial street, bustling with shops on both sides.

Tea houses, restaurants, small eateries,

Rouge shops, spice and silk boutiques,

Pharmacies, bookstores, and general stores,

All lined up densely, offering everything imaginable.

There were also various street vendors set up along the road, crowding the scene with lively chatter.

The capital city, ancient or modern, was truly the same bustling, fast-paced place.

Wen Zhongxia wasn’t opening a shop or setting up a stall; carrying a large white cloth bag, she only needed to find a vacant spot to start selling.

After walking around, she picked a place surrounded by stalls, none selling food. The vendors on either side glanced at them but said nothing.

Though the street officials had cleared the snow, the ground was still wet and grayish. Fortunately, Wen Zhongxia had thought ahead and asked Wen Mengdong to bring a small stool.

Placing the bag on the stool kept it off the ground, preventing it from getting damp or dirty.

As a food professional, she was strict about cleanliness and hygiene.

Xu Xiu carried a bamboo basket filled with paper, her knuckles white from gripping the handle tightly.

She was very nervous.

A woman who had only managed household chores before—laundry had only been done with help from a neighbor—now standing on a busy street selling goods publicly was a first in her twenty years.

Her previous excitement had turned to anxiety.

What if they didn’t make any money? How would they pay the rent?

How should she call out to customers? What to say if someone asked?

Lost in these thoughts, Wen Zhongxia suddenly clapped her hands and shouted out in a clear, crisp voice.

“Popcorn! Sweet and crunchy popcorn, the one and only in Dongjing!”

“Don’t miss out as you pass by! A must-have snack for home and travel, the one and only in Dongjing!”

The key selling point of “one and only” was meant to catch attention.

Xu Xiu was stunned. When had her sister-in-law come up with such smooth sales lines? This was her first time selling anything—was she really not nervous?

“Delicious popcorn, the one and only in Dongjing!” Wen Mengdong also shouted, not caring if his small childish voice could be heard.

Xu Xiu felt ashamed—she was outdone even by a child.

After gathering some courage, she stepped forward and called out twice. It seemed less nerve-wracking the second time.

Wen Zhongxia noticed and smiled with relief. Though Xu Xiu’s voice was weak, the fact she spoke at all was a good sign.

The “one and only” slogan worked somewhat; many passersby slowed their steps. But perhaps not knowing what it was, they hesitated and moved on.

Xu Xiu was anxious, fearing they wouldn’t sell any. They had nearly emptied their savings.

Wen Zhongxia understood that beginnings were always difficult. After some thought, she changed the call:

“Sweet and crunchy popcorn, free samples! Try before you buy!”

She had a strategy: whenever an adult with children passed by, she would raise her voice.

A slightly plump woman holding a boy’s hand paused hearing the call. The boy tugged on her hand and said, “Mom, I want that popcorn.”