The town wasn't too big but quite bustling. There were many street vendors selling food along the street, as well as peddlers carrying loads on poles wandering through the alleys.
Li Yuzhu observed that the beverage stalls were among the most popular food vendors. Sure enough, in any era, various kinds of drinks were the perfect match for the hot summer.
The two of them walked around the town and finally decided to set up their stall on the street with the most food vendors.
Li Yuzhu then took Xiaodai to the pharmacy to buy some saltpeter.
"Sister Yuzhu, are you sick? What's this for?"
"This is saltpeter. It's used to make ice water."
Li Yuzhu recalled her story in another world. When she was a child, she grew up in the countryside. There was always a lot of white frost growing on the walls. Li Yuzhu was very curious and asked around.
She heard that this white frost was called saltpeter and could be used to make ice. So Li Yuzhu conducted an experiment based on what she heard.
In the end, she didn't make real ice cubes, but the water did get a lot colder.
Li Yuzhu never thought that her little experiment back then would come in handy after she traveled through time.
When they got home, Li Yuzhu first went to the room to check on Li Yutao, who was still lying in bed.
"Mother, what did the doctor say?" Li Yuzhu gently pushed aside a few strands of Li Yutao's hair from her forehead and looked at her with heartache in her eyes.
"The doctor said there's nothing serious. It's just that she's young, got scared and held her breath. With good care, she'll wake up."
Li Yuzhu nodded. "Use whatever medicine the doctor prescribes. Don't worry about the silver. I've found a way to make money. I'll try it out tomorrow."
Liu smiled, her eyes full of心疼 for Li Yuzhu. "Don't overwork yourself."
"Mother, don't worry! I'm in good health!" Li Yuzhu said, patting her chest, and then shouted outside, "Xiaodai, let's go! We'll go to the mountain to pick some ice jelly seeds."
"Coming!" Xiaodai immediately picked up the bamboo basket and waited for Li Yuzhu in the yard.
The two of them didn't return until the sun was about to set, with a bountiful harvest.
When they got home, Liu had already prepared dinner and was waiting for everyone.
After Li Yuzhu and the others put away their things, Li Yunren also got home.
Looking at her exhausted husband and the children covered in twigs and leaves, Liu's eyes were filled with tears.
Li Yunren noticed Liu's mood. He wanted to hug her, but thinking that the children were there, he just gently patted her on the shoulder and comforted her, "What are you doing? The children are watching."
Liu quickly wiped away the tears that were about to fall and shook her head with a smile.
Li Yuzhu also stepped forward and hugged Liu. "Okay, mother! I'll need your help to make ice jelly early tomorrow morning. Let's have dinner. We need to eat well to have the strength to work!"
Liu pursed her lips and nodded vigorously. "Okay!"
The next day, Li Yuzhu got up very early.
When she groped her way to the kitchen, she found that Liu had already prepared breakfast.
"Mother! Why did you get up so early!" Li Yuzhu rubbed her sleepy eyes and then yawned several times.
So sleepy! She got up earlier than when she was in high school!
Liu put the still-steaming porridge on the table. "Come and have breakfast."
Li Yuzhu sat down on the chair with half-closed eyes and finished her breakfast in a daze.
By this time, the other three had also finished their breakfast, and Li Yunren had already gone to work at the dock.
Li Yuzhu led Liu and Xiaodai to make ice jelly.
After the ice jelly was made, Li Yuzhu and Xiaodai drove the donkey cart to the town and headed straight for the place they had chosen the day before.
The steam from breakfast was floating in the air, and the peddlers' cries were one after another. It was extremely lively.
Li Yuzhu set up her stall and joined the ranks of the peddlers.
"Selling ice jelly! Selling watermelon ice jelly! Refreshing and delicious watermelon ice jelly. One bowl isn't enough! Come and have a taste!"
The pinkish ice jelly and Li Yuzhu's cries did attract many passers-by to stop.
A man in the crowd poked his head out, glanced at the sample ice jelly Li Yuzhu had put out, and sneered. "This thing looks so insipid. You don't even need to taste it to know it must be unappetizing!"
After saying that, the man raised his head, puffed out his chest, put his hands behind his back, and strode forward in one smooth motion.
"I think so too. It has neither color, aroma nor taste. With this level, she still dares to set up a stall." Another man who was just watching the fun shook his head and mocked.
"Miss, I think you'd better pack up your stall early and go home to get married."
"I think the miss is quite good-looking. Why don't you pack up your stall now and come home with me with your silly younger brother."
There was a burst of laughter in the crowd. The man, feeling proud, wanted to continue making jokes.
The voices of slander and disdain were getting louder and louder.
Xiaodai was so angry at the faces of these people that he blew his beard and stared, wishing he could punch those people in the mouth.
Li Yuzhu had thought there would be difficulties, but such offensive words were beyond her expectation. However, she didn't panic. Instead, she calmly cut the already sliced ice jelly into four more pieces, put them in four bowls, and added a few small pieces of watermelon as decoration.
"Come on! Don't miss it if you pass by!" Li Yuzhu ignored the contemptuous, disdainful and vulgar voices and shouted at the crowd.
"Today is the grand opening of Yuzhu Ice Jelly Shop! There's free ice jelly for everyone to taste! Limited quantity! First come, first served!"
"Everyone, please line up here." Li Yuzhu said, pointing to the place in front of her, which happened to be where the man who had asked her to go home with him was standing.
"Free? Miss, are you joking?"
"Sister, is it really free?"
"It must be a lie. How could there be such a good thing!"
"Don't tell me they'll ask for money after we eat it?"
Everyone raised their doubts.
Li Yuzhu stretched out her hands and pressed down, signaling everyone not to quarrel. After the crowd quieted down a bit, she smiled and said loudly, "Everyone, don't be impatient! I assure you that it's definitely free to taste, but the quantity is limited! Customers who want some can line up now."
Hearing Li Yuzhu's assurance, everyone rushed to the place Li Yuzhu had pointed to.
The man was mercilessly pushed aside by the crowd lining up and almost fell to the ground. He was just about to swear when, unfortunately, he was scolded by an anxious old woman in the line.
"You foul-mouthed young man, how can you have the nerve to line up? Not only did you scold the young lady without apologizing, but now you also want to eat for free? You're such a grown man. I think calling you a villain is already flattering you! Get out of the way!"
"That's right! How dare you line up!"
"That's right! That's right! Get out of the way!"
Seeing that everyone disliked him, the foul-mouthed young man slunk away.
This time, Li Yuzhu didn't stop the quarrel. She looked at the long line and nodded in satisfaction.