The three of them stared blankly at the beautifully-colored cakes as a sweet fragrance wafted towards them. Then, each of them took a cake and carefully tasted it.
After taking a bite, it was as if they had all been struck by lightning.
Small cakes like these could be found in grocery stores or local general stores.
One cake cost seven cents, which was roughly the same price as a meat bun. It was a little expensive, and they couldn't bear to buy it, but they had tried it in the past.
That taste had been lingering in their memories.
They thought that even if Qi Mianmian could successfully make cakes, it wouldn't taste any better than what they had eaten.
They did not expect her to produce something a cut above those store-bought cakes. In fact, her cakes were several cuts above the ones they had tried…
"Oh, this is delicious. Delicious. I want more."
Zhao Xiulian finished the rest of her cake in two large bites, stood up, and rushed to the bedroom shared by Qi Mianmian and her two sisters.
However, the door, which was usually left ajar, could not be pushed open.
She flew into a rage. "You locked the door on purpose, didn't you? Are you so reluctant to give us more cakes to eat?"
Qi Mianmian's expression turned obstinate. "Um, you usually have some fruits and refreshments to enjoy, but I don't see you sharing those with us, do I? Why should we share what rightfully belongs to us, just so you can fill your stomach?"
Elderly Lady Qi could not stand Zhao Xiulian's behavior either. She scolded, "What's the matter? Isn't one cake enough for you? Are you still not satisfied? Don't tell me you plan to eat their cakes for dinner!"
Zhao Xiulian said awkwardly, "I was just thinking of giving one to Moli. Sure, we won't take too much of your stuff, but surely it's only right that everyone in the family gets to try one each, isn't it?"
Qi Mianmian sneered. "I'm sorry. Qi Moli will never get a share of my things. I heard what Qian Jun and Shi Xiaorong said at the door yesterday. I didn't pursue the matter because I didn't want to make things difficult for my grandmother, and I didn't want our family to be embarrassed. That doesn't mean I'll forgive her."
Zhao Xiulian wanted to argue back. However, when she thought about how Qi Moli would only be further humiliated if this matter were to blow up again, she swallowed down her embarrassment and sat back down.
Qi Shan sensed that the atmosphere was a little off. She smiled and changed the subject. "Mianmian, this cake of yours is much better than the ones sold at the general store. How much are you going to sell one for?"
Qi Mianmian's expression instantly changed. She smiled and said, "The one you ate just now had raisins in it. I'm planning to sell one for ten cents. For those without raisins, I'm planning to sell one for eight cents."
Both Elderly Lady Qi and Qi Shan asked in shock at the same time, "Ah? So expensive? The general store sells one cake for only seven cents."
"I'm using real sugar here, not sweetener. For the cakes without raisins, the cost price for just one is already six cents. So one cake must be sold for eight cents. I know my cakes taste good, and I believe everyone will be able to taste the difference in quality."
Elderly Lady Qi quickly suggested, "Then if the customers think it's too expensive to buy, you can start using sweetener instead."
Whenever their family made pastries and snacks during Chinese New Year, they would be reluctant to use sugar. All they used was artificial sweetener.
Although everyone said that artificial sweetener was toxic and that eating too much would be bad for one's health, who would eat much in this day and age?
Qi Mianmian returned Elderly Lady Qi's smile, but did not agree to her suggestion.
After three batches of batter, which came up to around 200 cakes, Qi Mianmian began to bake bread.
After the first batch was prepared, she similarly gave one each to Elderly Lady Qi, Qi Shan, and Zhao Xiulian.
Less sugar and fewer eggs were used to make the bread, as compared to the cakes, though each loaf of bread was bigger than each cake. However, Qi Mianmian still priced them at eight cents for one loaf of ordinary bread, and ten cents for one loaf of bread with bean paste. When Elderly Lady Qi and the others heard this, the corners of their mouths began to twitch.
But none of them said anything.
Firstly, Qi Mianmian's cakes and bread did taste good. Secondly, it wasn't as if the price couldn't be changed. If business wasn't good tomorrow, Qi Mianmian would naturally adjust the price. They didn't have to worry about that.
Other than her immediate family, who had free access to any of the cakes or bread, Qi Mianmian would gift a cake and a loaf of bread to any family member who came home, free of charge, so that they could have a taste. However, she refused to give them any more for free, and was only willing to sell them at the cost price.
Qi Jingshu and Qi Jingzhong had initially wanted to buy a few, but Zhao Xiulian and Qi Shan stopped them with the same reason. "Just be patient for a while. If the bread and cakes can't be sold tomorrow, we'll be able to buy them at a lower price, even if we can't get it for free."