Two weeks had passed since we started selling food at the docks. It had become a routine for us - early mornings and busy lunches, serving our delicious dishes to the hungry crowds. But our days didn't end there. In the afternoons, we would gather together and train in martial arts, honing our skills and strengthening our bodies.
The village had caught wind of our unique fishing method, and while some were intrigued, others reacted quite unpleasantly, saying that we should not sell the fish we caught because the whole village own the pond. Fortunately, the fair village head said to them, "Yes, the pond does belong to the village but whatever they caught belongs to them! Since you people have time to run your mouth off why not fish on your own!"
They have no choice but to stop so we spent our days quietly. The family's saving was a total of 5 gold taels and 50 silver taels, excluding some loose change and the main capital from the braised business.
Yesterday, a tiny sheet of ice formed on the pond, and the weather grew colder by the day. The signs were clear - winter was approaching, and with it, a decline in business at the docks.
As I walked with my brothers towards the docks early in the morning, I couldn't help but notice the dwindling number of customers. The once bustling marketplace seemed quieter, and the fishermen had their boats neatly docked, their nets hanging idly.
Cree looked at me with a concerned expression. "Elder Sister, do you think our business will survive the winter? It's getting colder, and people seem less interested in buying food."
I sighed, wrapping my arms around myself to keep warm. "I'm not sure, Cree. The winter season is always challenging for food vendors. But we can't let that discourage us. Let us try to observe for a few days then we would close the stall."
Big Brother Li emerged from the sideline, his face filled with a mix of exhaustion and satisfaction.
As he sat down beside me, Big Brother Li let out a tired sigh. "Bellona, I have some news," he began, his voice slightly weary.
I looked at him curiously, a hint of concern in my eyes. "What is it, Big Brother Li?"
He leaned in closer, his voice lowering. "The docks will be closing in three days. The winter season is settling in, and it's becoming too risky to continue selling there."
My heart sank a little at the news. The docks had been our main source of income, and the thought of losing that opportunity weighed on me. However, I knew I had to trust Big Brother Li's judgment.
"Thank you for letting us know, Big Brother Li," I said sincerely. "We appreciate your concern and guidance. We'll make sure to prepare for the upcoming closure."
He nodded, his expression softening. "You should stay at home and prepare for winter isolation"
"We will Big Brother Li!" And with that, we bid goodbye.
After returning home, I gathered Big Brother Li and Uncle Jiang in the main room.
Sighing softly, I broke the news to them. "Big Brother, Uncle Jiang, I just spoke with some of the other workers, and it's true. The docks will be closing in three days due to the winter season."
Big Brother Li's brows furrowed, and Uncle Jiang's face fell. They both understood the implications of losing our primary selling spot. We relied on the docks for a steady flow of customers and income. As I plan to send the three of them to school the next spring, we can't stay idle in whole winter season.
Uncle Jiang spoke up first, his voice tinged with concern. "What are we going to do, Bellona? How will we find another place to sell our goods?"
I pondered for a moment, considering our options. "Well, I was thinking... Maybe we could explore the county market. It's a larger market with a variety of vendors and customers. Perhaps by observing what's in demand there, we can get some ideas about what to sell."
Big Brother Li nodded, his eyes brightening with hope. "That's a good idea, Bellona. Let's see if we can find a niche in the county market and cater to the needs of the customers there."
Uncle Jiang chimed in, his voice filled with determination. "I'll gather some information about the county market and see if I can find any potential opportunities. I'll go bring some tea leaves in Fei Zhong house"