"This is stone honey, made by drying local sugarcane juice and milk in the sun. It's very sweet. Try a piece and see if you like it."
"Oh? This is stone honey? Are you still sun-drying sugar? Don't you cook it?" Xiaobei was exceptionally curious. During university, he studied the history of food development and knew that in ancient times, sugar obtained from the method of pressing juice and boiling was often not filtered or decolored. For a long period in history, sugar was obtained by drying the juice to achieve a clear and clean sugar syrup. In the Tang Dynasty, this snowy white sugar block, especially when mixed with milk, became a precious sweet taste for aristocrats and nobles. Due to its dry and stone-like texture, it was easy to carry and became a favorite snack for young ladies and women, known as "stone honey."
"What do you mean by 'you guys'? Isn't your family's sugar cooking deep, dark, and burnt? Actually, all sweets are the same to me. I don't like them. It's just that those young ladies always pay attention. Stone honey is pure white and bright, takes very little time and effort, and, although it's expensive, it's still in high demand."
"Oh, so if I tell you a method that is simple and easy, you can produce a large quantity, would you like to buy my recipe for cash?"
"Forget it. You're still the owner here. If your method brings in money for the restaurant, you'll benefit from it too. Do you really think your salt refining method is effective? You want to cash in on it, and I don't even know if your sugar-making method is valid. What kind of cost are you talking about here? You're also trying to sell me sugar here."
"What's the big deal? It's a matter that can be seen in just an hour or two. I'm afraid you'll doubt it? Hmph, small-minded. You go to the seaside and build two pools. When the tide comes in, the water is taken in. One pool with lime and one with alkali. Filter the water, let it sun-dry, and you can get as much as you want, and it won't cost you much. Are you afraid that the profit from the salt produced by seawater will be distributed to me in your restaurant? Who would believe that?"
"You also know that private salt production is prohibited. If the methods of making salt and sugar are really feasible, I'll give you an additional 20% in our own Fuhai Building, making it a total of 30%! How about that? Come on, tell me how to make this sugar."
"Forget it, I don't want to say. I'd rather go sell stationery. People will give me cash for that." Xiaobei lazily leaned back on the table, not bothering to ask about the last dish, just the chicken soup that's been served every meal these days.
"What's with you? Do you know how much silver is our restaurant's 30% profit? Cash, cash, such a petty attitude!"
"If you want to make transparent sugar easily, just add some lime milk and egg whites. But can you imagine making various varieties of white sugar, rock sugar, brown sugar, and sugar syrup with just one sugarcane? With money, I can open 18, 28, or even 38 dessert shops. It might not be worse than your 18 restaurants. Forget it, I don't want to talk to you. I'm full, going back to sleep."
Xiaobei pouted, not bothering to deal with him anymore. She certainly knew the concept of having 18 restaurants nationwide. However, she still had to live well in place of Miss Tong. Even if she earned more profits, she couldn't show off. Otherwise, wouldn't it be a giveaway that she's possessing the body of a girl who had just died? Imagine telling them, "Your daughter is dead, I'm using her body as a vessel, managing a restaurant to earn money for you." She would probably be burned as a demon.
Thinking of those family members who she had only a vague impression of and had not yet met, she felt a bit overwhelmed. Standing up and going upstairs, she was stopped by a voice.
"Wait! Didn't we agree to go to the dock to find some snacks after eating? Even if you're full, you can still try some street food. It's lively on the water at this time."
Looking at the hand that was tightly pulling her sleeve, the knuckles were white from anxiety and tension. In a moment of change, Xiaobei found it funny. For her own restless feelings, she was competing with a young man from ancient times. Not insisting further, she let him pull her out.