Gu Yi woke up in the afternoon and got the peanuts ready.
She called over Ye Qian and asked if she would like to learn how to cook, Ye Qian was a bit surprised.
"Sure, sure, I wanted to learn before but didn't dare to ask you. I don't want to make money from it; I just want to be able to cook for someone I like in the future."
"You're shameless, saying anything that comes to mind."
Ye's mother found it amusing and gave her a playful slap.
"Having more skills never hurts. If your sister-in-law is willing to teach you, then learn earnestly, understood?"
"Mom, I got it, I was just saying. I'll learn well from sister-in-law."
Ye's mother went to start the fire for them, as there were quite a lot of peanuts. Gu Yi thought frying them in one batch would use too much oil and risk burning them, so she divided them into several portions.
She poured oil in the pot and then put in the peanuts.
"The peanuts need to be fried in cold oil, so they don't get burnt on the outside while still raw inside. You have to stir them frequently to ensure even heating. Once the skin is slightly golden brown, you can take them out."
Gu Yi took out the first batch and set aside the oil to cool.
"Now you try frying a batch."
Gu Yi guided Ye Qian to the pot, and Ye Qian carefully followed Gu Yi's instructions to fry a batch.
Gu Yi then scooped out the oil from the pot and poured in the cooled oil from earlier to fry the next batch.
Since Gu Yi planned to let Brother Gu take some home the next day, and to leave some for the family, she made a larger batch this time, frying six pots to finish all the peanuts.
Once the dried peppers were fried, she poured in all the peanuts, mixed them with seasoning, and they were ready.
"Fry the peppers a bit longer to bring out the spice, so the peppers can be eaten too. This requires attention to detail. Try some of what you made; it's delicious."
Gu Yi teaching Ye Qian was not only a goodwill gesture to Ye Qian, but also to Ye Family's parents.
After all, it's a simple thing. Watching it happen, anyone could learn. It's better to be open about it.
"Yiyi is truly a good kid. I used to worry Hao Hao would leave on the second day after marriage, and she would complain. But look at what she has been doing recently—working hard to earn money and sharing her earnings with us. Today she even taught Qianqian to make peanuts. She's got a clear sense of right and wrong. I'm getting to like her more and more."
Ye's mother sat on the bed folding clothes, speaking to the lying Ye Fu.
"Yiyi really is good. Since Hao Hao isn't home, she's been sincere with us and has worked hard without a single complaint. It's not easy."
Gu Yi didn't know that the small thing she did today had earned her solid support within the Ye Family.
Later, when she and Ye Hao had disagreements, the Ye family's three members stood by her unconditionally, making Ye Hao even question if he had married into the wrong family, but that's for later.
At this moment, Gu Yi was still focused on her grand plan to lose weight.
Early the next day, Wang Dong returned with 10 kilos of boiled peanuts and 10 kilos of drunk peanuts.
Gu Yi asked him to convey a message to Boss Wang, saying that if he wanted more drunk peanuts, he had to place the order two days in advance since she needed time to shell them and the process was complicated.
Gu Yi took four out of the eleven dollars that Wang Dong gave her and handed them to Ye's mother. She looked at the money, feeling like these past few days were just a dream, though she was a bit confused.
"Yiyi, we could even make it if he orders a day in advance. Why say two days? If he runs out of stock, wouldn't that affect business?"
"Mom, don't worry. Once Boss Wang gets the stock, he'll know roughly how much he can sell in a day. Asking for two days in advance gives us ample preparation time and pushes him to stock more. Then we don't have to be tied down to this every day. Selling out is a good thing too; it tells everyone it's popular and delicious. When they can't get it, they'll want it more. Next time, we'll sell even more."
Gu Yi patiently explained to Ye's mother, while Ye Fu listened and thought it made sense. This daughter-in-law was someone who had a good head on her shoulders.
"Alright, that's how business works. Don't worry yourself with it, better go and shell peanuts."
Ye Fu pulled Ye's mother away.
"Gu Yi, I'm getting more and more impressed by you. How do you know so much? I need to learn from you. You're even younger than me, but you seem to understand more than Mom and Dad. In my mind, you're now on par with my brother. I used to admire him the most; he knew everything and could do anything."
Ye Qian was someone who spoke whatever was on her mind. Those who didn't know her well thought she was brash and difficult to get along with, but once they did, they found her childlike and endearing.
Growing up with an older brother protecting her and parents doting on her, she developed a bit of a tomboy personality.
In her previous life, her marriage wasn't great. In this life, no matter what, Gu Yi wouldn't let her marry the same man again.
Soon after, Brother Gu delivered more dried peanuts, bringing 50 pounds since it was difficult to transport them by bicycle.
"Here are 50 pounds. If it's not enough, I'll bring more tomorrow. I have to help out a family in the village today, so I'll head back first."
Saying this, he was about to leave. Gu Yi hung the prepared peanuts on the handlebar of Brother Gu's bicycle.
"This should be enough for the next few days; no need to come back tomorrow. If I need more, I'll let you know. Big brother, take these to give to dad; I think he'll like them."
Gu Yi knew he was in a rush to leave, so she didn't try to detain him.
The three members of the Ye Family were shelling peanuts, while she didn't lend a hand. Instead, she went back into the house to find a notebook left by Ye Hao, and began writing down the money made over the past few days.
She broke it down meticulously, listing the time, quantity, amount, cost, and profit share.
Then on a new page, she wrote down the quantities and costs of the peanuts bought from the Gu Family, noting that the 50 pounds delivered by Brother Gu today cost seven dollars and fifty cents, which remained unpaid.
Calculating the past few days, the boiled peanuts—60 pounds—cost 18 dollars with a six-dollar cost, netting 12 dollars.
The drunk peanuts—10 pounds—were eight dollars. The cost was higher, four dollars and fifty cents, earning three dollars and fifty cents, for a total of fifteen dollars and fifty cents.
After giving Ye's mother eight dollars, she had seven dollars and fifty cents left.
Even though this was quite good for now, Gu Yi felt it was still a bit slow.
She actually knew how to make many snacks, but the purchasing power in the town was limited. If what was made couldn't be sold, it would be a waste, and money would be spent for nothing.
Gu Yi thought about taking the time to visit the county or city. There were more people there than in the town, and many were salaried workers whose purchasing power was likely much stronger than that of the town's residents.
Gu Yi wasn't familiar with the county or the city. In her previous life, she never wandered inside; it was either passing by on a bus or waiting at the station.
Thinking she should go, she decided to bring Ye Qian along; she should be familiar with the county.
Even if she wasn't that familiar with the city, having someone with her would be more reassuring than going alone. She had no idea if there were any bandits or bullies around during this time either.
Gu Yi thought about it and felt concerned about the current security situation. Her final conclusion was that bringing Ye Qian with her would be the right choice.