Chapter 16: Selling Lunchboxes Outside the Stock Exchange?

“I'm a grown adult; do I really need kids to protect me?” As soon as the words left his mouth, the two reached the alley entrance, where a waft of savory aroma immediately caught their attention.

“Oh my goodness, whose cooking is this? It smells like braised pork—so fragrant, even better than the chefs outside.”

Lin Xiaomeng was puzzled as well. “Who in our courtyard has such great cooking skills? I don’t think I’ve ever smelled this before.”

As they stepped further inside, they realized the aroma was coming from Lin Xiaomeng’s own home.

Zhang Min became excited. “Sister Meng, it must be from your house. Didn’t you just have two kids over? Could it be they cooked it, or maybe their parents came by?”

Lin Xiaomeng was quick to dismiss this. “Definitely not. I’ve eaten the meals their parents make—it’s worse than what I cook.”

After that little jab, Lin Xiaomeng entered the house, and, without realizing it, Zhang Min followed her in.

In the backyard kitchen, Lin Wei was watching the fire while Lin Yuan stared intently at the pot. If his little head weren’t so far away, he might’ve drooled into it.

Lin Wei sighed and reminded him, “Yuan Yuan… don’t fall into the pot.”

Lin Yuan looked up with a pitiful expression. “But Sister, it smells so good! When can we eat?”

“You can eat once Auntie comes back. Braised pork must be eaten hot, or else…”

Before she could finish, Lin Xiaomeng appeared in the kitchen doorway. Lin Wei quickly called out, “Auntie, you’re back!”

“Oh, you know how to cook? I even bought some ingredients planning to cook when I got home.”

“Mom and Dad’s cooking isn’t tasty, so I learned to cook myself.” Lin Wei glanced behind Lin Xiaomeng and asked, “Auntie, is this the lady from the house on the left?”

“That’s right. Zhang Min, just call me Aunt Zhang.”

“Hello, Aunt Zhang. Thank you for taking care of my aunt all this time. I made braised pork. Please take a plate home and try it.”

With that, Lin Wei grabbed a plate to serve the meat.

Zhang Min quickly stopped her. “No, no, keep it for yourselves. I was just curious about the smell and came in to have a look.”

These days, with everyone living better and never lacking meat, Zhang Min’s curiosity was understandable. If it were the old days when life was tough, she wouldn’t have dared enter someone’s home at such a time.

Lin Xiaomeng understood this and said quickly, “Don’t be so polite; it’s the children’s kindness. There’s quite a lot of meat. We don’t have a refrigerator, so if we don’t eat it today, it’ll go to waste. You might as well take some home and taste the kids’ cooking.”

Lin Wei’s braised pork was made with quail eggs, which were even fried to a golden tiger-skin texture, cooked over a medium-sized iron pot fueled by firewood, filling half the pot. Clearly, there was plenty.

After some hesitation, appetite won out. Zhang Min agreed, “Alright then, Auntie will shamelessly take some. Thank you, child.”

“No problem, don’t mention it.”

Holding the full plate without any skimping, Zhang Min couldn’t help swallowing as she carried it.

As she stepped out of the Lin family courtyard with the plate, she saw her husband, Su Mulin, and their two children waiting at their own gate.

“What are you grinning at by the door?”

Su Mulin laughed. “I heard your voice and figured if you weren’t back yet, you must be next door. The kids were leaning against the wall, overheard you bringing meat, and asked me to meet you at the gate.”

Zhang Min blushed. “Hey, keep it down. Don’t make it sound like we never eat meat. Don’t let others laugh at us.”

“We have, but never smelled anything this delicious,” said the Su family twins, Su Sijin and Su Sian, in unison. “Mom, let us see! We smelled it at home and it’s driving us crazy.”

Not only the Su family was drooling; the neighbors on the right were tempted too.

When Lin Xiaomeng delivered the meat, Gao Huifang smiled and said, “I didn’t buy groceries and came back earlier than you. That smell is really tempting. Who made it? Such good cooking skills.”

“The kids did. I planned to cook for them when I got home, but they had already finished.”

“I was thinking maybe the adults came, but didn’t expect the kids to be this skilled. You’re lucky. Thanks for the meat; let our family also taste the kids’ cooking. You should head back now—cold meat isn’t good.”

When Lin Xiaomeng returned home, the meal was already on the table.

“Auntie, come quickly and try my cooking.”

Under the eager gaze of the siblings, Lin Xiaomeng gave a nod of approval.

“It’s delicious.”

But Lin Xiaomeng was no fool; she soon guessed what Lin Wei was planning.

“Your skills—are you thinking about working in a restaurant? But short-term jobs usually don’t need chefs. Besides, chef pay is low and the work is hard; there’s no real need.”

Lin Wei smiled. “You can’t fool me, Auntie. But I’m not planning to work in a restaurant. I know there’s a stock market building opening on Jiangdu Road with many people inside, but because of heavy foot traffic and vendors making money around there, no one sells food nearby. I was thinking of cooking a couple of dishes, making some rice, and setting up a stall to sell boxed meals for over a month until school starts.”

“Selling boxed meals on a stall? That’s a good idea.”

By the 1990s, private businesses were fully legal. Lin Xiaomeng wasn’t old-fashioned enough to forbid the kids from trying, but with only her to look after Lin Yuan, could she manage it all?

“I can handle it. Yuan Yuan helps me wash and prepare the vegetables and tends the fire. I don’t plan to make many dishes: one meat, one vegetable, and some rice. Four containers at most will be enough. Nowadays we have disposable lunch boxes, so no washing dishes. If needed, I can even put a plastic bag over the lunch box. It won’t be a bother.”

“Mainly, I think there’s a market there. The idea is quite feasible.”

Lin Xiaomeng hesitated. “If you’re worried about money, I can cover your university fees for all four years, and I can afford Yuan Yuan’s too. After working all these years, I have some savings. You don’t have to work so hard…”

Lin Wei quickly interrupted. “Auntie, keep your money. I’m grown now; I want to learn to support myself. Besides, there’s a month and a half before school starts. I can’t just stay home all the time. Having something to do will help pass the time. I’ll be using the kitchen here.”

“That’s no problem. I usually cook alone with a gas stove, but the pot is too small. If you use the kitchen stove, you just need to buy some firewood. I’ll arrange that later.”

At this, Lin Xiaomeng felt she should give the kids some confidence. “You make a good point. Since you’ve made your decision and planned thoroughly, I won’t oppose it. It’s best if you can earn your own money. Even if you don’t make much, don’t worry. Auntie will always be here. You two are your father’s children and the last of the Lin family line. Even if I have to dig into my savings, I’ll make sure you both finish school.”

Lin Wei’s eyes instantly welled with tears. “Thank you, Auntie.”

“By the way, when do you plan to start?”

Lin Wei smiled. “I’ll register at school tomorrow morning, then head to Jiangzheng Street wholesale market in the afternoon to buy some insulated containers. Oh, I might also need a cart to carry the food. After that, I’ll be going there every day. Taking the bus might not be convenient, so I’ll check it out tomorrow.”

Lin Xiaomeng thought for a moment and suddenly remembered something.

“Your Aunt Zhang next door has a three-wheeled pedal cart. We used it when we moved years ago, but it’s been stored in the backyard and probably a bit rusty now. If it’s still usable, you can borrow it. It’ll save money and definitely be easier to pull than a regular cart.”

“That would be perfect! But would it be too much trouble for Aunt Zhang?”