78 Her Big Brother
Liu Yinyin was stunned for a long while when she heard Su Binglan was planning to open a dessert stall in the future.
‘Binglan knows how to make desserts?’ Liu Yinyin suddenly felt there was nothing her sister-in-law could not do. She was genuinely amazed. However, she did not ask further.
She only nodded and said, “Yes, Binglan. I will do as you say.”
The entire family thought Su Binglan was in charge. They would always listen to and do whatever she said.
Nonetheless, Su Binglan took the money they earned and went to buy some flour and some eggs. Su Binglan would use whatever eggs she bought from the town first, and if she needed more, she could buy them from her uncle.
Flour cost ten coins per pound in that era, so Su Binglan bought fifty pounds of it. Fortunately, Su Binglan and Liu Yinyin brought a cart along, so they could use it to bring the flower home.
She also bought some brown sugar. After that, she bought some meat in hopes of roasting it. She had spent about eight hundred coins that afternoon.
Then Su Binglan remembered that most people used peanut oil in that era, but it was hard to produce. A kilogram of peanuts could only produce three taels of peanut oil.
There was also a low production of peanuts during that era because many people had to use their land to grow crops, leaving only a tiny plot of land to grow peanuts.
The villagers could only harvest a few peanuts a year to make oil. It was also costly for farmers to produce, so they typically saved it for themselves and used it sparingly.
Still, Su Binglan bought the meat, so she could roast it in cooking oil when she returned home.
As for the desserts, it was costly to make them because of the price of peanut oil. Su Binglan wondered if there was a cheaper alternative so she would not have to worry about making the desserts.
There were many types of oil in modern times, but it wasn’t the case in ancient times. She wanted to make many things, but unfortunately, that era lacked what she needed.
Su Binglan used the soybeans to make tofu and soymilk and planted more in her pocket. That way, she would have improved versions of the soybeans.
The yield would also significantly increase if she removed some improved soybeans from her pocket dimension and planted them in the fields nearby her house. Typically, the yield would increase by several times.
Su Binglan prepared to return home with Liu Yinyin after buying the things. However, they had to go around on another street because they went shopping in a far away place.
The two reached an entrance to a large house when Liu Yinyin abruptly stopped and looked inside.
Su Binglan noticed something strange about Liu Yinyin’s expression. There was a worried look in Liu Yinyin’s eyes, so Su Binglan asked, “What’s wrong, Sister-in-law?”
Liu Yinyin replied, a little flustered, “N-No, it’s nothing.”
Su Binglan knew something must have happened when she saw Liu Yinyin acting strangely.
“Sister-in-law, are you not telling me because you don’t trust me, or do you have other concerns?” Su Binglan asked.
Liu Yinyin noticed how serious Su Binglan’s tone was, so how could she remain silent?
She lowered her head and said, “I-I’m sorry, Binglan. I just don’t want you to worry.”
Liu Yinyin’s parents had told her not to tell Su Binglan about what happened. However, Liu Yinyin could not irresponsibly mention her mother and others at that time, so she only told Su Binglan half of it.
Before Liu Yinyin could say anything, Su Binglan spoke, “Sister-in-law, you should tell me the truth if you don’t want me to worry. Is there a problem with this house?”
Liu Yinyin hesitated but said uneasily, “It’s your big brother. He has worked here for a long time and hasn’t returned.”
Su Binglan immediately understood what Liu Yinyin meant. She looked at the Zhu family’s home and said, “So, Big Brother is inside this house?”