Gu Yi and Brother Gu from the Gu Family arrived at the distillery just as someone was buying wine and peanuts.
As soon as they entered, they heard someone working there say, "Boss Wang, how do you make these peanuts you sell? I tried cooking them at home but couldn't get this taste. They're perfect with alcohol."
Boss Wang smiled at them, "I don't know either. They're sourced from somewhere else."
Just then, he saw Gu Yi and the others come in.
"Little Gu, why are you here today? Oh, these peanuts come from this young lady here."
As he spoke, he pulled Gu Yi in front of everyone.
Everyone looked at Gu Yi with curious eyes.
"It's just my own little experimentations. Today, I've brought a new flavor of peanuts for everyone to try."
Gu Yi thought the more people, the better, just right to test everyone's reaction to the "drunken peanuts."
She took out the peanuts, first let Boss Wang try them, then shared some with everyone present.
"Everyone, have a taste, see how the flavor is, and please let me know what you think of this taste."
"Mm, delicious, very tasty."
"Fragrant and crispy, more suitable with alcohol."
As everyone ate and praised, Boss Wang also looked pleased.
"Can I buy some? Weigh some for me."
"Yes, let me have some too."
Gu Yi hadn't brought much today, just enough for everyone to sample, but even a small taste aroused everyone's appetite.
"Today is just for sampling; Boss Wang will have stock here tomorrow, so come back tomorrow."
Hearing there would be more tomorrow, everyone left with their bought alcohol and boiled peanuts.
"Little Gu, your tactic has really made my business thrive,"
Boss Wang looked delighted.
"Uncle Wang, aside from letting you try the flavor today, I also wanted to discuss pricing with you. You know my style, I like getting things settled in advance. I plan to price these peanuts at 80 cents; I won't deal with the pricing on your end. What do you think?"
Gu Yi directly stated her thoughts, and Boss Wang didn't reply immediately.
He calculated that her pricing seemed reasonable; peanuts need to be shelled, and two and a half pounds of peanuts yield one pound of peanut kernels, plus these are clearly oil-fried, along with other costs.
These peanuts have a shelf life, and people who like drinking are willing to spend a bit of money for a good side dish. Judging by today's reactions, these won't sell poorly.
He planned to sell them at a dollar a pound; people buying a few parts wouldn't find it expensive.
"Alright, let's settle on that. First, make me ten pounds, and ten pounds of boiled peanuts. I'll have my son come pick them up tomorrow morning, okay?"
Boss Wang didn't deliberate too long and immediately set the quantity for tomorrow.
"Alright, Uncle Wang. I'll call these 'drunken peanuts,' what do you think of the name?"
"Drunken peanuts, nice, nice—people eating these are indeed old drinkers, hahaha."
Boss Wang found the name Gu Yi chose for the peanuts very fitting. When he mentioned the name to others, there wouldn't be a need for introductions—everyone would understand right away.
"I'll head back now to prepare everything, ensuring it won't delay your business tomorrow."
Once Boss Wang escorted them out, Brother Gu from the Gu Family hadn't really processed what had happened.
He had watched Gu Yi introduce the peanuts to everyone and negotiate prices with Boss Wang, amazed by how her confidence and generous demeanor seemed unlike the shy and silent little sister he knew.
"Brother, wait for me a moment."
Before Brother Gu could react, Gu Yi had run far off, quickly returning with two wrapped packages.
"Brother, I bought some candies and peach pastries for Huihui and Minmin. Those little ones are always hoping I'll bring them something to eat."
Gu Yi talked about her two nieces with a smile full of warmth. She intended to part ways with Ye Hao in this lifetime, which meant their daughter would never be born. So, she felt particularly close to her nieces, who were very attached to her.
"Why buy these things? The candies you bought last time are still left over. Isn't this spending wastefully? You'll spoil the little ones."
Brother Gu expressed his disapproval.
"I'm earning my own money now; it's made to be spent, right? I just want to dote on them. Anyway, I bought them already; can't really return them, you know?"
Gu Yi began to act mischievous.
"Alright then, I'll take them back. But don't buy them next time; Ye Hao isn't home, and you should save your money, there's still plenty you'll need to spend on later."
Brother Gu couldn't help but try advising her.
"I know, Brother. You go ahead home; I'll stroll a bit and walk back later, it's not far. Oh, Brother, tomorrow morning please send me another fifty pounds of peanuts; I estimate I'll be needing a lot soon."
"Alright, I'll send them to you tomorrow. Don't stay out too long, buy what you need and hurry home; the sun's getting hotter."
"Got it, I'll head back once I've finished."
Gu Yi didn't have much to buy, just wanted to leisurely take a look around since she'd only been back a few days and every visit to town had been rushed.
In her past life, despite living close to town, she was overweight and shy, rarely visiting. If she needed something, she'd have Ye Qian or Ye's mother bring it back. Now, with free time, she could actually explore.
The place is called a town now, but it's really not bustling, mostly residential.
There were only a few businesses—a distillery owned by Boss Wang, a blacksmith shop, a tailor shop, a meat stall, and a supply and sales company. However, there's a grocery store opening near the supply and sales company.
Nowadays, the supply and sales company isn't as flourishing as it used to be.
Gu Yi found no excitement in browsing and bought some candies and peach pastries again, along with a pound of white sugar and a pound of salt, heading home before the sun could heat the road.
Upon reaching home, she found Ye Qian and Ye's mother peeling peanuts in the kitchen.
Gu Yi placed the purchases in the living room and joined the shelling team; by lunchtime, they'd shelled more than half of what Brother Gu from the Gu Family had sent. Feeling they'd done enough, Gu Yi cleaned the kitchen, stacking the peanut shells by the stove to be used for firewood.
She soaked the shelled peanuts in water, had lunch and enlisted Ye Qian's help to remove all peanut skins, then drained them.
She found two pieces of dry cotton cloth, spreading one on the table, and wrapped the drained peanuts with the other, to partially wipe away surface moisture, then spread them on the table to dry.
These peanuts needed to be dried in a cool, shaded area to preserve the finished product's taste.
After everything was set, Gu Yi took the candies and peach pastries she bought earlier from the living room and handed them to Ye's mother, placing the white sugar and salt in the kitchen.
Then she went straight to her room for a nap; since getting back, it had become a habit to nap each afternoon, causing her to feel sleepy around the same time each day.