Erzhuzi's face turned red with anxiety: "I'll try again!"

He learned slowly this time, wrapping the bamboo strips around his fingers three times before tightening them. He held it up for Fu Yuanshan to see, "Master, look, is it as good as it looks this time?"

"Not bad." Fu Yuanshan stuffed a red ribbon into his hand. "Once the frame is woven, we'll paste this ribbon on it, and it'll become a red lantern."

Yun Tangyin came back from outside carrying a basket filled with newly bought red paper: "Director Wang had it delivered; he said this paper is the brightest for making lanterns."

She slipped a piece of candy into Zhou Ming's hand. "Zhou Ming's weaving is really meticulous, much better than Erzhuzi's impatient way of doing things."

Erzhuzi retorted, "I was trying to achieve the best while being quick!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than the bamboo frame in his hand snapped apart, making everyone in the courtyard laugh.

Fu Yucheng carried in the timber and, seeing this, joked, "Erzhuzi, are you trying to make a lantern that will fall apart, to add a new twist to the temple fair?"

"Brother Fu, don't laugh at me." Erzhuzi picked up the bamboo ribs. "I'm sure I can weave it well!"

At lunchtime, Zhou Ming, holding a bowl of porridge, whispered, "Master Fu, can I take the bamboo shavings from making lanterns home? My mother said they're good for starting a fire."

Fu Yuanshan put a piece of meat into his bowl: "Not only bamboo shavings, but also the remaining bamboo strips are for you, so your mother can weave a small basket to hold your needles and thread."

Jiang Jianhua said with a smile, "After we finish weaving the lanterns, I'll teach your mother how to use bamboo strips to make shoe soles. They're sturdy and breathable."

Zhou Ming's eyes lit up: "Really? Then my mother won't have to keep buying hemp rope."

Just as work began in the afternoon, Director Wang arrived on his bicycle with bundles of yellow silk cloth tied to the back seat: "Master Fu, I'd like to order twenty more yellow lanterns. The troops need them to hang at the entrance of the barracks to celebrate the New Year."

Fu Yuanshan was taken aback: "Yellow lanterns?"

"Yes, the military needs to organize a joint military-civilian celebration, so both red and yellow items are required."

Director Wang touched the half-finished product that Erzhuzi had woven, saying, "These two kids learn very quickly; they're as good as half a laborer."

Erzhuzi immediately straightened his back: "Director Wang, I can weave three a day!"