Chapter 17: What is someone doing?

Chapter 17: What is someone doing?

No one believed him when he said that. Qinqin's father, upon hearing it, blurted out, "He actually got the exam..."

For some reason, he had a change of heart and managed to refrain from saying anything too harsh. He stopped talking, pondered for a moment, and asked, "Is that so?"

Cheng Bing didn't answer. The millet porridge in his bowl tasted like green snow tea. He blew on it again and again and drank it slowly.

Cheng Qiuyan naturally never expected her son to lie. She genuinely thought that Fang Yuenian had suddenly become diligent and wanted to work hard, so she hurriedly said, "Yes, yes, little Yuenian is very smart. If he works harder, he will definitely pass the exam."

Qinqin's father wanted to ask something more, but Cheng Qiuyan interrupted him, telling him to go to the backyard to see the water lily canal that Lin Guohui had dug, and took him away.

It was quiet once everyone left, and Cheng Bing gave a very soft hum.

He disliked this person very much.

During the Spring Festival, at the village entrance, he heard this person mention Fang Yuenian in the crowd, saying that Fang Xiaogui was swearing at such a young age, just like his father, no wonder he was a member of the Fang family.

What gives him the right to say that? Fang Yuenian might say a few unpleasant things sometimes, but so what? He still has to grow up and get an education. He'll definitely be able to correct his bad habits. Even if he can't completely change them, as long as he's a good person, it's not a big deal if he occasionally says a few swear words in private.

It's not his place to criticize.

After getting rid of the annoying girl, Cheng Qiuyan returned to her room and gave Cheng Bing several more instructions, saying that since Xiao Yuenian wanted to take the entrance exam for No. 1 Middle School, the two of them should study hard and help each other.

Cheng Bing readily agreed.

After breakfast, he went to the carpenter's shop by himself.

The legendary bookshelf huddled forlornly in a corner of the room.

Right now it looks like just a tall, empty frame with only a cross-shaped four-part divider inside. Next to it are three small dividers that have been properly drilled, ground, and cleaned up, stacked together with a soft cloth underneath. The screws and small parts for fixing are also stored in the drawer, waiting for all the dividers to be ground and assembled together.

Cheng Bing still remembers that day when Cheng's father-in-law said that Junjun's bookcase wood was not well chosen. It was brand newer than Xiaoxiao's bookcase, which she had used two years earlier. Hers was bent under the weight and would have to be replaced sooner or later. Fang Yue Nian suddenly had a brilliant idea and decided to make one herself for Cheng Junjun.

He was a man of his word, and immediately ran to Grandpa Cheng, acting all obedient. Grandpa Cheng, who always spoiled his children, and since it was for Cheng Junjun, agreed without hesitation. The next day, he took the two boys to find wood, and they worked feverishly for several days, finalizing the design and ordering the outer frame—a remarkable achievement. However, school soon started, and the two boys only went to the carpenter's shop for two hours each morning, immediately slowing down their progress.

Fang Yuenian's hands were really rough; he wasted a lot of wood and didn't produce a single finished product.

Cheng Bing picked up a small partition, weighed it in her hand, and then placed it in the upper right section of the fourth partition, gesturing as she did so.

This section just needs three small partitions. If he wasn't worried about redoing it, he could use those three partitions here first. He decided to give it a try, put down the partitions, and prepared to get his tools. Just as his hand touched the drawer door, someone by the door said in a drawn-out voice:

"What's going on here?"

Turning around, I saw Fang Yuenian leaning against the door, holding a study guide he had just bought yesterday, his handsome face relaxed and smiling.

"I thought some people weren't actually going to grind wood today, but were planning to come and read books."

Cheng Bing opened the drawer and took out a screwdriver tool kit.

Upon seeing this, Fang Yuenian rushed over, asking with delight, "You're installing partitions? Come on, let me help you—didn't you say you'd install them all at once after you finished?"

"I want to install these three pieces first, and then bring some books to test if they fit inside," Cheng Bing said. Although she had measured them several times when she finalized the design, she still wanted to see the actual structure.

"Let's give it a try!" Fang Yuenian immediately agreed, casually putting down her study guide, taking the toolbox, and deftly unpacking it and laying it on the table. "Just get on the stool, I'll hand you anything you need. Where are the screws?"

The man's eyes lit up.

Cheng Bing readily agreed and stood on the second step of the stairs, instructing, "In the drawer."

Fang Yuenian was incredibly quick, pulling out the drawer next to him with a whoosh. "Oh, not this drawer." He shrugged, turned his hand to the other end, and sure enough, found a bag of screws and many different kinds of metal brackets, which were to be used when installing the large partition.

"I took them all out?"

"good."

There were only three boards, and to save time, they didn't use an electric screwdriver, tightening them all by hand. Fortunately, the holes were positioned correctly, allowing them to apply force. After a while, they finished a small area. Cheng Bing went down two steps, looked at it carefully, and thought it was generally acceptable.

"Come on, let me wipe it," Fang Yuenian said excitedly, grabbing a cloth and jumping up the second step. She wiped the partition inside and out until it shone, and was satisfied. "Okay, look, isn't it beautiful? Neat and pretty."

Cheng Bing smiled slightly. "It's fine."

"That's a big step forward, isn't it?" Fang Yuenian said. "What's next?"

“I’m done,” Cheng Bing said, glancing at the clock on the wall. “It’s been almost an hour. I’ll continue next time.”

"No way!" Fang Yuenian was in high spirits.

"Next week," Cheng Bing began packing her toolbox and screws. "Next week, I'll try to plan out all the partitions and then slowly sand and bind the edges."

"All right."

Fang Yuenian, the planer, was definitely not going to be of any use and could only serve as a laborer. Cheng Bing glanced at him and said, "Don't forget that your deadline is next week."

Fang Yuenian: "Ah...ah? Oh, okay, I understand, I haven't forgotten."

Cheng Bing nodded and closed all the drawers. "Let's go."

Fang Yuenian followed behind him rather unhappily, then suddenly remembered her bicycle and said, "I wonder if my bike is fixed yet. If it's not..."

Cheng Bing turned around: "If it's not fixed, I'll give you another ride."

"ha?"

Fang Yuenian was completely stunned.

Well, ever since she agreed to consider taking the entrance exam for No. 1 High School, Cheng Bing has really been willing to compromise on everything. This kind of life is really... awesome!

"Okay, okay!" he said with a grin. "Thank you, Brother Cheng!"

However, things did not go as planned.

In the afternoon, the two packed their things and set off to return to school. When they arrived at the repair shop, Xiao Feng proudly pushed his car out.

"It's fixed! I even patched your tire, you really overworked yourself! The brakes were also broken, but I won't charge you much this time, just give me the chain fee."

The service was truly meticulous; not only was it fixed, but they also provided a complete service package. Fang Yuenian was both amused and exasperated, so he paid the money, then hopped on his old steed and leisurely set off.

Just like every time in the past three years, the two rode side by side. Fang Yuenian never complained of being tired, talked a lot, and would occasionally show off his riding skills. Cheng Bing would sometimes pay attention to him, but sometimes she couldn't stand his behavior and would coldly tell him to ride properly.

Spring has gone and summer is coming. The wind blows along the long road of metasequoia trees, the treetops sway gently, the wind lifts the clothes of the young people, and their laughter carries far and wide.

The afternoon sunlight casts slanting shadows, and also the fleeting brilliance of youth.