Shen Qiqi pushed open the courtyard door, and the cold air of the winter morning wrapped around a few fallen leaves, swirling before her eyes.
She rubbed her hands and exhaled a breath of white air, but she didn't feel cold at all. With the promotion of the new heating plan in her mind, she felt like a small stove, warm all over.
She walked briskly along the village road, her eyes full of anticipation, as if she could see every household using a new heater.
However, things did not go as smoothly as she imagined.
Some villagers saw her from afar, their eyes full of doubt.
Shen Qiqi's smile froze, and her heart skipped a beat, feeling that the situation was not good.
"Qiqi, what the hell are you doing? Is it really possible?" Aunt Wang crossed her arms and stopped Shen Qiqi with a serious face, her tone full of doubt.
"I heard that this thing is scary when it burns. What should we do if it catches fire? Our dilapidated houses can't withstand the fire!" Aunt Wang's voice became louder and louder, attracting the surrounding villagers to stop and watch, and the atmosphere suddenly became tense.
Shen Qiqi took a deep breath, tried to keep smiling, and patiently explained: "Auntie Wang, don't worry, this new heater is very safe. Our family has been using it for a while and there are no problems at all. Moreover, it saves more firewood than the traditional brazier and burns warmer."
"Save firewood? Keep warm? Really?" Aunt Wang obviously didn't believe it, her eyes full of suspicion, "I've lived for most of my life and have never seen such a strange thing. If something goes wrong, who will be responsible?" She spoke in a firm tone, as if she would not let Shen Qiqi leave until she found out the truth.
Shen Qiqi felt somewhat helpless. Just as she was thinking about how to explain further, she suddenly heard a familiar voice coming from the crowd...
"Who said that no one is responsible if something happens? I, Old Lady Lu, will be the first to stand up!" A loud shout came from the crowd. Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw Old Lady Lu walking towards them aggressively with a cane.
The old lady pushed aside the villagers who were blocking her way and stood in front of Shen Qiqi, glaring at Aunt Wang like she was protecting a calf: "Qiqi's method is great! My family has been using it for several days, and it's as warm as spring, and it saves a lot of firewood. What are you yelling about here, you old hag?"
The old lady's voice was loud and resounding, which shocked Aunt Wang immediately.
The surrounding villagers also began to whisper, and their originally suspicious eyes were filled with curiosity and anticipation.
Shen Qiqi was delighted. The old lady's assist came just in time!
Lu Qing also squeezed in from the crowd, held Shen Qiqi's hand tightly, and gave her a firm look.
His hands were warm and strong, as if telling her: Don't be afraid, I'm here.
This silent encouragement instantly calmed Shen Qiqi's originally uneasy heart, and a warm current surged in her heart.
Old Mrs. Lu continued, "Don't just listen to what this old hag says. Seeing is believing, hearing is not! If you don't believe me, come to my house and see if it's as good as I said!" The old lady waved her cane with great dominance.
The villagers looked at each other and began to waver.
Seeing that the situation was not good, Aunt Wang wanted to say something, but was interrupted by a voice next to her.
"Qiqi, I, I..." Uncle Zhao squeezed out from the crowd, rubbing his hands, and spoke somewhat embarrassedly.
Uncle Zhao scratched his head, and the wrinkles on his face turned into a chrysanthemum when he smiled: "I... I also used Qiqi's new heater, it's really a good thing! It burns very warm, much better than the brazier I used to have! I don't have to wrap myself like a dumpling when I sleep at night, and my wife also thinks it's good!" As he spoke, he gestured, his face beaming with joy, as if he had discovered a new world.
He went on to say, "The stove in my house uses more than half the firewood it used to, which saves me a lot of effort. Also, the stove makes the house so warm, even warmer than the sun!" Uncle Zhao's vivid description attracted a lot of admiration from the surrounding villagers, and their original doubts seemed to dissipate a lot.
Shen Qiqi looked at Uncle Zhao's excitement, and a sense of accomplishment surged in her heart, and the corners of her mouth couldn't help but rise slightly.
She knew that it was useless to just talk, she had to let them experience it for themselves.
She cleared her throat and said loudly, "My dear uncles and aunts, it's useless to just listen to us. How about this? If you are curious, why don't you come to my house and feel the power of this new heater for yourself?"
When she said this, the surrounding villagers looked at each other in confusion, obviously not expecting her to say that.
After all, in their opinion, these new things are kept hidden, so who would be willing to let others visit them casually?
Shen Qiqi's actions surprised them a little, and also increased their trust in the new heater.
Aunt Wang opened her mouth, as if she wanted to say something, but in the end she didn't say it. Seeing this, Old Mrs. Lu, leaning on her crutches, snorted proudly: "See, I said that Qiqi is not an ordinary girl! Come on, come on, follow me to my house and take a look!" After the old lady finished speaking, she took the lead and walked towards home.
Lu Qing looked at Shen Qiqi, his eyes full of pride. He reached out and held her hand tightly, and both of their palms felt slightly warm.
Shen Qiqi felt the warmth of his palm, and her heart was also warm.
She gave him a faint smile, then turned to the gathered villagers and said, "Come on, everyone, let's go to my house and warm up!"
The villagers looked at each other, and finally couldn't resist the curiosity, and followed Mrs. Lu and Shen Qiqi towards the Lu family.
On the way, Uncle Zhao excitedly said to the villagers around him: "I didn't lie to you, the stove is really warm, just like sitting by the fire on the kang!" His words were like a magnet, attracting more and more people.
My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!
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