Fu Yuanshan was finishing up the edges of the bamboo basket when Jiang Jianhua brought over a bowl of freshly warmed milk: "Take a break, you've been weaving all morning."
Fu Yuanshan looked up at her, but his hands didn't stop: "Why don't you lie down a little longer? Dr. Zhang said you need to rest."
"Lying down for too long makes me feel uncomfortable all over." Jiang Jianhua handed him the bowl. "This is freshly heated milk. Drink it while it's hot."
Fu Yuanshan took the bowl, his fingertips touching her hand, and he recoiled as if burned: "I can do it myself."
Jiang Jianhua smiled and said, "The bamboo basket you wove is really beautiful. If Director Wang sees it, he will definitely order another one."
“I think it’s a good idea too.” Fu Yuanshan took a sip of milk. “Once I’m done with this busy period, I’ll make a little bamboo cart for the child so he can push it around.”
Jiang Jianhua's eyes lit up: "Really? That's great!"
At this moment, Yun Tangyin came in from outside: "Second brother and second sister-in-law, people from the supply and marketing cooperative have arrived. They say they want to see the newly made bamboo baskets."
Fu Yuanshan quickly put down what he was doing: "I'll go get it right away."
Jiang Jianhua stopped him: "You still have an injury on your hand, I'll go get it."
Watching Jiang Jianhua's retreating figure, Fu Yuanshan felt a warmth in his heart.
Yun Tangyin said with a smile, "Second brother, look how much your sister-in-law dotes on you."
Fu Yuanshan lowered his head: "She's always been like this."
A short while later, Jiang Jianhua and Director Li from the supply and marketing cooperative came in together.
Director Li looked at the bamboo baskets woven by Fu Yuanshan and praised them highly: "Master Fu's craftsmanship is truly superb. I'll order twenty more this time and sell them before the New Year."
Upon hearing this, Fu Yuanshan hesitated, "Twenty might be a bit rushed, but I'll try my best."
"Don't worry, Master Fu, the price is negotiable," Director Li said with a smile. "By the way, I also brought you some new bamboo strips, which are of better quality than the previous ones."
"Thank you so much." Fu Yuanshan quickly expressed his gratitude.
After Director Li left, Fu Yucheng returned from outside: "Second brother, I just ran into eldest brother. He said the carpenter will arrive tomorrow."
"That's great!" Fu Yuanshan said happily. "I'll tidy up the west wing right away."
Jiang Jianhua said, "I'll go with you."
Fu Yuanshan quickly waved his hand: "No need, you rest, I can manage on my own."
Fu Yucheng said with a smile, "Second brother, let your sister-in-law lend you a hand, so she can get some exercise."
Fu Yuanshan nodded and said, "Then take it easy and don't tire yourself out."
Jiang Jianhua smiled and replied, "Understood."
As soon as the two entered the west wing, Yun Tangyin said to Fu Yucheng, "Look at Second Brother and Second Sister-in-law, they're getting more and more harmonious."
"Yes, this is what a family should be like." Fu Yucheng said with emotion, "Second Brother has finally figured it out. Living a good life is more important than anything else."
Yun Tangyin nodded: "After they move to their new home, their lives will definitely get better and better."
As evening fell, Fu Yuanshan and Jiang Jianhua emerged from the west wing.
Jiang Jianhua said with a smile, "It's finally all packed up. Now we're just waiting for the carpenter to arrive."
Fu Yuanshan wiped his sweat: "Thank you for your hard work."
Jiang Jianhua shook his head: "It's not tiring. It's you who's been busy all afternoon. You should take a break."
Just then, Song Yushuang returned from outside: "Yuanshan, I just ran into Liu, the staff member from the cultural center. He said he'll send someone to take photos tomorrow to promote your bamboo weaving."
Upon hearing this, Fu Yuanshan simply grunted, "Take photos? Let me take them?... I'm not very good at taking photos."
Jiang Jianhua encouraged, "Don't be afraid, just do it naturally, like you're weaving a bamboo basket."
Fu Yucheng also said, "Second brother, this is a good thing. It will allow more people to know about your skills."
Fu Yuanshan nodded and said, "Then I'll wear that new jacket tomorrow."
Song Yushuang smiled and said, "That's right, be more energetic."
The next morning, people from the cultural center arrived.
Fu Yuanshan, wearing a new jacket, stood beside the bamboo basket, relying entirely on his handsome face to keep up appearances.
Officer Liu said with a smile, "Master Fu, relax and be natural."
Jiang Jianhua encouraged him from the side, "Yuanshan, don't be nervous, you're the best."
Fu Yuanshan took a deep breath and slowly relaxed.
With a "click," the photo was taken.
Looking at the photo, Officer Liu said with satisfaction, "Great! This photo will definitely be in the newspaper. Look at her, she's no less attractive than a movie star."
Fu Yuanshan was delighted to hear this.
After the people from the cultural center left, he said to Jiang Jianhua, "Thank goodness you were here, otherwise I would have been extremely nervous."
Jiang Jianhua said with a smile, "We're family, who else would I help if not you?"
Fu Yuanshan felt a warmth in his heart and held her hand tightly: "Thank you, Jianhua."
Jiang Jianhua's cheeks flushed slightly: "No need to thank me, hurry up and weave the bamboo basket, otherwise we won't be able to meet the deadline."
Fu Yuanshan nodded, picked up the bamboo strips, and began to work again.
Sunlight streamed through the window, bathing the two of them in warmth and beauty.
Fu Yucheng and Yun Tangyin stood in the courtyard, watching this scene, and smiled at each other.
Yun Tangyin said, "Look, how good Second Brother and Second Sister-in-law are now."
Fu Yucheng nodded: "Yes, that's exactly what I wanted to see."
Just then, Yu Xia returned from outside: "Yuanshan, someone just called and said they want to learn how to weave bamboo ware from you."
Upon hearing this, Fu Yuanshan was somewhat surprised: "Learn to weave bamboo ware? With me?"
Jiang Jianhua encouraged him, "You definitely can, your skills are so good."
Fu Yucheng also said, "Second brother, this is a good opportunity. We can pass on our skills and increase our income at the same time."
Fu Yuanshan thought for a moment and nodded: "Then I'll give it a try."
Everyone laughed at Fu Yuanshan's confident demeanor.
Life is like the bamboo basket woven by Fu Yuanshan, becoming more and more exquisite and prosperous.
Jiang Jianhua smiled and helped him gather the scattered bamboo strips: "Don't be modest, everyone who sees your bamboo crafts will praise them."
She turned to Yu Xia and asked, "Sister-in-law, which family wants to learn the system?"
“Who else could it be but the Zhou family at the west end?” Yu Xia walked toward the kitchen. “His leg is a little weak, so learning a trade will always make a living.”
Fu Yuanshan was silent for a moment, then suddenly wove the shape of a small wheelchair into the bamboo basket: "Let him come tomorrow, and start with the basics."
Jiang Jianhua's eyes lit up: "I knew you would agree."
She slipped a piece of candy into his hand, saying, "Let's start with something sweet, to set a good example for your apprentice."
Just then, Erzhuzi ran in carrying a chipped earthenware pot: "Master Fu, do you think this earthenware pot of mine can still be repaired? My mother said it would be a waste to throw it away."
Fu Yuanshan glanced at the earthenware pot: "Bring me some bamboo strips, I'll weave a cover for you to put on."
He quickly wove a patterned cover and slipped it onto the earthenware jar, making it fit perfectly.
Erzhuzi clapped his hands and laughed, "Master Fu is amazing! I want to learn this from you too!"
Fu Yucheng came in from outside, carrying a toolbox: "I just borrowed this plane from the supply and marketing cooperative. It's for my second brother to make bamboo frames."
He chuckled and gently tapped Erzhuzi on the head, "If you want to learn the craft, first clean off all that mud."
They were all neighbors' kids, so Fu Yucheng wasn't unfamiliar with them. Erzhuzi wasn't afraid of him either, and chuckled, "My dad said, 'A little dirt won't make you sick!'"
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