Gu Bin waved his hand with a smile and said cheerfully, "It's alright, Uncle Li, just tell me how much it costs."
Master Li gritted his teeth, as if he had made a great decision, looked up at the two men, and mustered his courage to say, "Twenty-five each."
After saying that, he guiltily looked away, not daring to look Gu Bin and Xie Yan in the eye. He was very nervous, afraid that they would think it was too expensive and turn around and leave.
After all, many people leave as soon as they hear the price.
But this rosewood is a treasure he has kept for many years, and he really can't bear to sell it too cheaply.
At this moment, Mr. Li's wife heard the conversation clearly from inside the house. She instantly deflated like a punctured balloon, radiating a strong sense of dejection.
She stared blankly into the distance, her heart filled with helplessness and bitterness.
The family had long since run out of food, and she had sold everything she could, even the silver bracelet that her mother had given her as dowry.
Many people who care for the old man want rosewood furniture, but none of them have ever succeeded.
The old man always said that rosewood is precious and can only be sold to someone who understands it.
It cannot be sold at a low price.
How could she not know that thing was valuable?
But can something be more valuable than someone else?
Looking at her child lying motionless on the kang (a heated brick bed) because of hunger, she felt a pang of heartache and tears streamed down her face like broken beads.
Xie Yan and Gu Bin exchanged a glance and saw the desire in each other's eyes.
A recliner costs 25 yuan, which is quite expensive; it's equivalent to a month's salary for an average family.
But rosewood was indeed worth the price, so he nodded in agreement.
When Master Li heard the two agree, a bright smile immediately spread across his face, and he laughed heartily: "Hahahaha! I knew my rosewood would eventually meet someone who understands it, and I've finally found that person."
The old woman, who was silently shedding tears inside the house, suddenly raised her head upon hearing this, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.
Looking at the two young people standing in the courtyard, she seemed to see hope for life and couldn't wait to jump off the kang (a heated brick bed).
Due to anemia and the sudden movement of her feet, she was weak and staggered a few steps before regaining her balance.
She quickly put on her shoes, hurried to the kitchen, poured two glasses of water, and placed them on the table outside. With a shy smile, she said apologetically, "I'm so sorry! I was asleep and didn't hear anyone coming. I'm so sorry for the inconvenience!"
Looking at her sallow complexion and unsteady steps, Xie Yan couldn't help but feel a pang of pity. He quickly smiled and said, "It's alright, it's alright."
Afterwards, the two discussed the details of making the recliner with Master Li again, confirming everything from the size and style of the recliner to the details of the carving.
After their conversation, the two of them returned home satisfied.
After the two left, Mr. Li turned to his wife, his face full of reproach, "I wanted them to stay for lunch, why did you stop me!"
The old woman glared at her angrily and said irritably, "Go and look at the kitchen. It's so clean that even mice would avoid it. What am I supposed to cook for them?"
Master Li sneered, pointed his finger at her eyes and said, "Do you know what kind of strength these two have? They can do this much right away." He then gestured with a "one".
"What use are you if you can't even protect someone like this? If you don't have it at home, can't you just go out and borrow some?"
The old woman snorted coldly, her eyes filled with bitterness. "I'm not stupid. How could I not know to protect her?"
"If we could borrow it, would you need to ask?"
"The problem is that nobody wants to lend us anything! You can only borrow things if you repay them. Our family is so poor, who would be willing to lend us anything?"
Master Li snorted dismissively, "I have nothing to say to a woman like you who has long hair but short brains."
After saying that, he turned around angrily and walked straight to the side room next door.
The side room was filled with his wooden artifacts; it was his own little world, and all he wanted to do was hide inside and avoid seeing or being bothered by it.
Xie Yan returned to her small courtyard, where sunlight streamed through the windows, casting a bright glow on the ground.
He found that the room was dry, so he took out the scissors he had borrowed from Gu Bin's house from the corner, ready to get to work. He would first cut out a bed sheet, and then make a matching duvet cover using the same fabric.
You can just get the same four-piece bedding set.
He was holding a pair of scissors in one hand, rummaging through the cloth spread out on the large table, his brow furrowed for a long time as he continued to gesture with the scissors.
Gu Bin, watching him like this, couldn't help but roll his eyes in exasperation. "Why don't you go take care of our Tongtong? Let my wife come over, she can fix it for you in no time."
"What have you been doing all this time? What results have you achieved?"
Xie Yan: "..."
That's a bit heartbreaking!
It should have been a very simple thing, but the scissors kept going crooked as they cut.
With a helpless sigh, she put down the scissors. "It looks so simple to others. It's just a matter of cutting and sewing. Why does it become so difficult for me?"
Gu Bin shook his head with a smile, looking at him with disappointment, "Do you know the saying 'everyone has their own expertise'?"
“Those people you see, aren’t they all experienced workers with more than ten years of experience?” The aunties and grandmas in the village, they all started learning needlework from a young age.
How can a thank-you banquet be compared to others?
Seeing that this guy not only wasn't helping but was also rambling on and on, Xie Yan quickly interrupted, "I know, I know!"
I poured myself a glass of water, took a sip, and prepared to rest for a while before going to find Zhang Linghui.
I had just taken a sip of water when I saw Gu's mother walk in from the door, holding Tongtong in her arms, with Zhang Linghui following behind. What were the two of them talking about?
As soon as Gu's mother entered the courtyard, she saw the cloth spread on the large table and couldn't help but ask curiously, "What are you all doing?"
She wondered to herself, could Xie Yan possibly know how to make clothes?
It doesn't look like it.
Having spent this time together, she felt she knew Xie Yan quite well, and she hadn't seen him reveal any interest in this area.
Before she could figure it out, Xie Yan hurriedly explained, "Auntie, I originally planned to cut out a bed sheet and duvet cover, but my skills are really not up to par."
When Gu's mother heard that it wasn't about making clothes, she immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
She smiled and walked to the table, handed Tongtong to Zhang Linghui next to her, and then picked up the scissors that were placed aside. "What's so difficult about this? Why didn't you tell me sooner? I'd help you!"
As he spoke, he inquired about the size of Xie Yan's medicine scissors.
After getting the measurements, she gently placed her fingers on the fabric, made a few simple measurements, her eyes focused and confident, and then picked up the scissors without hesitation and began cutting.
In no time, the fabric for the sheets, duvet cover, and pillowcases was all cut.
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