Chapter 123: Fu Yuanshan and Jiang Jianhua set up their own business
As Erzhuzi finished speaking, Fu Yuanshan suddenly put down the bamboo strips in his hand and said, "Director Wang, I will definitely finish these lanterns within five days. It's just..."
He glanced at Jiang Jianhua and said, "I'd like to use this job to ask you something."
Director Wang smiled and said, "Master Fu, just tell me what you want. I can do it."
"I know a family has left the east end of the military compound, and the house is vacant. Can you rent it to me?"
Fu Yuanshan tapped his fingers lightly on the bamboo frame. "I want to move there with Jianhua so I can focus on weaving bamboo products. It will also be convenient for the children to learn the craft."
Jiang Jianhua looked up suddenly, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, and then warmth surged.
Fu Yucheng was about to speak when Yun Tangyin quietly pulled his sleeve.
Director Wang slapped his thigh and said, "What a coincidence! That house is the property of the supply and marketing cooperative. I'll grant you a long-term lease at five yuan a month. How about that?"
Fu Yuanshan stood up and said, "Thank you, Director Wang! I'll go pack my things and try to move in within three days."
After Director Wang left, Song Yushuang came out of the room, holding a wooden box in her hand: "I knew you had this in mind."
She opened the box, revealing several rolls of blue cloth and a stack of change. "This is what your father saved up for me. He wanted to use it to help you get married, but it never came to fruition, so I kept it for you. Now it's perfect for moving."
This was left for Fu Yuanshan by his biological father.
Song Yushuang has kept it for so many years.
Fu Yuanshan clutched the wooden box, his fingertips rubbing against the rough wood grain: "Mom, I don't want to split up..."
"I understand." Song Yushuang stuffed a key into his hand. "I've been to that house. It has a small yard, perfect for growing the wintersweet you mentioned. Jianhua is pregnant, so it would be nice to move to a quieter place."
Jiang Jianhua's eyes turned red: "Mom, we will come back often."
"Silly child, this is what family is like." Song Yushuang smiled and wiped his face. "I'll ask Ah Cheng to call a car and take the valuables over first."
Fu Yucheng came out: "Second brother, I'll go right away. Oh, and I'll transplant the wintersweet tree in the yard over there so it can bloom in the spring."
Yun Tangyin followed out holding a clay pot. "Here are some pickled vegetables I made to go with rice. And this new quilt is for you to make the bed."
On the day of moving, Erzhuzi and Zhou Ming arrived earlier than anyone else.
Erzhuzi was carrying a bamboo cabinet, and Zhou Ming, leaning on his cane, helped carry the baggage. "Master Fu, my mother said that after you move in, she will come to light the fire and cook for you every day."
Fu Yuanshan smiled and waved his hand: "Don't bother, Jianhua and I can handle it."
He stuffed a bamboo pen holder into each of the two children's hands and said, "This is a thank you gift. It will be useful when you learn to write in the future."
When he arrived at the new house, Fu Yuanshan first placed the pot of wintersweet on the windowsill, and then set up the half-finished lantern stand in the yard.
Jiang Jianhua suddenly said, "I'll go to the supply and marketing cooperative and buy some floral fabric to make curtains for the windows."
"I'll go with you." Fu Yuanshan picked up his coat. "By the way, buy a new pot. We'll cook dumplings tonight and warm the pot."
As soon as the two left, Fu Yucheng came with a carpenter: "Second brother said he wanted to build a bamboo shed in the yard so that he could weave even on rainy days."
He instructed the carpenter to take measurements and build a wider workbench so that four children can learn the craft together.
Yun Tangyin hung New Year pictures on the wall: "I embroidered this pair of red candles. Light them up in the evening for a festive occasion."
She looked at Fu Yucheng's busy back and said, "Look at my second brother, he's speaking with confidence now."
Fu Yucheng finished hammering the last nail: "He should have done this a long time ago. Back when he was in the art troupe, he always said he wanted to have his own little yard where he could play the flute and do crafts."
In the evening, Fu Yuanshan and Jiang Jianhua returned.
Jiang Jianhua was holding a red cloth bag in his hand, and when he opened it, he found a set of brand new pots and pans.
Fu Yuanshan was carrying a bamboo cradle with the words "Long Life" woven on it.
"This is made for Nian Nian." He placed the cradle next to the kang. "It's lighter than a wooden one, so it'll save you some effort."
Jiang Jianhua touched the pattern on the cradle and smiled: "You said you wouldn't hurt me."
As he was talking, Erzhuzi ran in holding a string of firecrackers: "Master Fu, my father asked me to deliver this. He said we have to set off firecrackers when we move!"
As the sound of firecrackers crackled, Fu Yuanshan suddenly took Jiang Jianhua's hand and walked out of the yard.
Under the moonlight, he pulled out a bamboo ring with a red string wrapped around it from his bosom: "I didn't give you a decent betrothal gift back then, this..."
Jiang Jianhua covered his mouth, tears falling on the ring, reflecting tiny pieces of light: "I like it, I like it more than gold or silver."
Fu Yucheng stood at the door and looked at it. Suddenly, he said to Yun Tangyin, "Tomorrow I'll make a sign that says 'Fu Family Bamboo Shop' and hang it on the door."
The next morning, Zhou Ming came with his mother. Mother Zhou held a cloth bag in her hand and said, "Master Fu, these are the soles I made overnight for Miss Jianhua."
She glanced into the yard and said, "I want to learn how to make shoe soles with bamboo strips from Jianhua, so that I can help supplement the family income."
Jiang Jianhua smiled and pulled her to sit down: "I'll teach you right away, starting with the simple ones."
Erzhuzi came in carrying a bundle of bamboo: "Master Fu, my father said that this is the strongest nanmu bamboo from the back mountain, so you can make the best lanterns."
He pointed at the wall and said, "I even posted a notice at the entrance of the village saying that the Fu Family Bamboo Workshop is recruiting apprentices, with meals provided!"
Fu Yuanshan looked at the busy figures in the yard, suddenly picked up a bamboo knife and started carving on a new piece of bamboo.
The sunlight shone through the gaps in the bamboo shed, casting mottled shadows on his face.
Jiang Jianhua leaned over to take a look and saw the four words "establish one's own business" engraved on the bamboo slip. The strokes were strong and vivid, just like his mood at the moment.
"Wait until it's dry, and hang it in the middle of the main hall." Fu Yuanshan held her hand. "Jianhua, our future lives will be like this bamboo piece. We have to carve it out piece by piece ourselves to make it solid."
Jiang Jianhua leaned on his shoulder, listening to the laughter of Erzhuzi and Zhou Ming in the yard, as well as the aftermath of firecrackers coming from afar, and suddenly felt the baby in her belly kick her.
She smiled and said, "Niannian is also saying that, okay."
On the branches of the wintersweet outside the yard, there were still fragments of firecrackers that had not burned out last night, shining golden and red in the morning light.
When the wind blows, the lantern frames on the bamboo shed sway gently, like countless butterflies flapping their wings, ready to fly.
As he was speaking, Erzhuzi's voice came from outside the courtyard: "Master Fu! Secretary Liu sent someone to deliver the certificate!"
Fu Yuanshan went out to take a look and saw that it was indeed a gold-plated certificate with the words "Expert in Folk Crafts" written on it.
Erzhuzi held up the certificate and stuck it on the wall. Zhou Ming handed him a nail and said, "Master Fu, this needs to be stuck next to the bamboo strips so it's more noticeable."
Jiang Jianhua smiled and stuffed a piece of brown sugar into their hands: "I'll make you steamed brown sugar buns at noon as a celebration."
Fu Yucheng and Yun Tangyin came in carrying a wooden box and happened to see this lively scene.
Yun Tangyin opened the box and said, "Inside this is a music box and some books. Don't you love playing the flute, brother? There's some new music on it."
Fu Yucheng glanced into the yard and asked, "Is the bamboo shed ready? I found a blackboard and hung it in the shed to teach the children how to read."
Fu Yuanshan touched the blackboard and smiled: "Are you turning our bamboo workshop into a school?"
"They should learn both the craft and calligraphy." Fu Yucheng stuffed a pen into his hand. "At their age, they should study hard."
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