However, the production process was not without its challenges. They encountered numerous problems while cutting the fabric. Some fabrics were too stiff, as if frozen in time, making them unsuitable for masks and causing discomfort when worn. Other cotton was not fluffy enough, appearing dry and shriveled, affecting the mask's comfort and protective effect.
A young woman, holding a stiff piece of fabric, said dejectedly, "What are we going to do? These materials aren't very good. The masks we make are unusable; we can't let people risk their lives wearing these." Lin Yue walked over, gently patted her shoulder, and comforted her, "It's okay, we can think of a solution. We can wash the stiff fabric several times, soak it in hot water, and then rub it vigorously to soften it. The cotton isn't fluffy enough; we can try rubbing it by hand to loosen it up. We can definitely overcome these difficulties."
With everyone's efforts, the production of simple masks gradually got on track. The children also helped out; although they were young, they knew they were doing something important for the village. A little boy, holding a ball of cotton, ran with his small, toddler-like steps toward his mother who was sewing a mask: "Mommy, I've finished the cotton! Look!" His rosy cheeks were full of pride, and his eyes sparkled with excitement, as if he had accomplished a great feat.
The process of making protective equipment brought the villagers closer together. They helped each other, sharing their experiences and ideas. An elderly man brought out his old handicraft tools from his youth; though somewhat rusty, the tools still showed signs of their original craftsmanship. He handed the tools to a villager making masks, saying, "These tools might come in handy. I made quite a few good things with them back in the day. Now it's time for them to do their part for the village." The villager, receiving the tools, looked at the old man gratefully and thanked him repeatedly.
As the homemade disinfectant and masks production continued, new problems arose one after another. While the homemade disinfectant was effective, tests showed it was still inferior to the professional disinfectant used previously, and the quantity was insufficient, far from meeting the needs of the entire village. Mask production was also slow, as most people lacked professional expertise and materials were limited, making the mask supply far from meeting the villagers' needs.
Lin Yue watched everyone working diligently, feeling both moved and anxious. She knew that time was of the essence; every day of delay increased the danger facing the villagers. The time slipping away like sand in an hourglass was like a Damocles' sword hanging over their heads, ready to fall at any moment. She decided to search for other possible materials and methods; she couldn't let these difficulties hold her back.
She inquired everywhere in the village, leaving no stone unturned in searching for any possible clues. Finally, a villager who regularly gathered herbs in the mountains told her about a fruit called "Mountain Litsea cubeba," which had strong antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Lin Yue's eyes lit up, the light in them like a torch illuminating the darkness. She decided to go into the mountains with Chen Yu to find the Mountain Litsea cubeba, no matter how rugged and dangerous the mountain paths were.
The path into the mountains was difficult, rugged and winding, covered with thorns. Those thorns were like the claws of a demon, mercilessly tearing at their clothes and skin. Lin Yue and Chen Yu walked cautiously, sickles in hand, forcefully hacking away at the branches blocking their way. Chen Yu walked ahead, like a brave guardian, clearing the way for Lin Yue. He would occasionally turn back to remind her, "Yue'er, be careful, the path is slippery, watch your step." Lin Yue nodded, her eyes anxiously searching for traces of *Ligustrum lucidum* in the woods, her focused gaze seemingly trying to see through the trees.
Finally, in a thicket of bushes, they found the Litsea cubeba. The tiny fruits, emitting a unique fragrance, seemed like a precious gift from nature. Lin Yue excitedly ran over, ignoring the thorns that scratched her arms, and began picking them. "With these Litsea cubeba, we might be able to make a better disinfectant. This is our hope," Lin Yue said hopefully, her voice echoing through the woods, full of strength.
Back in the village, they added Litsea cubeba to their homemade disinfectant solution. After numerous trials, they found a significant improvement in disinfection effectiveness. This discovery thrilled everyone, and their enthusiasm for making disinfectant soared even higher. Everyone felt a glimmer of hope and threw themselves into the process with renewed vigor.
They also came up with new ideas regarding face masks. One of the educated youth suggested using bamboo to make the mask frames, which would allow the masks to fit the face better, and bamboo was readily available. So, the villagers began cutting bamboo and making bamboo mask frames. The strong young men were responsible for cutting the bamboo, wielding axes to cut it into suitable lengths; the skillful villagers were responsible for processing the bamboo into mask frames, their practiced movements like a unique symphony of handicrafts.
After several days and nights of hard work, the homemade protective equipment grew in abundance. Although these simple protective supplies couldn't compare to professional products, they were like rain in the desert, bringing hope to the villagers during this difficult time of scarcity. Every simple mask and every bottle of homemade disinfectant embodied the villagers' hard work and hope, becoming the most precious things during this special period.
However, the long hours and immense pressure took a toll on both Lin Yue and Chen Yu's bodies. Lin Yue's face turned ashen, and she often felt dizzy, as if her body no longer belonged to her. But she gritted her teeth and persisted on the front lines of epidemic prevention. She knew she couldn't fall; the villagers were watching her. Chen Yu looked at her with concern: "Yue'er, take a rest. You'll break down like this. You've already done enough; let us take some of the burden." Lin Yue shook her head, her eyes as firm as a rock: "No, this is a critical moment. I can't leave. If I rest, the villagers will panic even more. I must stay with them."
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
