Chapter 14: Changing the Road
"I just got back before noon." Jiang Chunshi answered, "I heard my mother tell me about Xiaoxia and her brother-in-law being hit by the wedding tent, so I came to see how they were doing.
"I bought some tofu when I came back from town. I bought a lot and we had some at home, so I brought these over to Uncle and Aunt."
"I just came to take a look. What else do you want to take? Take it back home and eat it." Liu quickly refused.
Tofu is considered half a meat dish. The piece of tofu Jiang Chunshi brought must have weighed two or three pounds, and cost several cents.
"It's hot, this stuff can't be kept. I bought a lot, and I can't finish it when I take it home. It won't be good if it goes bad." Jiang Chunshi simply went into the kitchen, put the tofu in a wooden basin, and covered it with a basket.
This time, Jiang Youcheng and Liu had no way to refuse, so they just took a stool, poured a cup of tea, and talked with Jiang Chunshi in the yard.
"I think Xiao Xia is really much better now."
Jiang Chunshi saw that Jiang Mixia's eyes were bright and she was working on the bamboo strips with a machete in her hand. He knew that it was just as his parents had said, her dementia was completely cured, and he was very happy.
"It's the blessing of the Bodhisattva, what do you call it, a blessing in disguise?" Jiang Youcheng smiled.
"Isn't it a blessing? I think Xiao Xia is a blessed person, and there are more blessings to come in the future."
Jiang Chunshi looked at the bamboo strips scattered all over the ground, and saw a basket that was almost finished. He asked, "Uncle, are you planning to stop making rattan baskets and start making bamboo baskets?"
"Xiao Xia suggested weaving some bamboo baskets. We can make more money than making rattan baskets, so we decided to give it a try to see if we can make more money." Jiang Youcheng answered truthfully.
"It's better to give it a try. If it doesn't work, there's no harm in that. But if it does work, it's a great thing."
Jiang Chunshi paused and said, "Speaking of which, I came back this time to try a different path."
Change career path? Jiang Youcheng was stunned. "Are you not going to continue learning carpentry?"
"Yeah," Jiang Chunshi nodded.
"I have been learning from my master for so many years, but he never taught me well. He only let me do hard labor such as moving things and sawing wood. If I help with carving and polishing, he will say that I am not doing my job. It is obvious that he is using me as a laborer for free."
"I couldn't help it a couple of days ago, so I had a quarrel with my master, asking him to either teach me some skills, pay me some wages, or return the gifts I had given him over the years. As a result, my master got angry and kicked me out."
"Isn't this man guilty of doing things that go against his conscience? You are honest and hardworking, and you pay a lot of tribute every year, but you are unwilling to teach me some skills. Aren't you afraid of being struck by lightning?"
Jiang Youcheng was angry, and patted Jiang Chunshi, "In my opinion, it's better to leave that person. It's better to do something on your own in the future than to be a laborer there all the time."
"That's what I mean. It's better than working for nothing."
Jiang Chunshi grinned, but there was something bitter in his smile.
He was already twenty years old, but he had not learned any skills. He had been there for so long, and at least he had learned some skills, but all he had learned was sawing wood, planing boards, and painting.
If he really did it himself, he could make simple tasks like a bench or assemble a table, but he had no experience in actually measuring the size of the house or estimating the materials, so he couldn't be considered a real carpenter, and no one outside would hire a half-baked person like him.
It is not easy to make a living.
"Okay, don't think too much. Come back and settle down for two days. We will plant cotton in the next two days. You can also come back to help with the farm work at home."
Jiang Youcheng also noticed that Jiang Chunshi was in a bad mood, so he comforted him, "Wait and see if there is a suitable opportunity and find a way out. You have an honest personality and a smart mind. Third Uncle believes that you will definitely be able to make a name for yourself."
"Yeah." Jiang Chunshi nodded with a smile.
After talking for a while, Jiang Chunshi wanted to help saw some bamboos, but was stopped by Jiang Youcheng and Liu, who told him to go home and take care of his own business.
Although the eldest wife lived a more comfortable life and had more land, she still had to work from dawn to dusk and had no time to rest.
Jiang Youcheng even took a side of the bamboo basket he had woven, and said, "It just so happens that I have just woven a new bamboo basket, which is the first one. You can take it back and use it at home. It also helps me test whether it is sturdy or not."
Jiang Chunshi had no choice but to take the bamboo basket and said, "Okay, I'll go back first. If there's anything going on at Third Uncle's house, remember to let me know."
After sending Jiang Chunshi out, Jiang Mixia asked, "Brother, can you carve something out of wood? Cats, dogs, or something like that?"
"Of course I can, but the carvings may not be as pretty as the ones sold outside." Jiang Chunshi asked, "Xiao Xia, do you want one? Then I'll carve a few for you. What kind do you want, a kitten, a puppy, or a bunny?"
"Anything is fine. Big brother, you can carve it easily. You don't need many. Just one will do."
Seeing Jiang Mixia say this, Jiang Chunshi laughed, "You are not too greedy. Okay, I will carve one for you when I get back and send it to you when it is finished."
"Thank you, brother." Jiang Mixia thanked with a smile.
"Why be so polite to big brother." Jiang Chunshi smiled and rubbed Jiang Mixia's head as he did when he was a child.
After Jiang Chunshi left, the family continued to work.
Sawing bamboo, splitting bamboo strips, cutting bamboo strips, weaving bamboo baskets and bamboo crates.
The four of them worked together in an orderly manner.
They were busy like this until the sun set and Liu went to make dinner.
There were steamed buns made of sweet potato flour and corn flour, corn grits porridge, and some cold wild vegetables. In addition, the tofu that Jiang Chunshi sent was cut into slices, fried, and sprinkled with salt when eating.
The fried tofu tastes salty and fragrant, mixed with the original fragrance of tofu, it is extremely delicious.
Fried tofu is also delicious.
Song Jingyun made another note in his little notebook.
After dinner, it was already dark.
The weather was clear and the moon was bright, illuminating the small courtyard.
Jiang Youcheng was ready to use the light to weave the bamboo basket in his hand.
Jiang Mixia, Song Jingyun and Liu also planned to cut the remaining bamboo strips into pieces.
In this way, we can go cut new bamboo tomorrow.
By now the three of them were already quite skilled, and even with the limited moonlight, they were able to cut the bamboo strips into appropriate pieces, though their speed was much slower than during the day.
By the time Jiang Youcheng finished weaving the bamboo basket, it was already late at night.
"Go to bed quickly, or you won't be able to get up tomorrow." Liu packed up her things and urged Jiang Mixia and Song Jingyun.
Jiang Mixia yawned and nodded, went to the water tank to scoop water, and called Song Jingyun to wash.
"You guys go to sleep first, I'll finish these." Song Jingyun didn't even raise his head.
There were only a few chopped bamboo strips left at his feet, so Liu and Jiang Mixia stopped urging him and packed up their things before going back to their rooms.
Jiang Mixia was so sleepy that she fell asleep as soon as she touched the pillow.
I don’t know how long I slept, but I was suddenly awakened by the cry of an owl outside.
There is nothing around me.
The little son-in-law did not sleep in the bed. ——I changed the cover to a new one, which will be refreshed in two days. My dears, please pay attention and don’t make mistakes~ Thank you for the rewards from "Newcomers in the Jianghu" and "Book Friends 202104251619308400". Thank you for your support~ There will be an additional update today, at 12 noon (this chapter is finished)
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