Da Zhuang and Er Zhu Zi, who were standing nearby, followed Ouyang Zhenyu toward the backyard; the two of them loved watching the excitement.
It's really because they're so ignorant. They've come all this way, and this time it's their turn, but next time it might not be their turn.
Following Ouyang Zhenyu directly to the backyard, they realized what was happening once they arrived.
A large portion of the backyard was filled with stones, with a shed built over them.
These stones are more precious than people; they are afraid of getting wet in the rain and being exposed to the sun.
There were several machines set up against the wall, and five stone cutters were squatting in front of them, busy at work.
There were people queuing in front of three workers, listening to the deafening buzzing of the machines.
Many people stared excitedly at the stone, clearly caught up in the gambling frenzy.
Ouyang Zhenyu took the stone and came over. He saw that not only were the three craftsmen cutting stones, but there were also people queuing up with their stones in front of them.
All that could be heard was a short, fat man shouting excitedly.
"Sell it now! Sell it now!"
Ouyang Zhenyu immediately spotted Jun Ge staring intently at the stone-cutting master at the first machine. Clearly, Jun Ge was quite addicted to this trade.
Ouyang Zhenyu looked around and saw two of his mentors staring enviously at the other three.
These two craftsmen look very young.
He looked a bit like a young man in his early twenties, with an expression that was a mixture of envy and frustration.
The waiter who had called him over said,
"Boss, our stone-cutting master charges three yuan per cut."
"However, if these two chefs want to cut it, it will cost two yuan per cut."
He pointed to the stone-cutting master in front of him, who was completely alone.
"Boss, don't be fooled by the fact that there aren't many people around them. This stone is so small, it's just a matter of one cut. It doesn't matter who cuts it."
"Boss, you should consider offering them at a cheaper price."
Ouyang Zhenyu nodded. Goodness, these stones cost five yuan for two pieces, and he gets two pieces every time he cuts them.
This is definitely not a game for people without money.
He approached the boy with two stones. This was the last stone-cutting master.
He was even younger than the young man in front of him, and his hair was styled in a buzz cut.
There was a diagonal scar on his head, as if he had been slashed.
He had been sitting silently on the rock with his head down, but when he suddenly saw a few more people in front of him, he quickly looked up and saw the rock in Ouyang Zhenyu's hand. The young man's eyes lit up instantly.
"Boss, you... you're cutting stones?"
"Master, I want to cut the stone, but I want to polish this stone."
Ouyang Zhenyu handed the stone in his hand to his master.
The boy scratched his head and looked at Ouyang Zhenyu somewhat awkwardly.
"Boss, this stone is so small, you can just cut it with one stroke. Polishing it isn't worth it."
"Young master, I just want to get my skin smoothed. Can you help me figure out a way to smooth out 1mm thinly from here?"
Ouyang Zhenyu's easygoing and agreeable tone immediately made the boy nod in agreement.
I'm just idling around anyway, and while skin smoothing takes time, it's still better than being idle.
We've finally opened for business.
"Okay, boss."
"You can tell me how to grind it, and I'll do it that way."
What's your name?
"My name is Da Lei."
"Master Lei, how many years have you been cutting stones?"
Upon hearing this, young Da Lei's face immediately turned red. He already had a dark complexion, and when he blushed, his face looked both dark and red.
"Um... I just had surgery three months ago."
The boy awkwardly held the stone, unsure of what to do. Usually, once the boss saw his age, they wouldn't let him cut stones. He could only earn a living by cutting stones.
He was afraid that the boss in front of him would not let him cut the stone after hearing this, but he also couldn't risk angering the boss if he cut it rashly.
The boy's eyes welled up with tears.
"Boss, I'll definitely smooth out your skin properly."
"Master Lei, don't be afraid, hurry up and grind it. I didn't say you couldn't grind it."
I was just asking.
Everyone has an apprenticeship period; you learn by doing. You'll gain experience over time.
"One day, stone-cutting bosses will line up and fight to have you cut their stones."
Upon hearing this, Da Lei's eyes lit up, and the boy's face was filled with a radiant smile.
"Boss, I'm sure your stone will yield a good fortune."
He will still say those auspicious words.
Ouyang Zhenyu stood aside with a smile, while Da Lei took the stone and came to the machine, slowly polishing it with great care.
I just peeled off a ring of the outer layer.
Then I heard a strange, sarcastic voice in my ear.
"Oh dear, even poor ghosts have come here to cut stones. Didn't the old ghosts in your village forbid you from playing this game?"
Aren't you afraid of getting your legs broken?
Ouyang Zhenyu looked up and saw the annoying Jun Ge, but he didn't reply. He wasn't from the village, and he didn't know Jun Ge. It wasn't his place to talk to Jun Ge.
Seeing that Ouyang Zhenyu was ignoring him, Jun Ge couldn't help but sneer.
"Is the kid arrogant enough?"
Even your fifth brother wouldn't dare treat me like this, yet you dare to treat me like this? Fine!
You've got guts!
You guys in your village have backbone. If you're so capable, then don't ever come to town to trade things with me again.
"Let me tell you, every time you come, I'll beat you. You'll never buy a single grain of rice or a single grain of salt from me in your entire lives."
Jun said to Da Lei.
"Kid! You went through so much trouble for these two dollars, so here's two dollars for you, don't cut it for him anymore."
Da Lei stared intently at the grinding wheel in his hand, beads of sweat dripping from his forehead and down his brow.
She completely ignored Jun Ge.
Jun snorted coldly.
"Third Master, your chef is pretty arrogant. He doesn't even acknowledge me when guests talk to him."
Just then, Ouyang Zhenyu saw a middle-aged man dressed in what looked like a Tang suit walk out in front of the third master.
His hair was slicked back, somewhat resembling the Shanghai characters from TV dramas of that era.
He was holding a teapot, which was probably made of purple clay.
He touched the teapot all over, then took a sip.
He has strong features and looks like someone who has been through a lot.
The weariness on his face and the stories in his eyes were impossible to hide.
"Brother Jun, please don't make things difficult for my buddy."
All who come are guests; I treat everyone equally, regardless of status or age.
Jun was embarrassed by those words and had no choice but to turn around and walk back to his stone-cutting machine, uttering harsh words as he went.
"You're just a broken rock, isn't it? You're one of those five that cost 10 yuan at the gate."
"You think you can get rich off a stone like that? Nobody's ever found a flaw in that stone in decades. Who do you think you are?"
"You're crazy for wanting to get rich."
"This is not a place for you. Wake up and go back to where you came from."
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