Pandi's family has a lot of fruit baskets, vegetable baskets, and small hand baskets, but almost no winnowing baskets.
There was a bamboo weaver in the village. The baskets, winnowing baskets, rice trays, and bamboo baskets he wove were quite sturdy and durable, so everyone would give priority to exchanging their bamboo for other items. Pandi and the others could only weave things that he didn't have.
Rattan is fragile and, if not handled properly, the woven items will not only be unattractive and not durable, but generally cannot bear heavy loads.
But herbs are very light, and a winnowing basket woven from rattan can be used as a substitute, and it is cheaper.
When she first arrived, Li Xiyue didn't know that the three children had this skill. Now that she does, she naturally wants to support their business.
"Sister Li, what size do you need? I'll knit it for you right away," Pandi asked, putting down her work.
Li Xiyue specified the dimensions and then made a request: "It needs to have five closely spaced holes and five sparsely spaced bottom holes."
“No problem, I’ll weave it for you right away, and it’ll be finished tomorrow.” Pandi immediately picked up the prepared rattan and started working.
Li Xiyue was worried that she would work late into the night, so she said, "It's not in a rush. You can make a few today and I'll use them first. You can finish the rest later."
“Okay.” Pandi agreed, and she and her younger sister Zhaodi each started weaving one.
Lai Di went to dig for medicinal herbs. Having tasted the sweetness of success, she lost interest in the small amount of money she earned from basket weaving.
Pandi is a few years older than Zhaodi, and she is more calm and down-to-earth.
After moving out, the three sisters became healthier both physically and mentally, and they grew taller and gained some weight.
Pandi, in particular, has started to develop, unlike before when she looked like a dried bean sprout.
Li Xiyue is only five years younger than her, and her figure is many times better.
Practice makes perfect, and the two sisters quickly finished weaving.
Li Xiyue couldn't help but praise, "You weave so quickly and well, your skills are no worse than Uncle Shou'an's."
Xu Shou'an was a bamboo weaver in the village.
“But we don’t know how to split bamboo strips,” Pandi said with a wry smile.
Pandi initially wanted to learn how to weave with bamboo strips, but after her hands were cut and bleeding, she gave up and switched to weaving with rattan.
Although rattan items are not as sturdy as bamboo items, they won't cause injury. As long as they can earn money, they are willing to do it even if it's less, because it's better than nothing. They always have to ask their parents for money.
Splitting bamboo strips is not an easy skill to learn; one can easily cut their hand with a bamboo strip. Only experienced craftsmen can do it.
Of course, when craftsmen first start learning, they will get injured repeatedly, but once they become skilled, they will no longer cut their hands.
Li Xiyue could understand them. Given their circumstances, if they were injured, their parents would never be willing to spend money to buy them medicine and treat them. That's why they gave up after being injured.
Looking at the various woven products displayed in the courtyard, Li Xiyue sighed inwardly.
These children have already exhausted all their strength just to support themselves.
But she didn't pity them; instead, she admired them.
At such a young age, they are able to become independent and self-reliant, which already puts them ahead of many others.
"Don't worry, sister." Pandi saw through Li Xiyue's thoughts and comforted her with a smile, "Since we moved out, everyone has taken good care of us. Many people have come to us to exchange baskets. Our lives are much better than before."
Zhao Di smiled and said, "With our older sister taking care of us, our lives will definitely get better and better."
Li Xiyue rubbed Zhao Di's head. This child is quite good too.
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