Xu Zhichun, caught between laughter and tears, said: "But——"
"So that’s how it is—does this mean you won’t be allowed to help me with other things in the future?"
If Xu Zhichun refused again, it would seem pretentious. "All right then, thank you very much."
"No need to be polite."
Xu Zhichun took his own large bowl and poured out the peanut pig’s trotters. She asked Auntie Zhu’er to wait a moment, quickly added brown sugar water, stir-fried and thickened it, then served half a small bowl of braised pork to her. "It’s made from pork belly I bought yesterday; the flavor should be good too. Take it back and try it."
Looking at the bright red, glossy cubes of braised pork, coated in sauce, steaming hot and richly fragrant, Auntie Zhu’er couldn’t help but swallow and laugh: "How could this be only ‘not bad’? It’s so fragrant—I’m going home to eat!"
"Auntie, walk slowly."
Xu Zhichun and Liang Mingxuan, brother and sister‑in‑law, also set the table to eat.
Braised pork belly, peanut pig’s trotters, paired with lightly stir‑fried baby bok choy sprouts, each person with a large bowl of snow‑white, glistening rice.
After the meal, Xu Zhichun busied himself with making konjac tofu and konjac knots, while Liang Mingxuan helped out.
The child was steady and meticulous. With Xu Zhichun’s verbal guidance, he did everything quickly, well, and to perfect standard—indeed, even more perfect than Xu Zhichun had expected.
Xu Zhichun was proud and full of pride. It wasn’t her boasting—her child was truly remarkable, not only excelling in studies but also in doing chores.
Indeed, capable people have a good brain. They can draw inferences, understand by analogy, and once they master one thing, they master a hundred. Whatever they do, they’re better than others—envy won’t get you there, envy won’t get you there.
Early the next morning, Xu Zhichun got up again to make ice jelly.
Compared with before, this job was much lighter. Xu Zhichun casually used a little over a jin of mesona seeds to make ice jelly, while the rest was simply prepared with jelly powder from the harbor warehouse.
Liang Mingxuan also got up and helped with the work.
Soon enough, Zeng Xiaoyan and her husband, Auntie Zhu’er, and Uncle Qi Tian all arrived.
Last night, after hearing from his wife that they had earned so much money, Uncle Qi Tian was quite shocked. Today, when he saw Xu Zhichun, he smiled with unusual sincerity.
Good person!
Nowadays, anyone willing to let others prosper together is absolutely the very best kind of good person.
“Zhichun, whatever you want to make, just tell me, and I’ll get it done for you right away.”
“Ah, Uncle Qi Tian, you’ve worked hard.”
The things Xu Zhichun wanted to make were quite a lot.
In the kitchen, a five‑tier shelf was needed to store jars and baskets of all sizes. In the storage room, two drawers taller than a person were to be made for storing things. There were also two basins for bathing, one for her and one for her younger brother‑in‑law. In addition, three large wooden barrels taller than half a person and three big basins were required for soaking konjac tofu, konjac knots, and making ice jelly.
In addition, both her room and her younger brother‑in‑law’s room were to have a wardrobe built, and his room would also get an extra desk.
Qi Tian nodded as he worked, using charcoal to scribble and sketch on a thin wooden board, leaving marks that only he himself could understand.
Seeing this, Xu Zhichun felt relieved. She had worried that she’d said too much at once and Uncle Qi Tian wouldn’t remember it, but it turned out that an expert like him needed no concern from her.
As for the other things, they were fine, but when it came to the wardrobe and desk, Xu Zhichun had her own ideas. Last night she even asked the child to draw a simple sketch with paper and pen.
At this moment, she took the simple sketch, showed it to Qi Tian, and explained it piece by piece.
The wardrobe Xu Zhichun wanted to make was a modern modular wardrobe: a large five‑door wardrobe, divided inside into several layers of compartments of different sizes, with two built‑in drawers, and two long open spaces with wooden rods above for hanging clothes.
The desk was made rectangular, with a connected bookcase on top, divided into compartments of varying sizes, convenient for storing brushes, ink, paper, inkstones, and books.
Qi Tian looked at the drawing and was instantly stunned.
Xu Zhichun felt a bit uneasy. The drawing was simple, and she thought it shouldn’t be difficult to make, but since she wasn’t an expert, she didn’t know whether her feeling was correct.
The gap between ancient and modern people does, after all, exist.
“Uncle Qi Tian, look at this—can it be made?”
Aunt Zhu’er, hearing this, grew a little nervous. "Brother Qi, it’s only a few pieces of furniture—surely it’s not too difficult?"
She had made a promise in front of Zhichun, so Brother Qi had better show some spirit.
"Ah? Not hard at all. Yes, yes! Very doable!" Qi Tian slapped his thigh, looked at Xu Zhichun with excitement, and praised: "Zhichun, your wardrobe and desk designs are ingenious, truly ingenious! This desk not only serves for writing, but also for storage and even as a bookshelf; and this wardrobe, divided like this, makes everything clear at a glance. It’s simply brilliant. In all my years of making furniture, I never imagined it could be done this way—this is truly wonderful."
Aunt Zhu’er’s patted her chest and teased him with a smile: "Look at you, not saying earlier—you startled me. Zhichun is clever, she can think of many things. Since it can be done, then hurry and make it."
Xu Zhichun smiled as well. "I was only thinking of convenience—if it works, that would be great."
The house was old, and she didn’t want to fuss with furniture anymore. Earning money was what mattered; once she had saved enough to build a new house, then she could have a full set of furniture made to her own taste—that would be best.
She actually wanted very much to sleep in an ancient canopy bed. Other furniture could be considered later, but she was determined to have one authentic canopy bed.
Qi Tian said, "Zhichun, uncle wants to discuss something with you. These wardrobes and desks of yours—can I make them for other households?"
Xu Zhichun couldn’t help but smile, nodded, and said, "Of course you can."
That Uncle Qi Tian asked her at all was surprising. After all, in this era there was no concern for intellectual property. Even if he hadn’t asked and had gone ahead to make it for other families, she would never have known.
Moreover, whether it was the wardrobe or the desk, once others saw the style they could copy it easily—there was no need to ask her.
Seeing her so straightforward, Qi Tian was delighted and quickly added: "Such unique and convenient furniture will surely be popular. Uncle cannot take advantage of you for free. The furniture I make for you will count as your reward. I won’t take a single coin, nor charge for the wood. Rest assured, I’ll use good materials."
"This—"
"You mustn’t refuse."
Aunt Zhu’er also smiled: "Zhichun, since your Uncle Qi Tian said so, that is how it should be. No need to be modest."
Xu Zhichun hadn’t expected such a pleasant surprise. Thinking it over, she felt Uncle Qi Tian wouldn’t be at a loss, while her own family would save a considerable sum. 'Then I must thank Uncle Qi Tian,’ she said."
He chuckled, "No need to be polite—it’s I who should thank you."
Qi Tian was in high spirits and couldn’t spare a rest. Watching them ride the ox cart into town, he rushed back home to begin work.
When inspiration bursts forth, it can’t be delayed, right?
He was in a state of exhilaration, suddenly enlightened and clear‑minded. He felt as though he could draw connections and extend ideas endlessly. He needed to work while pondering carefully, to make this wardrobe well.
Arriving in town, as usual Zeng Xiaoyan and Aunt Zhu’er set up the stall first, while Xu Zhichun and Liang Mingliang went to deliver the goods.
🐇♡🐇♡🐇♡🐇
Meanwhile, in the future:
A mysterious furniture empire was born.
Its founder?
Qi Tian.
Its slogan?
"From one wardrobe to generational wealth!"
Its greatest business rival?
Xu Zhichun, who hadn't even realized she'd accidentally become the ancient world's first interior designer.
And somewhere, a modern furniture company executive suddenly woke up screaming.
"WHO BROUGHT IKEA TO ANCIENT CHINA?!"
No comments:
Post a Comment