Free Web NovelChapter 475: Chapter 475: The Vicious Mother-in-law 21
"What kind of work?"
Ma Xiangdong asked eagerly.
The village leader replied, "Herding cattle, three hours every morning and afternoon."
The job of herding cattle in the Qinghe Village production team had always been done by the Ma family’s third uncle, but he was getting old, and his legs were not as swift. Rain or shine, he had to go out every day without rest, and the third uncle’s health couldn’t keep up. Recently, his grandson Mao Mao had been herding for him.
Now that school has started, Mao Mao has to attend classes and doesn’t have time to herd cattle.
In the last few days, the third uncle’s son, Ma Wu, had been herding the cattle, but since herding earns fewer work points, Ma Wu, who could earn ten points a day, only earned six, and the Ma family wasn’t happy about it.
The village leader had been considering whether to replace him for the job.
It was like a pillow was needed, and it was just given.
The village leader wanted to help Ma Xiangdong.
After all, he lost a leg fighting to protect his country. A hero like him would be cared for by the whole village, no matter where.
Therefore, the village leader decided to give the easier task of herding cattle to Ma Xiangdong.
Ma Xiangdong also thought that given his situation, herding would be fine.
Although it would be inconvenient for a disabled person to go out in windy or rainy weather, it was better than being idle at home.
Ma Xiangdong agreed right away.
So, the village leader took Ma Xiangdong and Yuan Chun to visit the third uncle.
When the third uncle learned that Ma Xiangdong was taking over his job, he was very pleased and held Ma Xiangdong’s hand, advising, "Xiang Dong, those two cattle are the greatest assets of our production team. You must take good care of them as if they were your own children, and don’t let them get thin."
"Third uncle, rest assured, I will definitely keep the two cattle well-fed."
So, Ma Xiangdong became a cattle herder.
However, when the weather was fine, Ma Xiangdong would herd the cattle, but on rainy days, the mountain roads were slippery, and Yuan Chun did not feel comfortable letting Ma Xiangdong go out, so Ma Laoer would step in to herd the cattle for him.
Seeing that Ma Xiangdong couldn’t stay idle at home, Yuan Chun went up the mountain, cut down a lot of bamboo, and specially spent twenty yuan to buy a set of bamboo knives. She taught Ma Xiangdong hand-in-hand how to make bamboo baskets, bamboo mats, dustpans, bamboo chairs, bamboo benches, bamboo cabinets...
Whatever daily item could be made from bamboo, Yuan Chun taught him by hand.
Yuan Chun also gave him a bamboo crafts book, so he could learn and study on his own.
With nimble hands, Ma Xiangdong learned quickly, and soon he was able to make bamboo benches, dustpans, bamboo mats on his own.
Gradually, their home was filled with more and more bamboo crafts.
Villagers who often visited the Ma family saw that Ma Xiangdong’s bamboo crafts were of good quality and were willing to buy them.
As a result, Ma Xiangdong, through this craft, was able to earn more than ten yuan a month.
Since the bamboo crafts became a source of income, Ma Xiangdong’s smile increased, he started talking more, and he actively communicated with Yuan Chun about the crafting methods.
Conversations between mother and son increased.
The relationship between mother and son grew deeper.
Because the bamboo on the mountains didn’t cost anything, the bamboo products were sold cheaply. Most of Ma Xiangdong’s bamboo crafts were bought by villagers, and a few were sold to young people who volunteered from the city.
Seeing that Ma Xiangdong was making money with bamboo crafts, many villagers wanted to learn the craft.
But when they actually went up the mountain, cut down bamboo, and tried it themselves, they found that making bamboo crafts was not as easy as it looked; it was quite complicated.
So those who wanted to learn and make money from bamboo crafts gave up.
Ma Laoer also wanted to learn this craft, but he didn’t have enough patience. After practicing for a few days, with his hands cut in many places, he gave up, angering Wang Cui, who pulled his ear and scolded him severely.
