Free Web NovelChapter 431: Chapter 227: Laixi
Even in the height of summer, farm families were always busy. Before the rice ripened, there was a constant stream of odd jobs to tend the crops, like weeding the shanyu and corn or working in the vegetable gardens. There was never an idle moment.
One day, Laixi came to visit, bringing his aunt a basket of vibrant red peaches and a smaller one filled with golden-yellow apricots. He explained that a merchant passing through Xiatang Market had unloaded some to sell, but only the wealthy families in town bought any. With so many left over, the merchant couldn’t be bothered to haul them back onto his boat and dropped the price, so Laixi bought a large batch.
Juhua was sitting by the door with Liu Xiaomei, doing some needlework and chatting idly.
Mei had come to give Juhua some cushions. Her second brother wove all sorts of them from wheat straw. They were cool to sit on in the summer and kept you from getting a cold bottom in the winter—simple yet practical household items.
She knew Juhua liked such things, so she brought several over for her.
Juhua was delighted, just as she’d expected. She picked up one of the exquisite, smooth cushions, stroking it in her hands and praising it endlessly.
In truth, most villagers knew how to weave these things, much like how they made their own straw sandals. They were everyday household necessities, and making them yourself saved you the money of having to buy them.
However, there was a huge gap between simply being able to weave and weaving well; the level of craftsmanship varied wildly from person to person. Most people weren’t very particular—as long as an item was functional, it was good enough. It wasn’t like they were making them to sell. Besides, even if they were woven well enough to be sold, who would actually spend money on such a thing? That would be far too extravagant.
Juhua, however, said to Liu Xiaomei, "You should tell your second brother to weave more little things, like exquisite small baskets, fans, and hats, or even book boxes and pen holders for scholars. After all, the materials don’t cost anything—it just takes time and effort. As long as he can imagine it, he should try to make his creations as delicate and intricate as possible. It could become a way to earn money in the future. If his work is good, villagers might not buy it, but city folks certainly would. And since they’re made of wheat straw, as long as you don’t price them too high, people will be willing to spend the money."
Liu Xiaomei nodded. "Well, my second brother never lets his hands stay idle these days. When he has a spare moment, he’s either weaving bamboo wares or making things like this. He’s getting more and more skilled at it."
As the two of them were talking, Laixi arrived. Seeing the vibrant peaches and apricots he brought, they both gulped.
Juhua stood up with a smile and said to Laixi, "Cousin Laixi, what a rare sight! It’s been so long. And to think you’d bring such delicious treats. With you here, who’s minding the shop? Isn’t Uncle working at home today?"
As she spoke, she grabbed a small stool and gestured for him to sit.
Laixi still had that charming smile. It was a wonder who he took after; even after the busy farming season, the sun hadn’t darkened his skin at all. He was still very fair.
Hearing all her questions, he sat down with a wide grin and answered at a leisurely pace, "My dad came to the shop today, which freed me up to bring you these peaches and apricots. Juhua, your cousin doesn’t visit often, so you have to cook me something good for lunch. I’m all alone watching the shop at the market, and I can’t cook, so I just scrape by for every meal. Sigh! Life was so much better when Auntie was selling pork offal. I used to eat two huge bowls at every meal back then!"
Hearing this, Liu Xiaomei couldn’t help but let out a snort of laughter. When she saw Laixi glance over, she quickly turned away to hide it, but she couldn’t stifle her giggles. ’This guy looks so fair-skinned and refined, but he sounds so pitiful when he talks, like a complete glutton!’
Juhua laughed as well, promising she would indeed cook him a good lunch. Then, she introduced Liu Xiaomei as Liu Ershun’s younger sister. Laixi knew Liu Ershun, of course, since he often delivered bamboo wares to sell at his shop.
Laixi looked at Liu Xiaomei, thinking to himself, ’She really does look like her brother. But Liu Ershun’s round face is much more endearing on his sister. The girl’s face is as round and rosy as the peaches I brought, so fresh you want to take a bite. And she has such a delicate, cute figure, too.’
As he stood there grinning and comparing her to her brother Liu Ershun, he inevitably stared a little too long. This made Liu Xiaomei very uncomfortable, and she reflexively shot the greedy fellow a glare.
Laixi finally realized he’d been staring at the girl and felt incredibly tactless. He coughed in embarrassment and said, "Your brother’s bamboo wares have sold pretty well. I was getting ready to settle the accounts with him. Why don’t you have him come to the market tomorrow? I can give him the money from the sales then."
Upon hearing this, Liu Xiaomei immediately forgot her earlier annoyance. "Really?" she asked, pleasantly surprised. "Have a lot of people been buying the bamboo wares my second brother wove?"
