Chapter 85

No matter what object, the ability to see the big picture from small details often tests one's skill. Whether it's nuclear carving, seals, or fan paintings, it's all the same. Those who can engrave on bamboo tubes are undoubtedly masters of high skill.

Such a master, after retiring, chose to re-engage in work rather than idle at home, which is quite inspiring.

Qixiang felt a greater sense of respect and had more confidence in this trip.

At this moment, Mr. Wu was drinking tea and casually asked, "By the way, cousin, who came to see Grandpa, and what did they want to make?"

Mr. Wu's cousin's expression suddenly became a bit strange as he truthfully replied, "It was a very pretty girl. She asked Grandpa to help make a set of mahjong tiles."

"Mahjong?" Mr. Wu was taken aback, somewhat surprised.

"Yes," the cousin nodded. "Bamboo mahjong tiles, with portraits engraved on the tiles, requiring very fine detail. Grandpa estimated that it would take at least one or two months to complete the job."

"That's not bad," Mr. Wu said happily. "Slow work produces fine results, and the longer it takes, the more the compensation will be."

"That pretty girl was very generous," the cousin smiled. "She gave a deposit of 100,000 yuan, and when the mahjong tiles are done, she will pay another 200,000, a total of 300,000 yuan!"

"Tsk!"

Mr. Wu was instantly amazed, "300,000 yuan?"

"Yes, 300,000 yuan, she offered the price herself," the cousin also felt deeply moved. "We could tell that the girl was definitely a naive, wealthy beauty who didn't understand market prices."

"300,000 yuan, not to mention bamboo mahjong tiles, even gold-inlaid ones could be custom-made."

The cousin shook his head but was very happy, "This can be considered unexpected wealth, and there's no reason to refuse it. So, after our persuasion, Grandpa agreed."

"Agreed, definitely agreed," Mr. Wu nodded. "Such a good opportunity doesn't come around often, why refuse? Although the job is a bit complicated, it's not a problem for Grandpa."

"Right, Grandpa thought the same," the cousin agreed. "So he took the pretty girl to the mountain to select materials. Since she paid enough, he can't just do it carelessly..."

"Of course, of course," Mr. Wu understood very well.

He thought for a moment and realized that even if the girl wasn't short of money, they couldn't take her for granted. People who aren't short of money, especially rich second-generation, are used to high-end things and have high standards.

If the mahjong tiles are made well and meet the expected standards, the girl won't be stingy with money. On the contrary, if a rough set is presented, hoping she would be satisfied, it would be a joke.

A penny for a penny, that's fair and reasonable.

"Then, for the next period, Grandpa will be quite busy."

Suddenly, Mr. Wu frowned and couldn't help but look at Qixiang.

"Definitely busy," the cousin was also quick-witted and read the situation. "Big brother, did you come here for something to ask Grandpa to help with?"

"This..." Mr. Wu hesitated but didn't hide it, pointing to Qixiang. "Cousin, you're right, I did come here for something. But it's not my own matter, it's his..."

"He's my friend, entrusted to custom-make a pen!"

Mr. Wu explained, "The pen has some special requirements, so I brought him here. I didn't expect such an unfortunate coincidence..."

"Custom-made pen?" The cousin was stunned. "That's simple, you can find a craftsman in the factory to do it, why bother Grandpa?"

"I think so too," Mr. Wu turned and said, "Xiao Qi, what do you think about this..."

Qixiang's brows furrowed, and before he could answer, a thunderclap suddenly sounded.

"Boom!"

Thunder and lightning, the weather changed.

It was still a clear day, but in a moment, the sky was covered with dark clouds, and lightning flashed like snakes.

The thunderclap was followed by large raindrops that quietly fell.

The rain fell on the roof, and the raindrops hit the banana leaves outside the door, like a general's command.

"The weather in June, like a child's face, changes in a moment..."

Mr. Wu was stunned, completely forgetting what he wanted to say. After shivering from the thunder, he suddenly exclaimed, "Cousin, Grandpa and the others are still on the mountain, did they bring an umbrella?"

"Rushed out, how could they bring an umbrella," the cousin shook his head calmly. "No problem, there are many bamboo groves on the mountain. Grandpa has more experience than us, and as long as he goes into the bamboo grove, he won't get wet."

"You're stupid!" Mr. Wu scolded, frustrated. "If it was just Grandpa, it wouldn't matter. But he's also with a guest. Do you want the guest to get wet?"

"Ah..." The cousin suddenly realized, "Right, that pretty girl looks very delicate, she can't get wet and catch a cold, it would be very troublesome."

"What are you standing there for, go get an umbrella and find them on the mountain," Mr. Wu shouted. Although he didn't understand any crafts, he was much better at human relations than his cousin.

Under his scolding, the cousin came to his senses and hurriedly ran back to the house to find an umbrella.

"Big brother, I'm going out."

A moment later, the cousin came out with seven or eight large umbrellas and raincoats under his arm. He said goodbye and was about to rush into the rain when Mr. Wu stopped him.

"Wait, I'll go too," Mr. Wu said, "You have so many things, you might drop them, I'll help..."

"Oh," the cousin quickly handed half of the umbrellas to Mr. Wu, making it much easier.

"Let's go..." Mr. Wu held the umbrella and walked into the rain, then thought of Qixiang and stopped, hesitating, "Xiao Qi, why don't you come with us? We can look out for each other."

Leaving a stranger at home was somewhat unsafe.

Qixiang understood Mr. Wu's concerns and smiled, not refusing, "Sure."

A moment later, the three of them, holding umbrellas, left the house.

At this time, the rain was pouring, and white mist enveloped the mountains. In the misty rain, the green mountains and clear waters were faintly visible, very ethereal, like a fairyland.

Qixiang followed the two, step by step, through a sparse bamboo grove.

The continuous rain, blocked by the bamboo grove, slowed down and turned into a light drizzle. As they walked, only the hems of their pants were damp, but their clothes remained dry and clean.

On the mountain, Mr. Wu asked, "Cousin, which way did Grandpa go?"

The village was surrounded by vast mountains and bamboo forests. If outsiders came here without knowing the terrain, they could easily get lost. Mr. Wu had once suffered from this and definitely didn't dare to give random directions.

The cousin thought for a moment and smiled, "I think Grandpa took them to Laozu Mountain."

"Laozu Mountain?" Mr. Wu's eyes twinkled, and he nodded, "That makes sense. The quality of the bamboo on Laozu Mountain is the best in the hundred-mile bamboo forest."

"Yes," the cousin sighed, "Unfortunately, most of the bamboo on Laozu Mountain is old and not suitable for use, and there are fewer young bamboo."

"Well, whenever new bamboo is found, it's probably cut down first," Mr. Wu said with a sidelong glance. "You're killing the chicken to get the eggs and then complaining that the chicken doesn't lay more eggs."

"Ha ha..." The cousin didn't say more and immediately led the way.

After passing several hills, following the cousin's indication, Qixiang also saw Laozu Mountain.

Laozu Mountain was not very high, slightly elevated from the flat ground, looking like a large bun from a distance. On the mountain, bamboo groves crisscrossed, the branches intertwined like mountain vines, forming a complex network.

As they got closer, Qixiang noticed that the bamboo on the mountain, the trunks, branches, and leaves, were all dark yellow, and the internodes were very close together, forming a rugged and rough shape, indeed unsuitable for use.

The quality of old bamboo is relatively dry and lacks flexibility, and it is prone to cracking, making it unsuitable for making crafts. However, when old bamboo sprouts new branches, the quality of the new branches is better than that of ordinary bamboo.

That's why Mr. Wu's uncle brought people here to select materials.

However, Laozu Mountain was quite vast, and the intertwined old bamboo covered the entire mountain. It was difficult for the three of them to determine where the group was hiding to avoid the rain.

The cousin suddenly shouted, "Grandpa..."

"Boom!"

No one responded, but a huge lightning bolt flashed across the sky, and a thunderclap echoed, as if the heavens and earth were shaking, making everyone's hearts tremble and their bodies shrink.

The cousin was scared and didn't dare to shout anymore, his face pale. After the lightning passed, he whispered, "Why don't we go into the mountain to look for them?"

"Let's look," Mr. Wu had no objections, and Qixiang didn't oppose either.

The three of them climbed the mountain and entered the dense bamboo forest.

At this moment, Qixiang's brows twitched, suddenly sensing something unusual. He looked around and saw that the bamboo forest was a dense network of branches and roots, like a natural maze, with no clear way out.

However, the cousin was very familiar with the area and skillfully led the two along a narrow path, slowly entering the depths of the bamboo forest...

The deeper they went, the more intense the obscure aura became.

Qixiang focused his attention and found that the obscure aura was elusive, appearing and disappearing, like the path of the wind or the flow of water, hard to grasp precisely.

"This feeling, could it be?"

Qixiang's spiritual senses spread, extending into the air, trying to blend with the environment and uncover its secrets.

At this moment, his heart suddenly tightened, as if sensing some omen, causing the veins on his forehead to bulge, and cold sweat to pour down, making him feel uneasy...

In the strong push, please support by collecting and recommending. Thank you.

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