Chapter 277: Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way
Translator: EndLessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Su Xueye was running fast, so he took a deep breath and said, “Grandpa is fine. He just told me to get something. He said he left his bag of wooden nails at home.”
Madam Zhou said, “I’ll look around the house for them,” as if she thought of something, she said, “Oh, your aunt is here. Say hi.”
“Aunt Binglan?” Su Xueye’s eyes lit up.
At that moment, Su Binglan went to the courtyard, and Madam Zhou said, “Xueye has been working hard as a carpenter for his grandfather since he was a child. In that aspect, he’s better than his father and two uncles.
“Xueye especially likes the blueprints you drew and copied them several times.
He even said he wanted to learn from you.”
Su Xueye said shyly, “Yes, Aunt Binglan.”
Although he was the same age as Su Binglan, he still called Su Binglan “aunt,” according to seniority.
Su Binglan’s expression changed when she heard Madam Zhou’s words. She looked at Su Xueye and asked, “Did you understand the blueprints I drew?”
Su Xueye nodded and said, “Yes, I understood them well. The ones you drew were amazing and very detailed. I studied and copied a few of them. I’ll bring them out to show you, Aunt Binglan.”
He exited the inner room as he spoke with the drawings in hand.
Su Binglan took the drawings and took a closer look. Her eyes lit up as she said in admiration, “You drew these yourself?”
Su Xueye scratched the back of his head in embarrassment, saying, “Yes, I drew them according to your blueprints. You’re not mad at me, right, Aunt Binglan?”
Su Binglan said gently, “Why would I be? You drew them according to mine very well, and they look excellent. That means you’re talented. I can teach you more if you’re willing to learn.”
She thought that perhaps Su Xueye could become a master architect in that era. It was excellent for people to have passions and be willing to learn. Only then would they work hard for their dreams.
She believed one would always gain something if one worked hard for something persistently.
“R-Really?!” Su Xueye could not believe what he heard. He wondered if his aunt was genuinely willing to teach him how to draw.
Anyone would be amazed if they saw Su Binglan’s blueprints, and Su Zhengde would not allow others to look at them so casually. As Su Zhengde’s grandson, Su Xueye was learning by his grandfather’s side, so he would often look at the blueprints.
Su Xueye knew those blueprints were precious. He wanted to learn but was too embarrassed to ask Su Binglan, so he could only fumble around and learn independently. He studied and copied her blueprints constantly every day.
Su Binglan looked at Su Xueye’s adorable appearance and could not help but laugh. She wanted to reach out and pat his head.
Although Su Xueye was the same age as her, Su Binglan had an ancient soul, and she treated Su Xueye like a child. However, she realized Su Xueye was taller than her when she reached for his head, so she retracted her hand.
Su Binglan nodded and said thoughtfully, “Of course, I will! I’m willing to teach you if you’re willing to learn. Perhaps you’ll have some achievements in architecture in the future.”
Su Xueye’s blood started boiling when he heard Su Binglan’s words. “I will study hard, Aunt Binglan!”
Madam Zhou also became excited when she saw the two’s interactions. She did not expect Su Binglan to be so willing to teach. Previously, Madam Zhou wanted to tell Su Binglan about this but thought that Su Binglan had already helped her family a lot. Therefore, she felt too embarrassed to trouble Su Binglan.
This time, it was just a coincidence, and she did not expect Su Binglan to agree. After all, designing blueprints was a skill; most would not share such things with outsiders.
Of course, Madam Zhou hoped her grandson would learn more valuable skills, so she could not be happier. She said, “It’s warmer inside the house, Binglan. Come inside. Xueye, don’t stand in the courtyard and come in with your aunt while I go prepare some tea.”
Su Binglan said, “I have nothing much to do this morning, so I can teach you now.”
“Thank you, Aunt Binglan!”
“Don’t mention it. It’s great that you’re willing to learn. I know you can draw your own designs in the future to build houses for people.”
Su Xueye did not think that far ahead initially, but after hearing what Su Binglan said, it seemed that learning to draw was significant. ‘i l will study hard, Aunt Binglan.”
“Perfect!” Su Binglan noticed how enthusiastic Su Xueye was to learn. It was good that he felt motivated.
Soon after, she and Su Xueye sat at a table as Su Binglan took a pen and a ruler. Then she started teaching Su Xueye. “I’ll teach you Arabic numerals first. Then it’ll be easier for you to calculate distances and such.
“Also, this one is the length, and this is the width. We must reduce the scale when drawing a blueprint. That’s the scale, and this is the buildings structural line, which is also a dotted line. That one is a three-dimensional aerial view.”
Su Binglan explained several fundamental things to Su Xueye. He was talented in that aspect, as he could understand Su Binglan’s detailed explanation. The more he listened, the more excited he became.
Su Binglan was very willing to teach intelligent students.
“So, that’s called a scale? Right.” Su Xueye had learned carpentry from his grandfather when he was only a few years old.
Since Su Xueye was his father’s eldest son and Su Zhengde’s eldest grandson, Su Zhengde liked bringing him wherever he went. At that time, Su Zhengde built houses for people while Su Xueye played beside him.
Su Xueye learned a lot as time passed, and Su Zhengde noticed how smart Su
Xueye was, so he began teaching him at a young age. Later, Madam Zhou sent Su Xueye to a private school.
Since Su Zhengde was a carpenter and his family was well-off, he was willing to pay for Su Xueye to attend school. However, after studying for a few years and not liking what he was learning, Su Xueye discovered he enjoyed drawing.
Therefore, he wanted to quit school. Fortunately, Su Zhengde and Madam Zhou respected his decision because they knew their grandson could support himself as a carpenter.
Still, it was beneficial for Su Xueye to go to school since he learned things faster than his father and two uncles.
Su Binglan looked at Su Xueye’s curious expression and told him more, “When we draw hills, for example, we can also draw them as dotted lines. This is the contour line, and this is the relative height. That’s how you shrink a hill to fit a blueprint.
“The blueprint I drew is a plan, a top-down view, a detailed internal structure, and a detailed indication of the size. With that, the person building the house will know the exact measurements and visualize everything.”
Su Xueye took a piece of paper and wrote notes of Su Binglan’s explanations. Of course, he also memorized them in his mind.
“You’re amazing, Aunty Binglan!” He looked at Su Binglan with admiration.
“When I studied in private school, I easily got sleepy from the teacher’s lessons. However, I felt I hadn’t had enough when you taught me. I can still keep drawing too.”
Su Binglan looked at Su Xueye encouragingly and said, “You can also design your own things with what I’ve taught you. You can write and draw what you understood from my explanation. Perhaps, you can even turn them into a book in the future.”
Su Xueye’s blood boiled again. “I can write a book too?!”
“Where there’s a will, there’s a way. You can ask me anything if there’s anything you don’t understand. I’ll also find some time to teach you more..”
