Chapter 323: The Value of Craftsmanship
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Madam Zhou could do that because there was a daily income. Whether it was Su Zhengde’s team or the furniture store, they made daily money. That was also for the food for the children at home.
Su Zhengde’s three sons were skilled, and his grandson was promising. Madam Zhou was not too worried and was willing to spend money to buy and make good food.
The food at home was delicious, and Madam Zhou’s three sons worked harder. Su Zhengde knew his three sons were straightforward and honest. However, they were not good with words and were only good at technical work.
However, Su Xueye’s team still needed to gain more maturity. That was why Su Zhengde wanted to focus on raising his eldest grandson to let him take over the family in the future.
Su Zhengde looked at his wife’s happy expression and smiled. “Don’t do everything alone. Let your three daughters-in-law help you cook.”
Madam Zhou heard Su Zhengde’s words and said, “It’s good that you know how to feel sorry for others now. You also smile more now. You were so serious in the past that the children feared you.”
Su Zhengde used to be a severe man and was the kind of person who did not smile or talk much. His three sons had been afraid of him since they were young.
However, Madam Zhou thought it was best that her husband liked to smile more now. Their children were also more willing to talk to him.
“Our three daughters-in-law are busy with the furniture store. There’s a new batch of furniture to be shipped out, so they went to check on it. They’ll be back for dinner in a while.”
The whole family was busy, so Madam Zhou felt more energized to cook. After a while, her three daughters-in-law returned and were thrilled to hear they would have dumplings that night.
“Why didn’t you call us, Mother-in-law? You’ll tire yourself out. We’ll help you.”
“Yes, let’s do it together.”
“I’ll go wash the vegetables. Oh, right, Mother-in-law, what kind of fillings are we making?”
The three daughters-in-law were happy when they heard they would eat dumplings and were looking forward to it. That was because dumplings were delicious.
The family could not eat dumplings on regular days either and would only eat them when their lives had improved. The trio walked briskly, and Madam Zhou was in a good mood. She said, “We’ll eat dumplings with radish and meat tonight. Old man, you go and dig up some radishes.”
“Yes, I’ll go right away.” “Someone, help me chop the meat.”
“Alright, Mother-in-law.”
“Someone else, help me knead the dough.”
Madam Zhou also got busy after giving orders.
After the family finished eating the dumplings and got ready to rest, Su Binglan and Su Wenxiu went to Madam Zhou’s house. Su Binglan had purposely gone at that time because she knew Madam Zhou would ask her to join them for dinner if she arrived early.
Su Binglan was too embarrassed to eat at other people’s houses, so she usually only came over after eating.
Seeing that Su Binglan had come, Madam Zhou’s face was full of smiles. “Oh my, Binglan is here. Why are you so late? We still have some dumplings left.
Come in and eat some.”
Madam Zhou made many dumplings, afraid the family would not have enough. However, she did not expect to have three extra plates of dumplings. She wanted to fry them in the pot for her grandson to eat the next day.
When Madam Zhou saw Su Binglan and Su Wenxiu, she quickly reheated the dumplings for them.
Madam Zhou pulled Su Binglan’s hand, and Su Binglan said softly, “Aunt Zhou, me and Wenxiu have just eaten. Our stomachs are still full, and we can’t eat anymore.”
“Hey, why did you eat at home? It would be the same if you ate here. This is still your familys, not someone else’s.”
Madam Zhou and Su Binglan were amiable. On the one hand, it was because Madam Zhou liked Su Binglan. On the other hand, she was grateful to this girl. If it were not for Su Binglan, Madam Zhou’s family would not have improved so drastically.
Moreover, Su Xueye was still learning from Su Binglan. That was more valuable than craftsmanship, and Madam Zhou did not know how to thank Su Binglan. So, she sincerely invited Su Binglan to eat.
Su Xueye’s eyes lit up when he saw Su Binglan. “Aunt Binglan!’ Su Xueye was drawing and quickly came out of the room.
“It’s already so late, but you’re still studying?” Su Binglan looked at the charcoal pen in Su Xueye’s hand and knew he was studying.
Su Xueye nodded thoughtfully. “Yes, I’ve already learned the drawing method you taught me. I draw every day. I’m also thinking about the style of the house that you mentioned, Aunt Binglan. I’ve already drawn it.”
Su Xueye studied very seriously. He would ponder over everything Su Binglan had taught him every day.
Su Binglan looked at the blueprint and sighed inwardly. Su Xueye was a genius
in this area. In time, he would become a master architect of this era.
“Not bad, you’ve improved.” Su Binglan nodded.
Su Xueye became very excited when Su Binglan praised him. “Aunt Binglan, I will continue to study hard.”
“Yes, studying is good, but I’m here today because I have something to tell you,” Su Binglan said.
Su Xueye’s eyes lit up when he heard that. “Aunt Binglan, are you going to build another shop?”
Although Su Binglan was the same age as Su Xueye, she did not feel uncomfortable whenever Su Xueye called her “aunt.”
Everyone in the village addressed each other according to seniority.
“Where did you hear that from?” Su Binglan laughed and asked.
“I heard from the villagers that you bought land between the town and the village,” Su Xueye said, embarrassed, “It’s those barren lands, right? There’s no way to grow food on those barren lands, so I’m guessing you’ll use it to build shops similar to the tofu factory.”
“Yeah,” Su Binglan said, “I’m planning to build an embroidery shop, and the shop design is ready. I’ve been designing the staff dormitory building over the past two days, but I want you to lead the construction team.”
Su Binglan made this arrangement because she believed in Su Xueye’s ability and wanted to help him build his reputation. That was because Su Zhengde would be the one who hired the team to do the work.
Su Xueye was too young, and no one trusted him. However, Su Binglan did not do that. Instead, she looked at one’s ability.
In the future, when people mentioned Su Xueye and heard that he had built something, they would believe he was capable. He was relieved that he was leading a team to work.
Besides, Su Xueye was slow to learn theoretical knowledge. He could only learn fundamental skills from practice. He felt touched. “Thank you for believing in me, Aunt Binglan.
“You don’t know this, but no one believed in me when I first led the team. Everyone was suspicious when I built the tofu factory for you, but they admitted I was capable after my team completed the building.
“Some people want me to build a house now, but I don’t take that many jobs. I think I should spend more time studying.”
Su Binglan nodded in praise, “That’s a good idea. You can’t just focus on building houses. You have to stop and learn.”
Madam Zhou was also surprised.. “Binglan, you’re planning to build an embroidery shop?”
