Chapter 6: Livelihood (Part 2)

Perhaps others think that selling a wooden puppy for one hundred yuan is too expensive, but to be fair, Su Mu feels that this is simply a bargain. Due to her family background, Su Mu has seen many renowned carvings since childhood. She believes that the craftsmanship of this wooden puppy is no less than that of those masters, and with an added touch of childlike charm and creativity, it becomes even more remarkable

Jiang Shuai and Lin Qiang quickly nodded, acknowledging that the items created by Xie Lang truly combined art and craftsmanship. If it were up to them, they would also be willing to spend money to purchase one or two pieces.

"This makes no sense..." the fat man said in a low voice, "These good things, it is unreasonable for them not to come and snatch them up"

Transforming the decay into the miraculous!" the stout man exclaimed, his face filled with admiration

Hello, live hand carving... exquisite handmade artworks for sale, even if you don't buy, come and take a look!

"If you are willing to sell, I will immediately offer 100," the fat man said without hesitation. However, he soon felt that his words seemed a bit like taking advantage of the situation, and he awkwardly explained, "I mean, if I were a buyer."

A piece of familiar cloth, on which are placed more than ten small trinkets made by Xie Lang

As Xie Lang lamented the future fate of the small toys he had once crafted by hand, the fat man’s attention remained fixated on Xie Lang's wooden box. It is truly not a matter of comparing people, but rather of comparing goods that brings about discontent. The fat man felt utterly aggrieved, as he believed that the leather suitcase with a combination lock, which he had purchased for nearly 1,000 yuan, was utterly superficial when compared to Xie Lang's wooden box. It is truly not a matter of comparing people, but rather of comparing goods that brings about discontent. The fat man felt utterly aggrieved, as he believed that the leather suitcase with a combination lock, which he had purchased for nearly 1,000 yuan, was utterly superficial when compared to Xie Lang's wooden box.

Indeed, if it were me, I would also spend money to buy these items. Jiang Shuai was puzzled as well, and after pondering for a moment, he suddenly said: "I understand now; others must think that these small items of Xie Lang's were sourced from a wholesale market, lacking any distinctive features. After all, the rest of the people do not know that these items are purely handmade crafts"

The three overweight individuals stared in astonishment, each secretly thinking: "Goodness, this old box actually has hidden depths; the spatial structure inside the box is simply comparable to the high-tech code boxes used by CIA agents in the movies."

There is an old saying among country folk that goes, "Learn a trade, and you will have an extra means of livelihood." Xie Lang indeed agrees with this sentiment, which is why he has learned quite a number of skills. Although he has not mastered all three hundred sixty trades, he has certainly acquired around seventy or eighty. However, despite having learned many skills, Xie Lang has never had a formal master.

"Xie Lang, it seems that I, Wu Feifan, have no choice but to admire you." The words from the fat man were nothing but admiration.

On the afternoon of the second day, the military training was suspended, and the new students were granted a rare half-day of leisure

"Right at the entrance of the cafeteria, a student made this. It seems to be a poor rural student, but based on this craftsmanship, I believe that even those in our department who study sculpture cannot compare to him. Moreover, the price is quite reasonable, only 100 yuan each. If I hadn't brought so little money, I would have really wanted to buy the rest as well," Lu Hui said. It turns out that both she and Su Mu are from the Fine Arts Department, so they have a greater appreciation for art than others, feeling that 100 yuan for a small dog is very cheap. "If I hadn't brought so little money, I would have really wanted to buy the rest as well," Lu Hui said. It turns out that both she and Su Mu are from the Fine Arts Department, so they have a greater appreciation for art than others, feeling that 100 yuan for a small dog is very cheap.

Snap

"So cute! Where did you buy it?" Su Mu also touched the little dog's head with her finger

However, both the overweight individual and Jiang Shuai come from well-off families, having never had to worry about food and clothing since birth. They never considered how to make a living. As for Lin Qiang, although his family background is not as affluent as that of the overweight individual and Jiang Shuai, it is still relatively decent. Therefore, the three of them did not come up with any ideas at that moment.

Can this thing really sell for one hundred?" Xie Lang seemed somewhat skeptical

The fat man originally thought that the intricately carved parts would take more time, but he was completely mistaken, as Xie Lang only took five minutes to present the dragon's claws, scales, whiskers, and so on. In no time, a wooden dragon was displayed before everyone.

"Fatty, I know you like this wooden chicken alarm clock, so I will give it to you as a reward for your help with the ideas," Xie Lang said generously. If Fatty's proposal is feasible, it would indeed help him find a way to make a living in the future. Originally, Xie Lang planned to look for work everywhere after the military training ended, as he had plenty of skills. For instance, he was basically competent in tasks such as repairing furniture, mending shoes, and fixing houses.

Finally, during dinner that day, the three people in the dormitory discovered Xie Lang's predicament. At dinner, Xie Lang surprisingly only ate a single steamed bun. Of course, over the past few days, Xie Lang had eaten steamed buns quite frequently, but the other three had simply not noticed.

Inventory and materials are available at https://m.hetushu.com. Xie Lang took his wooden box out of the cabinet and placed it on the desk

These are all works by classmate Xie Lang, everyone take a look, they are pure handmade artworks, how wonderful it would be to buy one to take home as decoration and a toy! Lin Qiang seized the opportunity to start soliciting business, then began to fiddle with those movable small toys

I only have this one suitcase, so of course, everything is packed inside it. "" Xie Lang did not understand the meaning behind Lin Qiang's words and turned the finger-sized brass buckle on the side of the wooden box with his hand.

Indeed, others will surely think that this is substandard goods sourced from the wholesale market of lotus ponds. The fat man said, pounding his chest and stamping his feet, "Why didn't I think of this earlier? By the way, Xie Lang, why don't you just go back to the dormitory and bring your belongings over for a live demonstration? They will definitely be interested."

Among the crowd of onlookers, someone remarked that they had roughly discerned what Xie Lang intended to carve, and the number of spectators was increasing.

Xie Lang felt a warmth in his heart; his three roommates not only did not reject him for being a country bumpkin, but instead showed such loyalty to him, which truly moved him. However, Xie Lang had his own principles; he would not accept help from others without reason. He said to the three of them: "I know you three are good brothers, but university life has just begun. I can't always rely on you for support, can I? Difficulties must be faced and resolved on my own. If it weren't for the tight schedule of military training, I would have already gone out to work and earn money; my skills are actually quite good. If you three really want to help me, it would be better to think of ways for me to make money."

The military training has already been a week since it ended

Xie Lang had previously made toys for the children in the mountains, but they were all free. He never considered that these small items could be a source of income. Moreover, the people in the mountains barely have enough money for food and clothing, so where would they find money to buy toys for their children? The only way Xie Lang could earn money was by frequently catching some birds and animals, which could still fetch a little money in the county town

Xie Lang took out quite a few trinkets, including a set of the twelve zodiac animals, as well as items like beetles and dragonflies. However, there was not a single duplicate among them. In fact, many of these items were toys that Xie Lang had made himself during his childhood. Initially, he intended to keep them for himself, but considering the current livelihood issues, these items, along with the books, had to be passed on to new owners.

However, this indeed had an effect, as quite a number of people gathered around Xie Lang's stall, and some students were holding lunch boxes, eating while enjoying Xie Lang's performance

"It takes two days to produce one, so how much inventory do you have, and what about the materials?" Jiang Shuai inquired, as he was considering the matter quite thoroughly

The copper clasp seemed to trigger some mechanism, and the entire wooden box suddenly and systematically "extended" itself, forming a seven-tiered shelf. Indeed, after unfolding, this box appeared to be a shelf for goods. The shelves inside were forged from black steel, yet they appeared to possess excellent resilience, with each tier filled to capacity.

"Hey, why do you put everything in this wooden box?" Lin Qiang, who lived in the upper bunk of Xie Lang, noticed that Xie Lang seemed to put anything and everything into this box—clothes, books, tools... In short, a lot of things. He truly found it hard to imagine how so many items could fit into one box.

The stout man, Jiang Shuai, and Lin Qiang are indeed loyal, sitting together with Xie Lang on the grass waiting for the buyer

"Xie Lang, are you only having a steamed bun for dinner tonight?" Lin Qiang asked, feeling that something was amiss

However, for Xie Lang, this was not a time to steal a moment of leisure. Without even having time for lunch, Xie Lang set up a small stall under a large tree at the entrance of the school cafeteria, following the suggestion of the chubby guy

"What idea?" The other three stared at the fat man in unison

Su Mu rinsed her hair in the dormitory, so she arrived a bit late for dinner today. On her way, she ran into Lu Hui, who is in the same dormitory.

The fine wood shavings floated continuously in the air, while Xie Lang methodically whittled the branch in his hand, displaying no flamboyant movements and not a trace of affectation, only a demeanor of earnestness.

Regardless of what he is working on, from the very beginning, Xie Lang approaches it with utmost seriousness, as he is deeply invested in it himself. Even a decayed branch is treated by him as if it were a great masterpiece to be completed

Indeed, Xie Lang, you have gone a bit too far this time. Since we are all brothers, let's not stand on ceremony with each other. How about this: from now on, the three of us brothers will take turns covering your meal expenses.

"Lu Hui, what do you have in your hand?" Su Mu glanced at the wooden dog in Lu Hui's hand, surprised by the craftsmanship, "Where did you buy this? The design and carving are really impressive; it's a fine piece."

"By the way, Xie Lang, how much time would it take you to make something like this?" Jiang Shuai inquired, as he began to pay attention to Xie Lang's efficiency in creating things.

For Xie Lang, the arduous training during military training is actually nothing at all; the key issue is that the torment of hunger is somewhat unbearable. The few dozen yuan he had on him has finally been exhausted, even though Xie Lang has tried his best to be frugal

Turn left thirty degrees ... ... turn right sixty degrees, isn't this a password? The fat man finally opened the wooden box under Xie Lang's prompt

Generally speaking, fame can be burdensome, and it is quite difficult for renowned individuals to maintain a sense of normalcy, which often leads their works to exhibit a certain flamboyance and arrogance. In contrast, Su Mu prefers things that possess a sense of childlike wonder.

"Isn't it? This item is a purely handcrafted artifact, and this little dog can even bark!" Lu Hui said happily, then cradled the small wooden dog in her palm and gently patted it a few times. The little dog indeed let out a "Woof woof!" sound, and even stuck out its tongue, playful and adorable.

A round of applause and cheers erupted from the crowd; although Xie Lang was not particularly handsome, his skills undoubtedly earned the admiration of everyone.

"It's nothing, I'm not hungry anyway," Xie Lang replied, but his tone was clearly somewhat forced

"There is no password; it's merely a small mechanism. You need to turn the copper button thirty degrees to the left, then rotate it sixty degrees to the right, and gently pull it outward. That should do it," explained Xie Lang.

Xie Lang took out the small trinkets he had made in the past from the shelf, and then the shelf was compressed and overlapped again, returning to the somewhat old wooden box it had been before

The fat man touched the copper clasp on the side of the wooden box, just like Xie Lang did, but unfortunately, there was no response. The fat man jokingly asked, "Xie Lang, how do you open this wooden box? Does it have a password or something?"

Originally, the small items made by Xie Lang were quite exquisite. According to the thoughts of the chubby man, they would surely be snatched up immediately. However, the reality was unexpected; only a few people noticed these items, and even fewer inquired about their prices.

This time it has indeed worked, as students around have started to gradually take out money to make purchases

After more than ten minutes, the prototype of the dragon has emerged, and what is needed now is meticulous refinement

Oh dear, I must hurry over there to see if I can still buy one or two good items Su Mu hurriedly ran towards the cafeteria

For a clock like this, the carving does not take much time; however, the internal structure is somewhat complex, so it will take about two days.

However, upon Lin Qiang's inquiry, both Pangzi and Jiang Shuai sensed that something was amiss. After a series of pressing questions, Xie Lang had no choice but to reveal the truth

The stout man helped Xie Lang with great effort, even going so far as to shout at the top of his lungs.

"Hey, you really are too ungrateful. What do you think we three brothers are?" the chubby one said indignantly, "Isn't it just a bit of money for food? When you were short on cash, didn't you just come to us for a meal? Do you really think we are all stingy?"

The fat man pointed to the wooden chicken on the desk and said, "Isn't Xie Lang good at making these small items? Why not make a few more, and then we can take them to the school where there are a lot of people and sell them? There will definitely be a market. Not to mention anything else, just this wooden chicken alarm clock, if I were to buy it, I would be willing to spend one hundred."

Although Xie Lang was naturally simple-minded, he was not foolish; he immediately understood the fat man's intention and said, "If we are to perform on the spot, there is no need to go back for props. I carry a small knife with me and can carve out some small items."

As he spoke, Xie Lang took out a copper tube measuring over two inches in length from his pocket. With a gentle shake, a knife tip about an inch long emerged from the tube, appearing quite suitable for carving

Then, Xie Lang bent down to pick up a rotten branch from the ground. After examining it briefly, he had an idea in mind and began to take action.

However, it is not only Xie Lang who sets up a stall here; after all, the school cafeteria is the place with the highest foot traffic. Many students sell their old books, second-hand computers, and even used clothes here.

It is better to teach a person to fish than to give them a fish; this principle is certainly understood by the three fat men as well

At that moment, the stout man glanced at the wooden chicken on the desk, his eyes suddenly brightened, and he said, "I have an idea"

Fortunately, the stout man was merely astonished by the peculiar structure inside the box and did not delve deeper with further questions, such as why such a box could hold so many items. Since the stout man did not ask, Xie Lang did not take the initiative to explain, and he himself was unsure how to clarify to the stout man, as some matters are beyond the comprehension of ordinary people

It is a dragon!