New ink fragrance in old times

Chapter 164 Don’t worry, just do it

Lin Xuebo looked up at Lin Mo, a complicated look flashed in his eyes, but he finally shook his head and said firmly: "No, learning carpentry requires a lot of time and energy, and I can't be distracted."

Lin Mo couldn't help feeling a sense of loss, but he didn't give up. Instead, he continued to look at Lin Xuebao with earnest eyes, hoping to impress him.

Seeing his son so excited all day, always circling around Lin Xuebo, Lin Xuejin couldn't help but feel a little jealous. He quietly pulled Han Suniang over and whispered:

"Look at Sanlang, this brat, he hangs around his uncle all day and doesn't even get close to me."

Han Suniang smiled and patted the back of Lin Xuejin's hand, saying gently, "Children are always curious about new things. Sandi's craftsmanship is good, so it's normal for Sanlang to want to learn. Don't take it too seriously. Think about it, didn't you always pester Uncle Tie to teach you how to identify herbs?"

Lin Xuejin was amused by Han Suniang's words, and the jealousy in his heart dissipated a lot. He smiled and said, "This brat is as stubborn as his father when he was a child."

Han Suniang also smiled. She looked at Lin Mo gently, her eyes full of understanding. She softly said to Lin Xuejin, "Since Sanlang wants to learn, let him learn. Learn more skills so that you won't starve yourself."

After hearing this, Lin Xuejin looked at Lin Mo who was pestering Lin Xuebao, thoughtfully.

Lin Xuebo finally grew impatient with Lin Mo's relentless pestering, but looking at Lin Mo's eager eyes, his heart softened. Sighing, Lin Xuebo finally nodded.

"Okay, Sanlang, I can teach you, but you have to promise me that no matter how difficult it is, you won't give up halfway."

When Lin Mo heard this, he was overjoyed and nodded repeatedly: "Yes, uncle, I definitely won't!"

Lin Xuebao: "You are still young, and what you can do is limited. I can teach you from the simplest beginning. Today I will help Uncle Chen carry the load, and you can watch from the side."

Lin Mo: "I understand, uncle."

Lin Xuebo handed Lin Mo a small wooden stick and said, "Start with this and learn to make a simple carrying pole. Remember, carpentry requires patience and carefulness, not impatience."

Lin Mo took the small wooden stick and listened carefully to Lin Xuebao's explanation of the steps of making the carrying pole.

Lin Xuebo: "Start with the simplest steps: peeling the bark, polishing it, making it pointy at the ends and thin in the middle. This is the first step in making a carrying pole."

Lin Mo took the wooden stick and began to operate it carefully. Although his movements were clumsy, his seriousness made Lin Xuebao quite satisfied.

"Uncle, is this right?" Lin Mo looked up and asked from time to time, fearing that he had done something wrong.

"Good, do a good job and don't be careless at any step." Lin Xuebao instructed patiently.

Lin Mo felt very happy when he heard Lin Xuebao's praise.

The sunlight shines through the sparse clouds and onto the winding country road, adding a bit of warmth to this quiet afternoon.

Lin Xuebao walked briskly down the road, carrying the carrying pole he had just carefully crafted for Old Man Chen. The pole was made of fine materials and meticulously crafted, each part revealing the craftsman's meticulous attention to detail and craftsmanship.

"Hey, Chuanzi, you did a great job!"

Old man Chen stood at the door and took the carrying pole that Lin Xuebao had just made with a smile on his face. His hands, full of traces of time, gently stroked the smooth wooden surface of the pole, and his eyes flashed with satisfaction and appreciation.

Lin Xuebao stood aside, rubbing the corners of his clothes with his hands, looking a little nervous and expectant.

A shy smile hung on his young face, and his eyes were fixed on Old Man Chen's reaction, fearing that he might not do something perfect and let down the trust of this elder.

"Uncle Chen, please take a look first. If there's anything that needs to be modified, I'll change it right away."

Old man Chen looked at the carrying pole carefully, not missing any detail.

He first tapped the carrying pole lightly with his hand, listened to the crisp and even echo, and nodded with satisfaction: "This carrying pole is not only made straight, but the weight distribution is also just right. It will definitely save effort to carry it."

As he spoke, he skillfully placed the carrying pole on a pile of dry firewood, bent down slightly, held the handle firmly with both hands, picked up the firewood, and walked leisurely around the yard.

Every step he took seemed so easy and natural, as if the load had become a part of his body, without the slightest sense of shaking or heaviness.

After walking around, Old Man Chen put down the firewood, panting heavily, but his face was filled with an even brighter smile:

"Chuanzi, your craftsmanship is truly amazing, comparable to those of veterans who have been doing this for decades. It's truly rare!"

After hearing this, Lin Xuebo's anxiety instantly turned into immense joy and pride. He hurried forward, took the carrying pole from Old Man Chen, and gently placed it back on the ground.

"Chen Shuhan, you're praising me too much. Actually, I've only just started my apprenticeship, so I still have a long way to go!"

Old Man Chen smiled and patted Lin Xuebao on the shoulder, his eyes full of encouragement and expectation. "Chuanzi, it's good to be humble, but you also need to have confidence. With your skills, you will definitely make a name for yourself in the future. Here, this is your wages, take it."

As he spoke, he took out a purse from his pocket, took out a few copper coins and handed them to Lin Xuebao.

Lin Xuebao took the copper coin with both hands. The coolness from his fingertips seemed to tell him that every bit of gain was hard-earned.

"Uncle Chen, you are so kind. I am very happy to be able to help you. If you need any work in the future, just let me know and I will do my best to do it."

After bidding farewell to Old Man Chen, Lin Xuebao set off on his journey home. His silhouette stretched out in the sunlight, his heart warmed. As he walked, he reflected that today's trip had not only earned him money, but more importantly, he had received recognition from his senior colleagues, which filled him with boundless longing for the future.

On his way home, Lin Xuebao met several young people from the same village who were gathered together chatting.

Seeing Lin Xuebo's beaming face, one of the young men, named Aqiang, jokingly said, "Hey, idiot, where did you get rich? Look how happy you are."

Lin Xuebao smiled and shook his head, wiping the sweat from his forehead. He said with a smile, "I made a shoulder pole for Uncle Chen and just delivered it to him. He was quite satisfied with it. Look, I've paid him the wages."

After listening to this, Aqiang and several other young people all looked at him with admiration: "Chuanzi, you're great!"

At this time, Li Dazhuang from the same village looked at Lin Xuebo curiously, his eyes lighting up: "I heard that you have good craftsmanship and can also make cabinets. My family just needs to replace a new cabinet. Can you help me make one?"

Lin Xuebao thought for a moment and said sincerely, "Brother Dazhuang, of course you can make the cabinets, but I still have a few jobs to finish, so you have to wait in line. If you're in a hurry, I can help you get a number first, and I'll start your work as soon as I finish the previous jobs. How about that?"

Li Dazhuang nodded quickly when he heard it: "Don't worry, don't worry, as long as you can do it. With your craftsmanship, I can wait!"

As the two were talking, a woman passing by heard their conversation, stopped, and greeted them with a smile:

"Chuanzi, Dazhuang, you two seem to be having a lively chat. I heard that Chuanzi is a good cook. In the future, when our villagers need something, they will all be counting on you."

Lin Xuebao scratched his head sheepishly. "No, no, we're all from the same village. I'll help you out if I can. Auntie, where are you going?"

The woman smiled and replied, "Oh, I'm going to the fields to see how my vegetables are growing. You guys continue chatting, I'm leaving first."

Having said that, he left in a hurry.

After returning home, Lin Xuebao went straight into the kitchen and saw his father repairing farm tools and his mother mending clothes.

"Dad, Mom, I'm back."

Lin Xuebao shouted softly, with a hint of excitement that was hard to conceal in his tone.

Lin Wenhong looked up and saw his son's beaming face. He asked curiously, "Third brother, why are you so happy?"

Lin Xuebao told the two of them everything that happened today.

After hearing this, Lin Wenhong's eyes flashed with relief. He put down the tools in his hands, walked over to Lin Xuebo, and patted him on the shoulder:

"That's a good thing. Remember, no matter what you do, you must be true to your conscience and do your craft well, so that you can have a wider career. You must work hard and don't bring shame to our family."

Zhao Yue'e also put down her needlework: "My son has made great progress, and I am very happy. From now on, I hope your craftsmanship will become better and better, and your life will become more and more prosperous. But don't work too hard, and take care of your health, okay?"

Lin Xuebo felt a surge of warmth in his heart as he listened to his parents' words. He looked at his mother, then at his father, and nodded firmly.

"Dad, Mom, don't worry."