Zi Qing looked up and saw that it was Wen San and Lin Kangping who had arrived, "How did you two come? It seems like the watermelon has also been sold out?"

  "What's up? We didn't expect to see you, last time we came to visit you, we just found out that you had gone to the provincial city. I guess you should be back by now, so we specially came to visit you today. Look, I even brought a gift for you!" Wen San stretched out his hand and opened a small box, inside which lay a pair of beautiful jade butterflies, carved from thin white jade and surrounded by delicate golden threads, very exquisite.

  "This isn't a suitable occasion, what gift should I give? Besides, this gift is too valuable, I shouldn't accept it." Zi Qing took a glance at Wen San and continued to ask: "You didn't steal it from your mother, did you?"

  "You, you're killing me! I just thought it was pretty when I saw it on the street and bought it to give to you. A gift is a gift, why do you have to pick the time to give it? I'm telling you, I start school tomorrow and I won't be able to come see you often either." Wen San felt very wronged. His beautiful big eyes blinked at Zi Qing, making her almost soften up. What's the point of being a boy if he's going to grow up so pretty?

  "There are too many nice things, can I have them all? Go, go, go, I'm going to cook, you guys don't just stand there. Ping Ge, take him to the study or living room and sit down. Stay for dinner today, I still need your help later." Zi Qing chased them into the hall.

  Zi Qing's grandparents and two aunts were sitting in the hall, Wen San and others had greeted them. Zi Qing saw her grandparents looking at her suspiciously, then at Wen San, and quickly explained: "Grandfather, grandmother, this is the son of the owner of the Zhou family from Beijing, he came over today for something."

  Ziying knew that as soon as he mentioned the capital, Grandma and the others wouldn't have any other ideas. After all, the capital and Ziying's village were far apart, a distance that was enough to make them look up in admiration. Indeed, after Ziying finished speaking, Grandma and the others looked at Wensan with different eyes. It could be said that they were filled with reverence. Ziying feared that they would feel uncomfortable, so he had Zishou take him to the study.

  Zi Qing and Shen Shi were busy in the kitchen, Zi Qing had made several cold dishes, and didn't know that Wen San was sitting comfortably on the floor, watching her finish more than half of the embroidery.

  At the beginning of the year, Shen taught Ziyun to embroider. Ziyun's first work was embroidered for herself, depicting a scene where she and Zilu were learning to write with twigs under a peach tree, with little chicks scribbling on the side for aesthetic purposes. Ziyun had been embroidering "falling petals all over the ground" for a long time, and her work was nearing its end. Wen San saw this embroidery and thought it was quite novel, so he asked Zishou: "Was this embroidered by your mother or your sister?"

  "My sister, this is my sister and second brother learning to write under a peach tree."

  "I knew it was her, your sister is really something, learning a word and embroidering it into a painting. Only she has this clever mind." Wen San said, seeing the pen, ink, paper, and inkstone on the low table. He moved over to take a look, but the handwriting was quite ugly, so he burst out laughing and asked: "This can't be your sister's writing, can it? It really looks like chicken scratch. Come take a look, Kangping."

  "Who else could it be? At home, her handwriting is the worst. Father always says that about her. She says as long as she can recognize characters, that's enough, and she doesn't plan on taking exams outside. Father has no way to deal with her. He says she learns characters and recites books quickly, but just doesn't like writing. Not even as good as me." Zi Shou said this with a smug face.

  Just then, Zi Qing brought in a plate of sliced pear melon, already cut into pieces with her handmade bamboo skewers inserted. She first handed one piece to Lin Kangping, then to Wen San, and asked: "What are you talking about? You're so happy that I could hear your laughter all the way from the kitchen."

  "There's nothing, I just saw your handwriting and it really looks like the chicken scratches you embroidered, it's too funny, I couldn't help it. I thought your drawing wasn't very good, how could your handwriting be bad?" Wen San asked, still unable to hold back his laughter.

  "What's so funny? That was painted by my older brother, I just didn't have time to practice calligraphy. What's the big deal? Besides, what's the use of a country girl like me writing such good characters? The time spent practicing calligraphy could be better spent doing other things." Zi Qing said.

  "That's different, the words are well-written and it's a matter of face for a person. In the future, when there is an opportunity to go out, it will definitely be useful. Are you really planning to stay in this village all your life? By the way, didn't you say you had something to find me about? What is it?" Wen San asked.

  "Hey, isn't your family from Anzhou a big one? Do you know the master craftsman who makes jade in Yinlou? The one who makes those jade bangles and ornaments, he's quite skilled."

  "What are you looking for them? What do you want to buy?" asked Wen San.

  "Not that, I bought a green jade stone this time when I went out, and I want to find a master to make something." Zi Qing said as she moved a piece of jade from the corner.

  "Green jade? I've never seen it before! Are you sure this is jade?" Wen San touched the stone and looked at it in disbelief.

  "Are you sure? Can you really find a master?" Zi Qing asked.

  "My family has a silver building at home. If you're in a hurry, I'll take you there this afternoon," said Wen San.

  Zi Qing was just about to cheer when Zi Fu came in and asked, "Where are you all going? Why aren't you helping out in the kitchen, Qing?"

  "Big brother, Wen San's family has a jade master, shall we go find him this afternoon? Brother, come with me, I'm afraid if I come back late, Father and Mother will worry." Zi Qing tugged on Zi Fu's arm.

  "It's okay, we'll send you back later," said Wen San.

  "That's not necessary, it's already been a bother to you all. I'll go with my sister instead." Zifu said and then turned around to say to Ziqing: "Alright, I've promised you, hurry up and help mother prepare lunch." After saying that, Zifu habitually ruffled Ziqing's hair and pushed her out.

  Ziying ran out to help arrange the dishes and invited everyone to sit down. The poached chicken was unanimously welcomed by everyone, especially Wen San, who heard that it was Ziying's craftsmanship, gave a lot of face, and kept praising how delicious it was.

  Mr. Tian likes light food the most and complained, "So many people, and two pregnant women, this white cut chicken is gone with just one piece per person, I don't know how to make another one."

  As there were outsiders present, the Shen family could only agree. Zi Qing hastily said: "Auntie, whenever you want to eat again, I'll make more, but today we didn't expect guests at home and everyone likes it so much, so the preparation is a bit insufficient."

  Tian's family then thought of the outsiders at home, and hurriedly changed to a smiling face to say to Wen San: "This young master, the countryside is naturally incomparable to the capital, it's really too simple, I'm sorry, didn't treat you well."

  Wen San and Lin Kangping were busy cooking, with the aroma of spicy stir-fried field chicken and savory ham soup wafting through the air. Upon hearing Tian's words, he hastily replied: "Nonsense, Auntie Zeng's cooking is truly fragrant! I've never had this spicy stir-fry at home before, and this ham soup is rich and delicious!"

  Even little Zi Yu followed with a milky voice and said: "Delicious." This brought about a burst of laughter from everyone.

  "Father, mother, I'll go to the city with big brother for a while. Wen San has found me a master, and I want to cut that stone to make something."

  "Your brother should be preparing to go to school in the province, don't drag him down with your nonsense. Also, call him Master Wen, you can also call him Wen San." said Shen Shi.

  "Mother, don't worry, I'll accompany Qing'er and we'll be back soon. She has something important to do too."

  "Yes, Auntie Zeng, don't worry, I'll find them a good master and send them back." Wen San added.

  Shen listened and didn't say anything else. After dinner, Zi Qing helped Shen clean up, then hastily pulled Zi Fu and urged Wen San to leave. This time, Zi Qing prepared a piece of stone to take with him, thinking of making a few bangles first. On the way, Wen San carefully asked Zi Qing about his experience buying jade, saying that if it was high-quality jade, it wouldn't be so cheap.

  "This was brought from abroad, and no one here recognizes it yet. The jade seller is eager to use the silver, so he sold it. I also bought a Western clock from him, which is very convenient for telling time now." Zi Qing explained.

  "That western clock, we do have one at home, but I don't think it's anything special. As for this jade, forget it, let's wait for Master to take a look first." Wen San still didn't quite believe it was jade, but he also couldn't bear to pour cold water on Zi Qing's enthusiasm. After all, following Zi Qing around these days, he knew that ten taels of silver was not a small amount for a farming family.

  Half a time later, Wen San brought them to the largest silver house on the street, Wen Ji, and went in directly from the back door. He found Master Li who was grinding jade in the workshop and said: "Master Li, please take a closer look at this stone, is it jade?"

  Li Shifu looked up at Wen San, greeted him respectfully, and then felt the stone, looking left and right, saying: "From the feel of it, it's almost the same, but it seems a bit harder than white jade. I've never seen this color before, what is it for?"

  "Master Li, just treat it as the best white jade and make it. I'd like to ask how many bracelets can be made? The remaining ones can be made into hairpins if possible, or pendants, peace knots, ring faces, in short, just treat it as top-quality sheep fat jade, don't waste it at all, labor costs will be paid as for white jade." Zi Qing said.

  "What if it breaks into pieces at a touch?" asked Master Li.

  "Don't worry, it won't break, if it does, it's on me." Zi Qing's confident appearance made Wen San glance at her sideways.

  Li Shifu had to take on this task under Wen San's arrangement, and Zi Qing was worried that he would rush through it and not do a good job, so she specifically instructed him to take his time and focus on the work at Ke Yin Lou first.

  As they came out of the Silver Building, Wen San wanted to send them home, but Zi Fu refused and took Zi Qing onto a donkey cart. Wen San saw them off before turning around with Lin Kangping. Seeing the box in the cart, he hastily asked: "Didn't I put this jade butterfly's box in her study at home? How did it end up back in the cart?"

  "I didn't see her put it down either. Looks like she really doesn't want it," said Lin Kangping.

  "Girls in the family don't all like these things? How could she not like them? I see her being nicer to you than me, look at how she calls you Ping Ge and me Wen San. The pear was also given to you first." Wen San complained.

  "Master, she's not like the other girls at home. Master, are you going back home next?" Lin Kangping seemed to not want to discuss this topic, seeing how the master was treating her, his heart felt sour and aching.