Chapter 94 Wood Carving
Xu Hongdou dozed off for a while and then woke up.

I have to say that the power of books is so strong that it has the magical power to make people sleepy at first glance.

Xu Hongdou looked down and found that her book had covered Chen Mo's face without her knowing it. She couldn't help but stick out her tongue and gently took the book away.

Looking at Chen Mo sleeping comfortably with his head resting on her legs, Xu Hongdou smiled tenderly and gently scratched Chen Mo's hair.

After watching quietly for a while, Xu Hongdou gently lifted Chen Mo's head and changed his back for Chen Mo to rest his head on.

Xu Hongdou stood up and stamped her feet lightly. Her legs felt a little numb.

The two of them snuggled together, it was warm, but their legs were a little crippled. Maybe this is the price of happiness.

Just as Xu Hongdou was about to go downstairs with the thermos cup, she saw Chen Nanxing chatting with an auntie who was wearing a headscarf, an apron, and sleeves on her hands in the yard.

"Let me tell you, my family Dayang bought a big house in Qingdao, Shandong."

"Really? So awesome!" Chen Nanxing looked "surprised".

"Of course, he kept trying to get me to come over, but I never wanted to go."

Although she said she didn't want to go, Auntie couldn't hide her pride in her tone.

At this time, Auntie noticed Xu Hongdou coming down from the second floor, "Are you new here too?"

"Oh, yes. Hello." Xu Hongdou replied with a smile.

"This is Aunt Agui, who is in charge of the sanitation of our courtyard." Chen Nanxing helped to introduce.

"Aunt Agui." Xu Hongdou nodded.

"Welcome to our courtyard. We meet by chance. I have something to say to you." Aunt Agui said in a loud voice.

"You say." Xu Hongdou said with a smile.

"I am responsible for the sanitation of this yard, but please do not litter or leave your garbage in front of your room. Put it in the trash can next to the laundry room."

"And I am only responsible for public health. You are responsible for your own rooms." Aunt Agui explained.

"Okay, I understand." Xu Hongdou nodded with a smile.

Aunt Agui specifically explained: "I am not an employee, I am the landlord, and one third of this yard belongs to me."

"It turned out to be the landlady." Xu Hongdou suddenly realized.

"Landlady? This is the first time I hear this word. It sounds very fashionable." Aunt Agui forced a smile on her face.

"You little girls in the city are good at talking, but I am an old lady from the countryside. You can just call me Auntie Gui."

"Okay, Aunt Agui." Xu Hongdou also smiled.

"By the way, Aunt Agui, do you know how to get to Xiaochun's cafe?"

Xu Hongdou and Chen Nanxing made an appointment with Nana yesterday to go to a restaurant today.

"Of course."

Aunt Agui enthusiastically pulled Xu Hongdou and said with gestures:
"Turn left at the end of the courtyard, then turn left at the end of another alley, then turn right and walk to the end."

"almost there?"

"It's just at the entrance of town. Go ask there."

Xu Hongdou was stunned for a moment, then nodded with a polite smile, "Oh, okay, thank you."

Chen Nanxing was listening nearby and his shoulders were shaking, obviously trying to hold back his laughter.

"Then I'll be busy now. If you have anything you want to know, please ask me." Aunt Agui said.

"Okay, go ahead and do your work."

After Aunt Agui left, Xu Hongdou looked at Chen Nanxing helplessly and said, "Let's ask Nana to send us the location later."

"Yeah, but the people here are very interesting." Chen Nanxing said with a smile.

By noon, the sun was shining brightly.

Xu Hongdou woke Chen Mo up, and the three of them prepared to go out.

Xu Hongdou and Chen Nanxing each wore a long coat with local characteristics, colorful and bright.

Chen Mo was wearing simple casual clothes.

Originally Xu Hongdou also wanted to buy one for Chen Mo, but Chen Mo, seeing how colorful it was, declined the offer.

"Hey, where are you going?"

Hu Youyu was wearing a leather jacket, carrying a guitar and wearing a pair of sunglasses as he walked down the stairs.

Chen Mo turned around when he heard the voice, "It's Lao Hu, they said they want to go to Xiaochun's cafe."

"What a coincidence! I also want to go to the restaurant to get a cup of coffee. Let's go together." Hu Youyu said.

"Okay, since we don't know the way, we'll follow you, Teacher Hu." Chen Nanxing said with a smile.

Chen Nanxing heard the name "Teacher Hu" from Nana last night. It seemed that people in their music circle liked to call him teacher.

Chen Nanxing thought it was quite interesting and started to shout along.

"No problem, we'll get to know each other after a visit."

The four of them went out together.

"Where are you going?" Chen Mo asked.

"I'm going to the ancient city to sing. Do you want to come with me? I'll take you out to have some fun." Hu Youyu invited.

"It's already been arranged for today. Let's do it another day. I'll go listen to you sing another day." Chen Mo said.

During a casual chat last night, several people learned that Hu Youyu was a resident singer in a bar in the ancient city.

This is not surprising, as Dali is a place where folk pub culture is prevalent.

"Okay, I'll treat you guys to a drink then."

"Haha, that's a good feeling."

A few people came to a fresh and unique shop with a plaque that read "Youfeng Restaurant" hanging on the door.

"Hey, Hongdou, Nanxing, you're here."

Before they entered the door, Nana, who was busy at the bar, saw a few people.

"Nana." Xu Hongdou and Chen Nanxing also greeted with a smile.

"And me, Nana." Hu Youyu approached Nana and waved.

Nana rolled her eyes and handed him the coffee Hu Youyu had asked for in advance, "Your double espresso."

"Thank you." Hu Youyu took it with a smile.

"Why are you here together?" Nana asked.

"I just happened to meet him when I was about to go out, so I asked Teacher Hu to lead the way." Chen Nanxing explained.

"Hey, we are traveling together, it would be impolite to talk about trouble," said Hu Youyu.

Nana also nodded and said, "No need to be polite to Teacher Hu. Teacher Hu is always enthusiastic."

"Nana really understands me. I don't have any other advantages except enthusiasm." Hu Youyu smiled happily.

"He is especially enthusiastic towards girls," Nana added.

Chen Nanxing nodded suddenly and glanced at Hu Youyu.

"Hey, hey, hey, the latter sentence is a misunderstanding and prejudice." Hu Youyu hurriedly explained.

After they chatted and laughed for a while, Hu Youyu said goodbye and left for the ancient city.

"What would you like to drink? Sister Xiaochun said that this is the first time that we are the tenants of our courtyard and this is our first time to treat us." Nana greeted Chen Mo and the other two.

"Is it so good?" Chen Nanxing smiled.

"Because the tenants have lived here for a long time, they are very grateful. I hope you can come and take care of our business more often in the future." Nana said with a smile.

Xu Hongdou nodded in understanding. This was just like giving breakfast coupons in a hotel.

When it comes to ordering food, Chen Nanxing is the first to take charge.

The names of the drinks on the menu are also very interesting, such as Timely Rain, Indigo, Autumn Dew, and Stepping on Snow.

The three of them ordered a few drinks and some snacks, then found a place to sit down.

The sun is dappled, the breeze is gentle, the shadows of the trees are swaying, and the wind chimes are ringing.

"One is called Fengyuan, and the other is called Fengguan. It's really appropriate."

Xu Hongdou looked around the small restaurant and felt that it was very similar to the style of the small courtyard. "Indeed, after being here for two days, I feel that the thing that is least lacking here is wind." Chen Mo nodded.

"Hey, is that the horse farm owner from yesterday?"

Chen Nanxing saw Xie Zhiyao, Xie Xiaochun and a girl come to the middle of the restaurant's courtyard and sit down.

"Really." Chen Mo also took a look after hearing this, "This place is small, it's normal to run into each other."

Because the restaurant is not big, they can hear Xie Xiaochun's cheerful voice from time to time.

Chen Nanxing took a quick look and knew what was going on.

"Those two people are on a blind date, and Xiaochun is the matchmaker." Chen Nanxing gave his conclusion.

Chen Nanxing was curious about many people and things, but Chen Mo and Xu Hongdou didn't care too much.

Xie Zhiyao also noticed Chen Mo and the others. Chen Mo and Xie Zhiyao nodded and greeted them.

After Chen Mo and the other two finished eating and drinking, they stood up and prepared to leave.

"Wait a moment." Nana called the three people and handed them a booklet.

"Here's a brochure for you. It contains all the interesting places in the village and town. There is also a hand-drawn map. If you are interested, you can go and take a look."

"Okay, thank you Nana." Xu Hongdou took it with a smile.

"We are all from the same courtyard, no need to be so polite."

"Then let's go first."

"have fun."

After coming out of Youfeng Restaurant, Xu Hongdou flipped through the brochure and found that the yard next to it was a wood carving workshop, so the three of them decided to go for a look.

When I walked into the wood carving workshop, I saw only a young man carving something in the room.

"You can feel free to look around. If you need anything, just call me." The young man greeted.

The house has everything from small items like various bracelets, gadgets, and ornaments to large items like hanging screens, doors, windows, and furniture.

The furniture is small and elegant, and the screens and windows are all well-decorated.

The most eye-catching thing is the root carving placed in the middle of the room. It uses flowers and birds of the four seasons, rare birds and beasts as patterns. It is hollowed out layer by layer, and painted realistically and freely, with an extremely simple and harmonious beauty.

Wood carvings do not need to be painted or gilded; the original color of the wood can show the vitality of all things.

Obviously, those bracelets and ornaments are just extras, and these large objects are the embodiment of the exquisite craftsmanship of wood carving.

"I didn't expect there would be such exquisite wood carvings here." Chen Mo couldn't help but sigh.

Hearing Chen Mo's words, the young man introduced: "That is the work of my master, who is a state-level intangible cultural heritage inheritor."

"No wonder." Chen Mo nodded, "I thought Yunnan wood carvings were all in Jianchuan, I didn't expect there are some here too."

Lijiang baba and Heqing wine, Jianchuan carpenters are everywhere.

Chen Mo was interested in this kind of historical and cultural things, so he did some research before coming.

"We also belong to the Jianchuan woodcarving school, but we don't have to be in Jianchuan." The young man explained.

Chen Mo smiled and said, "That's true. The craftsmanship lies in the people. Wherever the people go, the craftsmanship will take root there."

Jianchuan wood carving is famous for its relief and hollow carving.

The traditional Baiqu "carved golden dragon flying in the sky, carved rooster announcing the dawn, chiseled hundreds of birds singing on the branches, carved flowers attracting bees" is the most vivid and vivid chant of Jianchuan wood carving.

"But it's good to stick together and keep warm. Jianchuan has a brand after all. If you only rely on tourists here, it will be difficult to sell these big items, right?"

Chen Mo also understood that although those bracelet ornaments had the lowest technical content, their main sales volume really depended on these little gadgets.

Most people who go out for fun come to see the novelty and are unlikely to buy such large items that are expensive and inconvenient to carry.

"Well, that free-form root carving has been placed here since two years ago," the young man said truthfully.

Hearing the young man's honest words, Chen Mo couldn't help but laugh. He was a craftsman, not a businessman.

"You need to learn the business model from the one next door," Chen Mo suggested.

"Next door? Is there Feng Restaurant?" The young man was stunned.

"Yes." Chen Mo nodded. "You have to hawk your wares when setting up a stall. It's not like a store is open and it counts as business."

"My sister runs the business next door," said the young man.

Chen Mo was also stunned when he heard this, "Your sister is Xie Xiaochun?"

"Yeah, you know my sister?"

"The house I rented from your sister."

"You are the new tenant of the courtyard. My name is Xie Xiaoxia."

"Hello, Chen Mo."

While Chen Mo and Xie Xiaoxia were chatting, Xu Hongdou and Chen Nanxing were also wandering around and taking photos.

In the end, Chen Mo bought a few small ornaments and just took care of the business.

Then the three of them went around the places described in the booklet.

"I didn't expect that Xiaochun and her brother have such different personalities." Chen Nanxing said.

"That's normal. They are probably five or six years apart in age." Xu Hongdou was not surprised.

Chen Nanxing and Xu Hongdou also heard the conversation between Chen Mo and Xie Xiaoxia just now.

"That's really like you and your sister. Your personalities are quite different." Chen Mo said with a smile.

Xu Hongdou nodded. "Generally, if there are two children, one is lively and outgoing, while the other is introverted and quiet. One is worry-free, while the other is not."

"Does it count as like poles repelling each other, and unlike poles coexisting?" Chen Mo said with a smile.

"No matter which extreme they are, it won't prevent them from fighting each other." Xu Hongdou said.

Chen Mo couldn't help laughing when he thought of how Xu Hongdou and Xu Hongmi would quarrel whenever they met.

"Will your parents be partial?"

"My parents are okay, but they are definitely biased to some extent. It's hard to treat everyone equally."

"Is it biased towards you or your sister?" Chen Mo asked.

Xu Hongdou thought for a moment and said, "Maybe it's me."

"My sister is five years older than me, so when we had arguments as kids, I never won, and my parents would always side with me as the 'underdog'."

"This is the way to balance." Chen Nanxing said with a smile.

She is an only child, so she doesn't feel any favoritism from her parents because her parents give all their love to her.

"I guess so." Xu Hongdou shrugged.

"Will you be partial to our children in the future?" Chen Mo asked.

Xu Hongdou rolled her eyes at Chen Mo, then thought for a moment and said seriously, "I really want to say I won't, but the nature of human beings is inherently contradictory and double-standard."

"What we learn from books, what we say, and what we actually do are poles apart."

"So no matter how nice the words sound, in the end, people will inevitably be partial to the person who meets your preferences and aesthetic orientation."

"After all, who doesn't like someone who is good-looking, capable, and has a good personality?"

"It's hard to say about other things, but given our looks, we don't have to worry about our daughter's appearance." Chen Mo said.

Xu Hongdou couldn't help but roll her eyes when she heard that.

"Hey, I noticed that you mentioned daughter more than once. Do you like daughters?"

"Yes." Chen Mo nodded.

"Aren't you being biased?" Xu Hongdou's eyes widened.

"I am partial." Chen Mo admitted, "Didn't you just say that people tend to prefer what they like? I like my daughter."

"What if it's a boy?" Xu Hongdou asked.

"That needs to be learned. We all need to learn how to be parents. Now it's just a personal fantasy."

Chen Mo seemed to remember a saying that all professions require training and assessment before taking up the job, except being a parent.

"We will study together and supervise each other then." Chen Mo said, holding Xu Hongdou's hand.

Xu Hongdou didn't say anything, but just held Chen Mo's hand tightly.

(End of this chapter)