Chapter 739: Jealousy Piqued

Translator: Henyee Translations | Editor: Henyee Translations

At the Li Family Porcelain Workshop.

Yan Helin walked into the kiln, heading straight for Chu Qingshuang with a design sketch for a piece of porcelain in hand, “Qingshuang, can you mold this piece?”

After examining the sketch closely, Chu Qingshuang responded, “Yes, but the challenge with this piece isn’t its shape but the glazing. See here, there’s a gradient. Master said the most difficult part is achieving this gradient in the glaze. Also, there’s this issue, look…”

Identifying the issue at a glance, Chu Qingshuang’s skill impressed Yan Helin, who looked at her with admiration in his eyes, “Do you think you can solve it?” Chu Qingshuang cautiously said, “It might not succeed on the first try, but we can give it a few attempts.”

After a moment of silence, Yan Helin asked, “Can I work on this piece with you?”

Without hesitation, Chu Qingshuang agreed, “Of course.” Her master had mentioned that technical tasks sometimes require collaboration to make progress.

Yan Helin was delighted, “Then, I look forward to learning from you.”

Chu Qingshuang modestly smiled, “Let’s learn from each other.”

They began a series of discussions based on the porcelain design…

Li Shaoliang entered the kiln to find Chu Qingshuang and Yan Helin chatting and laughing. His jealousy was immediately piqued, “What are you doing?” Feeling guilt-free, Chu Qingshuang looked up upon hearing Li Shaoliang’s voice and replied with a smile, “We’re discussing the porcelain. What brings you here?”

Trying to control his temper, Li Shaoliang asked, “Can’t I come?”

Detecting the slightly stiff tone, Chu Qingshuang’s smile faded, “What’s wrong? Did someone upset you?”

Realizing his earlier overreaction, Li Shaoliang quickly apologized, “I was in a bad mood earlier, it wasn’t my intention to snap at you, sorry.”

“What’s bothering you?” Chu Qingshuang asked with concern.

“It’s nothing.” Li Shaoliang’s gaze shifted from Chu Qingshuang to Yan Helin, his tone unwelcoming, “Cousin doesn’t usually visit. What brought him here today?”

Yan Helin, being older and more emotionally mature, displayed the porcelain design to Li Shaoliang with a smile, “I came to discuss the making of this piece with Qingshuang.”

Li Shaoliang thought Yan Helin had ulterior motives, then loudly stated, “Have you finished discussing? If so, you can leave.”

With great composure, Yan Helin said, “Not yet. This piece has never been made before; I need to work with Qingshuang to complete it.”

Li Shaoliang almost had “please leave” written on his face, “How long will it take?”

Yan Helin replied casually, “At least a day or two, or as long as ten to fifteen days.”

Li Shaoliang didn’t know what to say.

After much thought, Li Shaoliang suggested, “I think Qingshuang can handle it alone. Why don’t you go back first and come back when it’s done?”

Yan Helin replied good-naturedly, “I can’t leave. The design is mine; if I don’t participate, who does the piece belong to?”

Li Shaoliang said, “How much is it? I’ll buy it.”

Yan Helin smiled, “The design is priceless. I doubt even your savings would cover it.”

Li Shaoliang didn’t know what to say.

“Shaoliang, you should go back first,” Chu Qingshuang was keen to focus on the porcelain, which Li Shaoliang was interrupting.

“Are you asking me to leave?” Li Shaoliang felt uncomfortable. Why would Qingshuang choose the cousin over him?

Chu Qingshuang nodded, “The porcelain’s challenges need practical work. If you keep talking to us, some tasks will have to wait until tomorrow.”

Feeling like an outsider, Li Shaoliang murmured, “Qingshuang…”

Chu Qingshuang, seeing Li Shaoliang’s puppy-dog eyes, softened, “If you don’t want to leave, just watch from the side. We can eat together later, okay?”

Li Shaoliang brightened up and quickly agreed, “Okay.”

Chu Qingshuang approached Yan Helin, “Let’s try to mold the porcelain and see how the glazing turns out.”

Yan Helin glanced at Li Shaoliang and then nodded, “Alright.”

They continued their work while Li Shaoliang fetched a stool to sit quietly nearby. He thought to himself, If I had known earlier, I would have studied porcelain well when I was young so that I would be the one discussing with Qingshuang now.

Back Door of Yunfei School.

With a crash, someone fell off a ladder, startling everyone nearby.

Wu Yaqing quickly approached, “Are you okay?”

The person, tears brimming in their eyes from pain, cried, “My leg hurts, it really hurts…”

“I’ll find someone to help you right away.” Without a doctor in the vicinity, Wu Yaqmg racked her brain and then remembered there were medical students at Yunfei School. She dashed downstairs, heading for the school.

Restricted to the backyard, she couldn’t proceed beyond the door leading to the school’s front courtyard.

In her urgency, Wu Yaqing pleaded with the gatekeeper, “I need a doctor. Someone’s been injured. Can you help me find one?”

Song Qingyuan happened to pass by and stopped upon hearing her, “I’m a doctor. Where’s the injured person?”

He was among the few students at Yunfei school with advanced medical skills, often going out to practice and gain experience.

” In my shop, please follow me,” Wu Yaqing urged.

Song Qingyuan, just back from a medical visit with his medicine box, followed her to the shop.

There, the injured person lay flat on the ground, no one daring to move them.

After examining the injury, Song Qingyuan announced, “His arm is slightly fractured. It will heal with proper rest and care after setting. There’s no serious harm otherwise.”

Wu Yaqing breathed a sigh of relief, “Please, treat him. I’ll pay whatever it costs.”

Song Qingyuan nodded and began the treatment, busy for a while before finishing, “Don’t exert this hand, rest well. Come see me for a follow-up in half a month.”

The patient expressed gratitude, “Thank you, doctor.”

“How much for the consultation?” Wu Yaqing inquired.

“One tael of silver,” Song Qingyuan replied.

Wu Yaqing searched but couldn’t find her purse. Frustrated, she apologized, “I forgot to bring my purse. Can I pay you tomorrow?”

Song Qingyuan smiled, “That’s fine. You go ahead with your work; I’ll head back.”

“What’s your name?”

“Song Qingyuan.”

Wu Yaqing, openly admiring, praised, “What a good name! Thank you for today. I’ll treat you to a meal another day.”

Encountering such a lively and straightforward girl was rare; Song Qingyuan had a good impression of Wu Yaqing, “Thankyou, miss.”

In the Chu Village.

In the workshop, under Chu Qingzhi’s guidance, the apple pies successfully received new packaging, exuding an aristocratic vibe.

Chu Qingzhi, observing the workers pack, remarked to Shen Ruyue, “With the new packaging, don’t our products seem more luxurious?”

Shen Ruyue nodded, smiling, “It looks expensive and refined at a glance.”