The cart took about more than an hour, to reach the stone quarry.
They passed from the edge of stone quarry village, then turn to a fork in the road, and after walking for about a quarter of an hour, they see a large field in front of the exposed loess.
The middle is broad and flat, one side is the entrance, another side was a big pile of well-made brick,and another two sides was seven large and small kiln entrance that was placed along the mountain, next to the kiln entrance was piles of yellow clay, brick mold, wood kiln fire, barrels, tubs, shovels, small carts and other objects. Five or six workers wore patches of brown were busy.
Seeing them come over, the owner, old villager Shi was smiling with both hands covered by the sleeves, greeted: âThis brother, are you here to buy bricks or tiles ah?â
Li Da Mu then laughed: âMy neighbor wants to repair their roof. They purposely come here to buy some tiles.
âOh, this way please, please! Here we got good mud; the kiln is also great, bake out the best quality tiles. Not only is it durable, but the price is also fair ah!â old villager Shi smiled and led them to one side, where the pile of tiles was placed.
Lian Fang Zhou smiled: âWe have three rooms; one and a half need to replace old tiles. Iâm afraid the other one and a half have to change some. A total of two rooms should be enough! Should be a total of 50 square. Can you calculate how much we need?â
She shyly smiled as she spoke: âWe do not have much money, and also embarrassed to bargain the price! Since you said the price is fine, then thatâs fine! When we build a new house in the future, weâll come here to patronize you!â
Lian Fang Zhou spoke very clearly, fluent words, like flowing water and as clear as noonday, making old villager Shi hearing it feel startled.
Old villager Shi canât help but narrowed his half-lidded eyes and looked at the girl in front of him. Fourteen years of age, slightly thin physique, wearing old and clean coarse red floral clothes. She had a clear thin face, a pair of pupils that are bright and piercing, compact little lips carrying a slight smile. Her hair combed into completely neat, ordinary rural girl style. The whole person reveals a spirit of vigor, making the people that meet her canât help but have a good feeling inside.
Old villager Shi couldnât help smile. Looking at Lian Fang Zhou, he said a few âgoodâ word. He gave a thumbs up and smiled: âThe girl is really clever and refreshingly smart. Oh, I donât know which family is so blessed, to have such a good daughter! Itâs settled, with your words, this old man hearing it feel comfortable. The price Iâll give you is the lowest, and the things also give you the best!â
âThen many thank boss Shi!â Even Fang Zhou grinned as she nodded.
Since the past two days, Lian Ze became familiar with Lian Fang Zhouâs tongue, so he didnât feel anything strange. However, Li Da Mu, like old villager Shi, was stunned!
Lian Fang Zhouâs performance just now overturned/subvert his impression of her in his mind.
If it wasnât human or still that person, and the appearance didnât change, and also have Lian Ze by her side, he would be suspicious about whether the girl in front him was really Lian Fang Zhou?
Li Da Mu secretly sighed: it seems that Yang dissolving the engagement and Hua familyâs daughter-in-law creating a scene stimulated this girl to change dramatically!
âYouâre welcome,â Old villager Shi smiled as he said. Suddenly was in a teasing mood. He then turned to Lian Fang Zhou again and grinned: âLittle girl ah, my tiles are this big, if you can figure out how many pieces are needed, I will give you another two percent discount, how about it?â
Lian Fang Zhou eyes flashed, but still smiled: âHow can I actually calculate that accurately, donât make fun of me.â
Old villager Shi waved his hand, swept away that neither long or short beard of his and laughed:âI am not joking, Iâm serious! Haha, in fact, itâs not bad to be able to calculate. As long as the difference isnât too big, then you win!â
Seeing the interest in old villager Shiâs eyes, Lian Fang Zhou thought for a moment before she nodded politely. She chuckled: âSince itâs like that, then Iâll give it a try. And if Iâm not accurate, uncle you cannot laugh at me!
Old villager Shi Haha as he laughed: âI wonât, I wonât. Go count for us to see.â
The workers who were working heard this looked at Lian Fang Zhou. Such a small young girl, to actually be able to count. They couldnât help but be curious. They have stopped whatever labor they were doing and gathered around to watch the spectacle and gossiped quietly.
Lian Fang Zhou took a tile, estimated with her finger. She determined the length and width of the good and computed the area. The floor had a thin layer of loess. She readily folded a small branch and squatted down to draw on the ground.
All the workers have never seen the Arabic numerals(i.e. 1234âŚ). Seeing her on the ground, they could not help but wonder as if seeing something strange. One couldnât help but ask the old villager Shi: âBoss Shi, what is this little girl writing?
âThatâs right, what is that word? Really strange!â
âAinât that right, never saw it before.â
âI say, is this even a word? Why do I feel this is like the five cloud view of Master Zhangâs painted character ah!
Everyone that heard this could not help start laughing.
Lian Ze saw them laughing at Lian Fang Zhou couldnât help but blush. He exclaimed: âSince my sister dares to try, then itâll work. What are you laughing at? Whatâs so funny!â
TN:so cute <3 wish I had such a cute bro.
Everyone heard this and laughed more loudly. While laughing, they also tease Lian Ze.
Old villager Shi coughed twice, then it stopped.
Lian Fang Zhou smiled, neither defending herself nor felt embarrassed. But she moved on like a flow of water as working on it.
In fact, this was elementary math. Just need two or three sentences of working out, and she finished calculating. She smiled as she reported a number. At the same time, she stood up conveniently erasing the numbers on the ground with her foot.
âThat fast?â old villager Shi was stunned, everyone was also shocked.
Calculating without an abacus, but also so fast, was very frightening!
âBoss, is it right, is it right? â Everyone talked over each other, filled with impatient.
Old villager Shi stared: right or not right, how was he to know? He also needs to calculate before knowing!
Without waiting for his order, a worker had already speedily run to bring the abacus and handed it to him with both hands. Countless pairs of eyes watched him.
âSister, did you count it accurately ah?â Lian Ze could not help whispering to Lian Fang Zhou. Li Da Mu was also concerned and looked over.
Neither fast nor slow, Lian Fang Zhou glanced at Boss Shi who was working on the abacus with the beads fly away. She beamed: âWait til Boss Shi finishes counting then we will know it!
Her carefree look and gentle smile made the uneasy Lian Ze settle down straight away. Lian Ze blurted: âI believe that her sister must be right.
âOh?â Lian Fang Zhou laughed, âWhy?â
Lian Ze stubbornly said: âI do not know. Anyway, I just believe in my sister.â
Lian Fang Zhou gave a satisfied nod and smiled: âGood brother.â
âAmazing! Really amazing!â old villager Shi looked at the figures on the abacus, was shocked speechless.
âIt is accurate!â
âNo way! Itâs right!â
All the workers were also surprised.
Li Da Mu and Lian Zeâs heart fell to the ground. The two of them looked at each other with a giant grin. They are happy for Lian Fang Zhou.
Someone could not help but said: âBoss, how about you count it again?â
Old villager Shi slapped back of that personâs head; his eyes glared: âYou ability killer! What? You suspect that I count it wrong!â
âNo no ⌠âŚâ The manâs face turned red. He hurriedly denied, which attracted everyone laughter.
âWhat are you laughing at! What so funny! Still not hurrying to do work!â old villager Shi glared at everyone.
Everyone obediently answered, but could not help look at Lian Fang Zhou a few more times. They went away gossiping.
âBoss Shi, does what you have just said, still count?â Li Da Mu laughed.
âOf course! Of course, it countsâ old villager Shi simply nodded, toward the Lian Fang Zhou. He put up a thumb: âMiss Lian is the most intelligent girl I have ever seen, really! But, Miss Lian, just now the drawing on the ground. What are those thing?â
Simple here: Sorry everyone for the late edited release, I had RL problems, for now everything is taken care of; so I should be able to get these chapters edited the day Maggie is done TLing them.