Chapter 383: Novel Things

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

When Dong Xiaolei saw the school bag, she said, “I saw Miss Su’s nephews carrying that before.”

Madam Niu said, “It looks comfortable and convenient to carry around. It’s similar to baskets we carry on our backs when we go to the mountain, but this bag is made of cloth instead.”

Ding Wan opened the school bag to show everyone what was inside and explained, “This is a backpack. It looks small, but there’s a lot of space inside. There’s even a double layer.

“People can place their essentials in this compartment. They can also replace baskets with this backpack since it’s more convenient.”

Zhou Wen’e looked inside the bag. “It’s true. There are many pockets inside for many things.”

Shu Cui was also pleasantly surprised. “Carrying this backpack when going out will be much better than a basket. People can use it to store clothes and other important things.”

Ding Wan showed the backpack to everyone and said, “You can try carrying it and find it’s very light. Carrying such a bag will make it easier on your backs too.”

Everyone took turns carrying the backpack when Ding Wan said that. They felt the backpack’s lightness and were amazed.

“It feels incredibly light. It’s like I’m carrying nothing.”

“There are buttons, too, so you don’t have to worry about things falling out.”

“People would typically pack their clothes and money whenever they went on long journeys. They would also carry some dry food in their baskets. Frankly, it was indeed inconvenient.”

In that era, they thought carrying their baskets was inconvenient because they had grown accustomed to it. Now that they had tried carrying the backpack, they thought it was perfect.

Everyone held the backpack and could not bear to put it down. They wanted to carry it longer instead of taking it off. However, they knew they should not delay their work.

“Will we be making bags like this one, Madam Ding?”

“Yeah, how do we make it?”

“Don’t worry, everyone,” Ding Wan said smilingly, “Let’s study this handbag first.” She revealed an exquisite handbag as if she was performing a magic trick.

The handbag had patterns, and everyone’s eyes lit up when they saw it. After all, women could not resist such good-looking things.

Ding Wan demonstrated and explained, “You can carry this one on or across your shoulder. It’s suitable for putting small things inside, like handkerchiefs or keys. It’s nicer to look at and more stylish for girls to carry.”

Su Damin studied the bag left and right. saving. “It looks so good. It would be practical and convenient to carry to the market.”

Su Nong added, “Not only does it look nice, but I bet it feels nice to hold, too.” “I also think it’s great. I think many people will like it,” Dong Xiaolei echoed.

Everyone especially liked the patterns on the handbag. Dong Xiaolei glued her eyes to the handbag, unable to resist its beauty. It was hard to imagine people disliking the handbag.

Ding Wan observed everyone’s reactions and said smilingly, “Let’s learn to make these first. I’ll teach everyone how to make other things after perfecting these. Binglan has many other unique ideas.”

Zhou Wen’e said, “I know many will want to buy these things when we start selling them. Don’t the city folk like new and unique things?”

When she did embroidery in her early years, the young madams and ladies of prominent families liked owning new things. Still, the embroideries and patterns they saw were similar, so they did not think they were special.

However, these people would undoubtedly buy something with a new design, especially since they were materialistic.

Nonetheless, the things Ding Wan and the others made would be novel and never-before-seen. Those young madams and ladies would go crazy for such things.

Everyone grew eager, thinking about how much money they could make by selling these things. Soon, everyone present started learning to make backpacks and handbags from Ding Wan.

She taught them earnestly and patiently.

When noon arrived, Ding Wan checked the sun’s location and said, “It’s already noon, so you can go home for lunch. We’ll continue after you’ve had your breaks.”

Everyone was stunned when they heard that it was already noon.

“That was quick!”

“Yeah, I thought it had just been a few minutes. Why is it already noon?”

“I’ve only learned a little, so I haven’t progressed much.”

Everyone felt unsatisfied and had yet to use any strength.

Ding Wan noticed everyone’s enthusiasm and said, “Don’t worry. We’ll continue in the afternoon. You can do these things more quickly once familiar with it.”

“Yeah, we’re still learning the basics, after all.”

“It should be easy to make a school bag.”

Even Ding Wan did not know how to make these things, but Su Binglan had taught her patiently. After some time, Ding Wan could make a bag much easier and faster.

She told everyone to go home for lunch and rest. However, she looked at Shi Cui’s hand and reminded her, “Shi Cui, take your time returning in the afternoon. Go to Binglan and get your hand checked first.”

“Don’t worry, Madam Ding. I’ll go for my consultation. I considered making as many of these bags when my hand is better. I genuinely want to see what the bag I make will look like.”

Shi Cui enjoyed making bags like these too. She wanted to make better-looking ones but knew she had to get her hands treated first.

In the past, she felt life was fickle. She had no direction and felt lost. But now, she felt more energized and enthusiastic. She could do things she wanted and knew she could work and earn money. She began to feel hopeful again, so she started to treasure her health more.

Frankly, her hand hurt when she practiced needlework with the others in the morning. She knew it would affect her speed in making the bags. However, her hand would no longer hurt after treatment. Plus, she now believed in Su Binglan’s medical skills even more.

Shen Qiuhua and Su Fengmao arrived at Northern Song Village in their oxcart early in the morning, carrying rapeseed. Most villages were in valleys, so one often had to cross mountains and ridges from one village to another.

Nonetheless, everyone had their own paths. The sky was already bright when the couple arrived at the village. When they reached the oil mill’s entrance, a few people lined up before them.

People typically pushed small carts over to get oil. Previously, Shen Qiuhua and Su Fengmao also used small carts to collect oil. The couple would then push the cart back home. Two barrels of oil were usually enough for a year.

The people in the villages around Teng He town were poor, and some villages did not even have cows. The people in the queue revealed envious expressions when they saw the couple’s oxcart.

Some passersby could not help but take a few more glances when they saw Shen Qiuhua’s oxcart. However, the couple wholly understood the looks in everyone’s eyes. After all, they, too, used to look at other people’s oxcarts with similar expressions.

An older woman with white hair stood in front of the line.. She looked curiously at the pile of sacks in the couple’s fancy oxcart and said enviously, “You have that many peanuts in your house, huh, kid?”

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