Men Are Hard to Understand

Henyee Translations , Editor: Henyee Translations

Chu Qingzhi looked at the paper in her hands, pondered for a while, then left the workshop and headed towards the store in the county that sold fish bladder glue and pigskin glue.

She hadn’t thought of this before. For packaging, the paper needed to be glued together, but in ancient times, all glues were edible, so just buying some would do.

The shop assistant greeted her warmly, “Miss, what would you like to buy?”

Chu Qingzhi glanced around the shop and asked, “Do you have fish bladder glue and pigskin glue?”

“Yes,” the assistant quickly retrieved both types of glue and placed them on the counter. “Here, Miss, these just arrived and are very fresh.”

There wasn’t much difference in appearance between the two types of glue. Chu Qingzhi inquired, “Which one is more expensive?”

The shop assistant pushed the jar containing the fish bladder glue towards Chu Qingzhi. “Fish bladder glue is harder to produce, so it’s more expensive.”

Chu Qingzhi picked up the pigskin glue instead, “How much for one jar of this?”

The shop assistant quickly glanced at Chu Qingzhi. This girl didn’t seem to lack money. Why did she choose a cheaper one? “Five taels for a jar, and each jar weighs a pound.”

That was somewhat expensive. Considering the large amount of pigskin glue they would be using, it wouldn’t be cost-effective to buy it like this. Better to make it themselves, “I didn’t bring enough money, I’ll come back next time.”e Chu Qingzhi then headed towards the market.

There was a stall in the market that specialized in selling pigskin. Chu Qingzhi bought five pieces and asked the owner to deliver them, then returned to Chu Village with the goods.

After getting permission to use the kitchen, Chu Qingzhi moved all the pigskin to Tang Jinghong’s kitchen, preparing to make pigskin glue herself.

At the Li Family Porcelain Workshop.

Li Shaoliang arrived at the kiln and saw Chu Qingshuang molding small bottles the size of a palm, puzzled, “What are you making these small bottles for?”

Chu Qingshuang explained while continuing her work, “My fifth sister and eighth sister will use these bottles for ointments.”

Curious, Li Shaoliang asked, “What kind of ointment?”

“Ointments for stretch marks and for fading spots,” Chu Qingshuang replied.

As a big straight man, Li Shaoliang was very puzzled by what Chu Qingshuang said. “Stretch marks? Spots?”

Seeing Li Shaoliang’s eagerness to understand, Chu Qingshuang explained, albeit awkwardly, “Please don’t mention what I just told you to others.”

“I understand,” Li Shaoliang replied, feeling a bit awkward himself.

After a moment, Chu Qingshuang asked, “What brings you here?”

Li Shaohang smiled, “I have a big business proposal for you. A client ordered twenty sets of the bowl and plate set you designed, the one with the Q-version rabbit.”

Thanks to Chu Qingshuang’s ingenious ideas, the store he managed had gone from being the Li family’s worst to their best, making the most money each month. This had made Li Zhenzong view him in a better light.

Chu Qingshuang’s eyes widened in surprise, “Twenty sets?”

Li Shaoliang nodded happily, “Yes, the deposit has already been paid.”

“When does the client need them?”

Li Shaohang replied, “I told them a month from now. The client agreed, fearing that rushing might lead to flaws.”

Chu Qingshuang said, “That gives us plenty of time. I’ll finish these bottles and then start on the bowls and plates for the client.”

Great,” Li Shaohang hesitated before speaking, “Qingshuang, there’s something I’d like to discuss with you.”

Chu Qingshuang blinked her big eyes, “What is it?”

Li Shaoliang watched Chu Qingshuang’s still youthful face, his favorite part about her being her large, round eyes, resembling cat’s pupils, clear and beautiful. “My father mentioned arranging a marriage for me, what do you think about that?”

Chu Qingshuang was momentarily stunned by this sudden news. “Arranging a marriage?”

Li Shaoliang’s grip tightened as he nodded, “Yes, I’m already seventeen. Previously, my father said I was too immature to consider marriage, but now, seeing how well I’ve managed the store, he believes I’ve grown responsible and is letting my mother arrange my marriage…”

There was a part of Chu Qingshuang that didn’t want Li Shaoliang to be arranged in marriage, but she had no place to voice her thoughts. “That’s good, you should listen to your parents.”

Li Shaohang looked into Chu Qingshuang’s eyes and could not accept that Chu Qingshuang would let him get married so calmly. He probed, “Don’t you have anything to say to me?”

Chu Qingshuang shook her head, “No, I don’t.”

Li Shaoliang felt his heart sink, deeply disappointed, blaming himself for not being good enough to earn Chu Qingshuang’s affection.

The atmosphere turned somber as he left the kiln.

Chu Qingshuang felt uneasy, not sure what had upset Li Shaoliang. Had she said something wrong?

LiWenyu gently patted Chu Qingshuang’s shoulder, consoling her, “Don’t overthink it, it’s not about you.”

“Do you know why your brother suddenly became unhappy?”

“I don’t know. It’s hard to guess what men are thinking.” Just like her father, every time he was unhappy, he still needed her mother to coax him. Otherwise, he wouldn’t even eat. She still hadn’t figured it out.

Chu Qingshuang thought for a moment. “That seems to be the case. Shall I ask him when we have lunch later?”

Li Wenyu patted her chest and said loyally, “Alright, I’ll go with you. If you don’t understand, I’ll help you.”

“Okay.”

Soon, it was noon. Chu Qingshuang tidied up her things and brought Li Wenyu to look for Li Shaoliang.

At the entrance of the Li family.

Sun Xuezhen said to Li Shaoliang shyly, “Brother Shaoliang, let’s go to Fuyuan Restaurant for lunch?”

Li Shaoliang was quite cultured. Although he was unwilling, he did not show it on his face. He said kindly, “Alright, get in the carriage.”

The two of them entered the carriage one after another and drove towards Fuyuan Restaurant.

Chu Qingshuang and Li Wenyu rushed over and watched this scene from afar.

Li Wenyu scratched her head. Why was Brother Shaoliang with another girl? She looked up at Chu Qingshuang. “Sister Qingshuang, that…”

Chu Qingshuang felt as if something was stuck in her heart and she felt very uncomfortable. “Wenyu, let me bring you to a restaurant for lunch?” Fifth Sister said. When she was in a bad mood, she would just eat more.

Li Wenyu touched her purse. “Let me treat you.”

Chu Qingshuang smiled and patted Li Wenyu’s head. “I’ll treat you Let’s go eat.”

Li Wenyu replied crisply, “Alright.”

Chu Qingshuang and Li Wenyu entered the residence and took a carriage to Hongyan Restaurant.

They arrived at the restaurant and asked for a private room. Chu Qingshuang ordered a lot of dishes. “Wenyu, eat more.”

Li Wenyu leaned against the table with both hands and looked at the table full of dishes. She said hesitantly, “Sister Qingshuang, is it too much?”

Chu Qingshuang felt a little sad when she thought of Li Shaoliang being with another girl. “It’s ok. We can finish it.”

Li Wenyu said, “Sister Qingshuang, are you using eating to soothe your worries?”