"Another method involves mixing green brick ash with sesame oil, polishing it three times, and then waxing it. Mats made this way are mold and insect resistant, mirror-like, smooth, delicate, and cool to the touch. However, it is time-consuming and expensive, so only wealthy families can afford them."
Shen Qingzhou's mind stirred, and he immediately made a decision. "Let's use the second method! Anyway, we have sesame oil at home."
So what if it was only for wealthy families? They may not have much money, but they have plenty of time and patience.
"Alright! Then let's get some bricks and wax."
Yao Daocheng now has most of his day free, and recently he has repaired all the tables and chairs at home. With nothing else to do, he started cutting vines to weave baskets, and Shen Qingzhou just happened to help him out.
The green bricks need to be crushed, mixed with water, and then filtered through a fine cloth. The resulting muddy water should be collected in a wooden basin. After the muddy water has settled, pour off the top layer of water, spread out the sediment at the bottom, and let it dry in the sun to obtain fine green brick ash.
Then, wash and dry the mat. Mix the green brick ash with sesame oil, then use a brush to apply it evenly on the clean mat. Let it dry for a while, then wipe off the excess ash with a cloth. Repeat this process three times, and then you can start waxing.
The white wax is melted in a bowl and applied to the mat while still warm. Then, it is gently roasted over low heat, allowing the wax to gradually penetrate the bamboo and wood. After cooling, the excess wax on the surface is scraped off with coarse cloth, and then carefully wiped clean with fine cloth. At this point, a beautifully exquisite waxed bamboo mat is complete.
Shen Qingzhou touched it and was very satisfied; with this smoothness, even a fly would have to do the splits if it landed on the mat.
Thinking about how Meng Xiaoxi felt a bit unwell after their first time, they hadn't been together for several days. Each time, they just simply slept and chatted, and he was finding it quite difficult to endure.
After dinner that day, Shen Qingzhou quietly whispered in his ear, "The mat is ready, sleep in my room tonight."
Meng Xiaoxi's cheeks flushed instantly; he knew what he wanted to do. He hadn't done it for a few days, and actually, he kind of wanted to.
He was sweating profusely on top, and all he had to do was to savor the moment. Once that mountainous body covered him, every pore from head to toe wanted to shudder. That ultimate sensation was endless, something he had never experienced in his life.
Shen Qingzhou was afraid he would be too shy to go, so he specially took a bath with him tonight. While they were bathing, things almost got out of hand. After they finished, he couldn't wait to pull him back to the room.
"How is it? Go ahead, feel it! Uncle Yao and I put in a lot of effort," he said, pulling his hand as if to take credit.
Meng Xiaoxi sat on it and felt it for a moment, then said happily, "It's really not bad. I thought it would be greasy after waxing, but it's actually cool and smooth."
"The wax has already soaked in, the surface layer has all been wiped off."
Neither of them drank tonight; Shen Qingzhou was incredibly clear-headed. He carefully and eagerly unfastened the other's nightwear.
The dim light in the room cast shadows, and the atmosphere inside the gauzy curtains was hazy yet passionate. Meng Xiaoxi nervously clutched the sheets, waiting for that feeling he was still not quite familiar with but strongly yearned for.
Like a scoop of cool well water poured onto the dry, curled leaves of a seedling, or a bowl of warm porridge consumed by a weary traveler, the two felt an unparalleled sense of harmony and joy.
Then—
Meng Xiaoxi rubbed his head; it was only a few strokes, and his head had already bumped against the wall.
Shen Qingzhou awkwardly dragged Meng Xiaoxi back, then changed direction, but before long, Meng Xiaoxi hit his head again. It seemed that the mat being too smooth wasn't a good thing either.
In the end, he had piled the pillows and sheets together to prevent Meng Xiaoxi from hitting his head again.
After it was over, the two of them sat facing each other, grinning foolishly for half the day.
Meng Xiaoxi asked, "Is your arm okay?"
"None." Shen Qingzhou lifted his leg to show him, "My knee is fine too. How about you? Is there anywhere that feels uncomfortable this time?"
Even though he didn't admit it last time, he still figured it out.
Meng Xiaoxi, blushing, shook his head and buried his face in his shoulder.
...
The weather is hot, so farmers usually go to the fields early in the morning or late in the evening. Since Yao Kang had nothing to do, he took a bucket and went to the river ditch to catch shrimp after lunch.
Yao Kang hurriedly ran back in a panic.
Yao Daocheng was using a small machete to trim the vines, preparing them for weaving. Seeing the situation, he hurriedly asked, "What's wrong, Kang'er? Why are you back so soon?"
Yao Kang's face turned pale, "Dad! Someone... someone died! It seems to be Aunt Zheng from next door! She's lying under the tree at her house!"
"Ah? Hurry! Go tell the young master first!"
Shen Qingzhou went to Yangliu Village to grind flour and hasn't returned yet, only Meng Xiaoxi is at home. He was taken aback when he heard this; her family, the elderly and children, relies solely on her. What should he do now?
"It might also be heatstroke!" Meng Xiaoxi calmly analyzed, "Uncle Yao, you go take a look first! Bring half a bucket of well water and a cloth, I'll go find the village chief right away!"
"Hey! Alright!"
Yao Daocheng was carrying cold water, but he couldn't run too fast for fear of spilling it, and arrived almost at the same time as the others.
Meng Fengchun's wife also rushed over. She stepped forward to see if she was still alive, and then she felt relieved, "She's still breathing!"
Several people let out a sigh of relief at the same time and quickly got to work, "Hurry! Get a cloth, cool it down a bit, then wring out some water and feed it to her!"
Comments
Post a Comment