Chapter 38: Canvas Acquired
Director Li naturally agreed to An Ning’s request to buy the defective fabric.
The workshop director enthusiastically led An Ning and An Guoming to the warehouse.
Along the way, the workshop director peppered them with curious questions, and An Guoming craned his neck to listen in.
"How did you know what that machine does? How could you tell?"
An Ning chose her words carefully, recalling what she had said earlier that day. ’Luckily, there weren’t any major slip-ups.’
"I just listed the parts I saw. I don’t actually know what machine it is."
The workshop director nodded excitedly and asked again, "So how’d you know what those parts were?"
"I’ve read my little brother’s physics book. It talked about gears, pressure, and a lot of related concepts."
The workshop director nodded vigorously, now even more convinced that An Ning was a genius.
An Guoming nodded along as well. ’My little sister is so smart. She has to go to school.’
An Ning, unaware of An Guoming’s thoughts, continued to answer the workshop director’s questions.
"You took it apart once and put it right back together. How’d you remember how to do it?"
"I don’t know. I just put it back together by feel."
"Oh my goodness, you’re incredible! Let me tell you, you have a real talent for this. You have to seize it! Find a master, study under them... you’ll be amazing!"
The workshop director enthusiastically started listing master craftsmen he knew, but An Ning remained firm in her refusal.
"I don’t like it. I just like farming."
At this, the workshop director’s eyes filled with anxiety and regret. He spun around to face An Guoming.
"What’s your relationship to her? You have to talk some sense into her! I’m telling you, this is a skill that can feed you for a lifetime. There’s no harm in learning it!"
Facing the enthusiastic director, An Guoming nodded repeatedly. "I know, I’ll remember. We’ll have a good talk with her when we get back."
An Ning glanced over out of the corner of her eye. ’It won’t make a difference talking about it at home. This is something I absolutely can’t budge on.’
Just then, they finally arrived at the warehouse.
With the workshop director personally escorting them and an approval slip from Director Li, everything went smoothly.
The two of them bought the canvas they needed. At An Guoming’s suggestion, they also bought several other pieces of fabric to make clothes for their family.
An Ning had no objections and even grabbed a fair bit more, enough to make several sets of clothes.
Not only that, but the quick-witted An Guoming also picked up some free fabric scraps.
"Second Brother, what are these for?"
"We can sew them onto the outside of the bags to make a nice pattern! When you’re selling things, you have to offer something new and different."
An Ning wholeheartedly agreed. ’Second Brother really is suited for this line of work.’
’Looks like I’ll have to get started on improving Second Brother’s physical fitness when we get back.’
An Guoming looked at An Ning, his mind also occupied. ’When we get back, I absolutely have to convince my little sister to go to school.’
Each with their own plans, the two of them packed up the fabric they had selected.
"Little Sis, isn’t this too much?" An Guoming asked, looking at the four large bundles on the floor.
"It is a lot."
An Ning felt a bit helpless too. ’The problem is, I only have two hands.’
"Finished picking?"
Director Li entered the warehouse. Seeing the four bundles on the floor, he asked knowingly, "Where are you two headed? Let me see if there’s a vehicle going your way. You can catch a ride."
"We’re going to Sanhe Town."
"Sanhe Town... Let me think."
Director Li tapped his finger in the air twice, then said urgently, "I remember now! The machinery plant has dealings out that way. You two wait here, I’ll make a call and ask."
A few moments later, Director Li came running back in a panic, calling out to the siblings.
"Hurry, you two can catch a ride on our textile factory’s truck to the machinery plant. I’ve already spoken with them, and you’ll be able to ride their truck to Sanhe Town from there."
Director Li was genuinely grateful to An Ning and also hoped to foster a good relationship with her. ’With how clever this girl is, she might just become someone important someday.’
He helped by grabbing one bundle, and the workshop director grabbed another, leaving two on the floor.
Director Li saw An Guoming standing still as An Ning stepped forward alone, grabbed a bundle in each hand, and lifted them with ease before walking away.
She walked to the warehouse entrance, then turned back to ask, "Director Li, which way?"
"That way."
Director Li pointed with his free hand and followed with his bundle. An Guoming, trailing behind, felt too embarrassed to be empty-handed and moved to help Director Li with his.
But after just a few steps, Director Li understood why An Ning had taken two bundles.
"Say, An Ning’s second brother, why don’t you let go? Having another person pulling on this is actually making it more difficult."
An Guoming gave a sheepish grin and released his grip, which he’d been maintaining with all his strength. He watched as Director Li immediately quickened his pace, no longer out of breath.
Up ahead, An Ning was standing beside a green Jiefang truck. She tossed her two bundles into the back and then turned to take the one from Director Li.
Once all four large bundles were on the truck, Director Li said to An Ning,
"Here’s my phone number. Let’s stay in touch if you ever need anything."
An Ning accepted Director Li’s number, and in return, An Guoming gave him the village’s phone number. They waved goodbye to each other, and the Jiefang truck drove out of the textile factory.
After a bumpy, half-hour ride spent watching the scenery, they arrived at the machinery plant.
An Ning habitually scanned her surroundings with her spiritual power, and her expression suddenly changed.
Before the truck had even come to a stop, An Ning leaped from the truck bed.
"Little Sis—!"
An Guoming watched as An Ning broke into a sprint, heading straight for a reversing Jiefang truck.
Just as it looked like she was about to crash into the truck, An Ning dropped low, turned sideways, and slid right underneath it.
"Hey... Stop! Stop the truck!"
An Guoming shot to his feet in the truck bed, waving his arms frantically and shouting until his voice was hoarse.
"Stop—! Stop—!"
The driver from the textile factory saw An Ning’s maneuver and began honking his horn in support. The driver of the machinery plant’s truck ahead finally heard the commotion and slammed on the brakes.
An Guoming scrambled down from the truck and stumbled toward the other vehicle, dropping to the ground to look underneath.
"Second Brother!"
An Ning called out with a smile, only to see her brother’s eyes filled with a mixture of fear and anger. He sniffled hard.
"Get out from under there, right now!"
An Guoming got to his feet, quickly turned his back to wipe away a tear, and then spun around, fuming. ’Today, I have to put my foot down like a proper older brother.’
’That’ll teach her to be so reckless!’
By this point, a crowd had gathered, and the drivers of both trucks had gotten out.
An Ning had just started to crawl out from under the truck, her head barely visible, when the driver unleashed a torrent of abuse.
"Are you blind?! It’s broad daylight! How can you not see a truck this big?!"
"Is that any place for a person to be crawling around?! You got a death wish, or you think there’s money under there?!"
An Ning said nothing. She simply extended her arms, and a small baby emerged from under the truck.
Everyone was struck speechless.
"Heh heh... Heh heh..."
The chubby little baby crawled out nimbly, plopped down on the ground, and started giggling and clapping its little hands, looking utterly delighted.
An Ning tilted her head up to look at the stunned and terrified driver.
"There wasn’t any money under there, but I did find a baby."