Keep going, keep it up, we have to turn it all around.
Fang Er stood to the side, cheering them on.
Yes, I'm so clever. This kind of work should be done by muscle men like them. Hehe, Fang Er muttered to himself as he watched.
When they couldn't bend it anymore, they would put it back to be tempered and then bend it again.
After toiling for the time it takes an incense stick to burn, tiring both of them until they were covered in sweat, they finally bent the entire drill bit, over 30 centimeters long, into a rectangular steel bar.
Alright, you two rest for a while. I'll handle the rest.
Fang Er picked up the steel bar with fire tongs and continued to temper it. After it turned red, he put it on the anvil and began to forge it.
Having learned from a master craftsman how to swing a hammer in his previous life, the hammer felt familiar as soon as he held it.
He lowered his stance, twisted his waist, and brought the hammer down forcefully onto the steel bar. Sparks flew everywhere, but Fang Er remained unfazed. He continued to strike, hammer after hammer, and when he couldn't bend it any further, he would reheat it and continue. Eventually, he transformed a drill bit into a short knife.
After heating it again, he placed Cheng Chumou's knife, which was already broken in half, on top and smashed it down with the hammer, cutting it into two knives, one long and one short. After forging and shaping them separately, he casually picked them up and threw them into the bathtub to quench.
My brothers, do you like my bathtub? It can be used for bathing, making ice, and for forging and quenching.
Fang Er teased.
Cheng Chumou shot him a glare and said nothing.
Damn it, he really doesn't waste anything. Even my knife is in that state, and he won't let it go.
Yu Chi Baolin picked up the blade Fang Er had thrown on the ground and waved it in front of Cheng Chumou: Brother Fang, your bathtub seems to be a bit inferior to Chumou's knife. Tsk tsk, it can still cut iron and steel in this state. A good knife, a good knife.
Fang Er knew what he meant and played along: Alas! It can't be helped. It's just a small household item, not its fault in battle.
I said, you two are enough.
Cheng Chumou couldn't hold back any longer.
Alright, I won't tease you anymore. As compensation, I'll give you something good later. Baolin, you be quiet. There isn't enough material.
After comforting Cheng Chumou, he saw Yu Chi Baolin about to ask for his share again and quickly glared at him.
Fang Er fished out the two short knives, one long and one short, from the bathtub.
The shorter one was only eleven or twelve centimeters, and the longer one was over twenty centimeters. With handles, they could be used as waist knives.
He handed the longer one directly to Cheng Chumou.
You can sharpen it yourself. I'll add handles for you later.
Thank you, elder brother.
Looking at the dark blade, Cheng Chumou was instantly appeased.
Fang Er took the smaller knife, about ten centimeters long, and made a forceful scratch on the anvil.
A clear mark was etched into it.
As expected of tungsten steel alloy, used for impact drill bits, it's truly powerful!
With this, Fang Er's confidence in his future revenge grew even stronger.
He casually fashioned a handle for it and set it aside. Fang Er then picked up two spearheads and found a whetstone to start grinding them.
After grinding for a few strokes, he felt something was wrong!
What the heck!
A bunch of miscellaneous things were mixed together, and the resulting spearheads were of surprisingly good quality! He couldn't grind them down at all! Damn it!
Here, this is your gear. You grind it yourself!
He directly tossed the whetstone for the spearheads to Yu Chi Baolin.
Grind? Okay, it probably means to grind, but where is 'grind' a dialect?
Yu Chi Baolin took the item and began to grind with all his might.
Damn it!
I'll get the forging bed and grinding bed out sooner or later!
I'm so tired, damn it!
Fang Er couldn't help but mutter to himself.
Brother Fang! Why is this so difficult to grind? Normally, it would be done by now. I've only ground one side, and my hands are already sore!
After grinding for a while, Yu Chi Baolin complained, imitating Fang Er's tone.
It's your own stuff, put some effort into it. This is your future companion. If you don't put in the effort, you'll be the one who suffers in the end. Keep grinding, I'm going to check on Xiao Qing.
After leaving those words, Fang Er left.
Yu Chi Baolin thought about it and realized Fang Er had a point. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and continued to grind.
Xiao Qing was leaning against the head of the bed, telling Xiao Huan and Xiao Mi the story Fang Er had told her.
The two young girls sat on small stools by the bed, their hands cupped under their chins, like good little babies, immersed in the fairy tale.
They didn't even notice Fang Er enter.
Young master, are you finished?
Xiao Qing was the first to notice Fang Er and stopped telling the story to ask.
Yes, there's nothing else. I came to see how you were feeling.
Fang Er sat on the edge of the bed and asked, holding Xiao Qing's hand.
I'm much better. It doesn't hurt as much.
Xiao Qing said.
You two are too inconsiderate. Don't you know Qing'er needs rest when she's injured? And you're still making her tell stories?
Fang Er reprimanded Xiao Huan and Xiao Mi.
Young master, I was wrong.
Seeing Fang Er's expression, Xiao Huan realized she really shouldn't have made Xiao Qing tell stories and quickly admitted her mistake.
Xiao Mi also said timidly, I'm sorry, young master.
Alright, you can go down now. Prepare the ingredients, and I'll come cook later.
Fang Er didn't pursue it further. The three of them usually got along well. If he were to reprimand them too harshly, it might create a rift between them and Xiao Qing.
Young master, why are you so fierce? I can't always be lying in bed, it's very boring.
Xiao Qing spoke up for the other two.
Then you can't keep sitting up like this. It's not good for your wound to recover. Fang Er said with feigned anger.
Mm, Qing'er understands.
Alright, don't sit up anymore. Lie down and rest. I'll stay with you for a while, and then I'll make you something delicious to nourish your body. Fang Er turned Xiao Qing's shoulders, helping her lie down on the bed.
Then, young master, will you tell me a story? I want to hear something else. Xiao Qing said, lying on her arm with her face turned to the side, her big eyes blinking at Fang Er.
Okay, then how about I tell you the story of the Calabash Brothers? Fang Er agreed.
Okay, as long as it's told by young master, Qing'er will love to listen.
Then let's begin. Once upon a time, there was a mountain. On the mountain, there was an old grandpa who planted a gourd vine.
As Fang Er told the story, he massaged Xiao Qing's legs. He was worried that if Xiao Qing didn't get out of bed for too long, she might develop blood clots in her legs.
Xiao Qing felt Fang Er's large hands moving back and forth on her legs. Her legs, which had started to feel swollen from lying down for a long time, gradually stopped.
Following that, a warmth and a strange sensation spread through her legs.
Slowly, Xiao Qing fell asleep without realizing it.
Young master.
Xiao Huan entered from the doorway. Seeing Fang Er's actions and Xiao Qing, who had already fallen asleep, she quickly shushed him.
Are the ingredients ready?
Fang Er got up and walked to the doorway, asking in a low voice.
Mm-hmm, they're all ready.
Xiao Huan replied in a similar low voice.
Then you stay here and watch. Don't let anyone disturb your Sister Qing. Let her sleep a little longer, and call her up when the meal is ready.
After instructing Xiao Huan, Fang Er went into the kitchen.