Allure of a Country Maiden-Chapter 68 - 66 Preparation for Opening

Chapter 68: Chapter 66: Preparation for Opening

Chapter 68 -66: Preparation for Opening

The toy store is opening tomorrow, and today, before the crack of dawn, Xiao’er and Jingrui – the two brothers – are taking a village bullock cart to the County Town.

A few days earlier, Mrs.

Shen decided that the family should no longer use their own bullock cart as the bull had become too thin due to overwork, so today they had to use a bullock cart from the village.

Since their house was nearing completion and Shen Chengyao couldn’t leave, he wasn’t able to accompany them.

However, since they had already purchased a shop in the County Town and Xiao’er’s uncle was preparing for the opening, Shen Chengyao was at ease with the children travelling by bullock cart to the County Town.

Even if they couldn’t return home at night, they could spend the night at the shop.

Upon their arrival at the Friend Circle, the shopkeeper immediately came to greet them with a bow, “Miss, two young masters.”

Xiao’er often visited during the shop’s renovation to resolve any issues the workers had with the designs.

As such, she and the shopkeeper had grown quite familiar with each other.

“Uncle Fu, there’s no need for such formalities each time.

Are all the toys displayed properly?” Xiao’er kindly smiled and asked.

“Everything is neatly arranged, Miss.

Please take a look and see if anything needs to be changed or prepared.” Uncle Fu admired the young girl standing before him.

Not only had she conceived the items for the shop, but the unique design of the store gave it a refreshing feel.

Moreover, she had crafted all the colored glaze pieces.

Now, the shop even sold glass cups made of colored glaze.

It was said that she was merely a farmer’s daughter, yet her comportment suggested otherwise.

She wasn’t like the sheltered daughters from wealthy families either.

She held a more open and hearty demeanor with a natural and unpretentious grace.

All her manners and actions were elegant and polite to the last degree.

Xiao’er nodded and smiled in agreement.

Glancing over the toy displays on the shelves and tables, they were meticulously arranged in order from big to small.

Although it looked organized, it was too rigid, lacking youthful spirit and liveliness.

Xiao’er walked around the shop observing all the different sections.

Jingrui and Jinghao, seeing such a store for the first time, felt their eyes couldn’t move fast enough to take it all in.

Xiao’er approached the play area, considering herself still a child.

Despite the fact that her age was a bit on the older side for these kinds of games, she thought it was a good opportunity to test how strong and sturdy the constructions were.

“Brother, Hao’er, let’s try this out.”

So, the three siblings tried out the slide, the trampoline, the swing, and the basketball hoop…

They had a blast and laughed heartily.

Uncle Fu was speechless at the sight.

Are they here to play?

Di Zhaowei walked into the store and was surprised by the laughter.

When he reached the playground area and saw what was happening, he couldn’t help but chuckles.

“Did you guys come here to play?

Do you have money?” Seeing them enjoying themselves so much made Di Zhaowei curious about the games.

They all looked very appealing, and he hadn’t played any of them before.

The three of them saw Di Zhaowei and called out, “Brother Di.”

Xiao’er waved at him and said, “Brother Di, you should come and play too.

You’re taller and heavier; you can help us test if the structures are durable.”

Di Zhaowei thought for a moment but eventually waved, “It’s enough that you guys are trying it out.

I’m too old for this.

It wouldn’t be proper!” But, he genuinely wanted to give them a try.

“We’re not heavy enough.

Come on!” Xiao’er said, bouncing on the trampoline and waving at him.

“True, I’ll give it a try.” In the end, Di Zhaowei took off his shoes and joined in the fun.

Much for decorum, he clearly wanted to play, Xiao’er thought and chuckled to herself.

These facilities were definitely strong and safe; they just used testing as an excuse to play.

They couldn’t help themselves; this was the first appearance of such items in this era.

Naturally, they were excited.

The four of them played together until they were drenched in sweat before they finally stopped.

The playground’s columns and stairs were all covered with a thick layer of cotton and wood shavings.

Even if they bumped into anything, they wouldn’t get hurt.

There were ropes tied in a net shape surrounding the walkways and suspension bridges, so even if children were careless, they wouldn’t fall off.

After putting his shoes back on, Di Zhaowei commented, “Children will definitely love the playground.”

Jinghao quickly nodded, “Yes, I want to come and play every day.”

Hearing his words, Di Zhaowei burst into laughter, “Then come play here every day.”

Jinghao frowned, clearly troubled, “It is a bit far from home to the County Town.

These days, I have to practice writing and then I’m busy practicing with the arrow.

I don’t have the time.”

“Don’t be in a hurry with your archery practice.

Take it slow, and results will follow.”

“How long do I need to practice to hit the target in one go?”

“It depends on the individual, but at the very least, a couple of years.”

“A couple of years?

But I want to go hunting with my dad next winter.” Every year, the village would gather some men to hunt in the deep mountain.

His dad always went, but he did not this year as he was occupied at home.

Jinghao had long wanted to go with his dad, who had said that if Jinghao could shoot a chicken on the move next year, he would take him along.

“Then work hard!” Di Zhaowei patted his shoulder.

Shen’s uncle was just trying to bluff the boy.

“Weren’t you supposed to be returning to the Imperial Capital?” Xiao’er asked while playing with the toys displayed on the two tables outside the shop.

“I’m waiting for this shop to open before leaving.

Brother Shangguan has urgent matters and has to return.

His return also lets us check how the Friends Circle has been decorated in the Imperial Capital.

These toys are arranged nicely, why are you messing with them?”

“They’re too organized!” Without looking up, Xiao’er continued rearranging the toys.

She would place one, then step back to look at it, then pick another if not satisfied and repeat the process until she was content.

She’s the only one I know who dislikes tidiness.

Her thinking is out of the norm!

Di Zhaowei motioned for Jingrui and Jinghao, “Let’s head to the accounting room.

Brother Di can help you guys with your reading.”

Jingrui turned back to ask, “Xiao’er, do you need any help?”

Xiao’er shook her head, “No need, you guys focus on your fun!”

“Let’s go.

There’s a shopkeeper in the store to help her.

We don’t know how to help and we might even get in her way.”

Hearing that, the two brothers followed Di Zhaowei to the accounting room.

Xiao’er was busy arranging the toys in the store.

When she couldn’t reach a space, she had Uncle Fu bring a stepladder for her to climb.

She had asked her uncle to create this stepladder after noticing that a standard ladder was uncomfortable for the construction workers.

While the task of arranging the toys was not strenuous, it took up a good four hours to arrange all the toys in the store.

By the end of it, Xiao’er was thoroughly exhausted.

Examining the rearranged toys, Di Zhaowei felt as though stepping into the store was like entering an animated world.

The entire place was bursting with life, warmth, childhood delight, and happiness.

The toys were displayed in a very human-like manner: a little pig reading a book, a rabbit eating a radish, little bears gathered around a chessboard, little friends chatting together, and one in the midst of flower arranging…

Though the toys weren’t arranged in a rigid manner, it didn’t feel chaotic either.

“Everything that reaches your hands somehow becomes a surprise!”

Uncle Fu also admired the transformed store, “Miss, you’re really amazing. free𝑤ebnovel.com

Arranging it this way makes the store feel very cozy.”

“Xiao’er’s flower baskets look really nice in this store.”

“Anything that big sister makes looks good!” Jinghao didn’t want to fall behind but couldn’t think of anything else to compliment, so he simply said that.

At his words, everyone laughed heartily.

“Alright, let’s eat first, I’m tired and hungry!”