Chapter 54: Battle Aura

The intricately carved bed had finally been carried in, and Le’er could hardly contain his joy, while Carpenter Luo puffed on his cigarette in delight.

“Le’er, what are you going to do with such an old bed?” Luo Yinxian asked, her brows furrowed and her eyes full of disdain.

“You don’t know a thing,” Le’er replied, annoyed, though his eyes still shone with happiness. “This is a treasure, look at the carved flowers—they’re lifelike. And the wood, the lacquer… It looks dull now, but once it’s cleaned, you’ll see how bright it is. Go get some soap powder and a soft cloth, let’s give it a good cleaning.”

Yinxian eagerly fetched water, added detergent—here referred to as soap powder—and grabbed a clean soft cloth to start scrubbing. Le’er wasn’t idle either, joining her in the task.

“Be gentle, don’t press too hard,” he cautioned.

“It’s just an old bed, why are you so careful? You act as if you’re pampering a new bride!” Yinxian teased.

“You talk nonsense… Is there anything to compare?” Le’er sprinkled a bit of water on Yinxian’s face, “If you keep being rough, just step aside and let me do it myself.”

Yinxian’s laughter rang out, clear and crisp. “I bet even if you marry a new bride, you wouldn’t treasure her as much… But honestly, this lacquer is amazing—just a few wipes and it shines, you can see your reflection.”

Once the grime was wiped away, the bed looked nearly new, save for the front edge where the lacquer had worn from years of use. Everywhere else, it gleamed like new. Carpenter Luo came closer to inspect, letting out a long sigh.

“The old craftsmen, who knows what kind of technique they used to do such fine work? This lacquer is natural, but I’ve used plenty of it myself—never managed this quality. Look at that red, heavens, so vivid yet so deep, after more than a century it’s still fresh. Tsk, tsk… Even if I studied another hundred years, I’d never master it.”

“Master Luo, this footboard is a bit worn, can you touch up the lacquer?” Le’er asked, gazing at the scuffed area with some distress.

“I wouldn’t dare,” Luo shook his head, brow knitted. “Better not to try fixing it. You could polish it with some varnish, but touching up would be like patching a beautiful silk gown with coarse burlap—ruins the whole look. It’s best left as is.”

The bed was excellent, but the drum-shaped table and stools had some damage, especially the lacquer, which was worn on the tabletop though still gleaming. The wood remained sturdy, undamaged after more than a hundred years.

Both the bed and the table set were placed in the bedroom, which had no other furniture. Carpenter Luo gazed at them and sighed again.

“If only there were a few more pieces, it feels a bit empty.”

“Master, I’ll ask around for you. If I find more antique furniture like this, I’ll let you know—and there’ll be plenty of drinks in it for you,” Le’er said, smiling as he handed Luo a cigarette.

“Alright, as soon as I hear of anything, I’ll come tell you.”

“Master, should I get a spring mattress… If we use straw, is it…”

“A modern mattress?” Luo shook his head. “No, that wouldn’t suit this bed. I’ve heard that in the old days, even the wealthy landlords used straw, but they packed it in cloth bags, stripping the leaves off first. You make a dozen bags, lay them out, then cover with thick quilts—soft and comfortable.”

“That sounds perfect, let’s do that!” Le’er grinned, “Yinxian, I’ll leave it to you. Measure it up, then go to the seamstress and have a dozen big bags made, fill them with straw.”

He handed Yinxian two hundred yuan. He had to go to the village committee to officially start his post today, so he had no time to handle these matters. Yinxian took the money and got busy.

The village committee was at the west end of Shangtao village, a two-story building clad in white tiles, with tiled floors inside. Le’er had been inside twice before, but never imagined he’d one day sit there.

When he entered, two people were already inside—Village Director Tao Wen and Women’s Director Tian Sihua. Tian Sihua was a Shangtao bride, married from the Tian family in Tianjiachong, a high school graduate in her mid-twenties. Her husband, Tao Runxiang, was a teacher at Tianchong Middle School.

“Sha Le’er, come on in!” Tian Sihua greeted him warmly. She was beautiful, her full chest almost bursting, slender brows, and sparkling eyes. She was famed as a beauty in Taosha village.

“Director Tian… and Director Tao, you’re here so early.”

“Hmph!” Tao Wen was busy writing, though his penmanship left much to be desired. When Le’er entered, he glanced up, indifferent, then smirked with a hint of ridicule. “Assistant Sha is here… Well, there’s not much work for you today. The floor’s filthy—why don’t you clean it?”

Tian Sihua glanced at Tao Wen, wanting to say something but held her tongue.

“Alright, I’ll get started,” Le’er replied without complaint, picking up the broom. He swept up the bits of trash, then grabbed the mop and began wiping the floor.

“Assistant Sha, let me help you,” Tian Sihua offered.

Seeing Le’er sweating profusely, Tian Sihua quickly got up to lend a hand.

“No need, Director Tian,” Le’er smiled. “I’m probably just a janitor here—please sit, don’t get your feet wet.”

Tian Sihua stepped back, reluctant to interfere. Tao Wen watched Le’er, sweat pouring down his face, his lips curled into a mocking smile.

“Kid, if you want to stay in the village committee, it’ll work you to death!”

He didn’t say the words aloud, but his expression made his meaning clear. Tian Sihua cast him a disdainful glance, stepped outside, and stood by the door to enjoy the scenery.

Le’er finished mopping and started wiping the tables. There were four tables in the committee office; only Tao Wen remained at his desk. Le’er cleaned Tian Sihua’s table first, then two vacant ones. Only Tao Wen’s desk was left. Le’er glanced at him, chuckled inwardly, and carried the dirty water over.

“Director Tao, could you move a bit? Don’t want to dirty your clothes.”

He had barely spoken when, as if by accident, his foot slipped on the mop and with a splash, a whole basin of dirty water spilled onto the desk, splashing all over Tao Wen. Tao Wen was wearing a white shirt today, now completely stained.

“Sha Le’er, what are you doing?”

Tao Wen’s eyes blazed with fury.

“I’m terribly sorry, really—I wasn’t paying attention, got tripped by the mop… What should I do? Your clothes are ruined, here, let me wipe it for you…”

He raised the cloth, almost wiping Tao Wen’s shirt. Fortunately, Tao Wen stepped back quickly and avoided it.

“Heh, must be losing my mind,” Le’er said, holding the cloth, feigning awkwardness. “Really sorry, Director Tao.”

“I think you did it on purpose!”

“What are you implying, Director Tao?” Le’er’s smile faded, anger flashing in his eyes. “Do you have a grudge against me? It’s just a shirt—I’ll pay for it. But you’d better watch your mouth!”

Tao Wen, furious, didn’t know where to vent. Outside, Tian Sihua covered her mouth and laughed.