"If it had been twenty years earlier, I would have agreed to it without hesitation."
"But now..." the old man pointed to his legs that were shaking even as he walked and sighed: "Ten thousand shrouds, in forty-nine days, an average of at least 205 shrouds a day. I can't take on this job."
"I don't even have the guts to pick it up."
"After all, I still want to live a few more years."
"I can't let myself lose my life just because I help you make a Ten Thousand Soul Umbrella."
The shop owner refused to give up and said, "Where is your son? His craftsmanship was passed down from you personally, so he should be no worse than you, right?"
The old man laughed at himself, looked at the myna jumping around in the birdcage and said, "He has a shitty craft. He is better than the paper-making master who learned something in the factory."
"How many of today's young people have suffered?"
"As long as I live, the papermaking factory can continue to work for a few more years."
"If I die, it will be a matter of time before I close down."
The old man waved his hand and said, "I already told you on the phone. Instead of wasting time here, I'd rather take your two friends to other places to inquire."
"There are no less than five paper-making companies."
"As far as I know, there are at least three old guys who are paper makers."
The shop owner smiled bitterly and said: "Uncle Feng Lai, to be honest with you, I have contacted all three of them and they are unwilling to help."
The old man said clearly: "No, everyone wants to live a few more years."
"With no shortage of money and no relationship, only a fool would accept a life-threatening job."
The shop owner looked at Tieshan and me without leaving any trace, spread his hands and said there was nothing he could do.
Tieshan looked at me and asked me what to do now.
I sat on the sofa dejectedly, with nothing to do.
The other party's refusal was justified. I don't think I have the ability to force others into difficult situations.
What's more, the old man didn't lie, what he said was exactly the same as what Lingxi told me.
It takes a lot of effort to make the Ten Thousand Souls Umbrella. With his current physical condition, even if he agrees to it, I wouldn't be too relieved.
"Let's go and think of other ways." I stood up and said.
Tieshan nodded and said, "There are three or four paper-making shops on North Street. Why don't you go and have a look this afternoon?"
"Okay, Uncle Fenglai, let's go first." The shop owner said goodbye.
Just as we were about to leave, my phone suddenly rang.
I took it out and looked at it. It was from Meng Fan.
Because I was still in Old Man Guo's office, I hung up the phone subconsciously, planning to call Meng Fan back when I left.
"Wait a minute." Old Man Guo looked at my phone with fiery eyes.
To be precise, he looked at the jade pendant hanging on my phone case and murmured, breathing raggedly.
"You?" I held the phone, confused.
The jade pendant was left to me by my grandfather.
Not valuable and not big.
It's a crescent-shaped butcher's knife.
Because there are holes on it, I simply tied a rope to the phone case.
It’s not about beauty, it’s just a way for me to mourn my grandfather.
After all, this jade pendant is the only thought left to me by my grandfather.
"Where did you get this jade pendant?" Old Man Guo walked towards me tremblingly, his voice was hoarse and his eyes were red.
