Old Li looked at Xu Chunniang beside him and gave her a friendly smile.
"Little friend, you've only just arrived in Taoyuan Village. Meeting is fate. They're only a few cooking utensils—take whatever you like."
As he spoke, he stepped aside and pushed the door behind him wider, revealing porcelain wares piled up like mountains inside.
Seeing how open he was, Xu Chunniang did not stand on ceremony. She thanked Old Li, then handed over the firewood she had been carrying on her shoulder and the game from her bamboo basket.
"Thank you, Uncle Li. This is a small token of my appreciation. I hope you won't find it too humble."
"Hehe, not at all, not at all. I was just thinking of going up the mountain to chop some firewood when I had the time. I didn't expect you to bring some right over. Thank you."
"I should be the one thanking you."
Only after thanking Uncle Li once more did Xu Chunniang step into the courtyard.
She looked around and carefully selected several cooking utensils, placing them in her bamboo basket.
"I'll just take these."
"Only taking this much?"
Uncle Li casually glanced at the cooking utensils piled into a small mountain in the yard. "Take some more. If guests come to your house someday, they'll come in handy after all."
Xu Chunniang considered it, then picked out several more porcelain bowls and a tea set. After that, she firmly refused to take anything else.
"See? I told you this child was honest. She's afraid of taking advantage of you."
Aunt Zhang jerked her chin toward Uncle Li.
Uncle Li nodded and smiled kindly at Xu Chunniang. "If you need anything next time, come take it whenever you like. I don't have any other hobbies—I just enjoy tinkering