Engineer Liu was carving, while a young man at the counter introduced the jade carvings inside to two girls.
Li Long found the young man unfamiliar. He had never seen him before, so he called into the room, "Engineer Liu."
Engineer Liu turned, saw Li Long, and said with a smile:
"Xiao Li, you're here! Come on in."
The young man opened the door to let Li Long through, gave him a curious look, then went back to introducing the jade objects to the customers.
The customers were curious about Li Long too, but after looking him over, they returned to the things they wanted to buy.
Li Long could hear their conversation. It was simply that the jade objects here were good quality, some were even master-crafted, but they were cheaper than those in the shop outside the Jade Carving Factory. That was what had drawn the customers here.
"Business is good, Engineer Liu." Li Long greeted him as he entered and put down a package. "I went to Ili a few days ago. Some friends there gave me dried meat and air-dried fish. Have a taste."
"Wonderful. Look at you, bringing something every time you come..." Engineer Liu said with a smile. He had already put down his carving knife and stood up to pour Li Long some tea.
The room was rather small, so Li Long stayed to one side as much as possible to avoid getting in his way.
After the two girls spent over fifty yuan on what they wanted and left, the young man turned around and looked curiously at Li Long.
Engineer Liu was just about to introduce them when another customer came along, and the young man hurriedly turned back.
"They all rush over during their lunch break," Engineer Liu said quietly.