stjorthotic Chapter 10 The Most Beautiful Wall in the World
Chapter 10 The Most Beautiful Wall in the World
The morning mist on the old street dispersed and gathered again on the bluestone slabs. The days flew by amidst the clanging and clattering sounds of renovations, and half a month passed in the blink of an eye.
Chen Feng stood at the shop entrance and took a deep breath.
The original black wooden door is gone.
Instead, Zhang Qiang asked Lao Zhou to build a double wooden gate, painted a restrained walnut color, with a faint tung oil scent.
"Dad, come quick, the playmat is so soft!"
Mengmeng was lying on the newly laid steps of the outdoor seating area.
The originally uneven section of bluestone was smoothed out by Dazhuang's skillful effort, and a huge, off-white sunshade canvas umbrella was erected on it.
Four small, round, light-colored wooden tables were arranged in a staggered pattern under the umbrella, each with a rattan chair next to it.
Chen Feng stepped across the threshold and entered the main room on the first floor.
The main room is no longer as gloomy and cold as it used to be.
The thick load-bearing wall was demolished and replaced with an open beam, directly opposite the main entrance, which was Chen Feng's envisioned open kitchen.
White ceramic tiles were laid on the top, and the big iron pot left by Grandpa was placed on the newly built stove, its lid polished to a shine.
A large solid wood bar table separates the kitchen and dining area.
The bar counter was at just the right height. Chen Feng was tossing the pot there, and diners sitting there could clearly see the flames leaping in the pot.
The second floor, however, retains its original layout and serves as a haven for the father and daughter.
The wooden staircase no longer creaked as you walked up, and Chen Feng had placed a lush green spider plant at the corner.
"Uncle Zhou, Dazhuang, Xiao Deng, come over and have some tea."
Chen Feng waved to Xiao Deng, who was squatting in the corner finishing up.
At that moment, Zhang Qiang went to the backyard to move materials and was not in the front hall.
The three of them put down what they were doing and sat down at the square table in the hall.
Chen Feng poured each person a cup of freshly brewed tea, and casually took out three thick envelopes from his pocket, handing them to the three men respectively.
"Fengzi, what are you doing?" Old Zhou was the first to react, his face darkening as he tried to push the envelope back.
"Qiangzi told us that this job was to help his buddies out."
We're paid his salary, so we can't accept this money from you.
Dazhuang and Xiaodeng waved their hands repeatedly, their faces full of refusal.
Chen Feng pressed down on Lao Zhou's hand, his tone extremely gentle, yet revealing an unquestionable authority.
"Uncle Zhou, Dazhuang, Xiao Deng, let me finish."
Qiangzi is my brother, that's true. But brotherhood is brotherhood, and business is business.
You guys are just trying to make a living with my brother Qiangzi. He has parents to support, and he also needs to save money for Xiao Deng's wife. Da Zhuang also has two kids in school.
"I, Chen Feng, have been away from home for many years and have some savings. If Qiangzi were to cover this expense, I wouldn't be able to get over it in my heart."
Chen Feng glanced at Xiao Deng and smiled:
"Xiao Deng, I heard from Qiangzi that you're dating someone?"
Take this money and buy the girl a nice dress.
Uncle Zhou, this is my personal contribution for your tea.
If you keep refusing, I won't dare invite you to eat at my restaurant after it opens.
Having said all that, the three exchanged glances, looked into Chen Feng's sincere eyes, and finally accepted the gift with some embarrassment.
"Brother Feng, you're... great! So straightforward!" Little Deng chuckled, scratching his head.
"If there are any minor problems with the plumbing or electrical systems in this house in the future, just give me a call, and I'll be there anytime."
Chen Feng lowered his voice and asked:
"Uncle Zhou, tell me honestly, how much material costs has Qiangzi incurred during this period?"
Including the old wood and these pieces of tempered glass.
Master Zhou hesitated for a moment, but was eventually subdued by Chen Feng's gaze and gave the truth.
Chen Feng felt more confident.
Just as he saw the three people off, Zhang Qiang returned from the backyard, cursing and swearing, carrying a bucket of freshly mixed putty powder.
"These guys, they're as slow as snails at finishing up... Hey, where are Old Zhou and the others?"
Chen Feng walked over, grabbed Zhang Qiang's arm, and stuffed a bank card into his work pants pocket.
"Fengzi, what do you mean by this?" Zhang Qiang's face instantly darkened, and his voice rose eight octaves.
"Are you trying to slap me in the face? Do you think I need your little bit of money?"
"I said I was helping my brother out, and you pull this stunt? Who do you think you are?"
"Qiangzi, listen to me first." Chen Feng didn't let go; instead, he pressed Zhang Qiang down onto the bench.
"Regarding the material costs, I've already asked Uncle Zhou, and I didn't give you any extra."
"I can pay you the wages you want, we don't talk about that between brothers, but if you don't charge for the materials, I'll tear down this shop tomorrow and I'm closing down."
"You..." Zhang Qiang stared, about to retort.
"Qiangzi." Chen Feng's tone turned serious.
"Your mother has a bad back and has been seeing a traditional Chinese medicine doctor recently."
Your dad's leg hurts whenever the weather changes; you need to save up money to take them to the city for a thorough checkup.
I understand that you have the heart to help me.
But I went back to the old street to take care of Mengmeng, not to leech off you.
If you don't take this money, you won't have the face to come and freeload off me again.
Zhang Qiang looked at Chen Feng's calm face, then glanced at Mengmeng, who was tilting her head and looking at him with a worried expression.
That stubborn temper of his, like a ball that had been pricked by a needle, slowly deflated.
"You're such a damn stubborn person," Zhang Qiang cursed, his eyes reddening slightly.
He grabbed the card and stuffed it into the deepest pocket.
"Okay! I'll take the cost of the materials."
But if you dare pay Lao Zhou and the others their wages, I'll fight you to the death!
Chen Feng smiled but didn't respond to the question. Instead, he turned his head to look at the walls that had been painted white.
The room fell silent, leaving only the row of bare walls in the center of the hall, which looked rather desolate in the afternoon sun.
"Qiangzi, I feel like something's missing from this wall." Chen Feng frowned and gestured in the air with his hand.
"It's too pale, it's lost its warmth."
Zhang Qiang leaned against the bar, examining the items:
"That's true, hanging those ready-made landscape paintings would be too tacky;
Displaying your award photos would seem too ostentatious.
How about we get some decorative lights?
Mengmeng remained squatting on the ground, guarding her large box of watercolor pens and drawing paper that she had brought back from Beijing.
Hearing their conversation, she suddenly stood up, clutching a freshly drawn picture in her hand, and spoke softly:
"Daddy...can Mengmeng stick these up?"
Chen Feng walked over and took the paper from his daughter's hand.
It was a somewhat immature drawing.
The picture shows a round, long-eared rabbit grinning, holding a red apple that is bigger than itself.
The lines are a bit crooked, but the colors are warm, and the rabbit's beady eyes are full of bright joy.
"Mengmeng wants to stick on a rabbit?" Chen Feng's heart felt like it had been gently bumped.
"Mmm." Mengmeng nodded, fiddling with her fingers a little shyly.
"Mengmeng drew lots and lots of rabbits."
There are rabbits eating, rabbits sleeping, and... and a super rabbit protecting its dad.
"If we posted it on the wall, wouldn't the uncles and aunties who come to eat be very happy to see it?"
Chen Feng turned to look at the empty white wall, and the image of the wall covered with Mengmeng's drawings came to mind.
Everyone who enters the store can immediately see the owner's most cherished treasure.
That's the real, warm "human touch".
"Okay, let's put up cute bunny stickers." Chen Feng turned to look at Zhang Qiang.
"Qiangzi, can you get a transparent acrylic sheet or protective film?"
I'm worried the smoke from the stove might ruin the paintings.
"That's easy!" Zhang Qiang slapped his thigh, his initial annoyance at being forced to accept money vanishing.
"I have ready-made transparent acrylic sheets."
Let's turn this wall into a big "rabbit exhibition hall".
For every cute post I make, I'll block it.
"If anyone dares to defile my goddaughter's paintings, I, Zhang Qiang, will be the first to object!"
The afternoon became the trio's "creative day".
Mengmeng was lying on the small wooden table, holding the pen awkwardly, but her expression was very serious.
I had to tilt my head and look at each stroke for a long time before I could finish it.
Chen Feng would help her mix colors or trim the finished paper neatly.
Zhang Qiang and Xiao Deng hurriedly brought over the cut acrylic glass and strong residue-free adhesive.
Every time Mengmeng finishes a drawing, Zhang Qiang takes it as if it were a treasure, carefully aligns it with the position on the wall, and seals it behind a transparent partition.
"This is a dough rabbit I made for Grandpa!" Mengmeng handed over one.
"Alright! Put this one right in the middle!"
"This one is the guardian rabbit that sleeps with Daddy!"
"Place this one at the second-floor stairwell!"
The light of the setting sun shone through the wooden gate, casting dappled shadows on the white walls.
The originally cold and impersonal lobby instantly came alive because of these adorable and colorful little rabbits.
The rabbits had ears of different lengths, some had blue eyes, and some had their feet painted purple.
This childlike decoration, however, exudes a healing quality that touches the heart.
Chen Feng stood behind the bar, looking at the wall covered with his daughter's hard work, and felt very happy.
He could almost see the first wisp of smoke rising from his chimney one morning not long from now.
At that time, the first customer will push open the door and be surprised by the wall full of rabbits.
Then, under this warm yellow light, he can enjoy a hot meal that will make him feel comfortable.
"Daddy, is it pretty?" Mengmeng looked up, and because she had used too much force, a little blue paint got on the tip of her nose.
Chen Feng squatted down, hugged his daughter tightly, rested his chin on the top of her head, and spoke in a voice as gentle as the wind in the twilight.
"It's beautiful. This is the most beautiful wall in the world."