Chapter 7: First Test of the Sharp Blade

  After buying the cotton, Zhou also went to the grain store to buy some grain. The three of them were about to leave when Lin He suddenly remembered something and asked the other two to wait for her, saying that she had forgotten to buy some things. When she came back, she was holding several buns in her hand.

  Lin He remembered the promise he made to the child. Although eating baozi was a bit of a luxury for them now, he had to keep his word to the child. Zhou Shi looked at the baozi in Lin He's hand and smiled, saying "It's just something you said to a child, no need to spend so much money on it." Lin He smiled but didn't say anything, thinking that they had almost finished buying everything, and were ready to head back.

  Back home, Huang saw the scraps of cloth she had bought and scolded her, saying: "Wasting money, five big coins can buy a catty of coarse rice, what's the use of buying so many rags?"

  Lin He didn't explain as much to her, put the cloth aside, took out the buns she bought and handed them to a few little ones. The little ones saw that there were buns to eat, called out and jumped to take them aside to eat. At noon, Zhou Shi's family stayed behind to have lunch here.

  Lin He took out the unfinished pig intestines that Huang bought at the market a few days ago. The large intestine had been boiled in water and had a thick layer of lard on top. She stir-fried some wild vegetables with the lard, then stir-fried the pig lungs with chili peppers, filling a big bowl to the brim. She also made some Wonton heads and steamed some sweet potatoes. Everyone ate their fill. Zhou Shi knew that these were pig intestines because Lin He's family had given them some last time, so she didn't ask many questions.

  After dinner, the Zhou family went back home. Lin He took out those scraps of cloth and planned to sew them together with cotton to make winter clothes. Lin He selected the pieces that were not too tattered and some colorful ones, waiting to see if she could make something else with them.

  Actually using rags and cotton to make winter clothes is the same principle as making cloth shoes with insoles. The rags are sewn into a thick layer, with a layer of cotton in between, and then sewn onto the sleeve, which can also keep warm. Of course, it's not as warm as all-cotton clothing, but it's definitely warmer than thin cotton winter clothes.

  It's been like this at home for so many years, everyone at home should be very cold-resistant. Originally, three catties of cotton wool could only make three winter clothes, now if some scraps are added inside, it should be possible to make four pieces, and if some scraps can be bought next time, a quilt cover can also be made, so there's no need to worry about winter clothes and quilts this winter, and everyone can spend the winter warmly.

  Huang saw Lin He doing this and thought it was very strange, no one had ever done this before, so she asked: "Er Ya, how did you learn to do this?"

  Lin He wasn't afraid to take the lead and said that she had seen others in town make cotton quilts like this, so if it was possible to make quilts, then making clothes should be okay too. Huang nodded her head, thinking that this daughter of hers was indeed clever, able to think on her feet at such a young age. This method really is extremely good.

  Not afraid of winter will be frozen bad, in the past years at home are a family to winter is not how to go out, are only more pick up firewood burning kang, at home through the entire winter, adults anyway no problem.

  But the kids don't want to stay at home all day, they want to go out and play. However, when they go outside, because their clothes are too thin, they get cold and start crying with runny noses. When they come back, they often get sick, so they also dare not go out.

  Huang saw Lin He like this after wearing winter clothes, and also understood the principle. Then she selected all the usable cotton and cloth scraps to help Lin He make them together.

  Lin He let Huang take out the old winter clothes she wore before, to see if there were any that could be worn. Huang took out a few pieces of winter clothing, which was slightly thicker than single-layer clothing, like cotton-padded jackets. They had three small ones.

  Lin He plans to make four winter clothes with these three catties of cotton, and also make one for her big brother. Actually, the original ones are still usable, the bigger ones can be worn by the smaller ones. In this way, making four winter clothes does not require new fabric, and the two old ones can be given to San Ya and Xiao Bao to wear, then sandwiching two winter clothes and sewing them on top, and making a new jacket will do.

  New shirts for Er Ya and Da Ge can be made into clothes for Xiao Bao and San Ya. Er Ya can wear the old clothes of Huang Shi after alteration. Only a new shirt needs to be made for Xiao Bao. Because Xiao Bao is a boy who grows fast, last year's clothes are already too small. Additionally, since Da Bao often stays outside, he also needs some decent clothes. As for Huang Shi and Lin Er Niu, Lin He plans to buy some cotton next time and make each of them a winter coat and a quilt, which won't cost much money.

  Huang said that this year is better than previous years. In the past, Er Ya wouldn't do embroidery, so there was no income from that. Lin Er Niu also couldn't go to the landlord's house to build a house, and in winter, there was no income either. So this year, making two padded jackets and one quilt like this is possible.

  The whole afternoon, Huang and Lin He finished four cotton-padded jackets. Let Huang do the shirts, Lin He is not at that level yet, can't even make a piece of clothing, there are still some leftover scraps.

  Lin He picked it up and took a larger piece of cloth to sew into the shape of a Winnie the Pooh bear. She stuffed some leftover scraps inside and after stuffing it in, the bear was puffed up. Although the fabric was coarse, it still looked cute. San Ya and Xiao Bao saw it and came over to grab it, but in the end, Xiao Bao took it away.

  San Ya pouted with red eyes, no child doesn't like toys, especially in such a backward era, what chance would a poor family have to see toys? Lin He pinched San Ya's little face.

  Life has been much better during this period of time. Although it's not a feast every meal, at least it's no longer a situation where one day you're starving and the next day you're full. San Ya's smile has also put on some weight. Lin He said to him: "Sister will sew an even more beautiful one for you."

  San Ya nodded, and Lin He sewed two different colored fabrics into a shape for Qi Zai. San Ya held it in her hand, reluctant to let go. When Lin He saw this, an idea arose in her mind.

  At this age, some rich families' children should be willing to spend money to buy toys for their kids. At the fair, Lin He also saw some similar stuffed tigers and dolls being sold, but there were few types, and they weren't made very intricately, with poorly matched colors.

  If she could make some of the toys from her previous life and sell them, it would be a way to make money. So Lin He took the remaining scraps of fabric and made a few more small bears and a yellow cloth pumpkin, then brought them in to show Huang Shi.

  Huang's eyes lit up and he said, "The second daughter is quite skilled with her hands."

  Lin He said: "Mom, I want to take these toys to the store in the village to sell them. Do you think anyone will want them?"

  Huang also thought it was feasible and said: "I think it's okay, you take San Ya to the neighboring town tomorrow, and bring a winter coat for your brother. I'll make your brother's winter coat tonight, and ask about this at the same time." After a while, he continued to say: "The neighboring town is a bit far away, you take San Ya to the village entrance tomorrow morning to take a cattle car".

  Lin He replied, one evening Xiaobao and Sanpian were holding onto their toys and refused to put them down, even when they slept they hugged them in their arms. Looking at how much Xiaobao and Sanpian liked these toys, I heard that this afternoon the two of them showed off their toys in front of other kids outside for a whole afternoon. They said many kids liked these toys too, and asked where they bought them.

  Lin He was also excited and couldn't sleep all night. If this really works out, then the family's life will get better and better. Although it can't be said that they'll make a fortune from this, but they should be able to earn some money. Best of all would be to earn some before others imitate them. With capital, they can do more things. Thinking about this, Lin He fell asleep with a smile on her face.