Siheyuan: All the incense in the family is counting on you

Chapter 162 Look at this box

Xiao Yitu's words aroused Li Bowen's interest, and he immediately thought of the little butterfly.

Xiao Fendie's current name should be Bai Xinsheng. She was in her 20s when the country was just liberated, and now she is only a little over 30, which is a good age for a woman. I don't know if she looks the same as in the drama. But looking at the appearance of Xiao Yitu and Wang Mantang, there should be some difference.

"Who are you talking about?" Li Bowen asked again.

"I have a younger sister. She used to be a famous star in the capital. She is a great drum singer. Wait for me!" After saying that, Xiao Yitu stood up and walked out the door.

When he got to the door, he called a boy from the neighbor's house, gave him two cents and asked him to go to Dengzhan Hutong to call someone.

Back in the house, the two continued drinking and chatting. Not long after, a slim and beautiful woman walked into the yard. She walked along the path like a lotus leaf swaying in the wind. Although she was dressed simply, her charm could still be seen from her appearance.

"Brother Xiao, it's already dark, why did you call me over? Is there something wrong?"

"Sister, you are here. Come in and sit down. A friend came today. He has always heard of your name and wants to meet you and listen to your drum storytelling. How about doing me the honor?" Xiao Yitu stood up to welcome Xiao Fendie in, and then introduced Li Bowen to her.

How did this become what I wanted to hear? It was obviously Xiao Yitu who wanted to hear it, and he even asked someone to invite him. However, Li Bowen did not point it out, and stood up with a smile: "Yes, I have heard of your great name from Mr. Xiao for a long time, but I have never had the chance to meet you. Today I finally meet you, you must give me the honor."

Little Pink Butterfly smiled and said, "Thank you for your appreciation. It's all just a passing reputation. I haven't sung for a long time. Our troupe is rehearsing new plays now!"

"Those jokes are your basic skills, how could you forget them, sister? Don't be so pretentious! Come to the table first, and we'll sing a few more after dinner!" This is not the old society where you can invite artists to your home to sing for a party. If you invite someone over, they must come to the table and drink two glasses of wine first.

If it were someone else, Xiao Fendie might not necessarily give this face. She is not without a job. She earns more than 40 yuan a month in the troupe, and with her husband Fulai, the combined salary of the two is 8 or 90 yuan. There are no children in the family, only a mother-in-law.

Even in such difficult times, she would not be starving. She came here today because Lao Xiao asked someone to call her. She thought something happened, but she did not expect this to happen. However, after seeing Li Bowen, she changed her mind.

Sitting down with a smile: "What is this gentleman's name?"

"My last name is Li, Li Bowen!" Li Bowen picked up the wine jug and poured a glass of wine for Xiao Fendie.

"Mr. Li looks really young. Is he 20 this year?"

"I'm not that old anymore. I'm already 22 this year!"

Little Fendie turned to Xiao Yitu again, with a hint of doubt in her eyes: "Brother Xiao, I have never seen you have such a friend!"

"Hahaha, you know all my friends! Mr. Li is a capable man. He came to me today to discuss something!" Xiao Yitu did not explain too much.

With the addition of a woman, the atmosphere at the table became more lively. The three of them ate and chatted, occasionally telling some jokes that made Little Pink Butterfly giggle.

After a while, Wang Mantang came to the yard with a man. He was a middle-aged man in his 40s, of medium build, wearing a slightly old cotton jacket, a melon-shaped hat, and carrying a bundle in his hand.

"Mantang, you're finally back. If you were any later we would have finished all the wine!" Wang Mantang had been away for quite a while, so Xiao Yitu and the other two quickly stood up to greet him.

Wang Mantang took off his hat, with a wisp of hot air coming out of his head, and then introduced to Li Bowen: "Excuse me for delaying for a moment, Bowen, this is Mr. Wang Guiwang whom I told you about!"

After the two sides got to know each other, they asked the person to take a seat and got straight to the point: "Lao Wang, let Mr. Li see your stuff!"

Only then did Wang Gui take the bundle from the side, put it on the table and opened it.

The bundle was opened to reveal a solid wooden box inside.

Inside the box was a set of tea cups and tea bowls. In Li Bowen's opinion, they should be products of the official kiln and were in good condition.

After picking them up and examining them one by one, he closed the box again and said, "Mr. Wang, how much do you want to pay?"

"Have you read it?"

"Well, just name a price. If it feels right, I'll take it!" Li Bowen nodded.

"2000 yuan!"

Li Bowen smiled and shook his head: "Your price is a bit too high. To be honest, these things are not worth that much! The most I can give you is 1200 yuan."

Wang Gui looked a little hesitant, and then he looked at Wang Mantang again and continued, "This is something passed down from our ancestors. If I wasn't in urgent need of money, I would definitely not sell it. 1800. If the price is lower than this, I will leave!"

"Why are you leaving? Aren't you going to save your mother?" Seeing the man getting up to pack his things, Wang Mantang grabbed him.

Then he explained to Li Bowen: "Bowen, Lao Wang is also my friend. His mother is sick and in the hospital. She needs a major operation. She is in urgent need of money. I just ran to the hospital to find him."

"Is it serious?"

Wang Mantang nodded: "There is something growing in my stomach. After the operation, I have to take medicine for a long time. This is not a small amount of money. That's why I asked you to find a buyer!"

Unexpectedly, this man is such a filial son. According to Wang Mantang, his mother should have cancer. With current medical technology, even if she undergoes surgery, she probably won't live long. But he still has to sell his baby for her treatment.

Li Bowen was not a heartless person. He thought for a moment and said, "Okay, I'll take it for 1800 yuan. It will be a token of your filial piety."

"Then thank you!"

"Do you want cash or a note?"

"It's all right. It's up to you."

Li Bowen didn't say anything and directly took two small yellow croakers. Then he counted the remaining 500 yuan in cash and handed it to Wang Gui. He also took the bag and the box to his side and put them away.

Wang Gui was also very happy to get the money. After putting it close to his body, he said: "Everyone, I have to rush to the hospital, so I won't keep it any longer!"

After sending him away and returning to the room, Wang Mantang smiled and said, "Bo Wen, don't you feel you've lost out?"

"Look at what you said. If we can help a filial son, what's the harm in losing a little?" Li Bowen waved his hand.

"Hahaha, you are a righteous man, but you did a good job. How can I, Wang Mantang, let you suffer a loss?"

"What do you mean?" Several people looked at Wang Mantang.

Wang Mantang pretended to be mysterious and said, "Bring the box here and take a closer look! See if you can figure out what's going on."

Only then did Li Bowen start to take it seriously. He took the bag back to the table and began to study the box himself.

There's nothing special about it, a brass lock, a thick patina on the box, and you can only see vermilion wood lacquer through the edges and corners. Not to mention what material the wood inside is made of, you can't tell at all.