I messed up the Siheyuan

The old man's situation must not be very good.

The clothes on his body were patched up with patches.

The mask that covers the face also has several small holes.

The glasses on his nose were missing two legs and were hung by two thin ropes, resting on his ears.

However, although the old man's clothes were worn out, they were washed cleanly.

His head full of silver hair was also combed neatly.

This not only makes people feel comfortable watching it, but also makes people respect the old man in their hearts.

When the old man came over, he first asked politely, "Young man, can I take a look at your food?"

"Master, just look!"

The old man nodded, squatted down, reached one hand into the flour bag, pinched out a handful of corn flour, and put it in his other hand.

He first sniffed it, then stuck out his tongue, licked the cornmeal into his mouth, closed his eyes, and tasted it carefully.

After a long time, he opened his eyes and said with admiration: "Young man, you grind the corn flour so finely!

It must have been machine-ground.

The steamed bread made with this will definitely not make your throat sore when you eat it.”

Having said this, he paused, a hint of embarrassment flashing in his eyes.

"Well! ...young man..."

"I'll trade you a little gadget for some cornmeal, okay?"

"A gadget?" Wang Ping was stunned for a moment, and asked in confusion: "What kind of gadget?"

"This is it!" The old man responded, took out a large ring from his arms and handed it over.

Wang Ping took it a little confused, and looked at it under the bright light above his head.

It’s true that this is a large ring!

Wang Ping tried it on.

But found...

No matter which finger you wear it on, it will be much bigger.

Only on the thumb does it fit perfectly.

But are there any rings worn on the thumb?

This was the first time Wang Ping had seen him in his two lifetimes.

But Wang Ping really liked the milky white color of this large ring.

He had watched some treasure appraisal shows in his previous life, so although he didn't quite understand it, he could still guess it...

This thing in my hand seems to be made of Xinjiang Hetian jade.

Moreover, this pure milky white color without a trace of impurities is also a rare good thing among Hetian jade.

After playing with it for a while, Wang Ping tried to ask, "Grandpa, is this made of Hetian jade?"

"Young man, you have good eyesight!"

The old man first gave a thumbs up and praised it, then explained: "This thing is made of Hetian jade.

And ah! ...

It is also the finest grade of Hetian jade, commonly known as 'mutton-fat jade'."

"Grandpa, you are too kind." Wang Ping smiled bitterly and waved his hands, "How can I understand these things!

I've heard people mention Hetian jade before, so this is just a blind guess!

Unexpectedly, I guessed it right. "

As he spoke, he shook the thing again and asked in confusion: "Old man, what is this?

It looks like a ring to me, but...

Is there a ring this big?"

Wang Ping's question actually made the old man laugh.

But at the same time, it also confirmed...

The young man in front of me really doesn't understand this thing.

The old man coughed dryly, raised his hand and pointed at the large ring in Wang Ping's hand, and explained with a little pride: "This thing is called a 'ring'.

It was used to protect fingers from being cut by bowstrings when shooting arrows.

Wang Ping stretched out the ring on his thumb and gestured: Am I wearing it correctly?

“Yes! Yes! Yes!...” the old man responded repeatedly: “That’s the way you wear it.

What about this ring! ...Hmm! ...

Some are made of wood, some are made of iron...

The best one is made of jade.

Therefore, a thumb ring made of jade is also called a 'jade thumb ring'.

Normally! ...This jade ring was used by dignitaries in ancient times.

This thing in your hand was passed down from my ancestors."

At this point, the old man sighed with frustration and helplessness, and then continued: "When I was young, I heard my grandfather say...

This thing seems to have been used by Emperor Qianlong."

"Wow!..." Wang Ping was surprised, "This was used by the emperor before!"

“Hey! Little brother…” The old man smiled bitterly and waved his hands, “Don’t take it seriously! Don’t take it seriously.

This thing doesn't have a model number or anything, so there's no way to verify whether it was used by Emperor Qianlong.

I just said it, you just listened, and that was it.”

Wang Ping nodded, and after a moment of hesitation, he said, "Grandpa, I like this thing very much.

How much food do you plan to exchange for?

This question made the old man hesitate.

After a long while, he said nervously: "Young man, look...

Can you give me ten kilograms of corn flour in exchange?"

"Ten kilograms?" Wang Ping was stunned.

Who would have thought that his dazed look would actually cause the old man to misunderstand him.

The old man gritted his teeth and said quickly: "If ten kilograms is too much, then five kilograms will do!"

"Uh!..." Wang Ping looked at the old man in surprise, "Old man, although I don't quite understand, I also know...

This is a fun thing.

You're just exchanging five kilograms of corn flour, isn't that too much of a loss?"

“Hey!...” The old man sighed, and said with helplessness and a hint of anger: “Things are not like before now.

Nowadays, who is still proud of this kind of thing!

To be honest...

Twenty years ago, a big businessman from the south offered me one thousand dollars, but I didn't sell it.

But now... I can use it to buy a few bites of bread and eat two full meals, and I am quite satisfied. "

As he spoke, he looked at Wang Ping expectantly again.

"How's it going, young man?

I'll give you five catties of corn flour in exchange for this jade ring, okay?"

Wang Ping smiled and replied, "Old man, if I really use five catties of corn flour to exchange your jade ring, then I would be lacking in virtue.

Hmm!...Let’s do this!

There are thirty kilograms of corn flour here in total. You can take it all.

In addition, I will give you two pounds of white flour."

"Hiss!..." The old man took a breath and looked at Wang Ping in surprise.

After a long time, he gave Wang Ping a thumbs up and said with admiration: "Young man, you are this!"

After praising Wang Ping, he looked at Wang Ping with some embarrassment.

"Old man, what's wrong with you?"

"That..." the old man said with a bit of shame: "Young man, to be honest...

I'm an old man. I'm over seventy years old, and I've never done any physical work.

These thirty kilograms of corn flour, I..."

"Okay!..." Wang Ping laughed and said cheerfully: "Old man!

I will help people to the end, and I will help them all the way!

I'll deliver these thirty kilograms of corn to your home.

It just so happens that I'm coming to your place today to get acquainted with the place first.

I will send you the two kilograms of flour I gave you tomorrow."

"Oh my!... What are you saying!" The old man thanked me repeatedly with a little excitement, "Thank you, young man! Thank you so much!"