Chapter 609: Toy Factory
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
If Luo Jin’an went anywhere else, he would cover his face a little so others would not discover who he was. However, he did not hide anything when seeing Gongsun Mo.
“Long time no see.” Luo Jin’an nodded.
Upon hearing Luo Jin’an’s greeting, Gongsun MO knew he was not mistaken.
‘I-lt’s him!’ He was so excited that he teared up.
Although Lei Tongtong was innocent, she was smart and immediately understood the situation. Moreover, she enjoyed reading when she lived in Thundercloud Castle.
She had read many books, including unofficial history, so she knew the stories of the Wei family army and Young Marshal Wei.
When Gongsun MO went to live in Thundercloud Castle, Lei Tongtong would tell him about those books she had read. Thus, Lei Tongtong was as excited as her husband when she realized the person before her was Wei Jin’an.
Of course, she also knew her husband would be thrilled.
She hurried to the door and looked outside to check if anyone else was around. Then she closed the door and bolted it from the inside. “Sister Su, let’s talk inside.’
Su Binglan looked at Lei Tongtongs reaction and found it adorable. “All right, let’s do that. We can cook the dumplings together, too. I brought you dumplings with hawthorn, shrimp, and pork with corn fillings.”
No one had tried such fillings, and Lei Tongtong had never heard of them.
However, she knew anything Su Binglan brought would be delicious.
Gongsun MO returned to his senses and went to talk to Luo Jin’an. Meanwhile, Su Binglan gave the two some s.p.a.ce and went to cook the dumplings with Lei Tongtong.
Gongsun MO and Luo Jin’an had already discussed many things when their spouses finished cooking the dumplings. The latter two placed the dumplings on the table and asked their husbands to eat.
Su Binglan and Luo Jin’an had planned to eat with their family at home, but Luo Jin’an and Gongsun MO were too happy to see each other. So, Su Binglan and Luo Jin’an decided to stay to eat dumplings and drink some fruit wine with the other couple.
“Young Marshal Wei, I’m delighted to see you,” Gongsun MO said hoa.r.s.ely.
“Likewise, Gongsun MO,” Luo Jin’an replied.
The two had just discussed much in the back room and reminisced. After all, Luo Jin’an also knew what had happened to Gongsun MO during the latter’s time in Thundercloud Castle and after that.
In their conversation, Luo Jin’an even briefly explained some matters concerning the Wei family army.
Su Binglan saw some wooden toys on the table as she ate. Her eyes lit up as she asked, “Are those new toys?”
“Yes, they are. We sell those at Su Teng Market whenever it opens,” Gongsun MO explained.
He wanted to help King Lan Ruozhu when he heard about the recent war. However, he had been away for many years and had not practiced making his familys famous mechanisms and hidden weapons.
He felt he might be unable to help much and might get in the way instead. Still, he sent a message to Lan Ruozhu, using a method Lan Ruobing had taught him a few years ago.
Lan Ruozhu replied, telling him to continue living and not take risks. He also mentioned returning to Su Teng Village to visit Gongsun MO after the war. Hence, Gongsun MO stayed with his wife.
He made a living by selling his toys. Although he only sold such things, he greatly profited whenever he went to the market. Moreover, there was no cost to making his toys since he made them from wood he gathered from the mountain.
“These are perfect.” Su Binglan nodded approvingly. “Have you considered opening a toy factory?”
The idea of opening a toy factory appeared in her mind because children’s toys were too straightforward, plain, and monotonous in this era. It was an era where children mostly played with rubber band skipping ropes.
It would be even better if Gongsun MO could make toys with some innovation.
Gongsun MO was amazed and asked in puzzlement, “A toy factory.”
“Yeah, it’s not a bad idea, right? You can make plenty of fun toys with your craftsmanship. For example, you can make building blocks, puzzles, figurines, toy cars, princess castles, checkerboards, etcetera.”
Suddenly, Su Binglan had an impulse to make many more toys for the children to play with. After all, it was better to have a colorful childhood.
‘When a child grows joyfully, they’ll never forget the fun they had, even when they’re adults. They would probably find warmth and excitement whenever they reminisced about the toys they played with.’
Su Binglan wanted the children of Dingzhou to grow up happily.
Lei Tongtong was stunned. She asked, “There are that many toys to make?” “Of course.” Su Binglan nodded.
“I’m excited to see what those toys look like.” Lei Tongtong was highly curious. She felt Su Binglan was so brilliant that she could create many beautiful and exciting toys.
Then Su Binglan thought she could interpret folk tales or create fairy tales if she found someone who could act. Then it would give the adults some enjoyment, too.
‘Gongsun MO can make figures of the characters in my plays for everyone to collect. They’ll be derivative products. It turns out there’s a hidden business opportunity in my plays.’
Su Binglan got excited just thinking about it.
Luo Jin’an noticed his wife’s expression and felt helpless.
‘It’s already the end of the year, and the New Year celebrations are just around the corner. She can’t stay still, can she? Now she wants to open another factory.”
Gongsun MO felt tempted when he heard Su Binglan discussing the toy factory. Although he lived a stable life now, he wanted to do more.
“l don’t know much about factories. Maybe you could open one, and I’ll make the toys, Sister Su.”
“You’re too humble, Gongsun Mo. Many things require skills like yours to make. You’re excellent in technical work.’
Lei Tongtong asked, “Can I help too? After all, I’ve picked up on some of
Gongsun Mo’s techniques.”
She could have gone to work at the tofu factory, embroidery shop, or noodle shop to work, but she did not. Instead, she wanted to stay close to her husband as much as possible.
Since her husband was discussing opening a toy factory with Su Binglan, Lei Tongtong also wanted to play a part in it.
Su Binglan became even more excited. “You know how to make toys too?” “Yes, I would watch Gongsun MO whenever he carved his toys. I made this.” Su Binglan looked at the toy Lei Tongtong showed her and nodded. Su Binglan praised, “Not bad. You’re pretty talented, too, Tongtong. Still, you can stay beside your husband even if you don’t make toys. Gongsun MO can make toys while you manage the factory.”
Su Binglan had many things to say when discussing the toy factory.
Fortunately, Gongsun MO had some paper for Su Binglan to draw a few toy examples.
“These are what building blocks look like. Children can use them to build toy houses and other buildings. These are puzzles where a child can form a picture by placing all the pieces in their proper places.
“You can also make wooden princess houses that are beautiful and colorful.
Girls will love playing with them.”
Su Binglan drew these things individually, and Lei Tongtong exclaimed at all the designs, “Wow! Wow, these look so fun to play with already!’