coobybook Chapter 281 Wooden Butterfly: A Touch of Sentiment
Chapter 281 Wooden Butterfly: A Touch of Sentiment
Lin Qianqian and Xiaodie walked side by side, and inadvertently passed a small stall filled with a dazzling array of trinkets.
In front of the stall, colorful trinkets were piled up together, exuding a unique local flavor.
Lin Qianqian stopped abruptly, her gaze drawn to an exquisite wooden butterfly carving on the stall: the butterfly's wings were slightly open, the texture delicate and clear, as if it were about to take flight at any moment.
Under the gentle caress of sunlight, the wood carving gleamed with a warm luster, as if it had been given life.
Lin Qianqian's eyes instantly became hazy, her thoughts drifting back to that spring afternoon. At that time, Murong Yi, smiling and cheerful, handed her a similar wooden carving, softly whispering sweet nothings.
At that moment, she stood there blankly, her eyes flashing with a complex light, a mixture of longing, nostalgia, and a hint of unconcealed loneliness.
The corners of her mouth twitched slightly involuntarily, as if she wanted to laugh, or perhaps cry. The surrounding noise gradually faded away, and the whole world seemed to consist only of her and the wooden butterfly, sinking deeper and deeper into the vortex of memories.
Xiaodie stood beside her, looking at the motionless Lin Qianqian. Following Lin Qianqian's gaze, she saw the wooden butterfly. She couldn't help but frown slightly, her eyes showing worry. She gently bit her lower lip, and a helpless expression appeared on her face.
The vendor was none other than Li Yue.
When Li Yue saw the "young master" in front of her, his eyes lit up and a determined smile appeared on his lips.
She took a step closer, reached out and picked up the butterfly with a light and practiced movement. Lin Qianqian was startled when she saw the wooden butterfly being picked up, then realized what was happening and met Li Yue's gaze.
“Young master, you clearly have a discerning eye!” Li Yue spoke crisply, her voice as clear as a silver bell, murmuring, “This butterfly was made by my own hands. Look at the patterns on its wings; I meticulously carved each one. Every day, just as dawn breaks, I get up, select the finest wood, and use the finest carving tools to polish and shape it bit by bit. Just this one takes me several days to complete! This isn’t just any ordinary wood carving; it carries my heart and soul, every stroke imbued with my love for life.” She blinked, her face full of enthusiasm, her eyes brimming with anticipation.
Lin Qianqian gently shook her head, a faint smile on her face, her eyes revealing both gentleness and aloofness, signaling Xiaodie to continue forward.
Seeing this, Li Yue quickly stepped in front of Lin Qianqian, blocking her path with both hands. Her face was still full of enthusiastic smiles, but her eyes held a more determined look, as if she would not give up until she achieved her goal.
"Young master, please don't be in such a hurry to leave!" Li Yue's voice grew more urgent, tinged with a soft, coquettish tone. "Look, this wooden butterfly carving is so exquisite. If you buy it and give it to the girl you admire, she'll surely be delighted. What girl could refuse such a unique gift?"
Lin Qianqian was slightly taken aback, and had just uttered "I..." before Li Yue continued like a machine gun, "Young master, please support my small business. Look how much effort I've put into making these wood carvings, they're truly made with sincerity. If you miss this opportunity, you'll find it hard to find such pleasing pieces again!"
Lin Qianqian listened, her expression somewhat helpless. Her gaze fell once more on the wooden butterfly carving, as if she could see glimpses of the past through it. Finally, she sighed softly, a bitter smile playing on her lips, and relented, "Alright, I'll buy it."
Upon hearing Lin Qianqian's agreement, Li Yue's eyes instantly lit up like stars, her face blossomed with a smile, her mouth stretched to her ears, and her cheeks flushed with excitement. She tightly gripped the wooden butterfly in her hands, as if afraid it would fly away.
“Young master, you are such a generous person! This wooden butterfly is only five taels of silver, which is definitely a great deal!” Her voice trembled slightly with excitement, revealing her uncontrollable joy.
Lin Qianqian didn't say much, and casually took out five taels of silver from her bosom and handed it over.
Li Yue quickly accepted the silver with both hands, clutching it tightly to her chest. Then, she respectfully handed the wooden butterfly to Lin Qianqian, beaming as she said, "Young master, please take this! Thank you for patronizing my business. May everything go smoothly for you in the future! If you like anything else, feel free to come again next time. I have many rare items here that I'm sure will catch your eye!"
Lin Qianqian had a gentle smile on her lips, but her eyes were slightly unfocused. Her gaze was fixed on the wooden butterfly in her hand, and her eyes sparkled with tiny lights, like stars or tears. An indescribable sense of melancholy appeared on her face, and the scenes of her past with Murong Yi flashed through her mind like a revolving lantern.
After a long while, she took a deep breath, carefully put away the wooden butterfly, and continued walking forward.
A gentle breeze rustled the hem of her dress, creating a soft sound.
Xiaodie followed quietly behind her, and the two figures gradually blended into the bustling crowd, leaving only faint thoughts scattered by the wind.