I trade in both worlds

Master Deng held up the cloth to the light to check its gloss. After putting it down, he looked at Xu Ziqing and said, "Take a piece of paper and tear it into pieces."

After saying that, he began to rub the fabric with both hands. After about a minute, he signaled Xu Ziqing to sprinkle paper scraps on the fabric, and then shook it slightly, and all the paper scraps fell to the ground.

Master Deng nodded with satisfaction: "This should be natural silk."

"Wow, it's actually real." The audience around began chattering about whether the silk was real or not.

Aunt Lin gave Master Deng a thumbs up and said, "Master Deng, you are the best at silk. Why don't you tell us the difference between natural silk and rayon so that we can avoid being cheated next time we buy it."

"Yes, tell everyone about it." An old lady also said, "Everyone wants to buy silk quilts in winter, but they are afraid of being cheated. Take this opportunity to learn from Master Deng."

"Okay, I'll tell you about it." Master Deng was delighted by the compliment and said with a grin, "First, let me tell you how to distinguish natural silk from artificial silk."

Master Deng picked up the scraps of paper on the ground and put them aside, then began to rub the fabric: "First, let me introduce you to the simplest test method, which is to test static electricity."

"You know, real silk doesn't generate static electricity. Just rub it like this for about a minute, then put paper scraps or hair on it, and gently shake it and the paper scraps and hair will fall off."

"If there is static electricity, paper scraps and hair will stick to it and won't come off no matter how hard you shake it."

After saying that, he sprinkled the paper scraps placed next to him onto the cloth again, and then lifted the cloth. The paper scraps fell to the ground as the cloth tilted.

Master Deng put the cloth back on the table and said, "There is an even simpler way, which is to burn it with fire. Natural silk is not easy to ignite."

"Even if it is lit, silk will emit white smoke when burning, and it will smell like burnt hair, and the ash after burning silk will be in the form of loose powder."

"Rayon, on the other hand, burns easily, emitting black smoke and a pungent odor, and the ashes after burning are in lumps."

After Master Deng finished speaking, the onlookers looked at Xu Ziqing, wanting her to cut a piece to try, but they didn't know how to ask, after all, natural silk fabric costs thousands of yuan per meter.

Seeing this, Xu Ziqing glanced at Xu Xu, turned around, took out a pair of scissors from his bag and handed them to Master Deng: "Master Deng, cut a piece and test it for everyone to see."

Since they had already said that the authenticity could be tested, Xu Ziqing and Xu Xu both thought that they should not just cut a piece off to test it now.

If they were timid and made all kinds of excuses, people around them would think they were working together to cheat them.

Master Deng looked at her in surprise, took the scissors, and said with a smile: "You are really gold that is not afraid of fire."

After saying that, he cut a piece of cloth two or three millimeters wide and two fingers long, then looked around as if looking for something.

Aunt Lin saw this and asked, "Master Deng, what are you looking for?"

Master Deng looked around and said, "I want to find something like a cup to burn. I'm afraid it will burn other things if I light it like this."

An auntie who was watching took out a small sauce dish and said, "I have this. My grandson uses this to mix paint for his paintings. I just bought him a few this morning."

Master Deng took the small plate and placed it on the table, then picked up a lighter and lit the small piece of cloth.

The strip of cloth burned very slowly and gave off a smell of burning hair.

Master Deng smelled the burning smell with an intoxicated look on his face.

After the cloth was burned, the ash curled up into a black ball. Master Deng twisted it with his two fingers, and the curled black ash ball broke into powder.

Master Deng nodded with satisfaction: "You see, only pure natural silk can be burned into powder. If it is artificial silk or imitation silk, the ash after burning will be lumpy and not easy to twist into powder."

A well-dressed lady wearing a cheongsam and fashionable wool curls came forward and twisted the ashes with her hands: "Master Deng, is this real silk satin? Purely natural? Spewed out by silkworms?"

Master Deng raised his eyelids to look at her and nodded: "It is hand-woven with real silk."

"So is natural silk satin or artificial silk satin better for making clothes?" the man continued to ask.

"Is there any need to ask?" Master Deng said affirmatively, "Natural silk is definitely better. Brocade made from natural silk is softer than artificial silk, feels smoother, is more breathable, and has better moisture absorption."

As he spoke, he picked up the fabric on the table, shook it, and held it towards the sunlight: "Look at the softness and drape, and the sheen."

"This is incomparable to artificial silk. Of course, artificial silk also has its good sides, such as it is not so easy to scratch and wrinkle."

The woman took a serious look and recognized Master Deng's expertise: "But the price is so cheap..."

Before she could finish, Xu Ziqing, who had been listening from beginning to end, interrupted and asked, "Auntie, may I ask your name?"

The elegantly dressed lady tilted her head and looked at her: "Excuse me, your surname is Liu."

"Auntie Liu." Xu Ziqing explained with a smile on her face: "Our fabric normally costs 2500 yuan per meter."

"This porcelain is so cheap because this piece of cloth is defective. Although it has been rinsed clean and there is no trace of any defect, according to our own regulations, these fabrics cannot be used anymore."

"It just so happens that Aunt Lin said that your budget is limited this time, so we will only charge a little labor fee for the customization this time, and the fabric can be said to be given away for free."

"What? They're charging over a thousand just for the labor." An old lady watching the scene shouted, "Why don't you just go and grab some? They're giving away fabrics for free, who are you trying to fool?"

Xu Ziqing glanced at her and didn't want to bother to talk to her, but he still patiently explained: "Dear uncles and aunts, the fabric we customized this time is this one, and the price has been discussed with Aunt Lin."

"1299 yuan per set. You can discuss it further. If you think you can accept it, come and get it tailored by Master Xu. If you think you can't accept it, that's fine too."

After thinking for a while, he added, "We only accepted this price because you bought 26 sets in a group. Since you are here today, we won't bother about how many sets you want to make. Just come and make the custom order and pay."

Another person in the crowd jumped out and said, "If you take the money now, who will I turn to if you run away?"

Xu Ziqing took out a sealed agreement and said, "We will sign a cooperation agreement with Aunt Lin in the name of the company. After the measurement, we will fill in the customized quantity and total amount. The contract will take effect after Aunt Lin signs it."

Aunt Lin looked at the man angrily: "You are not involved in the customization, why are you so troubled?"