My humble days in ancient times

Chapter 129 Playing Cards

The scorching heat in summer is like an invisible net that covers the entire world, making people feel lazy, as if all their energy has been drained away, leaving them powerless.

The scorching sun was scorching the earth mercilessly. The air was filled with heat waves. Every breath I took felt like a ball of fire rushing into my lungs.

In such a season, people will sweat profusely even if they just move a little. Their limbs will feel like they are being dragged by heavy lead blocks, too heavy to lift. The whole person will be exhausted by the unbearable heat.

Xu Ruyi instructed Xu Xiaohua to tell the kitchen to cook fewer dishes. Previously, the daily meal consisted of eight dishes, but later it was reduced to six. However, now that summer was unbearable, the four siblings' appetites had decreased. So, after some discussion, they reduced the meal to four dishes: two meat dishes, two vegetable dishes, and a soup.

After lunch, Xu Ruyi would slowly go upstairs to rest. In such a hot summer day, the scorching heat made it impossible to go out and play, and people could only stay at home.

Xu Ruyi was so bored that she said to Xu Xiaohua, "How about we play cards?"

Xu Xiaohua asked with a puzzled look on her face: "What are playing cards?"

"It's just a game." Xu Ruyi explained patiently.

Xu Ruyi meticulously selects paper of good quality and moderate thickness, such as flexible bamboo paper or sturdy hemp paper. She then meticulously cuts the paper into uniform sizes and shapes, a process that often requires the use of sharp knives and precise rulers to ensure precise measurements.

Next, Xu Ruyi meticulously paints various exquisite patterns and clear numbers on the front of the cards using specially prepared pigments or inks. The pigments used are usually made from precious natural minerals or fresh plant juices, resulting in vibrant and durable colors.

After the painting is completed, Xu Ruyi will carefully apply a thin layer of varnish or oil on the surface of the cards to carefully protect the pattern from wear and fading.

Finally, the prepared playing cards are gently dried, carefully sorted, and properly stored, waiting to be used.

Xu Xiaohua was stunned when she saw this series of complicated operations.

Xu Ruyuan and Du Xiaoyue also came over curiously to help and watch the fun.

When it was finally finished, Xu Ruyi said, "Just take it out to dry in the sun. I made ten decks first, so we don't have to worry about it getting damaged and making it difficult to play."

Xu Xiaohua and Du Xiaoyue hurriedly took the cards to the corridor to dry.

The cards were almost done after two days of drying.

During these two days, Xu Ruyi explained the rules of playing cards to them in detail.

They listened carefully and almost understood what was said.

On the third day, Xu Ruyi gave them a little guidance and they understood everything.

A few people took two decks of cards and started playing 橋蛋. They were so happy that they even forgot about dinner time.

Xu Qinghe came upstairs and asked with a puzzled look on his face, "Why don't you guys go downstairs to eat?"

Everyone nodded hurriedly and said they would go down later, but they were reluctant to take their eyes off the cards.

Xu Ruyuan said excitedly, "It's so fun, we all like it." Her face was flushed with excitement.

Xu Qinghe muttered, "We can't not eat. Let's go downstairs and eat first, and then come back to play after we finish eating." He frowned slightly, with a hint of helplessness in his tone.

Xu Ruyi thought about it and said, "Let's put our cards away. We'll play the same game later." Her voice was soft but decisive.

Xu Ru was still reluctant to give in, and kept muttering, "Why don't we finish this round before going to eat?" Her face was full of reluctance, and her eyes were still fixed on the cards.

Xu Qinghe grabbed her and walked downstairs: "Look how fascinated you are, how much fun can it be? After dinner, I will come over to play too."

After dinner, Xu Qinghe kept his promise and went upstairs and started playing with great interest.

Du Xiaoyue stood behind him and taught him patiently. He was very smart and understood everything quickly.

"Oh, this is really fun. Let's continue after dinner." Xu Qinghe's eyes sparkled and his face was full of excitement.

Xu Ruyi smiled and said, "Brother is hooked. It seems like playing cards is addictive. It has attracted both Ruyuan and brother." There was a hint of ridicule in her eyes.

Xu Qinghe felt a little embarrassed, scratched his head and said, "Oh, it's a rare opportunity to have some fun. Just keep me company!"

This time I stayed with him until late at night.

Xu Ruyuan was breathing heavily, his eyes almost narrowed into slits: "Oh no, I can't keep my eyelids open any more. How about we end it?"

"Why do I feel sleepy so soon? I'm in good spirits now and can work all night long without any problem." Xu Qinghe said, his voice full of lingering desire.

Xu Ruyuan pouted her lips, looking dissatisfied. "I have to go to bed after this round. I'm really sleepy and I have to sleep."

"Okay, okay, go to sleep! Xiaoyue, come sit over here later and we'll continue playing." Xu Qinghe waved his hand, his eyes still focused on the cards.

Xu Ruyuan said, "Look at you, you're even more obsessed than I am. You're really hopeless." After finishing a game, she turned and went into the house, fell on the bed and fell asleep.

Du Xiaoyue had no choice but to take over. Xu Qinghe became more and more excited as he played, with a cheerful smile on his face.

After playing a few more rounds, seeing that Xu Ruyi and the others were drowsy and trying hard to stay awake, Xu Qinghe said, "Okay, last round. After that, everyone go to sleep."

Everyone finally managed to keep themselves awake, and fought back their sleepiness to finish the last game, then went back to their rooms and fell asleep.

After Xu Qinghe returned home, he tossed and turned and couldn't fall asleep, so he secretly thought to himself that he should find some people who were not sleepy at night to play with him in the future.

So the next day, he played with Xu Ruyi and the others for a while, and after dinner, he hurried out of the yard.

"Where are you going, brother?" Xu Ruyuan asked with a puzzled look on his face.

Xu Ruyi just smiled and said, "Don't worry about him, let's just have fun."

Xu Qinghe walked out of the courtyard and came to the chicken coop. He saw Xiong Da, Xiong Er, and Zhou Qiang drinking and chatting, which was very lively.

Aunt Li and Jiang finished cooking and left. Yuan Dongming went to the chicken coop to take a closer look.

Xu Qinghe pushed the door open and walked in, startling Xiong Da, Xiong Er, and Zhou Qiang. After all, people didn't come here often. Zhou Dongming often left early after a few sips of wine, fearing they might have something to say in private that they couldn't say in front of him.

When Xiong Da, Xiong Er, and Zhou Qiang saw that it was Xu Qinghe, they were surprised and embarrassed. After all, it was not good to be caught by the boss drinking and chatting during work hours.

Xiong Da asked with a guilty conscience: "Qinghe, why are you here? Come sit down and have a couple of drinks."

After saying this, Xiong Er and Zhou Qiang remained silent and looked at himself and Xu Qinghe nervously.

At this moment, Xiong Da wanted to slap himself: Is it appropriate to ask Xu Qinghe to drink at this time?

Unexpectedly, Xu Qinghe looked nonchalant. He sat down and said, "Okay, but we have to eat quickly, and then we can play cards."

"What cards?" Zhou Qiang opened his eyes wide, full of curiosity.

"Let's drink first and eat the food first. I'll teach you after we finish eating." Xu Qinghe said as he picked up a piece of food and stuffed it into his mouth, eating it with relish.

After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, Xiong Da swiftly cleared the table, and Xu Qinghe enthusiastically began to teach them.

Several people picked it up quickly, their brains were very sharp, and they learned it quickly.

Zhou Qiang asked curiously: "Qinghe, where did you learn this? It's so fun. Why haven't I seen it before?"

Big Bear and Little Bear also echoed, "That's right, that's right."

Xu Qinghe smiled and said, "This was Ruyi's idea. She also made these cards herself. She made ten decks in total. They are playing with two decks right now! I came to you with two more decks."

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