Zhu Zijun knew why he was crying, and he alone understood the reason.
He wept for himself, for all the times Wufu had criticized him in the past, highlighting his mistakes, his lack of professionalism.
Now, confronted with the completely transformed Chicken Blood Stone before him, which had its essence fully carved out to present its most perfect form for all to see, he felt inferior.
He was not her equal.
It was in vain that he once claimed to be a disciple of the Ghost Hand Master; he had been in the industry for at least twenty years, yet his skills were not even comparable to those of a young girl who had not yet reached the age of marriage.
It was not that Zhu Zijun felt disgraced, but rather that he found himself speechless; all his past thoughts and ideas were wrong, all mistaken.
He was complacent, with a narrow view of the world, stubborn in his own beliefs. He never reflected on situations but rather shifted the blame, which led to his utter defeat.
"Enough!" Wufu, digging at her ear, said wearily, "I haven’t slept in two days, and it wasn’t to listen to you cry."
Zhu Zijun choked, and seeing the girl’s tired face, he suddenly felt his own face flush with heat. Hurriedly, he turned away to dry his tears.
"That, I..." he started, somewhat embarrassed, stammering as he spoke.
Wufu cut him off with a question, "Well, do you find the work satisfactory?"
Zhu Zijun was stunned for a moment, then nodded without hesitation, saying with a complex expression, "You’ve carved it perfectly. I am not your equal."
Wufu really wanted to say, you are naturally not, but considering her own age, she decided not to provoke him further.
"A momentary lapse is nothing. It’s more important whether you can stand up after a fall, and whether you want to get back up is up to you," she said as she wrapped the Pixiu seal properly before going to find Shopkeeper Lin.
Once the work was completed, there was no need for her to stay any longer.
Upon learning that Wufu had finished the job, Shopkeeper Lin was overjoyed. Although Wufu had guaranteed delivery within the agreed time when she took the order, considering her youth and that this was their first transaction, he remained somewhat anxious and couldn’t fully trust her, fearing she may just be boasting. Now that the work was indeed done, he was naturally thrilled.
When he saw the Chicken Blood Pixiu that Wufu had handed over, he was stunned.
Looking at the delicate and exquisite carving, the Pixiu that seemed almost alive, the polished craftsmanship...
This was what true jade ware looked like.
"Is this the same piece of Chicken Blood Stone?" Shopkeeper Lin asked in astonishment as he touched the Pixiu, his heart trembling with excitement.
A well-known proverb states that jade must be carved to be a treasure. No matter how good the quality of the raw stone, without the craftsmanship of skilled artisans, it would always remain just a stone.
Only through carving does it become a fine piece, and humans are the same; only after being carved and refined can they truly excel.
Shopkeeper Lin had seen the original Chicken Blood stone. When handed over to Wufu, it was flawed and damaged, but now, transformed under her hands, it had become a true piece of jade ware.
Shopkeeper Lin had been in the business for many years, and he had seen many fine pieces, including top-quality Chicken Blood stones. Those were the works of Great Grandmasters of unparalleled renown.
Yet this seal was undoubtedly crafted by someone who, based on the cutting and craftsmanship, must have over twenty years of experience.
However, this Chicken Blood Seal had come from the hands of a girl only fourteen years old, which was naturally astonishing.
If he had not witnessed Wufu at work himself, Shopkeeper Lin might have doubted the seal was carved by someone else.
Shopkeeper Lin turned to look at the girl who was lazily yawning, a spark of admiration lighting up his eyes.
At such a young age, yet able to carve such a fine piece, she truly was a genius!