Chapter 341: How bad could it be?

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation  Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

Old Master Liang was heartbroken.

He said with a fake smile, “Our family’s rubber will arrive a few days later.

“It’s hard for a clever woman to cook without rice. My grandson doesn’t have rubber, so he can’t give it to me. Otherwise, if he has anything good, he will send it to my courtyard immediately.”

Old Master Xi smiled and said, “Then in the next few days, you will be able to wear rubber-soled leather shoes.

“It’s just that it might not rain anymore in the next few days.”

In any case, he was the only one enjoying the limelight.

Thereafter, Old Master Liang wouldn’t be able to show off anymore.

Old Master Liang thought to himself, this old man was shameless.

He cursed inwardly at those people who were handling this matter.

Why did their family lag a few days behind the Xi family?

Look at how smug this old man was.

Old Master Xi’s good friends couldn’t help but come forward to ask him for the rubber-soled shoes.

“Old Xi, you’re not being kind.”

“Since your family already has some rubber, do you want to give us a pair of rubber-soled shoes as well?”

“That’s right. It’s not easy for us during rainy days. It’s uncomfortable to wear wet shoes.”

“Old Xi, are we still friends? If we are, then give us a pair of rubber-soled shoes.”

Old Master Xi waved his hand with a smile. “I’ll give it to you. Later, ask your servants to bring your shoe size to my residence. I’ll have someone make them for you.”

He looked as high-spirited as he could be.

Old Master Liang and Old Master Qi were heartbroken.

Their families also had rubber shoes, but they hadn’t arrived yet.

Old Master Fei was more reserved. Although he wanted a pair, he didn’t reveal it.

Moreover, after some time, their family should be able to transport their rubber shoes to the capital.

At that time, he would get someone to make a few pairs of rubber-soled shoes for him to wear.

After a while, the emperor came for the morning court.

Then, everyone was observant to notice that he was also wearing a pair of rubber-soled leather shoes.

He looked even more exquisite than Old Master Xi.

Even the emperor was wearing rubber-soled leather shoes. How bad could it be?

Therefore, after the court was adjourned, the high-ranking and old officials surrounded Old Master Xi.

They wanted him to give them a pair of rubber-soled leather shoes. If he didn’t want to give them, he could sell them.

Those who were on good terms with Xi Xinheng also surrounded him to ask for a pair of rubber-soled leather shoes.

Seeing this, Old Master Liang and Old Master Qi felt sour in their hearts.

Their family also had rubber.

This time, the Xi family had stolen the limelight.

However, the amount of rubber that the Xi family had brought over was limited.

When the time came, these guys would definitely come to them to ask for a pair of rubber-soled leather shoes.

Thinking of this, they felt comfortable again.

Because of this, rubber-soled leather shoes became popular in the capital city.

If any young man wore a pair of shoes, it would definitely attract others’ envious and jealous gazes.

After another ten days, the first bicycle was finally completed.

When Xi Rui and the others heard that the bicycle was ready, they rushed to the Xiao family without anyone calling them to.

When they saw a tall iron bicycle, they were a little dumbfounded.

“How do we ride this?” They thought that the bicycle was a scooter.

They did not expect it to look so weird.

The key was that it did not look like it could be used for walking.

Shi Qingluo had already changed into a suit, so it was not convenient for her to wear a skirt. “Let me try it on for you.”

She pushed the bicycle onto the cement road and rode it.

Seeing that Shi Qingluo tiptoed and used her other foot to pedal, the iron bike went out.

Then, Shi Qingluo pedaled with both feet, and the bike flew past very fast.

The few of them then saw Shi Qingluo riding the bike to the opposite road at high speed.

She tiptoed, turned the handrail that she held in her hand, and rode towards them again.

It was the first time they had seen such a bike, and their eyes lit up.

This thing was much faster than a scooter, and according to Shi Qingluo, they could ride it even on dirt roads, which a scooter couldn’t.

Xi Rui was the first to rush to Shi Qingluo and said excitedly, “Qingluo, come here, let me try.”

Shi Qingluo dropped the bike. “Go ahead. You have to control your balance at the beginning, or you’ll fall easily.”

Xi Rui nodded. “Okay, after watching you ride it, I have a rough idea of how to do it.”

So, he got on the bike and tried it out.

Just as he stepped out, it went on a zig-zag mothion, and then he fell.

However, Xi Rui did not care. He got up and started riding again.

This time, Shi Qingluo held the back and helped him stabilize the body of the bike so that he could get used to it first.

It had to be said that Xi Rui was famous for having fun.

This guy was very talented.

Previously, he could quickly get used to skateboarding.

Now, it was the same with riding a bicycle.

In the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, he could ride the bicycle smoothly.

Seeing that he had learned it, Liang Youxiao immediately said, “It’s our turn to play.”

They had been watching it with an itch for a long time.

Xi Rui then reluctantly stopped and gave the bicycle to Liang Youxiao.

Liang Youxiao’s talent was slightly worse than Xi Rui’s.

It took him more than 15 minutes to barely know how to ride.

Then, Xi Rong, who could not wait any longer, got him to dismount.

Then, Fei Yuzhe went up, and finally, it was Qi Yiyang’s turn.

Now, Qi Yiyang was thick-skinned.

Even if Xi Rui and the others did not invite him, he would still be thick-skinned and follow them.

There was nothing he could do.

It was really more fun to follow Shi Qingluo and the others.

From time to time, he could also chat with Xiao Hanzheng about his knowledge and the happenings in the Imperial Academy.

He was also assigned to the Imperial Academy, but he did not work in the same department as Xiao Hanzheng.

He was mainly in charge of repairing books.

Xiao Hanzheng’s work was more miscellaneous, but it was more training.

If it were not for the fact that it would be difficult for him to enter the Imperial Academy in the future, he would not have wanted to stay in the Imperial Academy. It was too boring.

When it was about time, he would ask his family to find him a post outside.

Moreover, both his family and the second prince were very supportive of him hanging out with Shi Qingluo and the others.

Xi Rong and Fei Yuzhe had also been philosophizing for a long time, so it was Qi Yiyang’s turn.

Qi Yiyang usually did not like to play much, but after he got on the bike, he felt very excited and liked it.

Especially after learning it, he could not wait to ride the bike home.

The few of them cycled a few more times. When it was almost dinner time, they reluctantly let go.

Xi Rui rolled his eyes. “Why don’t I ride this bicycle home first?”

Apart from being in the limelight, he also really liked the feeling of riding a bicycle.

He liked it more than a skateboard, especially with the bicycle, he would not need a carriage to go out in the future. It was also very convenient.

When he said this, Liang Youxiao and the others said in unison, “No.”

Liang Youxiao used the folding fan to knock Xi Rui’s shoulder. “Don’t even think about being the special one. Previously, we agreed to ride back together.”

Fei Yuzhe nodded. “That’s right. Xi Rui, you’re not being kind. Of course, as brothers we will ride out together.”

Although XI Rong and Qi Yiyang did not say anything, they nodded crazily.

Xi Rui felt a little regretful. He should not have agreed to these guys.

After all, he was the one who provided the rubber.

However, since they had already agreed, he could only Humph. “Okay, okay, okay. I’ll wait for you guys.”

“Qingluo, get the craftsmen to speed up the construction then.”

“Why don’t we find a few more craftsmen?”

They really could not wait any longer.