Zhao Gao sat under the eaves, a pile of bamboo strips by his side.
He was weaving with the thin strips, which, to Zhao Yan’s eyes, looked like they might snap at any second. Yet, in his father’s hands, they were remarkably supple, as if they could never be broken no matter how much they were bent. Madam Chen sat nearby, helping to shave the bamboo. Her craftsmanship was not as skilled as Zhao Gao’s, so she stuck to the odd jobs and supporting tasks.
Zhao Yan leaned in to watch closely. He witnessed the strips interlacing, gradually taking shape. Even though he didn't blink, it was as if by magic that the bamboo suddenly underwent a distinct transformation.
Chapter 19