"I..." Tang Jun paused for a moment, thinking for a long time. Earlier, Yuan Yu asked for a chubby doll, so he asked, "Grandpa Zhang, was the chubby doll Yuan Yu wanted a boy or a girl?"
"A girl." Grandpa Zhang glanced at Tang Jun. That girl was stunning just now, and the man before him was handsome too. The two were quite a match.
Tang Jun thought for a while and said, "Then I want to make a boy doll."
"But..."
Grandpa Zhang looked at Tang Jun. Tang Jun’s eyes were dull and lifeless, clearly unable to see. How could he make clay figurines when he couldn’t even see?
"Grandpa Zhang, it’s okay if I can’t see. I still have my hands; as long as you teach me how to make it, that’s all I need."
Tang Jun was very persistent, saying, "Grandpa Zhang, it’s just the colors I can’t match. As for the shapes, I need a bit of help from Grandpa Zhang to take a look."
Grandpa Zhang looked at Tang Jun and asked, "Is this something you want to give to Miss Yuan?"
Tang Jun’s face reddened, and he lowered his eyes somewhat awkwardly.
Grandpa Zhang laughed and didn’t say anything more, but carefully taught Tang Jun how to make clay figurines.
Even a normal person might fail at making a clay figurine for the first time. Either there’s no shape at all, or it’s unrecognizable. Tang Jun couldn’t see, so his hands were even clumsier. Grandpa Zhang tirelessly taught him over and over, and Tang Jun learned seriously and listened earnestly, simulating it ten times in his mind before starting to work, continuing until Grandpa Zhang praised him, only then happily continuing to mold.
"Not bad," Grandpa Zhang looked at the clay figurine in Tang Jun’s hands and then at the discarded ones beside it, shaking his head involuntarily in his heart.
This was the closest Tang Jun had ever come to molding a recognizable clay figurine, but...
Grandpa Zhang glanced at the dolls he molded and compared them to Tang Jun’s. If all molded clay figurines looked like Tang Jun’s, not a single one would sell.
"Thank you, Grandpa Zhang."
Tang Jun, somewhat embarrassed, happily held the clay figurine, feeling its shape with his hands, filling him with joy.
Making this clay figurine took Grandpa Zhang half a day.
"No need, as long as the girl likes it."
Grandpa Zhang couldn’t bear to look at the clay figurine again. Tang Jun couldn’t see, and the craftsmanship was limited, but still managed to mold one with a shape, which was considered good.
...
"Sister Yuan, why do you think Brother Tang has been staying at Grandpa Zhang’s place all this time?" The little girl happily held the clay figurine she liked, accompanying Yuan Yu through the fields. It was spring, and many laborers were preparing to sow wheat for autumn harvest.
In the fields and on the paths, laborers were everywhere. Yuan Yu greedily observed this scene, having faced medicine and patients every day in the company. When she had some time, she would follow Tang Jun. Before knowing Tang Jun, she had never seen this season of sowing.
Yuan Yu found it quite novel. "It’s hard to say; maybe he wants to chat with Grandpa Zhang?"
"What would he have to chat about with Grandpa Zhang?" The little girl muttered but didn’t ask further, accompanying Yuan Yu as they strolled through the village.
The villagers were very friendly, all calling her Doctor Yuan and greeting Yuan Yu.
For example, "Doctor Yuan, have you eaten?"
"Doctor Yuan, have you been feeling better?"
Yuan Yu responded with smiles, feeling that although the village was a bit isolated, it was still quite pleasant to live here.
Living here for a few days, she felt these days were incredibly relaxing, without endless work, without anxiety, and she could see Tang Jun every day.
If...
"Brother Tang, did you make this? It’s truly ugly."
The little girl, being young, spoke honestly, not realizing her words had hurt Tang Jun.
For a moment, Tang Jun considered taking the chubby doll back, but suddenly, a breeze swept by, and the clay figurine was no longer in his hands.
"It’s a bit ugly, but I don’t mind." Yuan Yu snatched the clay figurine, examining the chubby doll. Although she expressed disdain, she looked at the doll with extra gentleness, holding it carefully as if it were the most precious treasure.
"Sister Yuan, you clearly like it." The little girl observed Yuan Yu’s demeanor, staring at the clay doll, and asked, "This clay figurine is far inferior to Grandpa Zhang’s."
Tang Jun: "..."
Yuan Yu: "..."
Grandpa Zhang led the little girl away and said, "Little girl, once you grow up, you’ll understand who made it better and whom you prefer."
"Why?" The little girl was curious.
Grandpa Zhang led her into the house, "Come on, little girl, take the wine you brought for your grandpa back."
"Alright."
The little girl’s attention was instantly diverted.
Tang Jun, with reddened ears, listened to the sounds of the little girl leaving and then said, "Yuan Yu, if it’s really too ugly, you should throw it away."
"No way, it’s the first thing you’ve given me. Why throw it away?" Yuan Yu held the item in her arms like a treasure.

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