At the beginning, he took his seven younger siblings to join Yi Zhonghai.

"Oh, thank you so much! This has really relieved a lot of my worries. Tomorrow, I'll treat you two to a meal together."

Carpenter Li said with delight upon hearing this.

"Alright, I'll bring two bottles of good wine over then."

"However, I can accept apprentices, but these things should be paid for as much as they are, otherwise what would I be?"

Yi Zhonghai pointed to the selected tools and wood and said.

"It's not worth much. I know you don't take on apprentices, but over the years you've only taken on one, who is your next-door neighbor."

"If it weren't for this opportunity, I wouldn't have been able to ask, and my nephew would have had to work as a temporary worker for another year."

"The difference between this entry and exit is not small. My nephew will not only be able to get promoted sooner, but he will also be able to learn real skills from you."

"Tell me, if he takes your money, how can he become his master? So let's not stand on ceremony, okay? Let's keep in touch."

Carpenter Li said without hesitation.

That's what he said.

However, Yi Zhonghai still insisted on paying for the tools.

Only the wood was not paid for.

After all, the tools are worth a fortune.

Yi Zhongding and his companion left empty-handed, but returned home carrying a large box and a pile of wood.

Not surprisingly.

As he walked to the front yard, Yan Bugui bumped into him again, smiling and asking, "Old Yi, what did you buy this time? Such a big box, and so much wood, what are you going to do with it?"

"Old Yan, it's nothing. I just bought a set of carpentry tools from Carpenter Li across the street."

Yi Zhonghai knew exactly what he was thinking and casually replied.

"Oh, so you, Old Yi, can do this too? Planning to make your own furniture?"

Yan Bugui's eyes darted around, and he continued to ask.

"How could I know how? My younger brother learned a little from my fourth uncle when he was little. Now he's making some little toys for our younger siblings."

Yi Zhonghai shook his head and smiled.

"Wow, that's amazing! Zhongding even knows carpentry. We're all neighbors, so we'll have to lend a hand in the future."

Upon hearing this, Yan Bugui's eyes lit up, and he said with a smile.

"Hehe, Teacher Yan, you're too kind. I'm not very skilled; I can only make a few gadgets."

Seeing that he was being addressed, Yi Zhongding could only reply.

"Then why don't you learn from that carpenter Li? That's a skill you can use to make a living."

Yan Bugui asked, puzzled.

"My younger brother still has to study, so I'll be going now. Old Yan, come over for a drink another day."

Yi Zhonghai smiled and said something, then led the way away.

Yi Zhongding naturally followed along.

Yan Bugui watched the two figures walk away, seemingly lost in thought, then shook his head and went home.

"You're back? Watch the kids for a bit, I'll go cook, and we can eat right away."

When Tan Xiulian saw the two return, she got up and went to the kitchen.

"Sister-in-law, let me do it."

Yi Zhongding followed him into the kitchen.

"Go do your thing. How can a grown man go into the kitchen? A gentleman keeps his distance from the kitchen."

Tan Xiulian reached out to push him.

"Sister-in-law, what era are we living in? There's a cook in the yard."

Yi Zhongding said with a laugh.

"How can that be the same? You're a scholar, and he's a family cook. Get out of here and don't get in the way."

Tan Xiulian said softly.

Yi Zhongding had no choice but to return to his room.

Suddenly, several little ones came up and started hugging each other's legs, arms, and backs...

In short, his body was covered with children.

"Oh my god, what happened? I was just out for a little while."

With one person sitting on each of Yi Zhongding's legs, he could only move around very carefully.

"Fruit, sweet...juicy."

Zhongren hugged his leg, raised her little face, and said with longing in her eyes.

"You mean honey water? Yes, I have some. Let go of your brother first, I'll go make some for you, okay?"

Yi Zhongding immediately understood what he was talking about.

When he first came into this world.

Right there in my mother's mourning hall.

He couldn't do anything about the crying and fussing of the little ones around him.

After racking his brains, he finally remembered the honey his original father used to harvest in the mountains every year.

Thinking that the child loves to eat sweets.

So I made it for them.

That's how he got addicted to it.

After they released him, Yi Zhongding went back inside.

Then he took out all the mountain produce and cured meat he had brought from home.

To be honest, we used to have quite a few nice things at home.

The saying goes, "Those who live near the mountains live off the mountains."

Moreover, Shennongjia established its organizational branch early on.

The bandits and tyrants were all wiped out.

People no longer need to worry about their belongings being stolen from the mountains.

They were allocated land again.

Life here is much better than for city dwellers.

When his father, Yi Shixin, was still alive.

There is income at home.

His family never lacks wild game, mountain delicacies, eggs, goat milk, and the like.

If he's missing something, his dad should go to Shennongjia.

When you come back, you won't be short of anything.

That's why he was almost 1.8 meters tall at the age of 15.

In this era, he is simply a "giant" for his age group.

But after his father passed away.

I can't bear to eat these good things myself.

They all had to be saved for market days to exchange for household items or food.

But the markets in Shennongjia are still in the mountains.

They also couldn't fetch a good price.

"Brother, I haven't had time to tidy up. I forgot to take out all these wild mushrooms, wood ear fungus... and cured meat."

"Here are two more bottles of wild honey. Let's find a place to store them so they don't spoil."

"It's too hot in our room, so it's not good to put things away."

Yi Zhongding came out carrying a bag of things.

"Hehe, these are all good stuff. Okay, have your sister-in-law put them away in a bit."

"Just put this honey in that cabinet. Tell your sister-in-law too, so you can make it for the kids if they want some later."

Yi Zhonghai glanced at the things on the table and said with a smile.

"OK."

Yi Zhongding nodded and first took out ten bowls and placed them on the table.

"You guys drink, your sister-in-law and I won't drink. This is good stuff, they need it to grow."

Upon seeing this, Yi Zhonghai immediately understood.

"Big brother, if I'm not home, I can't control whether you guys are willing to eat and drink without spending money."

"But I'm here, so the family has to be together. That's what it means to share the good times and the bad."

After saying this with a smile, Yi Zhongding took out a spoon and scooped some honey into a bowl.

"Alright, I can't argue with you, you cultured guy. I'll do some work like pouring water for you. Just watch the kids so they don't get burned."

Yi Zhonghai came over carrying a thermos and joked with a cheerful smile.

As he poured the water, Yi Zhongding stirred it.

Soon.

The unique aroma of honey filled the room.

"Guoguo, Shuishui."

Zhong Ren and Zhong Min were extremely anxious, their little arms and legs constantly trying to climb onto the stool.

"What's the rush, you little glutton? Don't spill it!"

Yi Zhongding adjusted their bibs and then let them do as they pleased.

Just then, Tan Xiulian came in carrying a steamer basket. Seeing this scene, she said with a smile, "What good things are you brothers drinking?"

"Ding Ya brought honey from home. I said I didn't want it, but he insisted on making a bowl for us too. He hasn't forgotten the great contributor to your family."

Yi Zhonghai pointed to a bowl that had been left on the table and said.

"Why should an old woman like me drink this? It's a waste. Let the children drink it."

Tan Xiulian was so happy that tears welled up in her eyes.

"What a waste, sister-in-law! We'll all depend on you to live a good life from now on. You'll be the one to support this family."

"Big brother is absolutely right. You're a great contributor to the family, so you have to drink."

Yi Zhongding got up, took the steamer from her hand, placed it on the table, and then handed her the honey water.