Wufu spent the following days working in the craftsmen room of the Hundred Treasures Silver Building, where Shopkeeper Lin had already made the necessary arrangements, so the moment she arrived, a young attendant named Jin Xi led her to a specialized room.
"Lady Wu, please wait a moment, I’ll go inform the shopkeeper right away," Jin Xi served her tea.
"You may go about your duties," Wufu nodded.
Jin Xi complied and left, while Wufu took the opportunity to look around the room.
Since she had already agreed with Shopkeeper Lin on the tools she needed for carving the day before, the room now had a long table where various instruments were neatly arranged.
Next to the long table, there was also a cutting machine which Wufu examined closely.
Naturally, the cutting machine at this time was not as advanced as those she had used in her past life; back then, due to the progression of technology, cutting machines evolved from primitive to improved versions, and she had used one of the very best, equipped with lasers and computers, allowing for precise measurements—if she wanted to cut just 0.1 millimeter, it would not cut an extra 2 millimeters.
Yet even so, Wufu did not rely entirely on high-tech, often preferring to work manually to train her eyesight, hand strength, and touch.
The cutting machine before her was quite basic, and its blade was likely made of mysterious iron, which was not bad at all.
Wufu carefully ran her fingertip over the blade, nodding secretly to herself, before she proceeded to inspect the other tools.
After checking all the tools she needed, a blueprint gradually formed in Wufu’s mind—where to start and which tools to use.
"Miss Wufu," Shopkeeper Lin entered the room, interrupting her train of thought.
Wufu bowed slightly, her eyes falling on the tray held by the young servant behind him, and she smiled silently.
"It’s quite unfortunate; just now I was delayed by an important guest," Shopkeeper Lin explained.
"It doesn’t matter, Shopkeeper Lin should attend to his business. Just set the stone down and that will be fine!" Wufu pointed to the tray.
Shopkeeper Lin personally brought it over, speaking carefully, "Then, I entrust this task to you, Miss."
Wufu touched the Chicken Blood Stone, feeling its icy surface, and declared, "I will do my utmost."
Shopkeeper Lin nodded without moving an inch.
Wufu moved the Chicken Blood Stone closer to her and observed its overall shape, her gaze lingering on a chipped corner.
To carve a Pixiu, the first step was to repair this flaw. Filling it was impossible; the only option was to use the Pixiu’s shape to transform the damaged area.
Wufu took out the rough sketch she had stayed up late drawing the night before and carefully examined the depicted Pixiu. She then compared it to the lotus pedestal and started to outline with a charcoal pencil.
A shadow fell across her work, and Wufu looked up to see that Shopkeeper Lin was still there, prompting her curiosity.
"Is there anything else, Shopkeeper Lin?"
Shopkeeper Lin appeared slightly embarrassed and said he just wanted to watch how she would do it to be able to report back to the Fourth Young Master.
Indeed, after setting the deal with Wufu the day before, he had gone to report to the Fourth Young Master overnight. After all, entrusting a top-quality Chicken Blood Stone to a girl of merely fourteen was a very bold endeavor.
Furthermore, they were doing this in the name of the Hundred Treasures Silver House; a failure could mean losing face.
Therefore, to be on the safe side, he had sought an audience with the Fourth Young Master and informed him of the matter.
He had prepared himself for the Fourth Young Master’s reprimand, but upon hearing the news, the Fourth Young Master showed not the slightest hint of censure, but rather was surprised and curious.
"When will it be done? Once the piece is complete, show it to me," said Fourth Young Master Wen.
Shopkeeper Lin replied earnestly and fearfully, and his expectations for Wufu only grew.
This was a matter that concerned his future prospects—if successful, he would be seen as a man with a discerning eye for talent.