RGL – Chapter 108

This time, however, Tang Man didn’t have the same reaction as last time—when she heard that Su Min’s family ran a supermarket, she had gotten a little upset. Now she felt that someone like Su Min, who was usually so low-key, telling them about such a thing showed that she considered them close.

After hearing about it, Zhang Panpan was a little uncertain and said, “Do you think my sister can do it? She’s never done this kind of thing before.”

“Whether she can or not, we have to try first. Just look at the embroidery your sister made for you—it’s really good.” Su Min thought to herself that the saying was true: real talents are hidden among the common folk.

Although Panpan wasn’t too sure whether her sister could really do the job, she also knew that what Su Min was offering was a great opportunity.

Her eldest sister would come to the city with food and lodging provided, plus a job. From the way Su Min spoke, it didn’t sound like the pay would be low either.

After thinking for a moment, she hesitated and said in a small voice, “Su Min, how long do you plan to run this clothing shop? What if it doesn’t last long and closes soon?” She didn’t want her sister to be running back and forth, getting hopeful only to be disappointed.

Su Min smiled when she heard this. “Don’t worry, I plan to keep it running long-term. And even if I don’t, I’ll make sure your sister can find a similar job here in the city.” What she was actually worried about was that once Panpan’s sister became skilled, she might leave for a better offer elsewhere.

But that was something to worry about later. For now, she just wanted to get this dress made.

Hearing Su Min’s words, Panpan was relieved. Although Su Min was about the same age as them, she came from a well-off family, had her own shop, and always seemed reliable—very different from them.

Because things on Su Min’s side were urgent, Zhang Panpan wrote a letter to her family right after school.

Fortunately, her hometown was within the jurisdiction of the city, so the letter arrived within four days.

Zhang Panpan had been away at school for a while and usually lived frugally, rarely writing home. So when the village chief delivered the letter, her mother was shocked—she thought something bad had happened to her daughter in the city.

After thanking the village chief and returning home, she asked her son, Zhang Shuisheng, who had attended middle school and was now helping with the farming, to read the letter aloud.

Though Shuisheng didn’t do too well in school, he could read. As he read the letter, his mother asked in surprise, “She wants your sister to go to the city?”

“That’s what the letter says,” Zhang Shuisheng nodded, eyes filled with a bit of longing. His sister was doing well in school and studying in the city. Every time she came home, she brought stories about city life. He was curious what the city was really like.

Unfortunately, he hadn’t done well in school, and their grandmother had insisted he stay home and farm instead.

Inside the house, Grandma Zhang heard the letter was from Panpan and called out loudly, “Panpan’s mother! Did we hear from Panpan? Hurry and read it to me!”

“Yes, coming.” Mother Zhang quickly entered and explained the contents of the letter to her.

The elderly lady, now bedridden and frail, said, “Panpan’s a dependable child. If she’s written about this, then it must be true.”

“I was thinking that too, but she’s just a student. How could she meet someone like this?” Mother Zhang was still a bit skeptical.

Grandma Zhang replied, “What do you know? Panpan studies well and goes to school in the city. There are plenty of wealthy families there—it’s not strange she’d know someone like that. Didn’t she bring us food last time from a city friend?”

Mother Zhang nodded.

“But can Qingqing handle this? She’s already nineteen, at the age where people talk about marriage. What if going to the city delays her chances?”

At that, Grandma Zhang snorted. “Didn’t we already break off that engagement? Why worry about marriage? I think this is a great opportunity. Let her go see the world a bit. Who knows—she might come back with higher standards and not even like that boy anymore. Let her go. It’s better than staying in the village and being the subject of idle gossip.”

Thinking about the marriage stuff made Grandma Zhang feel heartache. Her eldest granddaughter was such a thoughtful girl, but unfortunately, she had met the wrong person. Luckily, they didn’t get married—otherwise, she’d have been ruined by that family.

Mother Zhang, though she and Father Zhang were the ones holding the household together now, still respected her mother-in-law. Hearing her say that, she nodded quickly. “I’ll talk to her father and Qingqing when they come back.”

Looking around their bare home, she sighed inwardly. She could only hope that things would be as good as Panpan had said—that her daughter could have food, housing, and a salary in the city.

That evening, when Father Zhang and Zhang Qingqing came back from the fields, dinner was already on the table.

It was a large bowl of pumpkin with some pickles. Father Zhang ate a big bowlful.

Once dinner was nearly over, Mother Zhang brought up what Panpan had written in her letter.

Father Zhang went quiet.

Zhang Qingqing also stayed silent for a while, then said, “If I go, who’ll take care of things at home?”

Grandma Zhang was bedridden and needed care, and there was a lot of farm work to be done. The family only had a few helping hands.

Mother Zhang said, “Grandma thinks you should go. If you can earn money in the city, it’s better than farming here. Panpan said there’s a place to stay, food to eat, and work to do. It’s her classmate’s family’s shop—it won’t be a scam.”

Father Zhang sighed. “Let her go.”

Life in the village had been too hard on his daughter. He wasn’t capable enough. If he were, the children wouldn’t be living like this.

Mother Zhang added, “Daughter, go. Your embroidery skills came from your grandmother. If you really succeed, remember to be grateful to her. I’ll talk to her—she’ll definitely be happy for you.”

Zhang Qingqing stayed silent for a while, then sniffled and nodded.

She didn’t want to leave home or her family, but they were too poor. Panpan was still studying, Grandma was sick and needed money, and eventually, Shuisheng would need a wife. As long as there was a way to earn money, she had to seize it.

The next morning, Mother Zhang packed her a clean set of clothes and, following Grandma Zhang’s instructions, boiled her two eggs before escorting her to the town bus station.

Along the way, many villagers saw them. Word quickly spread that Zhang Qingqing was going to the city.

Some were jealous; others made sarcastic comments. Mother Zhang bit her lip and told her daughter while helping her onto the bus, “No matter what, don’t let anyone laugh at us. We may be poor, but we can’t be poor in spirit. Don’t do anything disgraceful.”

“I know, Mom.”

That afternoon after school, before Zhang Panpan could return to the dorm, Teacher Huang told her someone was looking for her.

Su Min, who had been walking out with her, glanced over, guessing someone from her family had arrived.

Since it was related to her, she went with Zhang Panpan to meet the visitor.

Just outside the school security office, Zhang Panpan rushed over and hugged a young woman tightly.

The girl had thick eyebrows and big eyes, resembling Zhang Panpan somewhat, but her skin was darker—like someone often exposed to sun and wind.

Seeing her sister, Zhang Panpan was excited. After chatting a bit, she brought her over to meet Su Min.

When she learned Su Min was the shop owner who’d offered the job, Zhang Qingqing was shocked. She couldn’t believe someone her sister’s age already ran a clothing store.

But since her sister trusted her, it must be real. Zhang Qingqing quickly greeted Su Min.

Su Min found her simple and genuine, which was reassuring. People like that caused less drama at work.

She smiled and said, “It’s getting late, I’ll take you to the dorm to rest and meet the others. Tomorrow at noon, I’ll explain your work.”

Hearing she had a place to stay, Zhang Qingqing felt relieved. She had been worried about arriving too late and not having a bed.

Since the dorm wasn’t far from the school, Zhang Panpan went along to help settle her sister in.

Zhang Qingqing, shy and silent, said very little on the way. It was her first time in the city. She was nervous, worried she might not do well and have to go back in shame. Thankfully, Su Min didn’t mention work, letting her settle in first.

When they arrived at the apartment complex, both sisters were shocked. Zhang Panpan had assumed it’d be a cramped dorm with several beds in a room—like her own. But it turned out to be a full apartment.

Zhang Qingqing stared wide-eyed, sneaking glances everywhere.

As Su Min knocked on the door, she explained, “Only two people live here. During the day, a few workers may come by to do some sewing, but it won’t bother you.”

Zhang Qingqing dumbly nodded.

After a while with no response, Su Min guessed no one was home and used her key to open the door.

Seeing the spacious interior, Zhang Qingqing asked, “I’ll be living here?”

“Yes, that’s the arrangement for now.”

Zhang Qingqing nervously asked, “What exactly do you want me to do? I don’t really know anything… Is embroidery really enough?”

Su Min could tell she was anxious and reassured her with a smile. “It’s just embroidery. For you, it should be simple. Tomorrow I’ll show you the pattern. You won’t even have to leave the house—you can embroider comfortably right here.”

Zhang Qingqing let out a breath of relief and quickly said, “That’s no problem—I can embroider all kinds of patterns!”

After settling her in, Su Min went to the shop to let Sun Yan know.

When Sun Yan heard that Su Min had already found an embroidery girl—and that it was a classmate’s sister—she was surprised. “You’re really moving fast. Are you seriously going to make that dress?”

“Even if we don’t finish this dress, having a skilled embroiderer gives us more options. It’s her first time in the city, so please be understanding.”

Su Min was worried the girls wouldn’t get along.

Though Sun Yan wasn’t thrilled about a stranger joining them, she knew this was Su Min’s plan and didn’t object. Besides, the girl had real skills and was her classmate’s sister—she had to be treated with respect.

“Don’t worry, I’m not the kind of person who rejects others.”

Su Min smiled. “I never thought that. Yanyan, just wait—our custom line from Xiuse is going to sell for a great price.”

Though Sun Yan was skeptical about custom orders—she preferred ready-made—Su Min’s passion was infectious. She began to believe it might actually work.

The fabric had already been cut by one of the shop’s skilled workers. Though not a master, the tailor was meticulous, and the result wasn’t bad.

With everything ready, Zhang Qingqing began her embroidery.

She was meticulous by nature and determined to do a good job, hoping to stay on long-term. She tested a few stitches first and found the material was even better than what she’d used before. The result was beautiful, and she was delighted. She focused all her attention on the task.

Three days later, during a lunch break, Su Min came to check and saw that while the stitches were good, the pattern wasn’t finished, so the final result couldn’t yet be seen.

Thinking she shouldn’t rush and pressure Zhang Qingqing, Su Min decided not to check again for a few more days.

A week later, after hearing from Zhang Panpan, she came by again after school.

When she entered, Zhang Qingqing had just finished cleaning up her tools and was carefully covering the embroidered silk with gauze to keep off dust. Seeing Su Min, she nervously said, “I just finished. What do you think?”

“So fast?” Su Min had given her two weeks, expecting it would take at least a few more days. She hurried over and lifted the gauze.

On the pale blue silk lay several golden pomegranate patterns, vivid and lifelike—better than a drawing.

Su Min was so moved she wanted to touch it but didn’t dare, afraid of ruining it.

“Sister Qingqing’s embroidery is amazing,” Su Min said in admiration.

Zhang Qingqing blushed. “It’s because your materials are so good. What I used before never looked this nice.”

Her old embroidery had been for mending patched clothes, using basic thread and needles. Nothing like this.

Su Min said, “Your skill is really impressive. Qingqing, would you like to sign a contract and become Xiuse’s official embroiderer? Once this dress is sold, I’ll give you a commission—20% of the profit after costs.”

Zhang Qingqing didn’t really understand commissions and said shyly, “What does that mean?”

Su Min smiled and explained, “For example, if the cost of the dress is ten yuan and it sells for twenty, there’s a ten-yuan profit. You get 20%—so two yuan. But don’t worry. Embroidered pieces will always sell for more than just ten yuan profit. Even when there aren’t special orders, you can still make basic pieces and earn commission.”