RGL – Chapter 139

She looked at Su Min and smiled. “I originally thought I could stay until you graduated, but now I have to leave half a year early. The days ahead will all be up to you now.”

Hearing that Ke Wan would be leaving soon, Su Min also felt reluctant to part. She pressed her lips together and smiled, “It’s good to go over there too. Sister Ning and the others are all there—you’ll have company. Besides, I only have half a year left here, it’ll pass quickly. Who knows, maybe I’ll head over during summer vacation.”

“That actually sounds good too.” Ke Wan became serious and smiled. “After your college entrance exams, you should go to City B early and get the shop arranged. Otherwise, when the semester starts, you’ll be too busy to manage it. Although university is more relaxed than high school, it’s still study—it’s not like you’ll have a lot of free time. Best to sort everything out during summer break.”

Su Min nodded. “I’ll see how things go. If there’s nothing urgent at home, I’ll go over early.” She sighed, “Honestly, I really can’t bear to see you all leave. At least now I still get to see you once a week, and I get to see Ruirui too. Once you’re gone, I’ll have one less place to go.”

“Then you should come early. I’m sure Ruirui will miss you a lot too.”

“Alright, I definitely will.”

Because she had promised Sun Yan and the others to celebrate together in the evening, Su Min politely declined Ke Wan’s invitation to dinner. Since it wasn’t dark yet, she quickly took the bus to the shop to find Sun Yan.

Sun Yan and Zhang Qingqing had been waiting at the shop for updates, worried that there might be something wrong with the clothes.

When Su Min arrived, Sun Yan quickly asked, “So, how was it? Mrs. Wu didn’t say anything negative, right?”

“She didn’t say anything. But the clothes won’t be shipped—he’ll come in person to inspect the goods.”

“He’s coming in person? I thought he was in City B?” Sun Yan looked astonished.

“He said he’s coming over on business, so he’ll stop by to have a look. You don’t need to worry—I think the craftsmanship is perfectly fine. If he doesn’t like it, it’ll be a problem with my design, not your end.”

“That’s not what we meant. We’re just worried the shop won’t make money,” Sun Yan said, pouting. “We’re genuinely concerned for you, and you say things like that.”

Su Min hurriedly laughed. “I was just joking, don’t take it seriously. Alright, I won’t say nonsense anymore. Don’t worry—I think everything will be fine. And I noticed that what he really cares about is the embroidery. Qingqing’s embroidery skills are great, and they’re getting better. I think that will impress him.”

When Zhang Qingqing heard that the embroidery was the main focus, she got nervous. “Are you sure it’s okay? This is the first time I’ve done cloud patterns.”

“It’s fine,” Su Min nodded firmly. Then she added, “But she did say he wants to meet the embroidery master when he comes. Qingqing, will you be able to come?”

“Meet me?” Zhang Qingqing looked even more startled. “What’s there to meet about? I don’t know anything, and she’s a big shot. I wouldn’t know what to say.”

Just the thought of meeting such a rich and important person made Zhang Qingqing nervous for no reason. The wealthiest person she had ever met was Su Min—and Su Min was easy to get along with. Over time, she no longer felt nervous around her. But people from big cities were different.

Su Min knew this would be her reaction and quickly said, “It’s just a meal, and he’ll ask some questions about embroidery—things you’re good at. If you feel like answering, you can. If you don’t want to, you don’t have to say anything.”

“What if I say the wrong thing?” Zhang Qingqing got even more anxious.

“You won’t. It’s not a business meeting—just a casual meal among friends. But if you really don’t want to go, that’s fine too. I just think it’s a good chance to go out, meet new people. It could help in the future.”

This meeting was partly because the client requested it, but Su Min also had another reason: she wanted to help Zhang Qingqing grow.

With Zhang Qingqing’s level of skill, she had plenty of potential. The more people she met, the more doors might open for her. If she stayed as reserved as she was now, she’d always remain behind the scenes. That might be fine for now, but letting such talent go to waste wasn’t Su Min’s style.

And if Zhang Qingqing could hold her ground and stay in the partnership, they could grow together in the future. If not, it was better to find out early.

Zhang Qingqing thought it over for a while before saying, “Alright, I’ll go. But you’ll have to teach me what to say.”

Su Min was surprised at first but then smiled and nodded. “Okay. Don’t worry—we’ll go together, and I’ll stay with you the whole time.”

On the day of the Little New Year, Su Changrong received a phone call from Grandpa Su at the town post office.

Li Yulan had asked someone to arrange a marriage for Su Can. The girl was eighteen, about the same age as Su Can, and the wedding was planned for early in the new year. But according to hometown traditions, before the wedding, the groom’s side had to send betrothal gifts.

As the eldest uncle and someone well-known for his wealth in town, Su Changfu and Li Yulan hoped Su Changrong could return home and help visit the bride’s family, which would also help their side save face.

“Changrong, I know you’re still angry about what happened last year, but this is a lifelong matter. Su Can is the only male heir in the family, and there might not be another chance for him to marry. As his uncle, you should come back and take a look.”

“I’m not going.” Su Changrong rejected flatly without a second thought. “He raised his hand against me, his uncle—that just shows he doesn’t respect me as an elder at all. So why should I bother? Dad, I was going to tell you—I’m not going back for the New Year this year. I’m busy here, so I’ll just celebrate at home. I’ll still send money for the New Year expenses.”

“You’re not even coming back for the New Year?” Grandpa Su sounded surprised on the other end.

“Yeah, not coming. Too much to do here. If you have time, you should come visit instead.”

“Alright, if you’re really too busy, forget it then.” Grandpa Su knew his eldest son wasn’t being completely honest. If he really were that busy, how had he always managed to come back in previous years? Clearly, he was still angry.

But thinking about Su Can’s outrageous behavior, he felt angry too.

The boy had become harder and harder to control. He now yelled at both him and Changfu, and when he got agitated, he even raised his fists.

After hanging up the phone, Sun Qiufang came out of the kitchen carrying a few small dishes.

“Is something going on back home?”

“Nothing major. It’s just that Cancan is getting engaged, and they want me to go back and help out.”

“Oh, that’s a big deal. You should go back,” Sun Qiufang replied nonchalantly.

Su Changrong pursed his lips and shot her a glare. “Why are you always so sarcastic with me? You know I’m not going back. I don’t even go home for New Year’s—why would I go back to help that brat get engaged? I, Su Changrong, may be a fool, but not to that extent.”

Sun Qiufang ignored him and started eating with her bowl and chopsticks. After a few bites, she noticed Su Changrong still hadn’t started eating. She chuckled, “Come on, let’s eat. It’s just the two of us celebrating Little New Year today. Minzi went to the Wu family to handle something. We’ll have a proper meal tonight. This lunch is just to get by.”

Reluctantly, Su Changrong picked up his chopsticks. “Stop making fun of me already. It really bothers me, being hit by someone younger, and then you keep poking at it.”

Sun Qiufang laughed. “How am I mocking you? I’m just telling the truth. Besides, if I went along with your nonsense, you’d probably accuse me of stirring things up. Even if I’m dumb, I’m not stupid enough to do thankless things. I used to argue with you all the time over stuff back home, but I’ve gotten over it. Those people have nothing to do with me anymore—why should I argue with you because of them?”

Hearing this, Su Changrong felt a bit uneasy, but couldn’t quite say why. He lowered his head and ate in silence.

Su Min, on the other hand, had no idea her parents were bickering again.

She was currently in the Wu family’s living room with Zhang Qingqing, waiting for an “important guest” to arrive.

Today, both Su Min and Zhang Qingqing were wearing winter coats made in their own shop. The design was based on old-fashioned cotton jackets. Su Min’s was a lively pale yellow, while Zhang Qingqing’s was a soft lavender. With the matching embroidery, they looked like they were wearing works of art.

Ke Wan looked at them with admiration. “When did you make these? If I had known earlier, I would’ve ordered one for the New Year too.”

Su Min smiled. “We made them a while ago. There was a slow period, so we had everyone in the shop make one for themselves. We were worried we wouldn’t have anything suitable for festive occasions like New Year’s Eve. Now that we’re doing custom high-end designs, we have to keep up appearances.”

“You’re so thoughtful, always planning ahead,” Ke Wan praised, then noticed Zhang Qingqing lowering her head nervously. She smiled and poured her a cup of hot tea. “Have some water, relax. We’re all friends here.”

“Thank you,” Zhang Qingqing replied softly with a shy smile.

Su Min added, “Sun Yan and the others already went home, so the dorm is empty. After lunch, come back with me. I’ll take you to the station early tomorrow morning.”

Zhang Qingqing quickly shook her head. “No need. I can go back to the dorm myself. I’m familiar with the way home now—no need to trouble you.”

“Qingqing’s going home tomorrow?” Ke Wan set down her tea. When Zhang Qingqing nodded, she smiled. “What time? It’s getting close to the New Year, and there aren’t many buses. Let our driver take you—it’ll be much easier.”

“N-No, it’s fine. I can manage on my own,” Zhang Qingqing waved her hands quickly.

“It’s no trouble,” Ke Wan reassured. “No one in the house needs the car tomorrow, so don’t be shy.”

Su Min chimed in, “Exactly. If someone sends you back, I’ll feel more at ease too.”

Zhang Qingqing looked a little embarrassed, but hearing them insist, she nodded slightly with her head lowered.

Just as they were chatting, the sound of a car came from outside.

“They’re here,” Ke Wan said with a smile as she stood up and walked toward the front door.

Su Min and Zhang Qingqing also stood up and followed.

“William, hurry inside, I’m freezing out here!”

Before they reached the door, Shu Jing had already entered first, calling to the tall man behind her as she walked.

Wu Zhe stood at the entrance with the man, car keys in hand. Despite being about 1.8 meters tall, Wu Zhe looked completely overshadowed next to the towering foreigner.

This man was seriously tall.

Zhang Qingqing was inwardly startled. When she noticed the man’s hair, which looked like it had the texture of chocolate, her curiosity deepened.

She had only heard that he was a foreigner—she didn’t expect foreigners to look like this.

Su Min, who had seen foreigners in her previous life and on TV, wasn’t surprised. When the man entered, she greeted him politely.

Shu Jing saw Su Min and pulled her over. “William, this is the young designer I mentioned. What do you think? Isn’t she young?”

The tall man named William gave Su Min a quick once-over. “She is very young.”

Hearing his fluent Mandarin, Su Min was visibly surprised.

Shu Jing grinned. “I was his first Chinese teacher. Not bad, right?”

“If I hadn’t seen him, I wouldn’t have guessed,” Su Min said honestly. Although she’d seen foreigners before, this was her first time meeting one who spoke Chinese so fluently.

William smiled. “I greatly admire Chinese culture. I started learning Mandarin when I was very young.”

“Alright, alright. We all know how much you admire it. Come inside—we’re freezing out here!” Shu Jing grabbed Su Min and pulled her along. Su Min didn’t forget her earlier promise to Zhang Qingqing and reached back to take her hand. No matter what, she wouldn’t let Qingqing feel left out.

William followed Su Min’s hand and saw Zhang Qingqing, who had kept her head lowered the entire time.

After everyone sat down, he deliberately asked, “And who is this lovely lady? I didn’t notice her earlier—how rude of me.”

Zhang Qingqing slightly raised her head, revealing a pair of timid eyes. The moment her gaze met William’s, she quickly looked down again, her ears bright red with embarrassment.

Su Min quickly said, “This is Zhang Qingqing, our embroidery master at Xiuse. All the embroidery in our shop is done by her.”

“So it’s this lady,” William said, clearly impressed and curious. “Unbelievable—both the designer and embroiderer are so young. No wonder Shu Jing keeps saying Xiuse has limitless potential.”

As he spoke, he couldn’t help but look at Zhang Qingqing again. She was nervously rubbing her hands, and her ears were a bright red—either from the cold or from embarrassment. Her black hair was glossy, and her lowered head revealed a shiny, neatly styled bun.

William had met Chinese women before, but never one quite like her—quiet, inconspicuous, yet highly skilled. Especially the way she looked at people so timidly—it was a stark contrast to the confident women he usually encountered.

Shu Jing noticed William staring and worried others might take it the wrong way. She quickly nudged him. “What are you spacing out for? Weren’t you here to try on the clothes? If there’s anything you’re not satisfied with, both the designer and the embroidery artist are right here to make adjustments.”

At Shu Jing’s reminder, Ke Wan hurried to have the clothes they’d made for William brought out.

Su Min had paid special attention to the packaging.

Even though good products speak for themselves, since they were charging a high price, she made sure every detail matched that level. The clothing box was made of solid wood, with Xiuse’s logo and name carved on top. Inside, the clothes were cushioned with silk for a luxurious look.

Just seeing the box, William was already impressed. “Very nice.”

He touched the box and asked with a smile, “Is the box mine too?”

Shu Jing joked, “If I said no, would you pull a ‘buy the box and return the pearl’ kind of move?”

“What does that mean—‘buy the box and return the pearl’?” William looked genuinely puzzled.

Su Min laughed. “Sister Jing was just teasing you. Of course the box is yours. If you like it, we’re happy too.”

“Thank you.” William smiled and removed the silk cloth covering the garment, revealing the dark indigo outfit inside.

“Nice!”

Even Shu Jing couldn’t help but pick up the outfit. “It really is beautiful.”

William took a close look at the clothes, then put them back in the box and turned to Wu Zhe and Ke Wan. “Would you mind if I borrowed a room to change?”

Wu Zhe gestured with a smile. “Go right ahead.”

With permission, William eagerly grabbed the outfit and went upstairs.