Chapter 364: Still Doing Embroidery Work
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Zhou Wen’e could not do many things primarily because of her poor health, so Dong Xiaolei would do the housework. Still, Dong Xiaolei was young and could not handle many things simultaneously.
Ding Wan said, “My family used to be like this too, so there’s nothing to mind.”
She recalled when she was sick and weak, unable to do anything, leaving her house in a mess. It was not because she was lazy. Furthermore, farmers had to harvest crops and keep them in the yard even when the weather was cold.
The farmers could only put their things in their houses, which caused pile-ups like those of Zhou Wen’e’s house. Therefore, her house looked somewhat chaotic with all the crops lying around.
However, the brick bed was spotless. When winter was near, families would heat the brick bed for fear it would turn cold. Sometimes, they would even cover the brick bed with a blanket to maintain the temperature.
“Madam Ding,” Zhou Wen’e said awkwardly, “We heated the brick bed this morning, so it’s still warm. You can sit on it.”
Zhou Wen’e knew how capable Ding Wan was. Moreover, Ding Wan was not from the countryside, and Zhou Wen’e heard she was from the prefecture.
To people like Zhou Wen’e, who grew up in the countryside, such a person as Ding Wan’s status was higher than that of countrysiders’. When facing Ding Wan, Zhou Wen’e could not help but feel restrained.
She felt a little uneasy, fearing Ding Wan would find her house disgusting and refuse to sit on the brick bed. On the contrary, Ding Wan was very easygoing and could understand how Zhou Wen’e felt.
“I won’t argue with that, Wen’e. I’ll sit on the bed,” Ding Wan said smilingly.
Zhou Wen’e heaved a sigh of relief when she saw Ding Wan remove her shoes and get on the bed. “I’m thrilled you can come to our house, but I’m curious as to why you’re looking for me.”
Dong Xiaolei was observant. She poured some warm water and said, “Madam
Ding, here’s some water for you.”
“Xiaolei, you’re all grown up now. You’re so sensible too.” Ding Wan felt a little emotional as she recalled when Dong Xiaolei was only a little over a year old. That was when Zhou Wen’e used to do embroidery alongside Ding Wan, but many years have passed since then.
When Zhou Wen’e heard Ding Wan’s words, she felt like time had passed too quickly. It was like a blink of an eye.
She also recalled that time many years ago. “Yes, it’s been so many years. At that time, Xiaolei’s father hadn’t joined the army yet. You were in good health back then, and I often came to you to learn needlework and embroidery.”
Previously, Zhou Wen’e could also embroider a purse or other things she could sell for money.
Ding Wan sighed. “That’s right. I was in good health then. So, how’s your embroidery work going, Wen’e?”
“Don’t mention it,” Zhou Wen’e shook her head. “I was able to sell purses back then, thanks to you, Madam Ding. I can’t say much about my embroidery work, and I don’t know how to sew any patterns.
“Later, the embroidery shop in town closed down, and no one accepted my embroidery skills, so I stopped doing it.” Zhou Wen’e knew her needlework skills were limited.
Speaking of it excited her as she asked, “Did you come to me because of embroidery, Madam Ding? Are you going to embroider again?”
Everyone knew Ding Wan’s sight had recovered, but they did not know what she wanted to do after recovering. The villagers only saw Ding Wan going for walks these past few days but never saw her embroidering.
They guessed she had damaged her eyes by embroidering too much and that she might have retired from it. Most villagers thought so because, after all, a person’s health mattered most.
Everyone knew how weak Ding Wan’s body was in the past and how serious her illness was. Hence, Zhou Wen’e never thought in that direction. She only guessed that possibility when Ding Wan arrived and asked her about embroidery.
“I won’t hide it from you, Wen’e. I still plan to do embroidery work,” Ding Wan said smilingly.
Zhou Wen’e became excited, but she prioritized Ding Wan’s physical condition. “Are you okay to continue, Madam Ding?”
Ding Wan waved. “It’s nothing. I became depressed in the past because I used to overthink. Yes, Binglan said my condition happened because of my depression. Otherwise, my body is okay, and my eyes are back to normal, so you don’t need to worry.
“Also, my eyes won’t blur again if I don’t embroider in the dark. It’s not just a problem with my vision since Binglan’s eyes can get tired too. She just looks into the distance to give her eyes a break when she’s tired.”
Zhou Wen’e did not quite understand Ding Wan’s explanation, but she understood enough. “Miss Su is so capable and knowledgeable. Still, your health is the most important thing.
“I used to be frail, but I’m better now thanks to Miss Su’s affordable and effective medicine. I feel much stronger and more energized. I didn’t even have the strength to walk a few steps in the past and would instantlv get dizzy.”
Zhou Wen’e was genuinely grateful to Su Binglan.
Ding Wan always pridefully smiled whenever others praised her niece. It was as if she was hearing others talking about her own daughter. She nodded and said, “Indeed, Binglan is amazing.”
“Oh, right. I came looking for you because Binglan said she wanted to open an embroidery shop. She needs people from our village to make some things before the shop opens. Then we’ll hire more people when the shop is complete.”
Zhou Wen’e’s eyes widened, and her entire body seemed to freeze as she stared at Ding Wan unblinkingly.
‘I didn’t mishear her, did I? Miss Su wants to open an embroidery shop but needs me to make things?’
Everyone in the village knew they could benefit by working for Su Binglan. One could tell just by looking at how much the tofu factory earned in its first month. Everyone was envious.
Since they were from the same village, there was no such thing as an absolute secret, even though the factory workers did not openly discuss their wages and bonuses with everyone.
Everyone only knew about these things because they asked around.
Nonetheless, the factory workers’ salaries and bonuses made people envious. These days, everyone racked their brains, thinking of ways to get a job at the tofu factory.
Still, it would take a lot of work.
Zhou Wen’e only hated herself for being weak. She would have worked in the tofu factory and done an excellent job if she had the strength. However, Zhou Wen’e did not expect Su Binglan to want to open an embroidery shop, let alone hire her to work there.
Zhou Wen’e’s heart pounded as she grabbed Ding Wan’s hand and asked excitedly, “Madam Ding, did I mishear you? Miss Su is opening an embroidery shop and wants me to work for her?!”
Ding Wan could understand Zhou Wen’e’s feelings. She remained calm before Zhou Wen’e now, but when she heard her niece would open an embroidery shop and wanted her to manage it, she was just as excited as Zhou Wen’e was. Ding Wan even suspected she had misheard Su Binglan.
“It’s true,” Ding Wan explained patiently, “Also, the more you do, the more you’ll earn.”
She said that in advance because she knew most villagers lived in less favorable conditions, and everyone was most concerned about wages..
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