Educated Youth in the Countryside: She is the Village's Embroidery Queen!-Chapter 228: Keep Your Hands in Check

"Ready-made?"

"No, it needs to be sent from Hangzhou."

Yi Chichi thought for a moment, "When do you need these three sets of clothes?"

"Next winter."

Plenty of time, totally doable.

"Then send it."

"Okay."

Ten minutes later, after agreeing on the deadline for final copies and fabric delivery, Yu Ritang led Chi Jiaojiao to say goodbye.

"Then we’re off to Aunt’s house first, see you the day after tomorrow."

"Take care. If you don’t see me at the team clinic the day after tomorrow, just come by my house to find me."

Yu Ritang responded, then turned and asked her, "What if you’re not at home either?"

"In the fields."

If she’s not at the clinic or at home, she’s definitely gone to the fields to treat someone for heatstroke.

The autumn tiger is quite powerful, and last year quite a few people suffered from heatstroke, though none were serious.

But when this thing gets serious, it can kill people.

So, you have to be careful.

Chi Jiaojiao gave her a thumbs-up, "Mr. Yi, you really are capable."

"Forced to be capable."

Yi Chichi smiled helplessly, who could have imagined that although she never worked in medicine in her original world, in the seventies she ended up being a health worker.

If grandfather found out, he’d probably get up in the middle of the night excitedly to burn incense at the ancestral shrine, exclaiming how successful she’s become.

"That’s being capable too."

Yu Ritang said fairly, then with a curious face asked her, "Is there anything you’re not good at?"

"There’s plenty I’m not good at."

She’s not very skilled at that much.

Knowing what Yu Ritang wanted to say, she chuckled, "I must emphasize one point solemnly, embroidery is my primary job, everything else is secondary."

"Only up to where I’m capable, not to the level of proficiency."

There’s a big difference between being capable and being proficient.

It’s like later generations’ kids, who start learning all sorts of things from preschool, yet get submerged in a sea of exam questions and pressure to excel.

But saying they’re not capable would be unrealistic.

Take painting, although they may not become professional painting masters, who can’t draw a stick figure?

If you can draw a stick figure, can you really say someone can’t paint?

They clearly can.

Yu Ritang and the others don’t care about the distinction between capable and proficient, because from what they’ve seen, Yi Chichi is definitely beyond just capable in painting, embroidery, and clothes-making.

Clearly a professional who’s truly honed her skills.

Anyway, they can’t do it.

"I really want to introduce you to become a student of my grandparents, you’d definitely have common ground."

"We’ll see if there’s a chance."

Yi Chichi deflected, deep down she really wasn’t interested.

She’s put effort into painting, yet hasn’t progressed much over the years, but hasn’t regressed either.

According to her second aunt, she’s reached her height in painting.

She won’t be a master or grandmaster, but it’s sufficient.

After all, her primary job is embroidery, not painting.

"We’re off then."

Seeing her disinterest in meeting grandparents, Chi Jiaojiao didn’t dwell on it, and after a farewell wave, she and Yu Ritang left together.

Yi Chichi watched them leave then returned indoors, not rushing to tidy the painting tools but sitting on the small stool to finish packing up the remaining ointment, sealing them before cleaning the room.

Around five in the afternoon, Zhang Xiaoqin dragged her tired feet and a sweat-soaked face to the door.

"Thirsty, water..."

Holding the door frame with one hand while feebly reaching out to Yi Chichi like she was about to collapse.

Startled, Yi Chichi quickly poured a glass of water and fed it to her mouth.

Zhang Xiaoqin was truly thirsty and worn out, chugging half a glass from her hand before finally feeling revived and sitting down on the floor with a thud.

"I’m exhausted!"

She wiped her sweaty face, taking deep breaths.

Yi Chichi squatted beside her, seeing a few burrs stuck in her hair, she reached out to pluck them out, "Weren’t you doing farm work with Uncle Yaozi? How come you have burrs in your hair?"

"Don’t mention it, I worked less than two hours before Aunt Ma found me useless at it and sent me to cut small leaf bushes with Wang Nan and the others."

Glancing at the burr Yi Chichi had taken from her hair, she scratched her head, "There were lots of burrs over there, and since I fell, I guess they stuck to me then."

Bringing this up, she curiously asked, "Chichi, can I ask you something?"

"What?"

"What are small leaf bushes used for?"

"To thatch roofs."

"Grass can thatch roofs?"

"Yes, it can."

Knowing this city girl, having grown up in places either made of brick and tiles or in block buildings, lacked rural knowledge, Yi Chichi patiently explained the Northeast’s unique construction technique.

Zhang Xiaoqin listened, wide-eyed in amazement, with a ton of questions.

When she finished explaining, Zhang Xiaoqin marveled, "You really can’t underestimate the wisdom of the working people."

"Definitely not."

Yi Chichi nodded in agreement, asking, "Why did you come back early?"

"Cooking."

Zhang Xiaoqin winced, grabbing her hand pleadingly, "Chichi, could you help me fire up the stove? I can’t manage it myself."

Her godmother went to work at the hospital today, and her godfather and Qiao Jun wouldn’t be back soon, her task is to cook dinner for the three of them.

Yet the stove was just too daunting for her.

Since arriving in Kao Shan Village, she’s never managed to get the fire going properly on her own, talking about it feels truly hopeless.

"Sure."

Having once witnessed her fumbling with the fire till smoke filled the room and almost choking people, Yi Chichi agreed, "Get the ingredients ready and call me over when you’re about done, I’ll help you with the fire."

"Thanks so much."

She excitedly hugged Yi Chichi before hopping up like a rabbit, "I’m off to prepare, don’t rush home too early."

"I won’t."

She still had herbs to collect, the ones drying outside needed to be brought in; with the temperature difference between day and night after fall, there was mist and dew, herbs can’t be left outside, they’ll get damp and quality would decrease.

Whether for personal use or sending to the depot, the potency would decrease.

It’s about the entire Kao Shan Village’s interest, can’t afford any slip-up.

"Then I’ll be busy, and you should too."

With that, she ran to the backyard to prep the ingredients.

Yi Chichi started gathering herbs, Zhang Xiaoqin wasn’t good at farm work but excelled in the kitchen.

She had just finished packing the herbs when Zhang Xiaoqin called her to start the fire.

Yi Chichi swiftly ran to the kitchen to light the fire, only to find Zhang Xiaoqin standing behind her peeking into the stove.

"What are you looking at?"

"Why does your fire light up immediately and not go out?"

Yi Chichi held silent for two seconds, unable to resist teasing, "Honestly, if you keep your hands to yourself, it wouldn’t smoke so much."

Zhang Xiaoqin chuckled awkwardly, "If I could keep my hands still, my godmother wouldn’t smack them."

Sitting by the stove, she can’t help but add wood till it chokes the fire out.