Educated Youth in the Countryside: She is the Village's Embroidery Queen!-Chapter 275: Backstop

Yi Chichi placed the Double Cat Embroidery properly, then took out Liu Lan’s work to show him.

Ning Jiandong gave a positive response after looking at it.

"Even better than the Spring Bunting embroidery."

Her technique has improved significantly, "The embroidery pattern was your drawing."

A tone of affirmation.

Yi Chichi nodded, "She’s not good at drawing."

Ning Jiandong understood, but an embroiderer who isn’t good at drawing is still a shortcoming, unless Yi Chichi backs her up.

Considering this, he hesitated for two seconds before speaking, probing, "How is your relationship with her?"

"Pretty good."

Liu Lan mainly knows her boundaries and manners, not a backstabber, does not expect help as an obligation.

Instead, if you treat her well once, she gives back twice as much.

She is also practical and smart.

Who wouldn’t like such a girl?

Among the young girls in Kao Shan Village, Liu Lan felt the best to her.

"Do you think she would be suitable for a long-term partnership with us?"

Yi Chichi immediately understood that Ning Jiandong had tasted the sweetness of Chaotic Needle Embroidery and wanted to bring Liu Lan on board.

Besides, he wanted her to cover the embroidery patterns for Liu Lan.

His plan was good, considering both the Friendship Store and Liu Lan’s interests, but only overlooked hers, not caring for her interests.

However, this matter could still be negotiated.

So, she smiled slightly, speaking meaningfully, "Whether she’s suitable or not isn’t up to me to say, it depends on what Uncle you say."

Ning Jiandong’s smile froze on his face, realizing she saw through his plan.

Yi Chichi is even smarter than he thought.

He held his cup silently, while Wen Shi glanced at him and then at Yi Chichi, smiling slightly as he took a sip of tea.

The one seeking help was Ning Jiandong, not his wife.

He needn’t worry much; at worst, even if the deal fails, they could still maintain a good relationship.

With that in mind, he relaxed, crossing his legs, appearing at ease which displeased Ning Jiandong greatly, "Aren’t you embarrassed that your wife is more capable than you?"

With a rather aggressive tone, Wen Shi lazily opened his eyes, retorting coolly, "I’m not embarrassed, I’m just too proud."

How fortunate he is, marrying a wife who is both beautiful and capable.

Others want it but cannot have it.

Must cherish this blessing!

Grinning at Yi Chichi with a big toothy smile, he warmly said, "Wife, don’t listen to Uncle Ning trying to cause discord. In my heart, you’re the best. I unconditionally support all your decisions, and everything about you makes me proud and honored!"

This declaration of commitment made Yi Chichi very happy, "I know, what Uncle Ning says goes in one ear and out the other."

Ning Jiandong was both amused and exasperated, thinking to himself, it wasn’t to that extent.

But indeed, this topic shouldn’t continue, otherwise it really might seem like sowing discord.

Even jokes need to have boundaries, otherwise if taken too far, it’s no longer a joke and risks a falling out.

"What’s your thought?"

The topic returned to the main issue, but Yi Chichi began pretending not to understand, smiling as she said, "My thought is simple. She embroiders a piece, if Uncle thinks it’s suitable, then accept it. It’s that simple."

Indeed, quite simple, but currently domestically, embroiderers skilled in Chaotic Needle Embroidery are not many. Few can produce work that can earn foreign currency, even rarer.

The Friendship Stores in various provinces and cities need filigree and embroidery arts; without tethering someone directly to him, if other Friendship Stores intercept the goods, he would be the one losing out.

If Yi Chichi could mediate, he would be 100% confident in banding people together, but Yi Chichi was too calculative, typical of not casting the hawk until seeing the rabbit.

After quickly calculating gains and losses in his mind, he cautiously spoke, "This way, based on the original employment, the Friendship Store will open a salary at the level of a Grand Embroiderer for you... Besides this, the employee benefits during holidays will also be given to you... Regardless if you’re on the island or in the Northeast, it can be mailed to you, or converted into money and tickets if you prefer, what do you think?!"

Wen Shi’s eyes suddenly widened, was this offer really that big?

This is the Friendship Store; they offered such good terms for his wife, really going all out.

Truly going all out.

Conversely, it also made him realize just how profound his wife’s embroidery skills were.

Yi Chichi didn’t rush to agree but instead asked, "What are my obligations?"

"Not less than one piece of Double-sided Three-different Embroidery a year..."

Pointing to Liu Lan’s two embroidery works, Ning Jiandong smiled, "Ensure she produces not less than two pieces a year, you take full charge of the embroidery patterns, and oversee the completion. I only have one requirement, it must be a masterpiece."

This requirement isn’t harsh; even without Ning Jiandong setting this condition, as long as the price is right and she is satisfied, she would do the same.

Getting a Grand Embroiderer’s salary from the Friendship Store without being under its constraints is beneficial to her.

No reason to refuse.

But—

"What about the embroidery prices?"

"It will be fair, you won’t suffer a loss."

Ning Jiandong said sincerely, "I cannot harm the national interest, but I can make every effort to satisfy you without compromising it."

In every industry, those at the top, whether they can be used or not, wise people maintain relationships instead of destroying them when there is no visible gain.

If there is already a benefit, then maintaining it is even more crucial, as many farsighted and wise people exist.

If you don’t want to maintain it, plenty of others are willing to.

He still wanted to advance further, not stopping at the Friendship Store.

So, maintaining the relationship with Yi Chichi is crucial.

A Grand Embroiderer who can ensure a quantity of masterpieces has works that are worth tens or hundreds of times more than those of ordinary embroiderers at the Friendship Store.

Ordinary embroiderers’ works can only be sold in bulk, while a master embroiderer’s works emphasize quality, with a vast difference in price.

He asked, full of expectation, "How about it, will you agree?"

"I can agree, but the embroiderers of Chaotic Needle Embroidery may not be able to guarantee two pieces within the next two years."

"Why?"

Ning Jiandong, who was happy about her answer a moment ago, suddenly panicked upon hearing the latter part.

"Pregnant, twins, due soon, Uncle, you have kids, you know how hard it is to take care of infants."

Wen Shi glanced at Ning Jiandong, noticing his slightly stunned expression.

He looked away, quietly sipping tea, the tea leaves were nice, drinking more could stop him from wanting to speak.

Ning Jiandong noticed his gaze but didn’t react, reminiscent of his own children’s infancy.

Suddenly felt a headache.

But he wasn’t resigned, "Can’t her in-laws help with childcare?"

Making money is important, bribing the in-laws to look after the children, as long as they aren’t unfair to a ridiculous extent, is a doable task.

Yi Chichi just smiled without speaking.

Ning Jiandong was quite helpless yet still cautioned, "In any case, try to get her to produce two pieces a year, my requirement is not high, just at the level of Fish Playing Among Lotus."