Educated Youth in the Countryside: She is the Village's Embroidery Queen!-Chapter 278: The Days Ahead Are Long

Yi Chichi and Wen Shi expressed their understanding, got up, and tidied up the dishes before bidding farewell to Ning Jiandong.

"Should we wait for Old Gu?"

"No need."

Wen Shi glanced at his watch, "We still need to head back to the island. If we delay any further, we’ll miss the ferry, and it’ll be the same next time."

Yi Chichi felt the same way.

Ning Jiandong nodded, "Then next time."

He then reminded Yi Chichi once again, "Remember, I want to see the finished product before next autumn’s exhibition."

"It won’t be a problem."

Yi Chichi’s life motto is to never get along with anyone but never go against money.

In life, the aim is nothing more than food and clothing.

Only then comes the pursuit of spiritual aspirations.

Only by ensuring warmth can one pursue dreams and ideals, and warmth cannot be separated from money.

Besides, having it yourself is better than anyone else having it.

The foreign exchange value created by Double Cat Embroidery is up to three thousand, and two thousand eight falls into her hands.

In an era where per capita wages ranged from 25 to 80, the income from one of her embroidered pieces could equal at least two years of salary for a dual-income family.

The Double Beasts, being even larger than Double Cat Embroidery in size, is valued no less than Double Cat Embroidery.

Therefore, whether for her own benefit or to maintain good relations with Ning Jiandong, she could not let him down.

"I trust you to get things done. We’ll meet next time."

After sending the couple to the door, Ning Jiandong smiled and said.

"See you, Uncle."

Yi Chichi and Wen Shi waved to him and turned to leave.

Ning Jiandong watched the two departing until their figures vanished from view before returning to his office.

A little past three in the afternoon, Gu Xinghua, full of excitement, appeared at his office door holding a crocheted dust cover.

"Old Ning, we’ve done it!"

Buried in work, Ning Jiandong put down his pen, looked up, and was visibly pleased.

"Let me see."

"Here you go."

Gu Xinghua handed over the item, Ning Jiandong reached out, shook it open, and took a look, remarking in surprise, "This pattern indeed looks better than the previous ones."

He examined the dust cover back and forth, "Is this the only one you’ve crocheted?"

"The others are still in the experimental phase; only this one is completed for now."

With the weight lifted off his chest by the appearance of the crocheted dust cover, Gu Xinghua felt completely relieved and had time to concern himself with Yi Chichi.

"Where’s Comrade Xiao Yi?"

"Gone back to the island."

"Why didn’t you keep her here?"

The question made Gu Xinghua anxious, "I haven’t even thanked her yet."

If it weren’t for her design, he wouldn’t have known how to innovate.

Now that the problem is solved, the person he ought to thank has left—who should he thank now?

"There’s plenty of time in the future."

Ning Jiandong replied calmly, "She’s currently receiving a master craftsman’s subsidy, and there’ll be plenty of opportunities for collaboration in the future."

Gu Xinghua frowned, "If she’s receiving a subsidy, does that mean we won’t have to pay extra for her embroidery in the future?"

As soon as he said this, he noticed Ning Jiandong’s expression changed.

"You..."

Ning Jiandong genuinely couldn’t understand why Old Gu would have such an idea, so he could only conclude, "I’ve known you for so many years, and today I realize your brain might not be working well."

Gu Xinghua wore a confused expression, "Why is my brain not working well?"

"A master craftsman’s subsidy only amounts to so much a month; how much is one of her embroideries worth? Only an idiot would give up tangible profits for such a small subsidy."

Implying: The master craftsman’s subsidy is a freebie; as long as Yi Chichi produces one embroidery a year, it’s fine.

Gu Xinghua sighed in relief, "Good thing she isn’t foolish enough to give up the money from her embroidery for a little subsidy."

Hearing this, Ning Jiandong immediately realized that Old Gu wasn’t lacking in wits; he was being overly smart, worrying on behalf of Yi Chichi, thinking he might have screwed her over for small gains.

Understanding this, he found it amusing and frustrating, "What kind of person do you take me for?"

"A sinister and treacherous person."

"???"

"And somewhat greedy for profit; otherwise, you wouldn’t have become the manager of the Friendship Store."

"!!! I got here by my own ability."

Ning Jiandong expressed dissatisfaction with his words; it made him sound like he got the position through the back door.

"I didn’t say you didn’t rely on your abilities either."

Gu Xinghua spoke honestly, "What I mean is you..."

"You just zip it."

Afraid he might say something even more unpleasant, Ning Jiandong cut him off irritably and got to the main topic, "Test out those designs from Xiao Yi as soon as possible. If they work well, I’ll personally visit the island to have her help draw more designs."

"That’s fine; if it works, have her draw some animal patterns."

Making demands now, what else could Ning Jiandong do but remark, "Let’s get the floral designs sorted out first."

"I’ll go keep an eye on the crochet workers."

Before he could finish the sentence, he turned around and left.

Ning Jiandong hurriedly called out, "Come back and take this dust cover with you."

Leaving it in the office doesn’t make sense; it’s all about foreign exchange.

Even if a dust cover isn’t worth much, it’s still money.

"Alright."

Gu Xinghua responded, returned, and took the dust cover.

Ning Jiandong continued his official business.

Meanwhile, Yi Chichi and Wen Shi had already boarded the ferry to the island.

The blue sea and sky, seagulls circling, the surface of the sea rippled with waves.

As far as the eye could see, there was a vast and expansive vista.

Yi Chichi stood on the deck, breathing in the unique saltiness of the sea, swallowing.

"I want to eat shrimp and crabs."

"I’ll make it for you when we get back."

Wen Shi seamlessly continued the conversation, "Spicy, numb-spicy, or steamed—whichever you prefer, honey, which one do you want?"

He earnestly started discussing flavor preferences with Yi Chichi.

Yi Chichi wanted Typhoon Shelter flavor, but Wen Shi couldn’t make it, "I’ll provide the tutorial, and you cook it."

"Okay."

Since his wife returned, he had taken the time to learn how to cook, and the results weren’t bad.

Old Qi and the others thought the taste was okay; now that his wife was willing to teach, he naturally had to learn well and refine his culinary skills to satisfy his wife’s cravings.

"Will we still be able to buy shrimp and crabs by the time we get there?"

"We should be able to; we’ll arrive around five, and the market won’t be closed yet."

The island’s market usually closes at around six, so there was plenty of time. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"Even if it’s closed, I can take you to the dock to buy them."

"Do they do private business at the dock?"

"They do."

The island has the biggest secondary distribution market, and the dock deals with both state-run and private business, which is allowed here.

However, locals rarely make private purchases because there’s no need.

One could gather a lot of seafood just by going to the sea, and spending money on it is considered unnecessary by the locals.

Just a little effort at the seaside could bring home enough seafood to feed a family for a day.

"Let’s head directly to the dock then."

The freshness straight from the dock might slightly differ from that at the market, but nothing beats fresh-off-the-boat.

Where possible, it’s best to choose the freshest seafood available.

Wen Shi nodded, looked around, and seeing no one nearby, quickly leaned in to whisper, "Honey, can you make me a vest when we get home?"