Educated Youth in the Countryside: She is the Village's Embroidery Queen!-Chapter 351: Inventing a New Needlework Technique

Chapter 351: Chapter 351: Inventing a New Needlework Technique

Yi Chichi, "No wonder Aunt Mu keeps taking packages back every so often."

She always thought they were sent by Qiao Jun and the others, but it turns out Aunt Mu actually has so many godsons and goddaughters.

Even more exaggerated than the seven gourd children on one vine.

But--

"Didn’t she tell you guys not to send them?"

"She told us, but she can’t control us."

Zhang Xiaoqin beamed, "Dad even called us before, scolding us not to send stuff, saying he could take care of his wife."

But who cares about that.

It doesn’t stop them from sending things to their godmother.

Yi Chichi laughed; this was something Uncle Yaozi would do.

Quite nice.

With so many kids thinking of her, Aunt Mu’s life is worthwhile.

Is it a regret not to have biological children?

For most people, yes; for Aunt Mu, yes.

Because she has nearly twenty godsons and goddaughters who keep her in their hearts, and that’s the greatest happiness.

Amidst the banter, a breeze wafted in through the wide-open back hall door, carrying a faint aroma.

Yi Chichi took a deep breath, "Smells so good."

"It’s Uncle Yang’s specialty dish, chicken three ways."

"I’m in for a treat today then."

"Of course, we can’t serve you anything subpar when we invite you to dinner."

Before the words were even fully spoken, Qiao Jun got up, and with familiar ease, shut the windows tight.

Seeing Yi Chichi looking at him, he explained, "The neighbors actually know what Uncle Yang does, but caution is still necessary."

Yi Chichi understood instantly; it meant guarding against gentlefolk, not thieves.

"What would happen if someone reported it?"

"No one would report it."

Zhang Xiaojuan responded softly, "Those who visit Uncle Yang’s place are people of standing, even those from the Cultural Revolution come here to entertain guests."

Even if someone truly reported it, it would get blocked.

"Uncle Yang has a wide network and many brothers."

No matter who they are, they would show some respect.

Thus, Yi Chichi’s worried heart completely relaxed.

"Are you going to work tomorrow?"

"Yes, we are. How about you? Where are you planning to go tomorrow?"

"I’m not going anywhere, just staying at the Friendship Store and leaving the day after tomorrow."

"Then we’ll find you at the Friendship Store after work tomorrow, and maybe buy some things for you to take back to Dad and them."

"Sure."

Yi Chichi agreed readily, and only after setting the time and place for their meeting did she start discussing other topics.

Zhang Xiaojuan is talented, quick-witted, and loves gossip; during the meal, Yi Chichi heard quite a few stories from her.

Invited warmly by them, Uncle Yang and his wife also joined the meal and heard quite a bit too.

Aunt Yang then remarked, "So many people seem strict but are truly unscrupulous."

The comment was quite out of nowhere, but Yi Chichi and the others understood it.

She was talking about the Huang siblings, who turned against their parents and drove them to their ends.

They both amounted to nothing.

Zhang Xiaoqin sighed, "This might be what Chichi calls ’no madness, no life.’"

Yi Chichi’s forehead furrowed with black lines, "Don’t insult people. The Huang siblings aren’t at the level of ’no madness, no life.’ At best, they’re just out for their own gain."

As long as there’s profit to be made and it makes them comfortable, it’s trivial.

"They’re typical opportunists."

The few thought about it and agreed it was quite fitting.

Qiao Jun said softly, "Do you think their future will be good?"

That’s hard to say.

Human nature is quite complicated; with what the Huang siblings did, anyone with a little bit more moral sense would be bothered internally.

However, the environment is such that no one dares to openly criticize them or call them heartless animals.

Instead, at crucial moments, one might still have to support them against their conscience.

Reality is also very brutal. If these siblings are willing to go all out, their future won’t be hard but rather quite comfortable.

The reasoning is clear to everyone, but no one dares to think much about it, think deeper.

Therefore, the topic was put to rest.

Yi Chichi checked the time and realized it was getting late.

"I have to get going."

Qiao Jun and the others looked at the time and nodded, "It’s indeed getting late. We’ll walk you to the dorm at the Friendship Store, and we’ll head home once you get there."

Otherwise, if anything happened to her on the way, they would feel extremely guilty.

"Okay."

Yi Chichi agreed without courtesy.

Then, they helped clean up the tables, chairs, and dishes. Uncle Yang and the others didn’t insist on keeping them, but instead went inside to grab a big and a small package for Yi Chichi.

"The small one is for you, a little meeting gift from your uncle and aunt; you can’t refuse, as elders’ gifts aren’t to be declined."

Yi Chichi, "..."

The words left no room for refusal; could she refuse?

No.

Refusal would mean disrespect towards the couple, not regarding them as elders.

So, she smiled and accepted.

"The big one, please take it to Old Mu and Yaozi."

"Okay."

She had even less reason to refuse gifts for Uncle Yaozi and Aunt Mu.

So, in the end, Yi Chichi left with two packages.

Half an hour later, they reached the Friendship Store. After arranging to meet Qiao Jun and the others the next day, Yi Chichi returned to the dorm.

Master Su and the others hadn’t slept yet and were working under the electric lights.

Yi Chichi, "??? Are you in a hurry to deliver?"

The busy folks lifted their heads from the embroidery frame when they heard her voice.

Then, exclamations filled the air.

"What time is it?"

Yi Chichi realized they had lost themselves in embroidery and forgot the time.

"It’s almost eight o’clock."

Master Su seemed perplexed, probably not expecting it to be so late, hurriedly tidying up the embroidery thread, "Stop working now, wash up and go to sleep; continue tomorrow."

"Let’s go, let’s go, time to sleep."

Those staying late working were those who had been allotted a dorm room.

As the main group left, the once-quiet dormitory became bustling.

Yi Chichi fetched water, squatted at the door to brush her teeth, and beside her, in the same posture, brushing was Jiang Xiaoyu. This girl couldn’t keep her mouth shut; even with foam in her mouth, she was asking Yi Chichi about all the places she visited today.

And her plans for tomorrow.

Yi Chichi rinsed her mouth, "Not going anywhere tomorrow."

"Joining us at work?"

Jiang Xiaoyu’s eyes sparkled; Yi Chichi, "..."

Honestly, she wasn’t too keen on starting work.

But, "Well, if I’m idle, I might as well embroider a bit."

"Do you mind if we take a look?"

Master Su had just returned from the restroom and paused to ask upon hearing her words.

"Feel free."

Yi Chichi generously offered, "You can learn too if you want."

"Can take a look at the needlework, but let’s pass on learning."

Master Qian laughed, "One’s energy is limited. Trying to learn everything might only give a superficial understanding."

This was a truth.

It’s why Yi Chichi focused on Su Embroidery, fearing that spreading her attention would result in learning nothing well, and her main focus wouldn’t improve.

That would truly be a detriment.

"That’s fine. We can see the differences between my needlework and yours, and maybe through exchange, come up with a new technique."

Everyone, "..."

That was giving them too much credit; if they had the capability, they’d already be special invite artisans, not just earning a master artisan’s salary.

But she was partly right, exchanging knowledge is indeed beneficial.