Educated Youth in the Countryside: She is the Village's Embroidery Queen!-Chapter 352: Needlework in Motion

The next day, after breakfast, Yi Chichi, equipped for work, accompanied Qiu Yu and the others to the office.

"Is this embroidery frame okay for you to use?"

Qiu Yu pointed to a large empty frame and glanced at her inquiringly.

Yi Chichi’s mouth twitched. "A simple embroidery hoop will do."

She was embroidering small pieces, so a large frame wasn’t necessary.

Qiu Yu looked puzzled. "You’re not embroidering the double-sided tiger piece?"

She had seen the design before. The sheer power of the tiger depicted made her catch her breath.

Especially the moment she locked eyes with the tiger; it felt like it would leap out of the picture at her.

The eyes were truly lifelike.

She wanted to see that piece.

"You’re embroidering the tiger, huh? We want to see that double-sided tiger embroidery."

Tan Ning and the others eagerly chimed in, their eyes full of anticipation.

Yi Chichi remained silent for two seconds, then helplessly said, "You can’t see it; I’ve already sent the tiger piece back."

There were too many threads, and the silk was too large; it was inconvenient to bring.

If something happened on the road, all the effort she’d put in would be wasted, not to mention the cost of the silk and threads.

To be safe, she sent it back.

However, she hadn’t anticipated being temporarily assigned elsewhere.

Twenty days were lost, plus an additional five to one week for transit... nearly a month wasted.

Old Qian was puzzled, "Why did you send it back if something could happen on the road?"

"Nothing will happen."

The postal service is reliable, and regarding the potential damage to the package, "I wrapped it in several layers; unless a sharp object is used, it won’t get damaged."

That made sense.

Now that she had sent it back, it meant their hopes of seeing the double-sided tiger embroidery were dashed.

So everyone’s attention shifted to the small parcel in her hand. "What are you planning to embroider?"

"Mandarin ducks."

Mr. Wen wanted mandarin ducks flying together; since she had some free time, fulfilling his wish was doable.

She was serious about spoiling her husband.

"Double-sided embroidery?"

Yi Chichi glanced at the light bulb over her head, understanding Old Qian and the others’ eagerness to see her double-sided work.

Alright then.

"I’ll embroider!"

However, "I must tell you all first, I’m leaving tomorrow. In such a short time, you won’t see much."

"Seeing a little is better than nothing."

They’d never seen anyone embroider double-sided before and were eager to learn more.

"Alright, I’ll do it."

Without further delay, she opened the small parcel, took out a small piece of silk, secured it to an embroidery hoop, and then took out threads and needles.

Qiu Yu and the others looked excited.

Time to get started.

The lively double-sided embroidery was finally happening under their watchful eyes.

Excitement in progress...

However, Yi Chichi didn’t start immediately. Instead, she warmed up her fingers and wrists, washed her hands, and applied hand cream.

Once her hands were completely dry, she sat down and began to split a thread.

Before anyone could register her movements, she had divided a silk thread into several strands.

Thin as hair.

If their eyes weren’t glued to her hands, they wouldn’t have seen it.

"Are Su Embroidery threads always split this fine?"

Mr. Qian was shocked.

Yi Chichi glanced at the split thread and hesitated. "It can be finer, but for now, this is enough."

Mr. Qian was left speechless by her words.

Qiu Yu and the others weren’t much better off.

They could split threads, but to this degree...

Sorry, they rarely needed it this fine.

Seeing Yi Chichi threading the needle and starting to embroider, Mr. Qian and the others were beyond disbelief.

"Where’s your design?"

Starting without laying out the design?

"I don’t have a design; I plan it all in my head."

If it weren’t for the need for patterns, she wouldn’t have sketched the designs for the twin cats and the tiger double-sided embroideries.

It’s a waste of time, too much trouble.

"No need for color matching either?"

"No need."

If she needed to compare colors, she wouldn’t bother with mental planning.

Mr. Qian and the others, "!!!"

Where did this embroidery master come from, confidently designing and color matching directly in the mind...

No wonder her embroidery pieces fetch high prices and earn foreign exchange for the country from foreign guests.

Yi Chichi ignored them and started embroidering.

She began with the feathers on the mandarin duck’s head. After a few stitches, Qiu Yu curiously asked, "Are you using the double-stitch technique?"

"Mm."

Without raising her head, Yi Chichi replied, "The double stitch is good for the texture and shading effects; it’s better for feathers, hair, and similar features."

Everyone nodded in understanding.

Then, the group watched her hands flutter as she quickly finished one thread and moved on to another.

The group, "...Your speed is impressive."

True mastery of the needle and thread.

Every stitch was confident, without a hint of hesitation.

Each stitch landed precisely, her eyes like a ruler.

Her hand was steady.

Only someone with absolute confidence in their embroidery skills could achieve her level.

They were all peers, each with their strengths, using different needlework techniques, but some were universal.

To an outsider, Yi Chichi’s techniques seemed complex, constantly changing, dizzying, impossible to learn or differentiate.

And the effects.

But Qiu Yu and the others understood straight away.

The scene turned into Yi Chichi concentrating on embroidering while they surrounded her, sharing observations.

And discussing each technique.

Occasionally exchanging thoughts with Yi Chichi.

Ning Jiandong initially had business with Yi Chichi, but seeing the scene, decided to quietly return to his office.

Just a few steps out, he encountered Gu Xinghua.

"Did you talk to Xiao Yi?"

Seeing him coming out of the workshop, Gu Xinghua curiously inquired.

Ning Jiandong shook his head, "No, Xiao Yi’s discussing needlework with Master Qiu and the others."

Gu Xinghua shuddered, recalling the feeling of accidentally sticking himself with an embroidery needle, suddenly feeling sore.

Needlework...

This topic wasn’t for him.

"Well, take care; I’m leaving first."

Before the words finished, he hurried away.

Watching his nearly fleeing figure, Ning Jiandong paused, clicked his tongue, Old Gu must be needle-phobic.

Unable to hold back laughter, he teasingly called out, "Slow down, careful not to get pricked again."

Gu Xinghua stumbled slightly, didn’t look back, and shouted, "Screw off!"

The shout was loud, tinged with embarrassment.

Ning Jiandong laughed heartily and left.

The commotion was loud enough that Yi Chichi and the others inside could hear it.

Qiu Yu sighed, "The manager loves to tease the director about that embroidery needle incident. I feel they’ll fight over it one day."

Old Qian and the others shared the sentiment, and the clueless Yi Chichi said—