Educated Youth in the Countryside: She is the Village's Embroidery Queen!-Chapter 505: Poverty Is the Original Sin

"Okay, I’ll be careful next time!"

If you make a mistake, you have to admit it, even if she didn’t mean to slap Wen Shi and hurt him. So, she graciously admitted her fault and apologized, but it turned out Wen Shi didn’t need it at all, just reminding her, "You can hit me, but don’t hit outsiders."

The hand wasn’t light at all; hitting an outsider might lead to trouble.

Yi Chichi, "...Okay."

She actually never intended to hit outsiders, not even having physical contact with them.

Going out arm in arm with her girlfriends was something that didn’t happen with her.

"Help me with something tomorrow."

Not wanting to continue on this topic, she decisively diverted Wen Shi’s attention.

"With what?"

Wen Shi lazily touched her belly as he spoke.

"Help me set up an embroidery frame again."

Upon hearing this, Wen Shi, who was initially a bit inattentive, widened his eyes like a startled cat, "You’re, you’re going to start working?"

"Yes."

Wen Shi was speechless, "You’re already in the late stage of your pregnancy, and you still want to work? Can’t you wait until after giving birth?"

"I’m bored."

There was nothing she needed to manage at home. Her belly was so big that it pressed on the bladder, preventing her from going far, limiting her to roaming around the family district and nearby areas.

She was truly bored.

After explaining her reason, Wen Shi also started to get a headache but still persistently suggested other entertainment activities.

Yi Chichi realized that Wen Shi was adamantly against her working.

It puzzled her a bit.

"Why don’t you want me to work?"

Wen Shi remained silent for a while before stammering, "I’m afraid you’ll sit at the embroidery frame for hours on end, which isn’t good for your body and would strain your eyes."

"Not for the sake of the baby?"

Yi Chichi teased him, and Wen Shi suddenly got flustered, "What? The baby hasn’t even been born yet and can’t compare to you. If you’re well, the baby will be well. I care about you..."

He got so anxious that he became talkative. Yi Chichi, seeing he was genuinely anxious, quickly hugged him for comfort, "Okay, okay, I know you care about me, let’s not rush."

He loved being soothed, easily pacified, and once calmed, he wanted to act spoiled and demanding of pampering.

"Then promise me, wait until after the postpartum confinement to start working, okay?"

He didn’t just say it; like a big dog, he nuzzled against her, his eyes filled with emotion, staring at her unblinking, perfectly interpreting "I won’t let it go unless you agree."

Yi Chichi was worn down by him, having no choice but to agree.

"Alright, I’ll start working after giving birth, but the embroidery frame should be set up now to avoid waiting later."

That was acceptable.

However—

"Aren’t there two at home?"

"Wrong size."

The portrait required a screen-sized frame, which meant the only two embroidery frames at home were the wrong size.

"This time, make it an adjustable medium size."

Wen Shi didn’t understand these things; after all, he wasn’t a carpenter and couldn’t do woodworking.

So, whatever Yi Chichi said, he just conveyed her requirements to the carpenter.

The embroidery frame was much less technically challenging than big pieces like beds or wardrobes.

But compared to stools or chairs, it was about the same difficulty.

The carpenter took a full week to finish, without painting or finishing, just manually using tools to sand the frame smooth.

On the day the embroidery frame arrived home, Yi Chichi also brought back the medicinal powder.

Wen Shi was pleasantly surprised to receive the powder, "Can it be used immediately?"

"It can."

She handed over the pre-packaged powder, "I’ve divided this bag into two hundred small packets; take them when going to sea, and be mindful of waterproofing."

"Okay."

Wen Shi carefully put away the packet, then asked about the remaining amount. Upon hearing she had already sent it to the team infirmary, he joyfully gave her two pecks, "Wifey, thank you!"

Wen’s mother, coming out with dishes to call for dinner, happened to see Wen Shi kissing Yi Chichi like a dog, awkwardly retreated and called out, "Wash your hands and get ready to eat."

"Okay!"

Nothing is as important as eating, oblivious to being caught by Wen’s mother, the two happily rushed to wash their hands for dinner.

Dinner was sumptuous; Wen’s mother steamed a grouper, made sweet and sour pork, slapped some cucumber, and prepared tiger skin green peppers.

Wen Shi, "...Where did the green peppers come from?"

If memory serves, all the green peppers in the garden were eaten, and the ones that grew out were too small to be this big.

"Picked from Xiao Yang’s garden after coming back from collecting seafood together."

Wen Shi responded with an "oh," "Mom, did you pay?"

"No, she also picked perilla and ginger from our place and didn’t pay."

Implying: it’s mutual benefit; talking about money would hurt feelings.

Yi Chichi focused on eating.

Speaking of perilla, she thought of perilla barbecue and suggested, "Mom, can we buy some pork belly for barbecue tomorrow?"

Before Wen’s mother could reply, Wen Shi immediately said, "Sure, since we’re barbecuing, let’s do more. Just in time, Old Du and the others are docking tomorrow, so we can gather together."

Yi Chichi was curious, "Are they floating on the sea or underwater?"

"Submarine!"

"Then they must be locked in a small black room."

Floating underwater for months, being in a confined space with reversed day and night can mess with one’s mind.

They stagger when first on shore, and if they aren’t confined for psychological counseling, issues may arise.

Wen Shi nodded, "But they won’t be locked up immediately; they need a bath and a good meal first."

Otherwise, tempers flare, and nothing seems right.

"About how many people can come?"

Wen’s mother started counting the numbers, preparing to find more help.

"Not all will come, let’s assume ten for now."

Wen’s mother nodded, "Okay, invite Mr. Li and the others. I’ll have Xiao Ji and the others come help."

That was doable.

After dinner, Wen Shi strolled to the street and called Old Li and the others over to discuss the gathering for the next day.

Once the topic was brought up, it immediately received everyone’s enthusiastic support.

"There’s a big tide tomorrow morning; we can collect seafood and come back for a barbecue."

Ji Jian was eager, almost ready to grab a basket and head to the beach.

Wen’s mother smiled, "Then you all can collect seafood in the morning; I’ll buy the meat and other groceries."

"Then we’ll deliver the tables, chairs, and utensils before work tomorrow."

Old Lei volunteered to deliver the equipment.

Old Li and the others immediately responded.

Listening to their lively discussion, Yi Chichi realized everyone’s enthusiasm for the gathering was incredibly high.

She also wanted to find something to do and offered to wash dishes, only to be unanimously rejected. The reason was justifiable: a pregnant woman with a big belly should just watch and wait to eat.

Nothing else was needed from her.

Lying in bed at night, Yi Chichi sighed, "I must be the most relaxed pregnant woman in the family district."

Wen Shi was wiping his feet and responded without raising his head, "Whether a pregnant woman is relaxed depends mainly on the man. If a man doesn’t want his wife to suffer, he will naturally help out at home and visit the neighbors so that the women are taken care of when he’s not around."

Yi Chichi nodded in agreement, "You’re right, but many men can’t do these things."

Wen Shi sighed, "I don’t know about other places, but here it’s not the men’s fault. The work is intense, the pressure is high, and when they get home, they just want to relax. Haven’t you noticed? The ones who don’t help at home typically have partners who don’t work and are stuck managing the household and kids. Like Sister-in-law Li, those who have jobs make sure Old Li and others don’t dare to neglect their duties at home."

It would cause strife.

He looked at Yi Chichi, "Wifey, what do you conclude from these comparisons?"

"Economic foundation determines the superstructure and also dictates how much confidence women have at home. Living with your hand out is tough."

"Exactly, but we can’t blame the women; there simply aren’t enough jobs for everyone."

Yi Chichi sighed in agreement, "It’s still too poor."

Poverty is the original sin.