Yu Jianhua felt a long - awaited joy after successfully getting this job. On her way back, she even bought some meat by the roadside. When she happily returned home, she saw her mother - in - law sitting in the yard talking to someone.
The smile on Yu Jianhua's face suddenly faded, and she shrank back nervously.
She quickly nodded at her mother - in - law and quickened her pace towards the kitchen. She put the meat in a bowl, planning to stir - fry it in the evening.
"Where did you go so early this morning? You seem so happy. Don't tell me you went to meet some lover?"
The voice of her mother - in - law came from behind.
Yu Jianhua was startled. She turned around and saw her mother - in - law leaning against the door, staring at her coldly, like a snake in the haystack, ready to bite at any moment.
She quickly shook her head. "Mom, I didn't..."
The following words were a bit hard to say.
Yu Jianhua lowered her head. "I went to Dongxing Factory for a trial job today. They said they'd let me work there for a month first..."
Hu Guihua raised her eyebrows and said sarcastically, "A trial job? Does that mean you'll work for free? You're not allowed to go. If you go, who will do the housework? Your husband won't be able to have a hot meal when he comes back from work. Is this how a good wife should behave?!"
Yu Jianhua quickly waved her hands. "No, no, Mom. They'll pay twenty yuan for the trial period. Once I become a full - time worker, I can earn twenty - five yuan just like other regular workers."
After saying this, Yu Jianhua swallowed hard.
She lied.
Lin Xiu said the salary for the trial worker was twenty - five yuan, but she lied.
She wanted to keep these five yuan.
Otherwise, once the money got into her mother - in - law's hands, it would be hard to get it back.
"Twenty yuan?"
Hu Guihua didn't suspect that her daughter - in - law was lying. She was sure that the other party wouldn't dare to lie in front of her.
But she never thought that even the oppressed grass would strive for growth when it encountered moisture again.
"That's okay. Come back early after work every day. Don't keep your husband waiting for his meal."
Saying this, Hu Guihua glanced behind her. "Don't always buy meat. Do you think what kind of family we are? Your husband earns money with great difficulty. Don't you know how to think more about him?"
Yu Jianhua nodded obediently without any resistance.
After Hu Guihua had said enough, she walked away in her slippers. Before leaving, she left a word that she wanted to eat braised pork for dinner.
The sound of her slippers faded away completely.
Yu Jianhua let out a long breath. Her palms were all wet from lying in front of her mother - in - law just now.
But she was very happy, feeling elated inside.
...
Hua Qingqing didn't know what happened behind the factory. After driving those two people away, she rushed straight to the Zhou family.
Zhou Cai had twin sons. They were tall and big, but they were actually only in junior high school and were at home on weekends.
The eldest son, Zhou Ping, was an honest - natured boy. It was said that his academic performance was average. Before Zhou Cai went to work in the factory, he often followed his old father around the streets to make clothes. It seemed that he was going to inherit his father's business.
The second son was more clever and had good grades. He was ambitious and didn't even want to go to school now. He just wanted to go to the factory to work.
When Zhou Cai talked about this, he was quite annoyed. Even though he hadn't received a formal education, he knew the importance of studying.
In Hua Qingqing's opinion, this kid just needed a good beating. There was nothing that a beating couldn't solve.
If a child was naughty in his youth and not taught properly, there were only two possibilities in the future. One was that he would just be like this for the rest of his life, and the other was that he would take a big fall and become sensible.
"Sister Qingqing! You're here!"
As soon as Zhou An heard the sound of the bicycle bell, he directly dropped his homework and ran out. He showed a mouthful of white teeth. One would think he had seen a gold coin if they didn't know better.
"Is your father at home?"
"Yes. My father is in the small shed. He hasn't come out all day. He was so happy yesterday, saying that it was done. I was curious and took a look. It turned out that the small bag he had been working on for a month was finally finished."
Zhou An eagerly carried Hua Qingqing's bike into the yard. After freeing his hands, he gestured the shape of a bag. "It's so small. I don't know what it can hold."
Hua Qingqing was walking towards the place where Zhou Cai worked. Hearing Zhou An's words, she snorted.
"The small bag you're talking about is a new product of our factory. The price of just one small bag is equivalent to that of ten schoolbags. The knowledge of doing business is not something you can reach for now. You'd better study hard. When you get into college and leave Nan County to see a wider world, you won't care about a small factory anymore."
Zhou An blushed with embarrassment. Just as he was about to retort, he saw Hua Qingqing had already walked away quickly, and her back disappeared behind the door.
Hua Qingqing had no intention of chatting with a kid now. She just wanted to see the new products made by Zhou Cai.
Hua Qingqing walked in familiarly and found that besides Zhou Cai, there was also an old woman with gray hair in the small shed.
The old woman was wearing a plain - style long - sleeved coat. Her silver hair was neatly combed. She looked like a particular person.
Hua Qingqing's hasty steps slowed down.
Previously, Zhou Cai had told her that in order to make a qualified new style, they had to invite a professional embroiderer to embroider patterns on the cloth.
Hua Qingqing directly let him go and find someone with real skills.
After all, technology was not developed at present, and machine embroidery was not available yet. Well, she couldn't think like that. She was determined to make real luxury goods. This embroidery must be done manually. Manual work was expensive, but it was real!
It was also a heritage!
There was no room for assembly - line production in her plan.
This old grandma in front of her clearly had "profound embroidery skills"!
She put on a big smile and walked closer.
"Uncle Zhou, how's it going?"
Zhou Cai was discussing something with someone. Hearing the voice, he looked up and saw the person coming. He quickly waved.
"I was just about to go to school to find you, and here you are. Come and have a look. The three styles you chose have been made."
Hearing Zhou Cai's words, Hua Qingqing picked up the small bag on the table. The black - blue cloth was radiant. Zhou Cai had almost emptied his savings for this piece of cloth. There was a slightly blooming white plum embroidered on the cloth. Hua Qingqing couldn't tell what embroidery technique was used, but it didn't prevent her from thinking it was beautiful.
This handbag was in an oblong shape, slightly larger than a palm, with a smooth wooden bamboo - shaped handle on it.
It was very beautiful.
It was simply a work of art.
It didn't seem like something that should exist at this time.
Hua Qingqing couldn't wait to pick up the next one. She looked at it again and again and nodded repeatedly.
"Uncle Zhou, you've worked hard during this period. You did a great job. I believe these three styles of bags will surely live up to our expectations!"
Zhou Cai waved his hand. "I'm not as knowledgeable as you young people. I can only do well in this aspect."
"And it's all thanks to Master Zhang Nanyin. Master Zhang's embroidery skills are really good. She used to be an embroiderer in a landlord's family, embroidering for the landlady. Later, during the great turmoil, she didn't dare to show her skills. It was really hard for me to invite her out this time. Qingqing, you should really thank her."
Master Zhang smiled faintly. "I should also thank you. If it weren't for you giving me something to do, I'm afraid I wouldn't even be able to afford firewood this winter."
After saying that, she stood up and bowed to Hua Qingqing and Zhou Cai.
Oh no!
Hua Qingqing couldn't let an old person bow to her.
She was quick - witted and quickly lifted the old woman up.