July didn't seem to expect that the seemingly delicate woman in front of him was so agile. In just a few moves, she had subdued him.
For a moment, the excited glint in his eyes shone even brighter. "Not only do you make such beautiful clothes, but you're also so skilled in martial arts. Please take me as your apprentice. I'm willing to do anything!"
As he was about to kneel down, Su Mingyu kicked his knee, forcing him to stand straight. "A man's knees are as precious as gold. Haven't you heard this saying? Kneeling on the ground just to learn something is simply disgraceful."
But July didn't care about the disgrace at all. He just looked at Su Mingyue excitedly. "I really want to learn from you. You can be my teacher not only in tailoring but also in martial arts. I truly admire you."
Su Mingyu didn't expect this man to be so persistent. She rubbed her temples with a headache. "If I really want to teach someone, it won't be you. Can't you see the shopkeeper here?"
What she meant was that if she were to take an apprentice, it would only be Xia Mian.
She thought she had made herself clear, but July's eyes suddenly lit up. He immediately walked up to Xia Mian. "I remember seeing that your shop was recruiting tailors, right?"
Xia Mian was a bit overwhelmed by his sudden enthusiasm, but she still nodded and replied, "Actually, we are recruiting, but..."
Before she could finish, July immediately made a decision. "I'm the right person. I can meet all your requirements, and I've even brought the design drawings I made."
With that, July took out his drawings and handed them to Su Mingyue, saying sincerely, "You can take a look before deciding whether to accept me or not."
Su Mingyu looked into his clear eyes and finally sighed. She took the drawings from his hand and started to look at them.
To be honest, the drawings were really ugly, not as good as Xia Mian's.
Based on his current level, it was impossible for him to create something on par with Su Mingyu's.
But looking at his bright eyes, Su Mingyu swallowed the words that would have discouraged him. "Why do you want to do this so much?"
Normally, men would either have the ambition to serve the country, at least want to become an official, or become a chivalrous hero in the green woods. How could a man want to make clothes?
July seemed to understand why Su Mingyu was so puzzled.
He scratched his head and said a bit shyly, "To be honest, my family used to be a big cloth merchant, but then our business gradually declined. Now, there's only a small shop barely holding on."
"Seeing that the workers in our family are almost too poor to afford food, I want to find a new way out. I happened to see your clothes and thought your designs were great. If I could learn a thing or two from you, I might be able to save our family's shop when I go back."
Su Mingyu didn't expect that this seemingly young boy had such a sense of responsibility. She squinted her eyes and then looked at Xia Mian.
"If you want me to accept you, you should at least reach Xia Mian's level."
With that, she threw the drawings in her hand to Xia Mian. "Xia Mian, show him your drawings later so that he can learn from them. I have something to do, so I'll leave first."
After saying that, Su Mingyue left in a hurry, leaving behind a stunned Xia Mian and an excited July.
He really didn't expect that Su Mingyu would finally agree to let him learn in this shop.
Watching Su Mingyu's departing back, Xia Mian couldn't help but complain in her heart. Clearly, Su Mingyu just didn't want to teach him and dumped him on her.
Finally getting away from the headache, Su Mingyu trotted to the back door of Gu Ruobai's mansion. She found a convenient place and climbed over the wall into the yard.
As soon as her feet touched the ground, several knives were pointed at her neck. Su Mingyu lifted her leg and kicked these people away one by one. Then she said coldly, "Don't you even know who I am?"
"You don't use the door and climb over the wall instead, and now you're blaming my guards?"
A cold voice suddenly came from the side. Su Mingyu looked up and saw Gu Ruobai in white clothes.
Raising her eyebrows and smiling, Su Mingyu walked up to Gu Ruobai. "I just thought that if I came in through the back door and was seen by someone who's always keeping an eye on you, it would be really troublesome."
Gu Ruobai nodded half - smiling. "Even if what you said makes sense, I've already given you a nameplate. You can come in through the front door."
Su Mingyu scratched her nose awkwardly. "I'm the behind - the - scenes boss of Sinnan Pavilion now. If I swaggered in through the front door, you'd probably have even more trouble."
Gu Ruobai was helpless. "So, should I thank you for climbing over the wall for my sake?"
Su Mingyu curled her lips and smiled. "No need to thank me. It's all part of the deal. After all, we're in a cooperative relationship now."
Looking at her smug look, the frost in Gu Ruobai's eyes gradually melted a bit. "Tell me, what's the matter this time you came to find me?"
After all, this girl never did anything without a profit. She always forgot about him when she had nothing to do, and every time she came to him, she must have some ulterior motive.
"I feel like there's some hidden meaning in your words?" Su Mingyu pushed Gu Ruobai's wheelchair and took him to the tea garden.
After sending the people around away, Su Mingyu said, "Su Zhengyi talked to me yesterday."
Gu Ruobai raised his eyebrows, signaling her to continue.
Su Mingyu licked her dry lips and told Gu Ruobai everything about the conversation with Su Zhengyi.
After finishing, Su Mingyu picked up a cup of warm tea and drank it all in one gulp to moisten her throat. Then she asked, "Although I've agreed to him, what should I do?"
After all, she didn't know as much about the court affairs as Gu Ruobai. All she knew were just some fighting skills.
Gu Ruobai pondered for a while and then said, "Let's hold our ground for now. See what he asks from you and then decide how to deal with it."
Su Mingyu nodded. "I didn't expect that old guy Su Zhengyi to use his second daughter and now wants to use his eldest daughter. He's really heartless."
Seeing how angry she was, Gu Ruobai's tone became much softer. "What? Are you angry?"
Su Mingyu shrugged. "Su Zhengyi is just a scumbag who uses his wife and daughters. I'm not really angry. I just feel it's not worth it for my mother."