Turbulence at the Embroidery Workshop, A Deep Promise of Love

Because Lu Yu had returned, Jiang Nian stir-fried three dishes for lunch, made hot white steamed buns, and cooked porridge. After finishing the meal, she brought it out to the table in the courtyard. While eating, Jiang Nian looked up at Lu Yu, a smile on her face. "What do you want for dinner tonight? I'll make it for you."
Lu Yu looked up, saw the curve of Jiang Nian's lips, and lowered his head, saying, "Zhajiangmian."
"Alright."
Lu Yu ate this meal a little distractedly.
During the month he was away, his heart was always thinking of his family.
He was afraid Jiang Nian would go to the city, afraid she would encounter danger again.
After Lu Yu finished eating, he helped Jiang Nian clear the dishes into the kitchen and told her, "I'm going to the company first."
Jiang Nian nodded. "You go."
After finishing her kitchen chores, Jiang Nian took out her embroidery and sat in the courtyard to work, wondering when Regiment Leader Song's and Lu Yu's transfer orders would finally come down. Would it be after the Dragon Boat Festival this year or next year?
But this year's Dragon Boat Festival had already passed, and there was still no news from Regiment Leader Song's side.
Jiang Nian looked at the almost completed embroidery, remembering Ge Mei telling her on the phone to go to the Xiu Zhuang on July twentieth. Although Ge Mei didn't explicitly say it on the phone, she understood Ge Mei's meaning. According to her, Director Peng must be a difficult person to get along with. If she showed the embroidery to Director Peng too early, it would be hard to avoid her finding fault with everything, ultimately making the embroidery seem worthless.
The final result would not only be Jiang Nian ruining her own craftsmanship but also cause the Hong Kong boss to lose trust in the state-run Xiu Zhuang.
Jiang Nian roughly guessed that Ge Mei was probably leaving a way out for Sister Di and Sister Lu.

The lively atmosphere at the Tang family's house was somewhat mixed with the mocking thoughts of the other military wives. After dinner, Company Commander Lu's mother took Lu Zhi Jun home first. As she left, she looked at Chen Fang and shook her head. On the way back, Lu Zhi Jun asked the old woman, "Grandma, why did you shake your head?"
The old woman stroked Lu Zhi Jun's head. "Grandma will tell you something, you must remember it in your heart, don't forget."
Lu Zhi Jun no longer had the mischievous and annoying temper of the previous year. He listened seriously to the old woman. "What words?"
The old woman said, "When we talk about others, we must speak with a beginning and an end. We cannot rely on guesswork to talk about an event, otherwise, it will cause trouble for many people."
Lu Zhi Jun remembered last year at the market, his mother and Aunt Kang were talking about Aunt Jiang marrying Uncle Song when Aunt Jiang overheard them, and Aunt Jiang scolded his mother a few times. At that time, the boy only listened and felt that his mother also wanted to marry Uncle Song, so he always kept it in his heart. Later, his mother didn't buy him delicious food, so he told his father about it, saying his mother was saving money to divorce his father and marry Uncle Song.
Thinking of these things, Lu Zhi Jun said awkwardly to the old woman, "Grandma, I miss Mom."
The old woman was startled, patted Lu Zhi Jun's head. "Alright, don't think about her anymore. Tonight, Grandma will make noodles for you to eat."
Lu Zhi Jun smiled and said, "Yes!"
At this moment, the Tang family was in chaos. Chen Fang and her mother-in-law were cleaning the courtyard, and several military wives nearby were also helping. Today was Tang Ze's wedding, and many delicious dishes were made at home, every plate eaten clean. Tang Ze had three days off for his wedding; he didn't need to go to the company during these three days. He helped his family clean up together. Sun Ying sat in the room, and no one bothered her.
Chen Fang knew her mother-in-law also blamed her, so she remained silent.
Her mother-in-law told Tang Ze, "You go back to the room with your new bride. There will be more fun tonight."
Weddings always involved teasing the newlyweds in their bridal chamber. Tonight, after everyone returned from the company, the Tang family would be lively again.
Tang Ze pushed open the door and entered the room. He saw Sun Ying sitting on the bed, her hair braided, with two small velvet flowers tied into the braid. Her skin was fair and smooth, and there was a small mole at the corner of her right eye. Whether she lowered her gaze or looked up, she carried a captivating charm that made Tang Ze's heart grow even fonder of her.
He walked over and sat beside Sun Ying, reaching out to put an arm around her shoulder, and asked, "Are you full? If not, I'll go back to the kitchen and make you some more rice."
Sun Ying smelled the faint scent of white wine on Tang Ze and turned to look at him. Tang Ze's features were resolute, but she had never truly looked at him closely before. The first thing she noticed was the military uniform on Tang Ze, identical to the military uniform on Lu Yu in her dreams.
"I'm full."
Sun Ying raised a hand to cover Tang Ze's eyes, then used her other hand to cover his nose and mouth. Her sparkling gaze lingered on Tang Ze's military uniform, and her heart suddenly began to pound.
"What's wrong?"
Tang Ze took Sun Ying's hand and removed it, looking at her in confusion.
Sun Ying shook her head. "Nothing."
"Will they still come tonight?"
She asked another question.
She actually wanted to ask if Lu Yu would come tonight, but she was afraid that asking directly would make Tang Ze suspicious.
Tang Ze smiled and said, "Everyone will come to tease the newlyweds tonight, but I can handle it."
Sun Ying let out a laugh. This laugh made the red mole under her right eye even more beautiful. Tang Ze stared, mesmerized. His hand on Sun Ying's shoulder gradually tightened, and he leaned in closer to her. Sun Ying turned her head. "You smell all of wine, it's unpleasant."
Tang Ze laughed. "Then I'll go wash up."
After saying that, he stood up and went out. Sun Ying turned her head to look out the window, her gaze once again falling on the two mandarin ducks on the curtain. The mandarin ducks were beautifully and vividly embroidered. She stood up and sat at the foot of the bed, pulling back the curtain. Chen Fang walked in from outside. Seeing Sun Ying staring at the mandarin ducks on the curtain, she smiled and said, "Isn't it beautiful?"
Sun Ying nodded. "Yes, it's beautiful."
Chen Fang said, "As long as you like it. I specifically asked Jiang Nian to embroider this. She's the only one in our compound who knows how to embroider, and she's currently doing work for the state-run Xiu Zhuang. To get her to embroider this, I even bought her quite a few things."
Sun Ying's face changed. Her hand, which was pulling back the curtain, immediately clenched tightly, and the appreciative look in her eyes turned to disgust. Chen Fang took the dishes from the room and went out. As she left, she told Sun Ying, "I'm busy now, so if you need anything, just tell Tang Ze."
Sun Ying gripped the curtain tightly, and after a long while, she replied with a "Yes."
After Chen Fang left, Sun Ying forcefully tore the curtain. The originally flat fabric was ripped and wrinkled, and the two mandarin ducks looked somewhat fierce. She was still angry and wanted to cut it with scissors!
She hated Jiang Nian, and she hated everything that belonged to her even more!
Tang Ze finished washing his face, brushed his teeth, and entered the house. He saw Sun Ying forcefully gripping the curtain. The mandarin ducks on the curtain were crumpled beyond recognition. He frowned, sat down beside her, and took Sun Ying's hand. "Don't you like this curtain?"
Sun Ying's hand stiffened slightly. She hid the disgust in her eyes and said softly, aggrieved, "I'm afraid of mandarin ducks. I like swans."
Tang Ze looked at the mandarin ducks, which were crushed and fierce-looking, a hint of awkwardness on his face. These were mandarin ducks painstakingly embroidered by his sister-in-law, and kindly arranged for them by his elder sister-in-law. If he put the curtain away, it would inevitably cause trouble at home.
He hesitated for a moment, holding Sun Ying's hand. "Bear with it for a bit. The Third Regiment doesn't have any empty courtyards right now. When our courtyard is approved, we'll move there, and this curtain will be put away in the closet."
Sun Ying released the curtain. "Yes."
The window was open. Tang Ze stood up and closed it, then sat back down beside Sun Ying, put his arm around her waist, looked at the red mole under Sun Ying's right eye, and leaned down to kiss her eye. Sun Ying blinked, then turned her head to cover Tang Ze's eyes. Tang Ze chuckled softly. "What's wrong?"
Sun Ying looked at Tang Ze, only his nose and lips visible, then looked at the green military uniform on him, and actively kissed his lips. Tang Ze's entire body trembled. After reacting, he immediately took the initiative, embracing Sun Ying. He didn't remove Sun Ying's hand covering his eyes, thinking she was shy.

Jiang Nian had been embroidering ever since finishing lunch. She finished the last details before putting the embroidery in the closet, waiting for the twentieth to go to the state-run Xiu Zhuang in the city. Lu Yu said at noon that he wanted to eat zhajiangmian for dinner. The condiments at home were incomplete, so Jiang Nian went to the Supply and Marketing Cooperative.
As soon as she left the barracks, she saw Wu You Shan standing not far away.
Wu You Shan anxiously looked inside the barracks. Since no one signed him in, he couldn't enter, nor did he dare to approach this side of the barracks, only able to watch from a distance. Seeing Jiang Nian come out, his face turned ugly for a moment, then he shamelessly walked over. "Comrade, could I trouble you to ask Deputy Regiment Leader Lu to sign me in? I want to find Sun Ying."
Jiang Nian: ...
She refused. "No."
After saying that, she left.
She found it amusing in her heart. This person, despite being a doctor, spoke without thinking. If Lu Yu signed him in and he caused any trouble inside, Lu Yu would also be implicated.
Wu You Shan was choked with anger. He watched Jiang Nian's figure disappear into the distance, irritably rubbing his face.
Jiang Nian went to the Supply and Marketing Cooperative to buy some condiments. There was still a lot of meat Sister-in-law Chen had given her, which she kept chilled in well water to prevent spoilage. When she returned to the barracks, she didn't see Wu You Shan anymore; he must have left.
Back in the family quarters, Jiang Nian diced the meat, then went to the vegetable garden to pick two cucumbers. As dusk fell, dinner was ready, and the fragrant smell of zhajiangmian wafted from the kitchen, reaching the two neighboring houses.
From outside the door came Regiment Leader Song's voice. "Lu Yu, what delicious thing is your sister-in-law making? I can smell it from afar."
Lu Yu smiled. "Zhajiangmian."
He was familiar with this scent.
Regiment Leader Song smacked his lips. "This kid is truly blessed. To have a sister-in-law who can cook like this, if anyone marries her in the next life, his stomach will be a golden nest."
Lu Yu didn't speak. When he reached his door, Regiment Leader Song waved and turned back.
The courtyard lights were on. Jiang Nian brought the bowls to the small table in the courtyard. This meal made her break a thin sweat, a few strands of hair sticking to her fair neck, and her temples were also damp with perspiration. It was currently hot, and the kitchen fire was burning, so every time Jiang Nian cooked, it felt like torture.
"Oh, Jiang Nian, what delicious thing are you making? The smell has reached my house."
Jiang Nian chuckled, speaking to Feng Mai over the courtyard wall. "Zhajiangmian."
The courtyard gate opened, and Lu Yu had returned.
Jiang Nian tugged at her apron, smiling. "Dinner's ready."
She walked to the well, squatted down, poured some water into an enamel basin, and washed her face, finally feeling a bit cooler. She stood up and ran back to the room to get a towel to wipe her face. Lu Yu watched Jiang Nian lightly run back to the room, then averted his gaze and walked to the well.
Jiang Nian came out and saw Lu Yu using the water she had just used to wash her face. She was startled for a moment and wanted to stop him. "You should change the water..."
"No need."
Jiang Nian lowered her head and ran into the kitchen. "You sit there and eat. I'll get the chopsticks."
Lu Yu finished washing his face and sat down at the table. He looked at the zhajiangmian, which was perfect in color, aroma, and taste, picked up his chopsticks, and ate ravenously. Jiang Nian brought a plate of stir-fried long beans and placed it on the table. She sat opposite Lu Yu, listening to the man slurp his noodles, feeling very content in her heart.
Lu Yu ate three large bowls of noodles in a row. Jiang Nian couldn't eat anymore after one bowl. She was about to stand up to clear the dishes, but Lu Yu was a step ahead of her. He told her, "You go back to your room to rest. I'll wash the dishes and then boil water for your bath. After I'm done, I'll go back to the dormitory."
Jiang Nian withdrew her hand. "Alright."
She took off her apron, folded it, and placed it on the table. She turned and went into the room, taking out an unfinished set of clothes from the closet. It was a white women's shirt with a wavy collar, two small red silk flowers embroidered on either side of the collar, and a small pocket on the left chest, embroidered with a wavy pattern in silk thread.
She was making two sets of such clothes, one with a red pattern, one with a yellow pattern, and also two pairs of pants, one in sunset yellow fabric, one in mud brown fabric, both with a cinched waist and tapered legs.
This was the first time she had made two sets of summer clothes for herself since coming to this era, combining new century styles.
Jiang Nian squatted down and took out two more white shirts from under the closet. These were custom-made for Lu Yu, but they were not yet finished.
By the time Lu Yu finished boiling the water and brought it in, Jiang Nian had almost finished sewing the hem of her shirt. She told Lu Yu, "I want to go to the Xiu Zhuang on the twentieth."
Lu Yu said, "Alright, I'll take a day off that day and go with you."
Jiang Nian went to bed early after bathing.
Since that unpleasant incident at the Tang family's house, Jiang Nian occasionally walked on the road, and no military wives or aunties approached her about matchmaking anymore. Moreover, she noticed that Feng Mai had been a little abnormal these past few days, frequently coming to find her, as if she couldn't wait to pour out everything in her heart to her at once.
Jiang Nian keenly sensed Feng Mai's abnormality. Today, after she finished making clothes, at dusk, she went to Feng Mai's house. Regiment Leader Song was not yet back.
Feng Mai sat in the courtyard sewing shoe soles. Seeing Jiang Nian arrive, she smiled and said, "Why did you come here?"
Jiang Nian smiled. "I finished my work, so I came over to chat."
After chatting with Feng Mai for a while, she subtly asked, "Sister-in-law Feng, I wonder how long we'll be able to stay in these family quarters?"
Feng Mai was startled for a moment before understanding Jiang Nian's meaning. "Why, is it uncomfortable here?"
Jiang Nian shook her head. "Not at all, I just feel accustomed to this place. If we move one day, I'll feel a little reluctant."
After she finished speaking, she looked at Feng Mai and saw her lower her head, pinching the needle and rubbing it against her scalp, completely different from her previous reaction. Jiang Nian's heart skipped a beat. Could it be that Feng Mai really knew something?
She wasn't in a hurry to ask, afraid that too many words would lead to mistakes.
So she chatted with Feng Mai about household matters, and finally smiled and said, "Sister-in-law Feng, I really hope we can always be neighbors."
As soon as she spoke, Feng Mai immediately couldn't hold back and blurted out, "Yes, I also want us to always be neighbors, but isn't there a change on Old Song's side? He..."
Her words suddenly stopped, and Feng Mai clamped her mouth shut.
Jiang Nian felt a little amused in her heart. This Feng Mai was clearly trying to hide her head while exposing her tail. However, this conversation with Feng Mai gave her a basis in her heart. It seemed the plot in the book hadn't completely gone awry. Regiment Leader Song was probably going to be promoted and transferred, no wonder Feng Mai had been coming to see her so often these past few days.
Presumably, Regiment Leader Song's side hadn't finalized it yet, only giving Feng Mai a heads-up.
"Sister-in-law Feng, it's almost dinner time, I'm going back first."
Jiang Nian stood up to leave. Feng Mai thought Jiang Nian was angry and grabbed her. "Sit down, I'll tell you about this."
Jiang Nian frowned almost imperceptibly, already knowing what Feng Mai wanted to say.
She hesitated for a moment before sitting down, and asked curiously, "What does Sister-in-law Feng want to say? Why are you being so mysterious?"
Feng Mai looked out into the courtyard, then leaned close to Jiang Nian and whispered, "Old Song might be getting a promotion, but he hasn't told me when. He told me not to say anything to ruin it. I'm telling you, but you can't tell anyone else."
Jiang Nian smiled. "Sister-in-law Feng, when have I ever told anyone what you've said?"
Feng Mai smiled. "Of course I trust you."
After saying that, she sighed. Jiang Nian saw the reluctant expression on Feng Mai's face for the first time. She said, "If Old Song gets promoted and leaves here, our whole family will have to follow. Then we'll move to another place to live, and everything will have to start over. Before, when Old Song and I moved here from another place, you said it wasn't easy to get used to the neighbors and the hometown, and in the blink of an eye, we might have to leave again."
Jiang Nian patted Feng Mai's hand and said, "Then Sister-in-law Feng, try to think of it differently. If Regiment Leader Song gets promoted, that's a good thing. Not only will his position be higher, but his salary will also be higher. We must look forward. Going to another place can also be seen as welcoming a new life."
Feng Mai felt much better after Jiang Nian's words.
After chatting with Feng Mai for a while longer, Jiang Nian returned home. Lu Yu said at noon that he would be busy until late tonight and wouldn't be back for dinner. Tomorrow was the twentieth, and he would take her to the city tomorrow morning. Jiang Nian ate dinner and then went to sleep. The next morning, she was woken by a whistle. Opening her eyes, she heard footsteps outside the room.
Jiang Nian turned over and got up, putting on her newly made clothes: a white short-sleeved shirt with small red flowers embroidered on the collar and mud-brown pants. She tied her hair into a bun and wore the small white sandals Ge Mei had bought for her. She opened the room door and went out. In the kitchen, there was the sound of running water. Jiang Nian pursed her lips and smiled as she walked to the kitchen door, seeing Lu Yu with his back to the basin. She softly said, "Lu Yu."
This was the first time she had meticulously dressed herself up, and also the first time she wanted Lu Yu to see her.
Lu Yu picked up the bucket and turned around, his dark eyes locking onto Jiang Nian. She wore a white shirt with small red roses embroidered on either side of the collar. The shirt was tucked into her pants, and the mud-brown pants were tapered at the ankles. This outfit outlined her waistline, making it even more delicate.
"Is it beautiful?"
Jiang Nian stood with her back to the light, a faint smile on her lips.
Lu Yu put down the water bucket, nodded, and said, "Beautiful."
Jiang Nian pursed her lips and smiled, then turned and lightly walked to the well. "I'll wash my face first. After we eat, we'll go to the city. Let's try to go early and come back early."
Ever since hearing Feng Mai talk about Regiment Leader Song's possible promotion and transfer yesterday, Jiang Nian had been planning for the future. If Regiment Leader Song left, Lu Yu's transfer order would also come quickly. She just didn't know which city he would be transferred to.
After breakfast, Lu Yu washed the pots and dishes, and the two set off from the barracks. The military wives they passed by were all startled to see Jiang Nian, who was completely different from before today. Jiang Nian also smiled and greeted the military wives.
Lu Yu looked down at Jiang Nian, whose face was full of smiles. He remembered the first time he brought Jiang Nian to the barracks; she hugged her small cloth bag, head bowed, quiet and reserved, hiding whenever she saw people. He hoped that this Jiang Nian before him would always remain as she was now.
The two walked out of the barracks and saw Chen Fang and Sun Ying approaching. Lu Yu nodded in greeting. "Sister-in-law Chen."
He ignored Sun Ying.
Sun Ying pursed her lips tightly, her gaze always fixed on Lu Yu, wishing her eyeballs could stick to him.
Jiang Nian: ...
She also greeted Chen Fang. "Sister-in-law Chen."
"Where are you two going?"
Chen Fang looked at Jiang Nian, feeling very apologetic about the previous misunderstanding between Jiang Nian and Song Bai. Seeing Jiang Nian unusually dressed up today, her eyes lit up a little, and she smiled. "Truly, clothes make the man. You look so beautiful."
Jiang Nian pursed her lips and smiled, exchanging polite words with Chen Fang.
Sun Ying saw Lu Yu's cold expression and finally averted her gaze to Jiang Nian beside him. When she saw Jiang Nian's outfit, her face suddenly changed, and the jealousy in her eyes surged, almost uncontrollable. She coldly ignored Jiang Nian and immediately walked towards the barracks.
Chen Fang smiled awkwardly, greeted the two, and then chased after Sun Ying.
After the group left, Jiang Nian looked up at Lu Yu, a hint of sourness in her voice. "Sun Ying's eyeballs almost want to be embedded in you."
Lu Yu: ...
Jiang Nian finished speaking and left. Lu Yu followed closely behind, looking down at Jiang Nian's slightly pursed lips. His deep voice carried a hint of a smile. "Don't mind her."
"Mm."
Jiang Nian lowered her head. She knew this had nothing to do with Lu Yu.
Now, Lu Yu and Sun Ying were like two parallel lines, but thinking of the plot involving Lu Yu and Sun Ying in the book, Jiang Nian still couldn't help but feel a pang of bitterness. She sighed softly. Just as she reached the bus stop, her cheek suddenly felt warm.
Jiang Nian was startled. She turned her head and saw Lu Yu standing rigidly beside her, his figure tall and straight, his cold face revealing a hint of solemnity, completely unlike his almost frantic demeanor in the room earlier. If not for her warm cheek and Lu Yu standing beside her, she would have doubted that it wasn't Lu Yu who had kissed her.
There were fewer people on the bus today. Jiang Nian originally intended to sit in the front, but Lu Yu led her to sit in the two seats in the back row. Lu Yu told her to sit by the window, and he sat beside her. When the bus started, her hand, resting on her lap, was taken by a large hand.
The man pushed apart her intertwined fingers, then seriously clasped her hand tightly, pressing it under the small cloth bag in her lap.
Jiang Nian: ...
She realized that Lu Yu was completely different outside compared to when they were alone at home.
The bus traveled for four hours to the city. Lu Yu's palm reluctantly stroked the back of Jiang Nian's hand for a moment, his voice hoarse as he said, "Get off the bus."
They went to the state-run restaurant for lunch first, then to the Xiu Zhuang. Outside the Xiu Zhuang, Lu Yu told her, "I'll wait for you outside."
Jiang Nian nodded. "Yes."
She carried her small cloth bag and pushed open the door, hearing Zhang Xiao's nasal voice. "Hello? Please... Oh, Sister Jiang!"
Zhang Xiao happily came out from behind the counter. "Sister Jiang, why are you here?"
Jiang Nian smiled. "To deliver embroidery."
Zhang Xiao was the only one in the Xiu Zhuang. Jiang Nian asked, "Where are the others?"
Zhang Xiao said, "They're all eating in the dormitory. They'll be here later."
Jiang Nian saw Zhang Xiao's red eyes, knowing at a glance that she had just cried, so she sat on the long bench near the window. She turned her head to look out the window. Lu Yu was standing outside, and from her angle, she could only see Lu Yu's straight back.
Jiang Nian looked at Zhang Xiao opposite her. "Did you suffer any grievances?"
Zhang Xiao's eyes reddened again. "It's nothing, I just have to bear it for another month."
Jiang Nian was startled. "Why another month?"
Zhang Xiao sniffled, a smile finally appearing on her face. "Zhou Jun called me yesterday and said that the marriage report has been approved. After my mother and his mother arrive, we'll get married. Then I won't be at the Xiu Zhuang anymore."
Jiang Nian smiled. "Congratulations."
After chatting with Zhang Xiao for a while, several people walked into the Xiu Zhuang. The first to enter was a middle-aged woman with short, ear-length hair, followed by a woman with braided hair. After the two entered, Di Pei Pei and Lu Xiao Jing also arrived. After they spoke, seeing Director Peng's ugly expression, they all went into a private room.
The woman beside Director Peng was named Shi Li, Director Peng's niece, as Sister Ge and Zhang Xiao had both mentioned.
Jiang Nian calculated the time. Sister Ge had said on the phone that the Hong Kong boss would arrive in the afternoon. She unfolded the embroidery and placed it on the table. Indeed, just as Sister Ge had said, Director Peng's face was sullen. She pointed out that the needlework here was wrong, the stitching there was uneven, and pressing her finger on it, she said that this kind of embroidery, though beautiful, had too many flaws. The Hong Kong boss wouldn't value it and told her to take it back and fix it.
Zhang Xiao looked at Jiang Nian worriedly. Shi Li, holding an embroidery frame in her hand, said, "I heard the previous director say that you could get a hundred yuan for this embroidery? With your embroidery skills, don't you feel guilty taking a hundred yuan?"
Jiang Nian looked up at Shi Li and retorted, "I can get a hundred yuan, can you?"
"Comrade Jiang Nian!"
Director Peng's face turned cold as she continued, "Your embroidery indeed has very big problems and must be repaired. The color matching is also wrong. Giving this embroidery to the Hong Kong boss will not only result in it being returned by the Hong Kong boss but also potentially affect the subsequent cooperation between our state-run Xiu Zhuang and Hong Kong."
Everything Director Peng said was what Ge Mei had warned her about beforehand, each word coming true.
Jiang Nian's aura was not weak at all. She glanced at Shi Li, who was watching the show on the side. She glanced at the embroidery drawing in Shi Li's hand. "My embroidery isn't good, so what about hers? The color matching is off, the stitching is uneven. With her embroidery skills, she's not even as good as Zhang Xiao. I'm very curious why Director Peng wants to keep this person at the state-run Xiu Zhuang? Are you relatives? So you want to suppress Zhang Xiao and let this woman, who speaks and acts without thinking, stand at the reception counter?"
Seeing Director Peng's and Shi Li's faces turn green, Jiang Nian took the opportunity to cut off Director Peng. "The state-run Xiu Zhuang is not your private property. You abuse your power to suppress workers and want to keep your own people. Even if this matter is brought to the leaders, they will have to give an explanation. Does Director Peng really think that because she's the Director, she can cover the sky with one hand at the state-run Xiu Zhuang?!"
"You're talking nonsense! Don't just randomly accuse me. Who said we're relatives?"
Director Peng's face was ugly. She truly didn't expect Ge Mei to appreciate this female embroiderer who was so sharp-tongued, speaking in a torrent.
Shi Li was initially angry that Jiang Nian said her embroidery skills were not as good as Zhang Xiao's, but as soon as she heard her talk about the state-run Xiu Zhuang, she immediately fell silent.
Jiang Nian calmly and naturally chuckled. "It's alright if you don't admit it. Whether there's a family relationship or not, the leaders will find out when they investigate."
Director Peng angrily said, "I'm talking to you about embroidery. Don't bring up other matters."
Jiang Nian said, "I'll say one more thing, whether you like to hear it or not, do you know the biggest difference between you and Director Ge?"
Before Director Peng could open her mouth, Jiang Nian once again cut her off. "Director Ge is meticulous in her work. She gives every worker face. Even if they are relatives, she can treat them equally, and she would never abuse her power as Director to put on airs. Zhang Xiao is here. Director Peng, tell me, what has she not done well? Is it not entertaining customers well, or not introducing embroidery well? Or is the cleaning unsatisfactory? Does she earn a salary commensurate with her work?"
Jiang Nian glanced at Shi Li. "May I ask Director Peng, what does this person do at the Xiu Zhuang every day? Embroidery? With her embroidery skills, she's disgracing the Xiu Zhuang. How does she do the cleaning? What talent does she have to stay at the Xiu Zhuang? Do you really think the people at the Xiu Zhuang are afraid of your position as Director and wouldn't dare to report you for abusing your power for personal gain?"
If Zhang Xiao hadn't just told her about what had been happening at the Xiu Zhuang recently, she really wouldn't have known so clearly.
At this moment, Director Peng and Shi Li were speechless for a long time.
Jiang Nian smiled, then changed the subject. "I know Director Peng is a new official with three fires, and I'm the one being targeted. I can understand Director Peng's intentions, but let's stick to the facts. You say my embroidery has some flaws, so why don't we wait for the Hong Kong boss to arrive and let the Hong Kong boss examine the embroidery before speaking?"
Director Peng didn't expect Jiang Nian to point out her intentions.
That's right, before she came to the Xiu Zhuang, she had heard leaders and Ge Mei mention Jiang Nian's name. Her embroidery skills were excellent, and her embroidery was one in a thousand. Especially this time, the Xiu Zhuang's big order with Hong Kong was all because of Jiang Nian. So she thought she'd give Jiang Nian a preemptive strike, suppress her prestige, so she wouldn't dare to put on airs in front of her based on her embroidery skills.
The result was that she shot herself in the foot.
Shi Li was her niece, so she had selfish motives. Zhang Xiao wasn't very good at embroidery, so it didn't matter if she was there or not. It was better to suppress her and let Shi Li take over Zhang Xiao's job. As for Jiang Nian, she didn't have the guts to fire her, she just wanted to show off.
Di Pei Pei and Lu Xiao Jing hid behind the curtain. Director Peng and Shi Li had their backs to them. The two gave Jiang Nian a thumbs up. Even Zhang Xiao, standing at the counter, smiled. Jiang Nian looked at them without responding.
"You can leave the embroidery here and go back first. When the Hong Kong boss arrives, if it's not a problem, I'll contact you."
As soon as Director Peng finished speaking, three people entered the Xiu Zhuang. The leader was Director Wang, and the other two female comrades Jiang Nian had never met, but looking at their attire, they must be the Hong Kong boss without a doubt.
"Director Wang."
Director Peng's face changed slightly. She didn't expect to mention Cao Cao and have Cao Cao arrive. She looked at the embroidery on the table and awkwardly walked over. Director Wang nodded, saw Jiang Nian stand up, and smiled. "Comrade Jiang."
Jiang Nian smiled. "Director Wang."
Ge Mei had introduced her to Director Wang before.
Shi Li stood beside her, not daring to breathe. Zhang Xiao was very observant and immediately came to pour water and set out chairs for the guests. Director Wang introduced the two people from Hong Kong. "Comrade Deng, this is Comrade Jiang from our state-run Xiu Zhuang. What a coincidence, you two have met."
Director Peng's face turned a little ugly and embarrassed when she saw the Hong Kong boss looking at the embroidery on the table beside her.
"Comrade Jiang."
The woman with curly hair, about the same age as Ge Mei, had exquisite makeup on her face, and her clothes were very different from those here. She extended her hand to Jiang Nian and smiled. "My name is Deng Ke. You can call me Comrade Deng, or Sister Deng, whichever you prefer."
She then introduced the woman beside her. "Her name is Xia He, she's my assistant."
Jiang Nian wore a faint smile on her face. She extended her hand and shook Deng Ke's hand with a generous gesture. "My name is Jiang Nian. Sister Deng can call me Little Comrade Jiang."
Through a pane of glass, Lu Yu stood under the utility pole outside, turning his head to look inside.
Jiang Nian, whether in temperament or demeanor, was completely different from the Jiang Nian of before. Lu Yu noticed that whenever she talked about embroidery work, she would reveal an unprecedented sharpness.
She was like she was covered in a layer of mist. Lu Yu didn't know when he would be able to push aside that layer of mist and glimpse her secrets.
"Director Wang, Comrade Deng, please have some water first."
Director Peng wanted to interject, but Deng Ke said indifferently, "Thank you, I'm not thirsty."
She lowered her head to look at the embroidery on the table, gently stroking it. Her eyes gradually showed appreciation. She looked up at Jiang Nian. "Little Comrade Jiang, your embroidery skills are still as exquisite as ever."
Deng Ke spoke with a slight accent. Jiang Nian smiled and said, "Sister Deng, please take a closer look. If there's anything you're not satisfied with, I can make adjustments."
As she said this, she glanced at Director Peng beside Director Wang. Director Peng's face stiffened slightly, not daring to say a word.
Deng Ke smiled. "Very satisfied. I didn't expect you to be so young, yet your embroidery skills are so formidable. I always wanted to meet you when Ge Mei mentioned you were young. Last time I came, I was in too much of a hurry and didn't get to meet you. Meeting you today, just as Ge Mei said, you're very young, beautiful, and your embroidery skills are rare."
Jiang Nian's face showed no shyness or embarrassment after being praised. Instead, she responded with ease and generosity. "Thank you, Sister Deng, for your encouragement."
Director Wang also greatly admired Jiang Nian's reaction, feeling that Ge Mei had not misjudged her and had left such a treasure for their Xiu Zhuang. Since the state-run Xiu Zhuang cooperated with Deng Ke, their profits were also higher than in previous years. If they could continue to maintain this, and she achieved good results, she might even be promoted in two years.
Several people chatted for a while, and Director Peng's heart was always uneasy. She was afraid that Jiang Nian would make a scene in front of Director Wang and Comrade Deng and bring up what she had said earlier. If Jiang Nian really spoke out, Director Wang would definitely be angry that she almost ruined the cooperation with Hong Kong, and her newly acquired position as Director would be a bit shaky.
A little sweat broke out on Director Peng's forehead. Director Wang turned her head and glanced at her. "Are you hot?"
Director Peng looked at Jiang Nian, who was talking to Comrade Deng, and forced a stiff smile. "It is a bit hot."
Deng Ke came this time with three more embroideries, all large in size. One set was a landscape painting, which she said she wanted completed within two months. This embroidery was intended as a gift for a highly respected elder in Hong Kong. Jiang Nian gleaned a piece of information from Deng Ke's words: this landscape embroidery would likely become more widely known in Hong Kong. Once her reputation spread, no matter where she went in the future, as long as it was the name Jiang Nian and her craftsmanship, she would be sought after by any state-run Xiu Zhuang in the city.
Jiang Nian saw the appreciative look in Deng Ke's eyes and smiled. "Sister Deng, rest assured, I will personally embroider this piece and complete it within the agreed timeframe."
Deng Ke smiled. "I trust you."
Director Wang was also an experienced person and naturally understood the underlying meaning. After seeing Deng Ke and her assistant Xia He off, she returned. Director Peng saw Director Wang return and felt her scalp tingle. Director Wang didn't look at her but chatted with Jiang Nian for a while. Her joyful demeanor made it seem as if Jiang Nian was a treasure that brought wealth.
However, everyone present knew clearly that Jiang Nian was truly the signboard of the state-run Xiu Zhuang.
If Jiang Nian wasn't at the Xiu Zhuang, the Hong Kong boss probably wouldn't continue to cooperate with this state-run Xiu Zhuang in the city. The Xiu Zhuang's good profits were related to Director Wang's performance during her tenure and also greatly related to her promotion, so how could she not appease Jiang Nian well?
Director Wang had always waited until she left, and Jiang Nian still hadn't mentioned what had just happened. Director Peng let out a sigh of relief, feeling that her "three fires" hadn't burned in the right place. Not only did she fail to scare anyone, but she also brought trouble upon herself. She looked at Jiang Nian and still asked, "Why didn't you speak out just now? If you had, I would have been criticized by Director Wang and had to write a self-criticism."
To put it seriously, if she didn't handle it well, she could be removed from her position as Director.
Jiang Nian had a smile on her face, but her eyes were cold. "I just said that Director Peng is merely a new official with three fires, and I understand. But I didn't bring this up because I wanted to do Director Peng a favor."
Director Peng frowned, not knowing what she meant, but seeing Jiang Nian look towards Shi Li, Director Peng immediately understood.
Jiang Nian said, "I understand Director Peng wants to help her relatives, but Director Peng, please put your hand on your heart and ask yourself, between Zhang Xiao and Shi Li, who is more suitable for this job? I'm not using my embroidery skills here to put on airs in front of you. Director Peng, also consider, which side is lighter and which is heavier?"
Jiang Nian smiled at Director Peng. Director Peng was choked with anger. If she still couldn't understand Jiang Nian's words, then she had wasted all these years of experience. If she insisted on keeping Shi Li and suppressing Zhang Xiao, then the matter of her criticizing the embroidery today would also reach Director Wang's ears. At that point, let alone Shi Li, she herself would have to flee.
Jiang Nian put the drawing back into her cloth bag and told Director Peng, "The embroidery fabric and silk threads will still need to be delivered to me by Director Peng. Oh, and also my payment for this embroidery. I'll be heading back now."
After saying that, she bid farewell to Di Pei Pei, Lu Xiao Jing, and Zhang Xiao. The three gave her a thumbs up.
She pushed open the door and left the Xiu Zhuang, seeing Lu Yu by the roadside. The man saw her come out and walked towards her. "Are you finished?"
Jiang Nian gently nodded. "Yes, let's go back."
"When we get back, let's do this first."
Jiang Nian looked up at Lu Yu, who was much taller than her, and asked curiously, "What is it?"
The two walked along the road. Lu Yu coughed lightly and reached out to take Jiang Nian's hand. "Let's go take a picture."
Take a picture??
Jiang Nian looked down at her hand, tightly clasped by Lu Yu, and smiled softly.
The photo studio in this era was very simple, and the camera was an old-fashioned type.
The two walked into the photo studio. Inside was a bearded man wearing glasses, with a camera hanging around his neck, looking down at something. Hearing the door open, the man stood up and smiled. "Comrades, taking pictures?"
Lu Yu nodded. When the bearded man asked what kind of picture, Lu Yu simply said, "A picture of two people."
Jiang Nian: ?!!