"Wen Qing," Aunt Xiao called softly.

Wen Qing, Tang Quan, and Wang Zhishan turned their heads to look over.

"Wen Qing," Aunt Xiao called out again.

Wen Qing nodded to Aunt Xiao, signaling her to wait a moment, and then said to Tang Quan and Wang Zhishan, "Uncle Tang, Mr. Wang, please sit down for a while. There might be something going on in the shop, so I'll go take care of it."

"Go ahead, go ahead," Tang Quan said with a smile.

Wen Qing then got up, left the private room, and approached Aunt Xiao.

Aunt Xiao immediately greeted him happily: "Wen Qing."

"What's wrong with Aunt Xiao?" Wen Qing asked.

Aunt Xiao suppressed her excitement and whispered, "Someone's buying our khaki pants with front slits, lots of people are buying them!"

"Then sell it," Wen Qing said calmly.

Clearly, Wen Qing's calm reaction did not satisfy Aunt Xiao: "Wen Qing, the clothes were just made and someone is already buying them, why aren't you excited?"

Wen Qing chuckled and joked, "Aunt Xiao, we're people destined for great things. Stay calm, you must stay calm."

"You little rascal," Aunt Xiao said with a smile, genuinely admiring Wen Qing's composure under pressure. Then she asked, "Seriously, how much do these khaki pants cost?"

Wen Qing thought for a moment and said, "Eleven yuan."

"Eleven yuan?" Aunt Xiao exclaimed in surprise, "Wen Qing, isn't that too expensive? The plain weave pants last time were only six yuan, and this khaki is eleven yuan? Isn't that too expensive? Won't they be scared away?"

"No, Aunt Xiao, you get what you pay for. First of all, khaki fabric is of higher quality than plain weave fabric because of the high-waisted, wide-leg design, which uses more material than plain weave. Then there are the zippers, wide elastic bands, and decorative buttons, all of which contribute to the cost. Finally, the girls who like these pants are all people with good taste and financial means; they will buy them," Wen Qing said with a smile.

Aunt Xiao asked suspiciously, "Really?"

Wen Qing nodded: "Aunt Xiao, you can try it when you get back if you don't believe me."

"Okay." Aunt Xiao agreed decisively, but was stopped by Wen Qing as soon as she took a step.

"What's wrong?" Aunt Xiao asked.

Wen Qing called over a errand boy from the Peace Hotel. The errand boy carried a wooden food box and a cloth bag of white steamed buns.

Wen Qing said, "Aunt Xiao, there's a food box and a bag of steamed buns backstage. Take them and eat with everyone."

"Wen Qing, this won't do, this won't do. We're getting paid by you, how can we eat your food, especially your wheat flour food?" Aunt Xiao repeatedly declined.

“Aunt Xiao, take it. I’ve already paid. Today is the first day of Fengqing Clothing, how can I let you go hungry? It’s a good omen if you all eat your fill, don’t you think?” Wen Qing asked.

Aunt Xiao was deeply moved. She was so grateful to Wen Qing that she would do anything for him.

"Take it. It's lunchtime now, you can eat together," Wen Qing advised.

"Okay, then I'll take it." Aunt Xiao had a lot of gratitude in her heart, but it would seem pretentious to say it out loud, so she could only work harder. Aunt Xiao picked up the bag of white flour buns and the food box.

Wen Qing handed her another oil paper package and said, "Pengpeng loves braised pig's trotters. There's only one left at the restaurant today. Take it to him. Also, you and Mom should eat more meat. Don't let Wen Liang cheat on you."

"Okay," Aunt Xiao replied with a smile.

Aunt Xiao carried steamed buns and a food box, and took the errand boy from the Peace Hotel back to Fengqing Garment Shop, but she didn't go to eat immediately.

Instead, they sold khaki pants first.

Upon hearing Qing's words, Aunt Xiao told the customers in the store that a pair of dark khaki high-waisted wide-leg pants would cost eleven yuan.

None of the customers in the store spoke; instead, they touched their pants and discussed the matter.

"This is the first time I've ever seen clothing with zippers."

"This wide elastic band around the waist can make my waist look slimmer."

"How beautiful are you?"

"..."

These people were discussing the style, fabric, and pattern of the clothes, as if they weren't listening to Aunt Xiao.

Aunt Xiao had to repeat herself: "These pants are eleven yuan a pair." Afraid they wouldn't buy them if they heard the price, she added, "These pants are khaki, durable, wear-resistant, and won't deform. And the zipper..."

Before Aunt Xiao could finish speaking, a short-haired girl said, "Boss, I want two sets."

Aunt Xiao was taken aback, but then emphasized again, "Two for twenty-two yuan."

Without saying a word, the short-haired girl took out two ten-yuan bills and two one-yuan bills and handed them to Aunt Xiao. Aunt Xiao took the twenty-two yuan a beat late.

Yao Shiling quickly grabbed Wen Qing's specially made green cloth bag and used it to pack clothes for the short-haired girl.

The short-haired girl's generosity was remarkable; the other girls quickly followed suit and pulled out their money as well.

Originally, there was only a little over a day to make sixty pieces, and the ten tailors made them all. They were all sold out at once, and many girls missed out. They specifically told Aunt Xiao that they would come to buy them tomorrow.

Aunt Xiao smiled and nodded in agreement: "Okay, okay, there will definitely be goods tomorrow."

At this moment, Yao Shiling wished she knew how to make clothes with a sewing machine.

After seeing off the customers, it was lunchtime, and everyone went home for dinner. Apart from family members, there was no one else in Fengqing Garment Shop.

The fifteen tailors, who were planning to finish work and go home for lunch, were stopped by Aunt Xiao. Aunt Xiao took out two food boxes of vegetables and two bags of white flour buns, and conveyed Wen Qing's words, which made the fifteen tailors feel that they had followed a good employer.

This employer is young, good-looking, capable, decisive, and generous. The five tailors who were previously hesitant are now determined to follow Wen Qing.

Looking across the entire Wangcheng County, which boss is as generous and wealthy as Wen Qing? He must be loyal.

Fifteen tailors sat around, enjoying large chunks of meat with steamed buns. Wen Qing thoughtfully ordered scallions and soybean paste. In those days, most families hadn't even solved their basic needs for food and clothing, so Wen Qing's meal was a real treat for the fifteen tailors.

Everyone ate heartily, heads down, even using steamed buns to wipe away the oil droplets stuck to their fingers before chewing them with relish, feeling grateful to Wen Qing.

Wen Peng didn't even look up, grabbing the braised pork trotter and munching away.

“Wen Qing loves to feed Wen Peng, and look how much fatter Wen Peng’s face has become,” Yao Shiling said with a smile.

Wen Liang immediately poured cold water on the idea: "But he's still dark-skinned."

"I'm dark-skinned because I cut grass for the cows every day and get sunburnt from it," Wen Peng explained.

Yao Shiling and Aunt Xiao laughed.

Yao Shiling picked up some food and asked, "Aunt Xiao, has Wen Qing eaten?"

"I ate. When I arrived, the dishes had already been served in the private room."

"That's good." Yao Shiling was slightly relieved, then added, "Wen Qing needs to eat more; she's too thin."

"Not too thin, just right, looks good." Wen Peng said with a greasy mouth, "Big sister is the most beautiful."

"Enjoy your food," Yao Shiling said with a smile.

Meanwhile, Wen Qing, Tang Quan, and Wang Zhishan had almost finished eating when Wang Zhishan brought up his suggestion again.

"Actually, the competition is very simple. As long as you produce a piece of clothing, it won't interfere with your business at all." Wang Zhishan loves fashion design and especially likes to look at the development of a country through a piece of clothing. He and a few friends are preparing to hold a national fashion competition, which only judges the clothing and selects the best pieces.

Tang Quan had been recommending Wen Qing to him. He inquired about Wen Qing's background and felt that a rural girl without relevant education wouldn't produce any amazing works, so he wasn't very interested in her. However, he couldn't resist Tang Quan's strong recommendation, so he decided to come with Tang Quan with a casual attitude.

Having come all this way, he was convinced it was worth it. Regardless of Wen Qing's good looks, the exquisite craftsmanship of her clothes, or the subtle details hidden in her shoes, her entire outfit was perfectly harmonious, beautiful from afar, pleasing to the eye up close, and stunning to behold.

When he asked Wen Qing if she had made the clothes, and she answered yes, he made up his mind to make sure that Wen Qing's work was submitted to his competition.

“Yes, Wen Qing, as long as you produce the drawings and the clothes, you can continue doing business without any problems,” Tang Quan advised.

Wen Qing thought for a moment and said, "We need to make a special note about the name 'Feng Qing'."

“No problem.” Wang Zhishan was overjoyed and quickly wrote down his address, telling Wen Qing to finish the drawing and the clothes, and then mail them to him. To show his sincerity, he told Wen Qing to keep a copy of the drawing and to keep a copy of the mailed item; he would never steal the drawing.

Wen Qing smiled and said, "Okay."

Wang Zhishan happily rushed to pay the bill, but Wen Qing had a habit of leaving money at the front desk before treating someone to a meal. So Wang Zhishan didn't pay, but he was once again impressed by Wen Qing. After all, in this era, there are very few girls as independent and opinionated as her.

Wang Zhishan was happy to have met Wen Qing.

When they parted, Wang Zhishan repeatedly emphasized, "Don't forget to send me the paintings and clothes, don't forget."

"Okay, okay, okay," Wen Qing said repeatedly.

After saying goodbye to Wang Zhishan and Tang Quan, Wen Qing turned around and saw five people standing not far away, staring straight at her.

Wen Qing was startled.

Aunt Xiao and Yao Shiling were also puzzled.

"Is there anything I can help you with?" Aunt Xiao asked.

The five people said in unison, "We are tailors."

Aunt Xiao suddenly realized that the reason she hadn't come to the station with the remaining five tailors was because of the news that "Aunt Xiao's tailor shop was going to close down." They were afraid they wouldn't get their wages, so they hadn't come. But now that Aunt Xiao's tailor shop hadn't closed down and was instead showing up with a different kind of swagger, the five of them were eager to come over.

"Young boss." One of the five tailors called out to Wen Qing, "Young boss, my child was crying and wouldn't let go this morning, but his grandma is back now, so I came over right away."

"I got the time wrong."

"I got lost along the way."

My mother is sick today.

"I'm going to my child's house."

The five tailors each had their own version of events and their own grievances. Aunt Xiao and Yao Shiling thought that it just so happened that there were five sewing machines idle in Fengqing Clothing Shop, and it was just in time for these five people to come.

"Boss, look, can we get to work now?"

Aunt Xiao immediately smiled, but before she could open her mouth, Wen Qing interrupted her, saying, "I'm so sorry, Fengqing Garment Factory has already hired twenty people."

Aunt Xiao, Yao Shiling, and the five tailors were all stunned.

They're fully staffed? How could that be? There are clearly five sewing machines in the shop that no one is using.

"Young boss, there's a reason we didn't come on time..." a tailor said with a forced smile.

Wen Qing smiled and said, "Madam, no matter what the reason, if you had just told us, we would have waited for you. But you stood us up without saying a word. We need our clothes urgently and can't wait."

Upon hearing Wen Qing's words, the five tailors felt ashamed. They blamed themselves for believing the rumors. They lived so close to home, yet earned only twenty or thirty yuan a month. Where in the county town could they find such a job?

The five tailors were filled with remorse and slunk away.

Aunt Xiao watched the five tailors walk away, then turned to ask, "Wen Qing, we clearly haven't hired anyone, we're clearly short-staffed, why didn't you use them?"

Wen Qing said seriously, "Breaking a promise is dishonest. Changing your mind based on rumors is indecisive. When they see that we have the strength to refute the rumors, they shamelessly come knocking on our door again. That's selfish and unprincipled. Such people are a burden when they are incompetent, and they may become troublemakers when they are capable."

Aunt Xiao was taken aback. She hadn't expected Wen Qing to be so perceptive. She had always thought Wen Qing would only smile at people, but today she witnessed her serious side.

A troublemaker? Yes, very likely.

Wen Qing did the right thing.

Yao Shiling looked at her daughter with satisfaction and nodded secretly. She was proud that her daughter was more capable than her, but at the same time, she thought that the five sewing machines couldn't just sit idle, so she asked, "Wen Qing, where can we find five tailors to fill the remaining positions?"

Wen Qing smiled and said, "Mom, don't worry, someone will come to us on their own." With that, Wen Qing pulled Yao Shiling into the shop. The shop had been cleaned up and renovated. Wen Qing didn't really need to worry too much about making the clothes. She gave them the clothes, assigned them tasks, and Aunt Xiao and Bao Hong supervised the completion of the work.

Wen Qing was also exhausted after a long day. She had to go to school tomorrow and also had a competition entry she had promised Wang Zhishan, so she didn't plan to stay at Fengqing Garment Factory any longer. After telling Aunt Xiao, she was about to leave.

Bao Hong stopped her and asked, "Sister Wenqing, under what circumstances are the goods in that consignment store you mentioned unsold? Under what circumstances are they unsold? I haven't thought of it yet."

Wen Qing laughed, "What a serious girl." Wen Qing then turned to Wen Peng, who was counting glass beads in her palm, and asked, "Pengpeng, do you know under what circumstances the goods in a consignment store might not sell?"

Wen Peng looked up at Wen Qing and thought for a moment: "Big sister, how could the goods in the consignment shop not sell? In our Shuiwan Village, that little consignment shop sells everything and people buy it. The things that can't be sold must be things we don't know about or can't see."

“Yes,” Wen Qing said.

Bao Hong stared in disbelief: "That's right?"

Wen Qing smiled and said, "It's that simple. To sell a product, first of all, everyone needs to know that the product exists. The more people know about it, the better it sells. Conversely, products that no one knows about or can see will not sell."

After saying that, Wen Qing left.

Bao Hong still didn't understand, while Aunt Xiao thought about it again and again.

Bao Hong turned to ask, "Aunt Xiao, what does Sister Wen Qing mean?"

Aunt Xiao hadn't figured it out yet. She went into the shop, took a sip of water, cut a piece of cloth, and then suddenly had a flash of inspiration and asked, "Bao Hong, don't you think the news that 'Aunt Xiao's tailor shop is going to close down' is a bit far-fetched?"

"How is it fake?"

“We have ten sewing machines in our shop, worth one or two thousand yuan. How come just because we tore down the storefront sign, people are saying that Aunt Xiao's tailor shop is going to go out of business? Who spread this rumor first?”

"Who spread it?" Bao Hong asked.

Aunt Xiao shook her head: "I don't know either, let's ask Wen Qing tomorrow."

Meanwhile, Wen Qing had already walked onto the dirt road. The weather was slightly cool. Wen Qing took Yao Shiling's arm and walked slowly, saying, "Mom, today Uncle Tang and that Mr. Wang said they wanted to take my paintings to participate in the competition."

What competition?

"Costume competition".

"What kind of competition is that?" Yao Shiling didn't understand, but she was more concerned about the result: "You agreed?"

"Hmm." Wen Qing nodded, then smiled at Yao Shiling and said, "I really want to win the championship."