Chapter 180 Lucky Star

After hearing this, Aunt Yu nodded repeatedly.

"Yes, thankfully our tailor shop is doing alright, otherwise I would be so angry I'd have internal injuries. By the way, Shufen, could you bring back some shoe and hat patterns for me when you go back to Ningcheng this time? I was thinking, if they really can't be relied on, I can't just watch the shop go to waste. I want to start my own business and learn to make some new styles from you; I'm sure someone will buy them."

Zhou Shufen's eyes lit up, and she quickly rummaged through her bag and pulled out a small cloth bag.

"Auntie, your idea is brilliant! There are countless styles of shoes and hats in Ningcheng. Here, these are the samples I specially brought back this time. Take a look and make them yourself. I guarantee they'll be a hit as soon as they hit the shelves!"

"Shufen, you are truly my lucky star!"

Aunt Yu took the sample, her hands trembling slightly.

"With all this knowledge of yours, even this old body of mine wants to give it a shot, to absorb some of your wisdom, and to learn something new. There's no shame in living and learning!"

Yang Yunmu listened from the side, holding a light blue shirt she had just picked out in her hand.

She had remained silent, simply listening quietly to the two elders chatting, but finally couldn't help but speak up.

"Aunt Yu, the clothes you make are so beautiful, every stitch is exquisite, and the neighbors all praise your craftsmanship. If you were to sell these trendy shoes and hats in the future, your shop would definitely be even more popular, and it would be packed with customers. When I come back from Ningcheng, I will definitely come to your shop every day to support you!"

"Your words are like honey; they're so sweet they warm people's hearts."

Grandma Yu held Yang Yunmu's hand, her eyes full of joy, and carefully looked her up and down.

Sunlight streamed in from the doorway, falling on Yang Yunmu's light blue shirt.

"This shirt looks perfect on you. It instantly makes you look more energetic and gives you a confident stride."

She paused, her tone carrying a hint of instruction.

"When you get to Ningcheng, don't be lazy or afraid of hardship. You have to live up to Shufen's kindness. She's willing to help you because she truly considers you one of her own."

Yang Yunmu nodded emphatically.

“I understand, Auntie. I will keep every word you said in mind. I will definitely follow Sister Yu’s lead and learn how to do things and how to be a good person. I will never let Sister Yu down, and I will never let you and Shufen down.”

No sooner had the words left his mouth than light footsteps came from outside.

Immediately afterwards, Aunt Yu's eldest daughter, Li Yun, walked in carrying a plate of freshly cooked mung bean soup.

"Mom, Sister Zhou, it's too hot outside. Have some soup to cool down and relieve the heat."

She smiled and placed the plate on the table.

Zhou Shufen quickly got up, took the bowl, blew on it gently, and took a small sip.

The soup was sweet and slightly cool, and as it slid down my throat, it instantly dispelled the heat in my heart.

"Li Yun, your skills are truly amazing, no exaggeration! They're even better than the ones sold at that old shop at the street corner!"

She exclaimed with genuine admiration, her brows and eyes relaxing.

Li Yun blushed at the praise, lowered her head, and smiled.

"No, Sister Zhou, you flatter me too much. It's just our usual way of making it at home, soaking the mung beans for a little longer and cooking them a little slower, nothing special."

Looking at her daughter, Aunt Yu's eyes were full of relief, and she sighed softly.

"This girl has been down-to-earth since she was little. She's only been learning tailoring from me for a little over a year, but she picked it up very quickly. Now she can handle most of the cutting, pattern making, and hemming work in the shop on her own. She's even better than I was back then."

Zhou Shufen clapped her hands with a smile, her tone sincere.

“Auntie, you have a worthy successor! With Youyun by your side to help you, life will only get better and better. Seeing you and your daughter like this, I am truly happy for you from the bottom of my heart.”

The group sat down and chatted for a while, talking about everyday matters and the latest happenings in town.

As darkness fell, the sunset in the west turned from red to purple.

Zhou Shufen glanced at the sky outside, stood up, and patted the hem of her clothes.

“Auntie, it’s getting late, we should go back. We have to catch the early bus to the station tomorrow, we can’t afford to be late.”

Upon hearing this, Aunt Yu grabbed her hand, preventing her from leaving.

"Don't rush off, I've prepared some things for you."

He turned and went into the house, and a moment later came out carrying a small cloth bag.

Upon opening it, I found homemade dried bamboo shoots and a small packet of red chili peppers.

"Take it with you on the road. When you get to Ningcheng, if you miss home, you can cook a bowl of noodles, add some ingredients, and taste the flavor of home."

Zhou Shufen declined repeatedly.

"This is too much trouble for you, how can we accept it?"

"Take it!"

Aunt Yu stuffed the package into her hands.

"These things aren't worth much, but they're all from my heart. You've stayed with me for so long, like my own daughter. I don't expect anything in return; I just hope you stay safe and sound out there and don't mistreat yourself."

Unable to refuse, Zhou Shufen's eyes welled up with tears, and she had no choice but to accept it.

"Well... thank you so much, ma'am. I will always remember this kindness."

Aunt Yu saw them off until they left.

Watching the two figures gradually disappear into the distance, he didn't forget to raise his voice and give them some final words of advice.

"Once you arrive in Ningcheng, remember to send a message back as soon as possible to let us know you're safe! Don't worry us. I'll take good care of Yu Xin here."

"I understand. Please take good care of yourself and don't overwork yourself."

Zhou Shufen turned around, waved her hand forcefully, and led Yang Yunmu into the deepening night.

Walking along the path back to the department store.

A night breeze caressed my face, and the cicadas chirped sparsely.

Yang Yunmu glanced furtively at the heavy cloth bag in Zhou Shufen's hand.

"Sister Zhou, Aunt Yu has been incredibly kind to you. Her affection for you is even more heartwarming than that of a biological mother."

As Zhou Shufen listened, the corners of her mouth slightly lifted.

She smiled, her tone calm.

"Yes, the old lady is kind-hearted and never holds grudges. She is always honest with people. We are out here making a living, braving wind and rain. It is a blessing from God that we have met such a good person and that God has given us a way to survive."

She didn't mention the past.

At that time, she was so poor that she couldn't even afford a full meal.

The villagers looked down on her, avoided her, and gossiped behind her back that she was "unlucky and brought misfortune to her family."

But during those few days when she was at her lowest point, it was Aunt Yu who secretly slipped her two warm steamed buns.

She chewed that dry, hard bread very slowly.

As I swallowed, my eyes were filled with tears.

Relying on that little bit of warmth, she persevered step by step and survived to this day.

So now, she still believes in an old saying.

A drop of kindness deserves a spring of gratitude; to leave a grudge unavenged is the act of a gentleman.

She didn't want to owe anyone anything, much less forget kindness.

The two had just returned to the department store and hadn't even settled down after pushing open the wooden door.

Then they heard Yang Qingshan arguing loudly from the inner room.

As he passed by a breakfast stall, he spotted Xu Lingling deftly serving fried dough sticks to a customer.

"Two fried dough sticks, three yuan, here you go."

Her hair was tied in a simple bun, with a few stray strands of hair sticking to her forehead in the morning breeze.

The steam rising from the steamer obscured her face.

He stared at her as she collected money, gave change, and greeted the next customer, a calm smile always on her face.

"Pooh!"

He suddenly spat on the ground.

"So what if you got lucky and hooked up with Zhou Shufen? What are you pretending to be so arrogant about! Just wait until I tear this place down, I won't leave her a single brick, let's see if you'll still be laughing then! Let's see how long she can keep up that haughty attitude!"