Chapter 141 Letter
The morning sun shone on the desk. Gu Qiuyue carefully put the yellowed old photo into her notebook. The words "No. 27, Wenhua Road, Provincial Capital" on the back of the photo were like a key, gently knocking on the door in her heart. Perhaps this was the key clue to finding the embroidery inheritor, she thought, and her fingertips gently stroked the young smile of Master Qin in the photo.
"Mom, I can't find my little schoolbag!" Huahua was running around the room anxiously.
Gu Qiuyue collected her thoughts and smiled as she took out a clean army green small bag from the cabinet: "I washed it yesterday and put it here for you."
"Shuangshuang, stop reading picture books and eat breakfast quickly." She said to her daughter again.
Such a morning was ordinary, but she felt it was particularly precious. After completing her daily translation work, she deliberately arrived at the school library early.
Teacher Zhou was tidying up the bookshelf, his reading glasses sliding down to the tip of his nose. "Teacher Gu, you came just in time. I was looking through some old materials yesterday and actually found something."
She tremblingly pulled a brown paper bag from a drawer. "The Provincial Craft Society cultivated quite a few talents back then. The 1953 batch was the most outstanding. It's a shame it was disbanded later."
Gu Qiuyue took the information and her eyes lit up: "Do you remember who the students were at that time? Especially the one with the surname Lin."
"Lin?" Teacher Zhou pushed her glasses. "You mean Master Qin's niece? There seemed to be a girl named Lin who was very skillful, but that was many years ago..." She shook her head. "I'm getting old, and my memory isn't what it used to be."
Although she did not get a definite answer, this information made Gu Qiuyue very excited. After returning home, she tried to send a letter to No. 27 Wenhua Road. Although she was not sure whether the address was still valid, it was still a hope.
During dinner, Xie Shiyu brought back good news: "The training camp roster has been finalized. We'll be leaving next Wednesday."
"Really?" Gu Qiuyue's eyes lit up, but then she became a little worried. "It'll take two weeks."
Xie Shiyu smiled and picked up a piece of braised pork for her. "Time flies. Oh, by the way, I can go to No. 27 Wenhua Road and take a look. Maybe I can find out something."
Gu Qiuyue perked up immediately and told her husband the details he needed to know: a woman surnamed Lin, a veteran employee of the Provincial Arts and Crafts Society, and the embroidery tradition. As she spoke, she wrote down the details on a piece of paper, her handwriting a little sloppy with excitement.
"Don't worry, I remember everything." Xie Shiyu held her hand, "I promise to complete the task."
In the following days, Gu Qiuyue began to write the embroidery chapter. She thought that with her previous accumulation, it would go smoothly. However, when she actually started writing, she found many difficulties. The professional descriptions of many embroidery techniques required more precise expressions, which could not be found in books.
She decided to visit the last old embroiderer in the town, Grandma Li. Grandma Li also worked in the provincial handicraft society when she was young. Although she was not as famous as Master Qin, she was also a recognized embroidery master in the town.
When I pushed open the gate, I saw Grandma Li's granddaughter coming out of the house holding a bowl of medicine.
"Teacher Gu came at the right time. Grandma caught a cold these two days and has been lying in bed and can't get up." She said with a worried look on her face.
Gu Qiuyue's heart tightened and she hurried into the house to check. Grandma Li was lying on the bed with a pale face. Seeing her, she was trying to force herself to sit up.
"Please lie down." Gu Qiuyue quickly stepped forward and held the old man's shoulders. "I just came to see you, but I didn't expect..."
Granny Li coughed a few times and said weakly, "Those embroidery matters will have to wait until I get better..."
"Don't worry about this, take care of your health first." Gu Qiuyue said softly.
From that day on, Gu Qiuyue discussed with her children and temporarily asked Xie Shiyu to pick them up at night, and she would come back later.
When the two clever little kids heard that their mother was going to do good deeds, they supported her very much and said that they were already big kids and could take care of themselves.
Therefore, Gu Qiuyue came to help after school every day, decocting medicine, cooking, and cleaning the yard. She was busy inside and outside. Granny Li's granddaughter was very grateful and always said that she was troubled by her, but Gu Qiuyue just smiled and said: "Granny Li taught me so much, this is what I should do."
After a few days of her careful care, Grandma Li's health improved. Originally, the old lady just caught a cold, but her granddaughter had to go to work and there was no one to take care of her, so her condition got worse. Gu Qiu Ming accompanied her to see the doctor and talked to her to relieve her boredom. So her health got better day by day.
Amidst the busyness, the day for Xie Shiyu to depart arrived.
Early in the morning, Gu Qiuyue packed his luggage and kept reminding him, "Don't just focus on work when you get to the provincial capital. Remember to eat on time. If you can't find anyone, don't force yourself. Safety is the most important thing."
Xie Shiyu fastened his discipline button, smiled and kissed her forehead lightly: "Got it, Teacher Gu, I will call back every day to report the situation."
On the platform, Huahua and Shuangshuang hugged their father's legs, one on each side, and refused to let go. Xie Shiyu squatted down and touched their little heads: "Dad will bring you some candy from the provincial capital. You must listen to Mom, okay?"
The train whistled and went away. Gu Qiuyue held the children's hands, feeling empty in her heart, but she quickly cheered up. Life had to go on and work could not be delayed.
When she was taking care of Grandma Li at her home, she always remembered to bring her notebook and organize the information while the old woman was sleeping. Manager Cheng wrote to inquire about the progress and also sent some reference books, which made Gu Qiuyue both grateful and stressed.
That afternoon, Gu Qiuyue opened the thick "Embroidery Pattern Collection" borrowed from Grandma Li, but inadvertently turned to a yellowed envelope tucked between the pages.
Gu Qiuyue hesitated for a moment, but the postmark date of three months ago on the envelope caught her attention. There was no sender's address on the envelope, only "Teacher Li's Personal Address" was written. She couldn't help but be curious and pulled out the letter paper.
The moment the letter was unfolded, Gu Qiuyue held her breath. The three words "Lin Xiufen" were clearly written at the end - the name that Teacher Zhou vaguely remembered.
The letter was brief, but the words carried the earnestness of a long-awaited reunion: "Teacher, I haven't seen you for many years. How are you? I know you were saddened by what happened back then, but I've never forgotten your teachings. I was recently sorting through some old things and found that double-sided embroidery, 'Spring in the Garden.' Every time I see it, I'm reminded of the days of your guidance... I look forward to your reply."
Gu Qiuyue's hands trembled slightly. Lin Xiufen was actually Granny Li's student, and they'd been in touch recently. What was the "misunderstanding" mentioned in the letter? What kind of work was "Spring in the Garden"? Why had Granny Li never mentioned this student?
She hesitated whether to ask about the letter when she returned the book.
The sunlight outside the window shines through the glass, casting a warm spot of light on the letter paper, as if illuminating a dusty past.
Gu Qiuyue gently folded the letter, countless questions welling up in her mind. Will this unexpected discovery uncover a story that has been buried for many years?
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