Since Wang Xiuxiu went to Fuyuan Embroidery Shop to exchange money, the shop has not assigned her any more custom embroidery tasks for several months.
Although Wang Xiuxiu had doubts, she did not investigate further, assuming that the embroidery shop was not doing well or that the owner had other plans.
She has always been a busy person. Since there were no orders, she figured out how to embroider some simple but high-quality double-sided embroidery and prepared to send it to the embroidery shop for consignment.
During her visit to the embroidery workshop, Manager Zheng not only accepted her embroidery but also invited her to the inner room, where he spoke with her at length with a serious expression.
Wang Xiuxiu had a vague feeling that something was wrong, and sure enough, what Manager Zheng said next made her heart sink.
Manager Zheng sighed, his tone tinged with worry: "Miss, recently there has been a lack of rain in Jiuyuan County and even the entire Yazhou. The fields are cracked and dry. It is said that wheat seeds in the fields of several surrounding counties are still sitting in warehouses and cannot be planted at all."
With the spring planting season over, farmers can only look to the sky and sigh, praying for rain.
Upon hearing this, Wang Xiuxiu frowned slightly. "You mean, there might be a drought this year?"
Manager Zheng nodded, his expression growing increasingly grave. "It's too early to say for sure, but if there's still no rain in another month or two, by then all the wheat seeds will have been used for food. It won't just be a simple drought."
How could this happen?
Manager Zheng also sighed heavily and continued, "The master has sent people to inquire everywhere, and the situation is really not optimistic. Even the Sangshui River is now less than half full!"
The Sangshui River is the largest river in Yazhou, nourishing all life in the region.
The irrigation of crops in the fields depends entirely on it. If the Sangshui River were to dry up, no one could imagine the consequences!
Upon hearing this, Wang Xiuxiu's expression became even more serious.
If what Steward Zheng said is true, Yazhou is likely to be plunged into a great disaster.
“Young lady, to be honest, our master has already begun planning to leave Yazhou. He will set off in no more than two months. If you are interested, you can travel with us so that we can look after each other on the road.”
Upon hearing this, Wang Xiuxiu was shocked.
In recent years, Fuyuan Embroidery Workshop has become one of the top embroidery workshops in Jiuyuan County and even the entire Yazhou area. The fact that even they have to evacuate shows how serious the situation is.
She suppressed her unease and forced a smile, saying, "Thank you for informing me, Steward Zheng. I'll think about this carefully when I get back."
After leaving the embroidery workshop, Wang Xiuxiu was still troubled.
I had originally planned to buy some food at the market after selling the embroidery, but now I have completely lost interest.
Back home, Wang Xiuxiu tossed and turned in bed, Zheng's words echoing in her mind.
Drought, evacuation, the drying up of the Sangshui River... these words weighed on her heart like huge stones, making it hard for her to breathe.
Even these wealthy families have gotten wind of this and are preparing to evacuate.
This shows that the drought will not be quelled in just a few months.
Thinking about this, it seemed that only the option of escaping remained for Wang Xiuxiu.
But how can I leave?
Could it be that they're really going to team up with Fuyuan Embroidery Shop?
The next morning, Wang Xiuxiu made an excuse and went to Fuyuan Embroidery Shop again.
During this visit, she keenly noticed a subtle change in Steward Zheng's attitude towards her.
His words lacked their usual respect and carried a more condescending tone.
"Manager Zheng, after much thought, I intend to leave Yazhou with the embroidery workshop. I wonder if you have any conditions?" Wang Xiuxiu asked directly and bluntly.
Upon hearing this, Manager Zheng revealed a meaningful smile.
He slowly took out a contract from the drawer and pushed it in front of Wang Xiuxiu. "Miss, as you know, this evacuation is no small matter. The master is taking away his own people. If you want to come along, you will probably have to sign this contract."
Wang Xiuxiu looked down and her heart sank.
Although it's called a contract, the terms are harsh, almost equivalent to a "contract of servitude."
Wang Xiuxiu frowned slightly, looking troubled. "Manager Zheng, aren't these conditions a bit too harsh?"
Manager Zheng calmly picked up his teacup, gently blew on the tea foam, took a sip, and said, "Miss, as you know, in this world, if it weren't for our years of cooperation, the master wouldn't have been so lenient. Given your current status, it is indeed against the rules. I know you are unwilling to sign a contract of servitude, and these terms were obtained with great effort. If you are still unwilling, you can find another way out."
Wang Xiuxiu sensed the threat in his words and sneered inwardly.
She had expected that Fuyuan Embroidery Workshop wouldn't take her away easily, but she didn't expect them to be so aggressive.
She suppressed her anger and kept her face calm. "Thank you for speaking up for me, Steward Zheng, but this matter is of great importance. Please allow me to go back and discuss it with my family before giving you an answer."
Manager Zheng nodded, his tone tinged with impatience, "Miss, time waits for no one, you must decide as soon as possible."
"Don't worry, I will definitely give you an answer as soon as possible!"
Fuyuan Embroidery Workshop is now renowned and its business is growing bigger and bigger. Naturally, its owners are not willing to be held back by a mere embroiderer like her forever.
It is in a businessman's nature to pursue profit and maximize it.
It's not surprising that they want to use their employment relationship to better control themselves.
But Wang Xiuxiu just wouldn't agree.
Logically speaking, they had no obligation to take Wang Xiuxiu with them to escape and save their lives.
However, Fuyuan Embroidery Shop was convinced that it had no other way out and would choose to leave with them. Therefore, the conditions they put forward all revealed their true colors.
Thinking this, Wang Xiuxiu felt an indescribable sense of disgust.
The decision to cooperate with them was a last resort, made out of sheer desperation.
Even now, just to escape, Wang Xiuxiu is unwilling to sign this damn indenture!
---
As soon as Wang Xiuxiu came out of Fuyuan Embroidery Room, she looked behind her as usual to see if anyone was following her.
Today, her caution truly proved invaluable.
Wang Xiuxiu had been to the county town many times and was very familiar with it.
She wandered through a maze of alleyways, finally bought some food at a local eatery, and then slipped away quietly through the back door, avoiding the eyes of the embroidery workshop.
After navigating several alleys and confirming that no one was following him, he dared to take a car home.
In the days that followed, Wang Xiuxiu never dared to set foot in Fuyuan Embroidery Workshop again.
Fuyuan Embroidery Workshop's behavior is unsightly, so it's a good thing to take this opportunity to cut ties with them.
Even when it was time to go to the county to sell her embroidery, Wang Xiuxiu would always use that as an excuse to go to a bookstore that was much farther away from the embroidery shop, buy books, and take them home to read.
She knew that the owner of Fuyuan Embroidery Workshop had already regarded her as a pawn, and now wanted to take the opportunity to firmly control her.
But how could Wang Xiuxiu be manipulated by others?
In the stillness of the night, Wang Xiuxiu sat under the lamp, pondering her future path.
With drought looming, Yazhou is likely to descend into chaos, and she must make plans as soon as possible.
Although Fuyuan Embroidery Workshop was unreliable, she still had some savings, so perhaps she could look for another way.
She opened the map she had bought from the bookstore, her gaze falling on the vast land beyond Yazhou, and an idea gradually formed in her mind.
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