Chapter 100
Three years later, in Teacher Yezi's live stream, a girl wearing a white cotton dress and with her hair tied in a fishtail braid with a light green ribbon at the end was explaining to the online viewers how to embroider. Although she wore a mask and kept her head down the whole time, the occasional glimpse of her delicate eyebrows and eyes when she raised her chin was stunning enough. Coupled with her gentle tone and warm white lighting, she gave off a sense of tranquility and peace.
A girl's voice came in from the side, speaking in a natural, conversational style, "Alright, that concludes the explanation of how to embroider mandarin ducks. Next up is daily life tips sharing time. Today, Teacher Yezi will teach you how to turn old jeans into a denim skirt."
Teacher Ye nodded, picked up an old pair of jeans from the side, and although she was wearing a mask, her voice was still as clear as a babbling brook as she demonstrated and explained.
"First, use a seam ripper to open the inner seam of the pants, then remove the crotch area. After opening everything, lay the pants flat at a 90-degree angle and cut off the excess fabric at the front and back of the pants. Then, the left and right sides are the front and back seams of the skirt. First, sew the front seam back on. You can sew along the original seams of the pants, which is easier and prevents crookedness. When sewing the back piece, sew only up to the lower middle part, leaving a section for the slit. Fold the sides of the slit inward and sew them together. That's how you make a denim skirt."
The comments section was filled with praise.
Teacher Yezi is amazing!
I love watching Teacher Yezi's live streams; I always learn some practical life skills.
I've written down the process, and after it's over, I'm going to dig out an old pair of jeans and try it out.
[After learning from Teacher Yezi, I feel like I'm a successful fashion designer.]
Wearing old clothes in new ways and making use of waste—this concept is fantastic! No wonder Teacher Yezi was able to carve out her own niche in the ever-evolving live-streaming industry.
The narrator's voice came in again, "Alright, there are still 10 minutes left in the live stream. Does anyone have any questions for Teacher Yezi?"
"Teacher Yezi, will this Friday's live stream be about embroidery or clothing making?"
"I do live streams on Wednesdays and Fridays. Normally, I talk about embroidery on Wednesdays and clothing making on Fridays. I will continue from last Friday's lesson and talk about how to make and sew puff sleeves."
"Teacher Yezi, I have a baseball jacket that I really like. Yesterday during my art class, I accidentally got red paint on it, and I can't wash it off. Could you help me fix it?"
"The paint can't be washed off, so I don't have a solution for that. However, you can cover the paint stain with embroidery. If you're okay with that, you can contact customer service and have the garment sent back to us."
"Yes, yes."
"Ms. Ye, I'm getting married soon and haven't found a suitable dress yet. I've taken a liking to a custom-made cheongsam in your shop, but I'd like to add my own ideas to the embroidery pattern. Can you customize it for me?"
"Of course, but we do custom orders. If everything is made to match the styles on the link, it usually ships within 45 days after you place the order. However, if your requirements change, we will discuss and finalize all the details with you before shipping within 45 days. Please be aware of this. I wonder if it will be able to meet your wedding date?"
"Yes, my wedding is in three months."
"Then you can contact customer service and tell them your needs."
"Teacher Yezi, can you take off your mask? Judging from your voice and demeanor, you seem to be a very gentle person. Your fans all want to see your face."
Teacher Ye didn't speak about this issue; it was the narrator who blocked it.
"Teacher Yezi isn't pretty and is afraid of scaring everyone, hahaha, just kidding. Longtime fans know that Teacher Yezi has explained that she's a very shy person and suffers from agoraphobia. She'd be terrified if she were fully exposed on camera and wouldn't know how to communicate with everyone. I believe the viewers who come to the live stream are attracted and impressed by Teacher Yezi's exquisite embroidery and clothing-making skills. I think what makes someone so popular isn't just their appearance, but more about their inner excellence, and Teacher Yezi is that kind of person. Perhaps one day Teacher Yezi will overcome her fear and no longer be afraid of facing crowds, then she can take off her mask and meet everyone openly. Let's give her some more time. Thank you to all her fans who love her."
"I support Teacher Ye Zi."
"We will always be with Teacher Yezi."
"I love Teacher Yezi, I love life."
"I love Teacher Yezi, I love life."
...
Downstairs, a silver BMW was parked at the entrance, and a man with delicate features, dressed in black casual clothes, got out of the car.
As the man walked in, the boy who was packing packages at the door stood up, a simple smile on his face, and said in a slightly hesitant voice, "Brother Han, you're here."
Han Ming patted his head, "Xiao Wei is getting better and better. You've packed so much already. Have you kept a record of all the package deliveries?"
Xiao Wei nodded earnestly, then immediately turned around and took the laptop from the table next to him to show Han Ming, confidently displaying his achievements, "Brother Han, look, I entered all the data in the table by myself."
The rules and regulations were clear and concise. "Hmm, not bad."
Xiao Wei smiled and said, "I will continue to work hard. Now I can not only take good care of myself, but I will also be able to take good care of my sister in the future."
Han Ming smiled too, "If your sister heard what you said, she would definitely be very pleased."
Xiao Wei put his index finger to his lips, pretending to be mysterious, "Now everyone calls me 'sister,' or 'Teacher Ye Zi.'"
"Yes, we all like Teacher Ye very much," Han Ming echoed with a smile.
Xiao Wei, whose full name is Qin Wei, is Lin Ting's half-brother, the son of Qin Qiang and Xie Yuling. He is now nineteen years old, but apart from his height and build matching his age, his mentality and behavior are only that of a ten-year-old.
Three years ago, Qin Qiang was arrested for bribery and embezzlement. Soon after, the Xie family also collapsed. Xie's father was arrested for the same crime, and Xie's mother suffered a heart attack and died suddenly due to the stress. Xie Yuling watched helplessly as her husband and father were arrested one after another, and her mother suddenly died. The successive blows caused her to completely lose her mind. She was sent to a mental hospital by the police for treatment and was in a daze all day long, crying and making a fuss.
The family only had sixteen-year-old Qin Wei left. Because he was too old and had intellectual disabilities, he could not be sent to an orphanage. Relatives also stayed far away because of the Xie family's troubles, and no one was willing to take him in.
At this time, the police found Lin Ting. Lin Ting had handed over all the demolition compensation money of the old house to the court to make up for the hole caused by Qin Qiang's crime, in accordance with Lin Qin's last wish. He also prayed that the court could give him a lighter sentence. The two million yuan compensation money resulted in Qin Qiang being sentenced to ten years less, and he was eventually sentenced to eight years in prison.
On the day the court finally delivered its verdict, Qin Qiang, wearing a prison uniform and sporting a shaved head, looked full of remorse and wept bitterly. When he raised his arm to wipe his face, tears and snot were all over his face.
"I'm sorry, Lin Ting, I'm so sorry, my daughter."
Lin Ting remained expressionless. He had apologized too many times, but what good did it do? The past could not be undone. The mistakes and sins he had committed brought real pain, and his mother was trapped in that situation for the rest of her life.
"The only person you've wronged is my mother; she thought of you until her death."
Qin Qiang lowered his head, large tears dripping uncontrollably onto the gleaming handcuffs, each tear clearly reflecting his guilt and remorse.
“If I survive, I will spend the rest of my life repenting to your mother, apologizing to her, and staying by her side, even if it’s just to her tombstone.”
Lin Ting didn't speak. At this point, perhaps he was being sincere.
The prison guards escorted Qin Qiang away. The dim light in the corridor cast a long shadow of him, as if he were walking into an endless abyss, a place filled with loneliness and pain.
A pang of pain rose in Lin Ting's heart. That was the person with whom she shared the closest and deepest blood relation, the person Lin Qin had loved her whole life. Until her death, he remained the gentle and upright young man she had first fallen in love with.
Hopefully, he can truly repent and enjoy a peaceful and tranquil old age when he is released.
As Lin Ting walked into the police station, he saw Qin Wei huddled in a corner, trembling. He couldn't hear anything the police officers around him were saying, and he covered his ears, looking ahead with helpless and fearful eyes.
Lin Ting had met her half-brother when he was very young. Back then, Xie Yuling would show him off like a baby, occasionally carrying him around near Lin Ting's house. It was clearly a provocation to Lin Qin, since she had a son while Lin Ting had a daughter. It was obvious who was more powerful.
Later, when Qin Wei grew up, Xie Yuling noticed something was wrong with him. He was mute, had low intelligence, and couldn't even take care of himself. So she stopped taking him out and kept him locked up at home every day. He never even went to school.
Qin Wei is already fifteen years old. His features resemble Xie Yuling's a bit more, but his eyes are clear and his face is round. He did not inherit Xie Yuling's sharp and mean-spirited nature.
When the police saw Lin Ting arrive, they were overjoyed, as if they had seen a lifeline. "Ms. Lin, you've finally arrived! This child has been at the police station since yesterday, and hasn't spoken, drunk any water, eaten any food, or allowed anyone to approach him."
Lin Ting found it ridiculous, "So you think he'll listen to me just because I'm here?" Even if Qin Wei is mentally challenged, he still grew up in a complete family with both parents, which is also solid evidence of Qin Qiang's mistakes. How is Lin Ting supposed to face this?
The police didn't expect her to say that. During the investigation, they learned about the relationship between Qin Qiang and Lin Ting. The fact that she used the demolition compensation to help her cheating father pay for his crime showed that she was a kind, filial, and family-loving person at heart. Her half-brother was also family, and she wouldn't stand idly by.
“You are also his sister, and none of his other relatives are willing to take him in.”
"Then send him to an orphanage or other social welfare institution. Why must I take him in? How did he come to be here? What did his mother do to my mother? You must have known all of this during your investigation. Why should I take care of him despite past grievances?" Lin Ting appeared calm, but everyone could hear the anger in her voice.
The police officer kindly advised, "In his condition, it would be difficult for him to receive good care if he were sent to an orphanage. He might even be bullied by other children. Those mistakes were made by the parents, and we can't blame him entirely. Ms. Lin, he is the only direct relative you can see regularly now. I think the fact that you came here means that you really do care about him."
With her mother gone, her father arrested, and a half-brother with intellectual disabilities left behind, Lin Ting sighed, looking up at her broken life, tears welling up in her eyes.
Why must I bear all the consequences myself? Everything I've experienced during this time feels like I've rolled through hell, and when I finally crawled out, I was riddled with holes and covered in blood.
This time, she's going to be a little selfish and not care about anything.
So he turned and left.
But as she took a step, a voice called out from behind, "Sister." It was timid, soft, and pitiful.
That one sound shattered all of Lin Ting's defenses. Turning to look at the lonely and miserable figure huddled in the corner, it was as if he had traveled through time and saw himself in that figure when he was ten years old and was kicked out of his home on a rainy New Year's Eve.
Yes, what did he do wrong? He was just a victim too.
In the end, Lin Ting reached out and took Qin Wei away.
After the old house was demolished, Lin Ting left Lizhen and moved to Nanchengli. To make a living, she first took over Lin Qin's embroidery business. Later, she discovered a business opportunity while buying vegetables at the farmers' market. She saw that old women often set up temporary stalls to repair clothes for the surrounding residents, but they were not there often, and the stalls were not fixed. Moreover, the scope of clothing repair was limited. They could only sew, replace zippers, or shorten the length of clothes. If there was a hole, there was nothing they could do. But for Lin Ting, she could repair clothes by embroidery or appliqué.
Fortunately, there was still some money in the card, which was the compensation given to him when he left the M Group. So he used it to rent a small shop in the market, repairing clothes for people and taking embroidery jobs.
Life was alright. She was busy every day, with people coming and going in the market, and all sorts of noises and the aroma of food made her feel like she was living in a real, bustling world. She didn't feel lonely or isolated, and she didn't often think about her painful past.
Lin Ting took Qin Wei for a comprehensive examination and he was diagnosed with severe autism, requiring professional rehabilitation. So Lin Ting found a special institution in the county to provide him with full-day rehabilitation intervention. Although Qin Wei had intellectual disability, he did not have serious emotional or behavioral problems. Although he did not adapt at first, he gradually became able to speak and take care of himself under the intervention of the rehabilitation teacher. He also developed cognition and was found to be very sensitive to numbers and had a high memory.
Lin Ting was somewhat gratified, at least Qin Qiang had created some value in his life.
The gears of wealth began to turn, and a windfall of riches rained down on Lin Ting. A long-time customer's beloved embroidered cheongsam had become moldy due to improper storage, leaving it beyond repair. However, considering the customer's deep affection for it, Lin Ting offered to restore it to its original condition—not exactly identical, but 90% possible. Hearing this, the customer was overjoyed and agreed to Lin Ting's offer.
Lin Ting, on a whim, filmed the process of restoring the cheongsam, edited it, and posted it online, attracting the attention of many netizens. The successful restoration also brought in many new customers who came to Lin Ting for custom orders. Lin Ting filmed the garment-making process and embroidery techniques and posted them online. Gradually, a video account called "Teacher Ye Zi" became popular online, emerging as a unique force and quickly gaining millions of followers. She also started live streaming, mainly teaching netizens embroidery, garment making, and restoration.
Strangely, Teacher Ye always wears a mask in all her videos and live streams, never participates in any public appearances, and doesn't accept advertisements. Her income mainly comes from custom clothing and clothing restoration.
Business improved, so Lin Ting expanded the shop to two floors and hired three master embroiderers, two sample garment makers, two after-sales customer service representatives, and an assistant named Xiaoyuan to handle business coordination.
With a dedicated person helping with the business, Lin Ting was able to focus on doing things she enjoyed, such as researching intangible cultural heritage related to clothing.
For example, they made a set of Hanfu using silk flower techniques, a set of headdresses using cloisonné techniques, and woven Shu brocade, which is amazing and has resulted in a high number of video views and reposts.
Last year, he also received the honorary title of Outstanding Cultural Inheritor awarded by the central government.
As her popularity grew, she attracted business collaborations. Some niche clothing brands approached Ms. Ye for collaborative designs. Ms. Ye was mainly responsible for the embroidery pattern design. The patterns were exquisite, the shapes were vivid, and they were full of ethnic characteristics. It was hard to find similar ones on the market, and they were well received by consumers as soon as they were launched.
The more famous Teacher Yezi is online, the less people know about the real person behind this internet celebrity. Whenever she appears on camera, she wears a mask. In videos or live streams, she usually only shows her profile or is working with her head down. When people want to collaborate with her, it's always her assistant, Xiaoyuan, who handles the process. She never shows her face or gets involved. She is both an internet celebrity and a mysterious figure. It is this mystery, this refusal to follow the crowd or act out of line, that makes her a breath of fresh air in the online world and deeply loved by her fans.
Xiaoyuan came down from the second floor first and saw Han Ming standing in the lobby on the first floor. "Mr. Han, you've arrived?"
"Hmm, the live stream is over?"
"It just finished. Teacher Ye is tidying up upstairs and will be down soon."
"Xiaoyuan seems to be in a good mood. Is business doing well lately?"
Xiaoyuan was a straightforward girl, and she said proudly, "Of course, the line of people wanting to cooperate with us is practically stretching from the gate to Tiananmen Square." But then she remembered something and her expression turned troubled. "You should advise the teacher that since the business is so upscale, our store should also be upscale. We don't need to move to a high-end business district, but at least it should be on a fashionable and bustling street. Staying in this farmers' market is too low-class."
Han Ming smiled, looking at the bustling crowds outside, and joked, "Isn't this quite lively?"
Xiaoyuan shut up, speechless.
"Okay, I'll try to persuade her, but as you know, your master isn't someone that can be easily persuaded."
Hearing that Han Ming was willing to persuade her, Xiao Yuan immediately felt better. It wasn't that she insisted on moving, but several times when people came to her door and saw that it was a shop in a farmers' market, their first reaction was that it was a scam group. Xiao Yuan always had to explain, which was too tiring.
"Don't worry, we're just ordinary people, but Mr. Han is a special person in the teacher's eyes." After all, apart from Han Ming, Xiaoyuan had never seen Lin Ting have any other male friends.
Hearing Xiaoyuan say this, Han Ming was secretly delighted. Perhaps his companionship over the past two years would yield the results he wanted.
Back then, he rushed Lin Ting back to her hometown and accompanied her through the grief of losing her mother. He originally wanted to spend more time with her, but he had to return to Haishi due to work commitments. Lin Ting, in order to deal with Qin Qiang's matter, also wanted to sever all ties with the past. After Han Ming left, she blocked all his contact methods, and the two lost contact.
At the beginning of last year, at a banquet, Han Ming's borrowed high-end dress was accidentally spilled with red wine, leaving a stain on the cuff. Unable to return it to the brand, and feeling it would be a waste to throw it away, he asked his assistant to find someone to repair it. The assistant later found Ms. Ye Zi online. It was only after seeing the stain transform into a beautiful gardenia, and comparing it to Lin Ting's design draft, that Han Ming understood.
He immediately went to the mailing address, and when he saw the figure he had longed for again, his anxious heart was at peace and he felt satisfied.
This time, I will not let go no matter what.
Soon, Lin Ting came down from the second floor, wearing a white dress, graceful and elegant, just as Han Ming had dreamed of, ethereal and serene.
"How long have you been here?"
"Just arrived."
"Can we go out for dinner now?"
"good."
The two shared lunch at a newly opened Mexican restaurant in the south of the city. Han Ming scooped a spoonful of macaroni from his plate and put it in Lin Ting's bowl. "Eat more, it tastes pretty good."
"Thanks."
Compared to Western food, Lin Ting misses the spicy and tangy, steaming hot fish hot pot even more.
Han Ming took out a key and placed it on the table. "A villa community just opened in the south of the city. I bought one, and I'd like you and Xiao Wei to move in together so I can take care of you."
Lin Ting didn't answer. She understood Han Ming's thoughts. She had experienced two devastating relationships and didn't want to go through that again. Everything that had happened over the years had robbed her of the ability to love. She was content with her peaceful life now and didn't want to change anything or have anyone else interfere.
“Your work is mainly in Haishi. If you settle down here, the frequent commutes will be exhausting.” He even joked, “If I move in and get photographed, I’ll be on the front page again.”
Han Ming shook his head, "No, my career plans have changed a long time ago. I can only be considered a semi-insider."
Indeed, after leaving Qin Fei, Han Ming turned to stage plays. With his superb acting skills and powerful stage presence, he quickly established himself in the theater world. Many of his plays received excellent reviews and were sold out. He thoroughly enjoyed this pure form of performance, free from the cutthroat competition for billing, screen time, and other personalities. When scripts came his way, he was willing to take on any role, big or small, if it suited him and he liked it, no longer caring whether it was a lead or supporting role.
After his career ambitions subsided, he was more willing to spend more time with Lin Ting. In the end, it was all about time that he was able to win her over, and people's hearts can be warmed up eventually too.
Lin Ting explained, "Where I live now is very close to the store, and also close to Xiaowei's rehabilitation center. I also know the neighbors quite well, so it's very convenient."
Han Ming smiled and said, "When we were in the store, Xiao Yuan even asked me to persuade you to move the store because the surrounding environment doesn't match high-end customization."
"Don't listen to her. I've been working at the farmers' market for so many years and I've developed a strong bond with everyone. The experienced workers in the shop all live in the nearby neighborhood, and it's only a few minutes' walk to work. If we move, it will be difficult for them to get to work. Besides, I love the environment there. It's lively and bustling every day, with a vibrant atmosphere. The shop owners around here are all very kind to me, often bringing me food to their shops, which makes me feel less lonely and isolated, and even more fulfilled. In addition, the success of a business has nothing to do with where the shop is located. I'm confident in the reputation I've built up over the years."
Having said all that, and with her attitude very clear, Han Ming couldn't press the matter any further, but he still made her accept the key.
"Alright, then for the sake of our friendship, the villa is being renovated and a new round of theatrical tour starts next month, so can you keep an eye on the renovation progress for me?"
"Alright."
Han Ming: "What about the new project I mentioned last time? I think it's a great opportunity. This new project is invested in by CCTV, and it's a huge production, an epic masterpiece. I'll also be playing a role in it. I met with the director and producer last time, and I showed them your videos and work. They really appreciate your embroidery skills and know that you're familiar with ancient costume history, so they want you to join them to design and produce the costumes for the characters. Why don't you come back to Haishi with me tomorrow to meet them?"
Lin Ting hesitated. Haishi was a city she never wanted to set foot in again in her life. It had buried her dreams, destroyed her love, and caused her too much pain.
Han Ming knew what she was worried about. "It's been a long time since then. Everyone has long forgotten who was who. You are not the Lin Ting of the past. You are the Lin Ting of today. You are also the beloved Teacher Ye Zi. You have talent and ability, and you deserve a broader stage. Don't let the bad things of the past hold you back. Your footsteps should travel the world with your abilities, instead of staying in the store or in the video."
"Don't refuse so easily or make a hasty decision. Think it over carefully, okay?"
Lin Ting nodded.
Near the end of lunch, Han Ming asked her, "You still have feelings for him, don't you?"
The two of them knew perfectly well who "he" was.
Lin Ting didn't answer, but her eyes flashed with regret, pain, and longing.
Falling in love is easy, but forgetting is hard.
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