"Okay, grandma, take another look at this. Is it too monotonous? Do you want to embroider something?" After solving the filling problem, Xu Manman wanted to add some patterns to it.
"My dear, can you also embroider?"
Li Fang took the pillowcase and looked at it carefully, only to find that although it was simple, the stitches were dense. Thinking about it this way, it was no longer surprising that she could embroider.
She couldn't help but feel a little distressed. She knew better than anyone what her niece was like in the past. Not to say that she was lazy and didn't know the difference between grains, but she had never done housework, let alone cooking or sewing. She had never even touched a needle.
These things are definitely not taught in universities. I must have learned them when I was an educated youth in the countryside. I don’t know how much hardship I went through to become what I am today.
Xu Manman had no idea of her aunt's intricate thoughts. "I can embroider simple patterns, but I can't do those complicated peonies and butterflies." Even if she knew, she couldn't explain it.
Li Fang calmed down a bit, "Then don't make it too complicated. I think the pattern on the door curtain is pretty good. How about we use that?"
"Okay, that's easy. It will be a perfect set and the styles won't be too confusing." Xu Manman, who had found her direction, went out to ask Chen Ming to make a simple bandage for her. By the way, she asked Xu Jianguo to run errands at the supply and marketing cooperative to buy the labor cloth.
To roughly embroider a few simple geometric shapes, Xu Manman used the largest needle and double thread. She had quick hands and could complete one in less than half an hour.
After lunch at noon, the guys cleaned up the kitchen and went out.
Xu Manman was embroidering the third one on the sofa, while Li Fang was stuffing it with torn strips of work cloth and some straw she had found, and then sewing the opening with a needle.
Li Fang pressed the finished pillow, placed it on the sofa, and leaned back. The pillow perfectly supported her waist. "It's really comfortable. Wow, you still have ideas."
Moreover, after Xu Manman embroidered a pattern on the originally blue-gray pillow with colored threads, it became simple yet had a unique beauty.
The mother and daughter were playing with pillows at home when they heard noises coming from outside.
Li Fang had just finished sewing the last stitch, tied a knot, bit off the thread, put the things down, and went out to check.
"Captain Li, you're at home today. I was just looking for you."
There were several military wives standing outside the courtyard wall. The one who was speaking was a middle-aged woman with slightly dark skin, but neatly dressed. She had long white hair that was braided and hung behind her.
"It's Sister Wen. It's very sunny outside. Come in quickly." Li Fang opened the gate and invited everyone in.
Xu Manman, who was in the room, saw the people coming in, and quickly put away her needlework, tidied up the sofa and coffee table, stood up, and greeted the visitors.
"Hello, aunts."
A taller woman smiled when she saw Xu Manman and said, "Oh, this is our niece, right? I haven't seen her for a few years. Now she has really grown into a young lady. She looks so beautiful."
When Xu Manman was a child, she often came to the military area. Her uncle and aunt liked to take her out to play when they were free, so most of the military wives who stayed here for a long time had seen her.
Xu Manman pursed her lips and smiled, "Aunts, please sit down first. I'll go pour tea."
"Don't bother, we'll just sit down and leave."
Li Fang came over and said, "You came to my house and didn't even let me drink water. What do you think I am? Today, our Manman made herbal tea. It's the best way to get rid of the summer heat. It's a good time for everyone to try it."
Xu Manman took out an enamel cup for guests from the kitchen, filled it with cold herbal tea, and then took some biscuits and candies from the cupboard, put them on a tray and prepared to take them out.
The military families who came to the living room today were discussing the art troupe's social activities with Li Fang. Those who came today were all from the Women's Federation, and Li Fang was the director of the art troupe.
"There are quite a few older single men in the army now. The higher-ups want our Women's Federation to take the lead in organizing a social gathering to allow young, unmarried comrades to communicate more."
Li Fang nodded. This was serious business, and it was held almost every year. Their art troupe had the most female soldiers, so it was the bulk of the work for the Women's Federation. "Are we still following the previous year's rules? I'll go back and do a headcount."
Xu Manman came up with a tray, handed teacups to everyone, and placed the plate of snacks on the coffee table. Because her aunt was still talking about serious matters with others, she stayed quiet and did her own thing the whole time.
Mrs. Wen, the long-braided lady who had greeted Li Fang outside the yard before, kept staring at Xu Manman's movements. Xu Manman noticed her gaze and gave her a sweet smile in return.
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