Chapter 265: Traveling back from the modern times to the 20th year of the Republic of China

Yao Rong came to participate in this cultural salon, and the main purpose was to find a way to get Ye Heqi into the girls' school.

Whether in the modern life or in this life in the Republic of China, Ye Heqi was just an ordinary person.

The accumulation of two lives has allowed her vision and knowledge to surpass most of her peers. Her once sickly body has honed her mind, but she still has a lot to learn and improve.

And a child of her age also needs to get to know more people of the same age.

Entering a girls' school is the best choice at the moment.

Yao Rong learned a lot from Fan Xiangxue. For

example, Shanghai Girls' Middle School recruits a group of students in early spring every year, and as long as they pass the exam, they can enter the school smoothly.

This year, Fan Xiangxue is in charge of the enrollment. The registration time is set on March 5th, and the examination time is set on March 10th.

This examination mainly tests the students' Chinese and mathematics.

Of course, if the students master a foreign language or have other specialties, they can be used as extra points.

In addition to these, Fan Xiangxue also talked about the tuition and fees to be paid each school year.

Yao Rong sighed: "These basic expenses alone are enough to cover an average family's annual expenses."

Fan Xiangxue nodded: "In addition to tuition and board and lodging fees, there are also a lot of miscellaneous expenses."

"So the students who can enter the girls' school have very good family conditions."

After a pause, Fan Xiangxue's tone became a little lower: "Many parents send their children here to study, not because they hope their children will study hard and serve the country in the future, but because they hope to give their children a layer of academic qualifications to make it easier for them to get married in the future."

Ye Heqi didn't want the topic to become too dull, and tried to liven up the atmosphere: "Teacher Fan, Mr. Jin just told me your story."

Jin Fengzui widened his eyes, looking like "Why did you betray me?"

Ye Heqi blinked: Is this something that cannot be said?

Fan Xiangxue rolled her eyes at Jin Fengzui, this guy always talks nonsense and says anything: "He said something to you."

Ye Heqi said: "Mr. Jin said he is honored to marry you."

Jin Fengzui secretly gave Ye Heqi a thumbs up.

Ye Heqi responded with an OK gesture.

Fan Xiangxue took in their interaction and felt amused, and a bit of it showed on her face.

She said softly: "When I met Lao Jin, he was already a famous writer who had studied abroad. And I was just an ordinary person who had just escaped from a big house and was learning to read in a blind class."

"Then how did you get to know each other later?" Ye Heqi asked with interest.

Fan Xiangxue said: "The teacher of the blindness-eliminating class was his friend. Something happened at his friend's home during those days, so he was called in to fill in for the class."

Jin Fengzui moved to sit next to Fan Xiangxue: "She always sat in the first row at that time. Whenever I asked a question, she would raise her hand high. After class, she would often come to me to ask questions, which left a deep impression on me."

"Later, my friend was done with her work and didn't need me to fill in for her anymore. I heard she was looking for a job, so I recommended her to a western restaurant as a waitress."

Fan Xiangxue smiled and said, "The salary in that western restaurant was very good. The only requirement was that the waitress had to speak some simple English. So Lao Jin spent a few days giving me special training."

Hearing this, even Yao Rong couldn't help but be curious: "Then, how did you become the principal of the girls' school?"

Fan Xiangxue said, "I worked in the blindness elimination class for three months and worked in a western restaurant for two years."

"During that time, I studied and learned English at the same time. Later, when I had more money, I quit my job in the western restaurant and became a primary school teacher."

"I had accumulated some work experience, and just happened to meet the girls' school recruiting teachers, so I applied for the job."

Ye Heqi was immediately impressed.

Although Fan Xiangxue said it simply, the journey from a girl who could not read to the head teacher of a girls' school was definitely not easy, and there was absolutely no luck involved.

"Then, Teacher Fan and Mr. Jin, when did you two get together?"

Fan Xiangxue glanced at Jin Fengzui beside her and said with a smile, "On the day I applied to be a teacher at the girls' school, I invited him to dinner, and then we got together."

Ye Heqi was surprised: "It should have been at least three or four years since you met and got together."

"Four years," Fan Xiangxue said, "Old Jin has already achieved success and fame, and he has some romantic thoughts, but before I became a teacher at the girls' school, I had no time to think about other things."

"I also explained this to Old Jin."

Jin Fengzui said with a smile, "Actually, I did have some romantic thoughts at the beginning, but then I heard Xiangxue talk about the origin of her name."

"Xiang Xue..." Ye Heqi repeated the name softly, and said uncertainly, "Xiang Xue?"

Fan Xiangxue smiled, "Yes, I changed my name after I ran away from that home."

"I originally planned to call her Xiang Xue, but my mother said that the name was not nice enough, so I changed it to Xue."

Jin Fengzui continued: "At that time, I felt that if I continued to approach Xiang Xue with a frivolous attitude, I would be looking down on her."

"Then, when I saw her moving forward step by step, I felt that it didn't matter whether she would be with me in the future."

"——The important thing is that she should become a better person."

This is also the reason why Jin Fengzui wrote an article to support Ye Heqi.

Ye Heqi's article completely touched Jin Fengzui's heart.

Fan Xiangxue said, "After I got together with Lao Jin, many people always said that I studied hard and improved myself in order to be worthy of Lao Jin."

"But in fact, I worked hard to become a better person."

Jin Fengzui pretended to sigh and complained to Ye Heqi, "So I said, if I wasn't somewhat useful, had some money, and looked okay, she wouldn't have looked down on me at all."

Ye Heqi was amused and laughed again.

"It's a pity that almost no universities accept female students, otherwise I would definitely continue my studies." At this point, Fan Xiangxue's voice was filled with regret.

According to the "Renzi Guichou School System" promulgated by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of China in 1913, it is stipulated that elementary schools can be coeducational, but universities do not have girls' schools and do not recruit female students. [Note]

Before the May Fourth Movement, the only three women's universities in China were church-run women's universities. [Note]

But in reality, students who graduate from these women's universities cannot be awarded degrees.

In other words, the Ministry of Education does not recognize their academic qualifications.

Ye Heqi does not know much about this history, but she vaguely remembers that in the near future, the Ministry of Education will issue a new charter to incorporate coeducation into the system, and women will gradually gain status in higher education.

So Ye Heqi responded to the current situation from the perspective of future results: "In the near future, the education system will definitely be reformed. At that time, women will no longer need to go to any girls' middle school or any women's university."

Fan Xiangxue and Bei Lin looked at each other.

They couldn't see the future, but they stood in the present and looked forward to the future.

"You are right, the current education system is no longer suitable for the development of the times. As long as we continue to work hard, the Ministry of Education will definitely reform the education system in the near future."

***

After talking about these serious matters, the few people chatted casually again.

Bei Lin asked Yao Rong what plans he had next.

Yao Rong said, "I plan to continue my studies while finding a way to make money."

Bei Lin asked, "Are you going to find a job?"

Yao Rong said, "I haven't decided yet."

Bei Lin said, "If you don't have any other better options, you can also come to Women's Times."

Yao Rong thanked Bei Lin for his kindness, but she had already ruled out this option in her mind.

With the talents she has shown so far, Bei Lin should be able to offer her a position with relatively simple work content.

Bei Lin meant well, but this did not fit Yao Rong's plan.

As for what industry she wanted to work in, Yao Rong also had an idea in mind.

So Yao Rong deliberately brought up the topic of clothes, saying that she didn't like Western-style long skirts, and felt that Chinese-style gowns were too bulky and loose, lacking in beauty.

This topic instantly resonated with Fan Xiangxue and Bei Lin.

Yao Rong said helplessly: "In addition to lifestyle, our clothing concept should also change."

Ye Heqi quietly raised her ears and listened to the idle chatter of several people.

A familiar term jumped into her mind -

cheongsam.

This kind of clothing has almost become a prominent feature of the Republic of China.

When she was studying, Ye Heqi heard a saying about the origin of cheongsam.

It is said that before the appearance of cheongsam, wearing long gowns has always been a monopoly of men, and women can only wear a top and a skirt. Many women think this is a kind of clothing discrimination, so many women began to wear long gowns. Later,

it gradually evolved and there was cheongsam.

Just when Ye Heqi thought of this, he heard Bei Lin beside him say: "Speaking of which, there was an article published in the Women's Times some time ago, which discussed contemporary women's clothing."

"There is a sentence recorded in the "Nursery Classic": For mulberry affairs, two-piece clothes, women are not equal to husbands. They must be humble and submissive in everything, and cannot crow like hens in the morning."

"The author quoted this sentence, calling on women to give up wearing tops and skirts and wear long gowns like men. This article caused a lot of discussion at the time."

"Many people agree with the author's point of view, but they think that giving up wearing tops and skirts is right, but blindly pursuing the same as men, doesn't it seem a bit upside down?"

Ye Heqi nodded repeatedly, but except for Yao Rong who kept looking at her with the corner of his eye, no one else noticed her movements.

Yao Rong said, "I was thinking, if I can design a kind of clothing that is similar to a changshan but more in line with the female aesthetics than a changshan, can I open a tailor shop?" "

Where there is demand, there will be business. I don't seek to be rich, but at least I can use this to support me and Heqi and allow Heqi to complete his future studies smoothly."

The original body had a very good needlework skill. When she was in the Ye Mansion, she would personally make some underwear for Ye Heqi, so Yao Rong's proposal was not abrupt.

Ye Heqi nodded more suddenly.

Now, everyone noticed her abnormality.

"Heqi, do you have anything to say?"

Seeing that Ye Heqi was holding back but couldn't get a word in, Yao Rong smiled and threw the topic to her.

Ye Heqi felt comfortable, raised his hand slightly and said: "I do have a small idea."

Ye Heqi described the general shape of the cheongsam.

Any clothing has evolved step by step, first from nothing to something, and then from something to beauty.

Therefore, the cheongsam described by Ye Heqi is not the short-sleeved, slit, and low-neck style that is more familiar to later generations, but a style that is more in line with current aesthetics and is more easily accepted by today's generation.

"I believe that this kind of clothing will become a trend in the future, and even become one of the representative costumes of women in the Republic of China."

Fan Xiangxue was still thinking about the style of the cheongsam according to Ye Heqi's description. Hearing this, she smiled and said, "You, child, are more confident than us adults."

Bei Lin said: "Heqi does have a lot of ideas. I think it's worth a try. If the cheongsam you mentioned can really be designed, I can publish it in the Women's Times for free. "It's not worth it to help promote and advertise it."

Yao Rong said directly: "After we go back, Heqi, can you help me draw a design drawing? Let's try to make one or two sets first. Anyway, we are going to make summer clothes. Even if the attempt fails, the fabric will not be wasted."

Ye Heqi nodded happily, thinking in her heart: After becoming the first divorced woman in the Republic of China, her mother can also become the first woman in the Republic of China to wear and promote cheongsam.

Oh, she is really an ordinary marketing genius.

***

At the end of the cultural salon, Fan Xiangxue also promised to give Ye Heqi a set of elementary and junior high school textbooks.

With these textbooks, Ye Heqi's review is more directional and targeted.

Before starting to review, Ye Heqi drew and talked to describe the general shape of the cheongsam.

Yao Rong followed her instructions and continued to revise the clothing draft.

After three revisions, Ye Heqi nodded suddenly: "Yes, yes, that's the feeling!"

Yao Rong drew the earliest cheongsam style. She smiled and put down the pen in her hand, and said to Ye Heqi: "Then I know what to do. Tomorrow I will go to Editor-in-Chief Bei and ask her to buy me an old sewing machine."

Ye Heqi gave a thumbs up to her mother's courage to do what she said.

In the following period of time, Ye Heqi was busy reviewing, and Yao Rong was busy buying things and making clothes. On

the registration day, Ye Heqi went to the girls' school alone to register. When she came back, she found that her door was open, and there were several flower pots filled with mixed soil at the door.

"Mom, what are you doing?" Ye Heqi walked around the flower pots and headed for the balcony.

Yao Rong sat on a small stool, handling seeds: "Spring is here, I plan to plant some flowers. Can you help me move all the flower pots at the door?"

Ye Heqi asked as she helped: "What flowers do you want to plant?"

"Begonia."

The answer was unexpected but reasonable. Ye Heqi smiled and said, "Mother, do you like begonias so much? When you were in the Ye Mansion, you often picked begonias for flower arrangement."

Yao Rong carefully scattered the seeds into each pot and lightly compacted the soil with a wooden board, and the seeds were successfully buried in the soil: "The begonias blooming in the Ye Mansion were taken care of by the servants, not planted by me. That means something different to me."

Ye Heqi squatted beside her, watching Yao Rong's operation quietly, and suddenly whispered, "Mother, the begonias you grow will definitely be better than those grown by the servants."

"Why are you so sure?" Yao Rong's hands kept moving, pouring some water into each pot.

The sun poured in from the window, and Yao Rong and Ye Heqi hid in the shadows together.

Ye Heqi touched the wet soil and recalled, "I've heard of this saying before, which goes something like this: plants are the external manifestation of gardeners."

"If a gardener is in a bad mood, or doesn't cultivate her plants with care, the plants she grows will wither."

"On the contrary, if you put your heart into it, talk to the plants you grow every day, and communicate well with them, the plants will be able to feel the gardener's mood. It knows that the gardener loves it very much, so it will grow better and better."

"You're right." Yao Rong put down the wooden board in her hand, and with the back of her hand that was not stained by the soil, she gently brushed away the loose hair on Ye Heqi's forehead, looking at her tenderly, "Loving someone is like growing flowers. Love is an existence that cannot be concrete, but the way plants grow makes it manifest."

Ye Heqi was slightly stunned.

Yao Rong smiled, lined up several flower pots, and carefully swept the soil on the ground.

Just as she gathered the soil on the ground, she heard Ye Heqi say: "If you understand it this way, then mother, aren't you a flower I raise?"

Yao Rong's movements froze instantly.

She raised her head, her face full of shock and distraction.

After a long while, she blinked lightly, her tone as light as an illusion: "...Why do you say that?"

Ye Heqi put one hand on his waist, looking very arrogant: "Because I am Teacher Ye. Your student is so amazing now, and I, as a teacher-"

Ye Heqi made a little gesture with his fingers: "After all, I have a little credit. "

There was a flash of light in Yao Rong's eyes for a moment, and she subconsciously wanted to curl the corners of her lips, but she felt a sour nose: "You have not only a little contribution, you have a very big contribution."

Ye Heqi waved his hands, his face was full of smiles, and he said modestly: "No, no, don't be so exaggerated. I am the dog-headed military advisor hiding behind you. It's mainly because of you who are awesome."

"How can you call yourself a dog-headed military advisor."

Yao Rong lowered his head and continued to pick up the mud, taking this opportunity to calm himself down.

When the ground was clean again, Yao Rong asked Ye Heqi: "If that's the case, what kind of flower do you think I am - I can't say begonia."

Ye Heqi lowered his eyes and thought: "... I think it's purple pansy."

Purple pansy...

Yao Rong repeated the name of the flower in her mind.

This is a flower she has never planted before, and she has never touched before.

"Why?"

"Because the language of the purple pansy is: unconditional love. I think this flower is the best interpretation of you."

Yao Rong gently held Ye Heqi's hand, stood up and hugged her, burying her face in Ye Heqi's shoulder: "I like this flower very much."

Ye Heqi hugged Yao Rong back and asked curiously: "Then what kind of flower am I in my mother's mind?"

Without waiting for Yao Rong to answer, Ye Heqi's eyes swept over the pots of flowers and smiled: "I understand, it turns out that the begonias were planted for me?"

"Oh, then I have to plant a few pots of purple pansies for mom, and then we can see whether the flowers you plant bloom better or the flowers I plant bloom better."

Yao Rong let go of Ye Heqi and tapped Ye Heqi's forehead with his index finger: "Who do you think plants better?"

Ye Heqi felt pain and said in a flattering way: "It must be you, but I can't lag behind you too much, right? I'll go out and buy seeds now!"