Zhao Mingyue's ability to make skirts quickly became famous, and many male classmates knew about it, even the teachers knew.
That evening, Zhao Mingyue and Mao Jianlan were taking a walk on the playground. The May dusk was very beautiful. The sunset on the horizon dyed the sky purple-red, the air was filled with the fragrance of lilacs, and two dragonflies returning home slowly flew by, making people feel happy.
Mao Jianlan suddenly said, "Xiao Zhao, look, it's Teacher Li."
As Zhao Mingyue looked up, she saw her homeroom teacher, Mr. Li, walking towards them. He was accompanying two young women, one of whom was Mr. Li's wife. The two women greeted their teacher and his wife. Mr. Li nodded and smiled at them. The young girl next to him shook his arm forcefully, and then he smiled helplessly.
Zhao Mingyue didn't understand what they were talking about, and she didn't stay to walk with them. She said goodbye and left. She had only taken a few steps when she suddenly heard Teacher Li call her: "Zhao Mingyue."
Zhao Mingyue turned around and looked at her teacher: "Teacher Li, is something the matter?"
Ms. Li smiled slightly awkwardly and said, "Uh, Zhao Mingyue, do you know how to make skirts?"
Zhao Mingyue looked at the teacher and nodded: "Yes."
Ms. Li said somewhat awkwardly, "My sister said she really likes the dresses you make and asked if you have time to make one for her."
Zhao Mingyue looked at the two women beside Teacher Li. The younger girl stuck out her tongue shyly at her, while Teacher Li's wife watched with a smile. Zhao Mingyue said, "But I don't have a sewing machine."
The teacher's wife said, "We have some at home, in the faculty dormitory. Can you come to my house to do it?"
Zhao Mingyue had no choice but to nod and say, "Okay. When?"
Teacher Li's sister was overjoyed: "Anytime is fine, I have fabric at home."
Teacher Li glared at her younger sister: "Wherever it's convenient for you, I'm in room 501, building 3 of the faculty dormitory. You can come find us when you're free. Your wife is usually home in the evenings, and weekends are fine too."
Zhao Mingyue said, "Then let's go now." Shen Xuyue didn't come tonight, but he might come tomorrow.
"Great, great!" Teacher Li's sister exclaimed excitedly.
So Zhao Mingyue took Mao Jianlan to Teacher Li's house to make a dress for his sister. Teacher Li's wife brought out several pieces of fabric, saying they were gifts from relatives and friends when she got married, but hadn't been used yet. Zhao Mingyue picked out two pieces and said, "These two are very beautiful. Let's make one for Yu Rong, and one for Teacher Li's wife too." Li Yu Rong was Teacher Li's sister.
The teacher's wife was overjoyed. She was a little embarrassed to ask her student for help, but the student was very perceptive and offered to help her: "Thank you so much. Isn't it too much trouble for you?"
Zhao Mingyue looked at the fabrics in her hands. One of them was a satin with a pink background and white plum blossoms, a very rare fabric these days. Zhao Mingyue felt a little itchy and said, "Teacher's wife, would you like to wear a cheongsam?"
The teacher's wife paused for a moment, then asked, "Do you think I can wear this?"
Zhao Mingyue sized her up. While her teacher's wife wasn't particularly tall, she wasn't too thin either, and had a shapely figure. She nodded, "I think it's fine, it should look very beautiful. However, cheongsams take a lot of time to make, so it might take some time, is that alright?"
"If you don't mind the trouble, of course you can. Do you really know how to make a cheongsam?" These days, almost no one wears cheongsams anymore; it's considered a bourgeois item, and even if someone does, it's usually kept at the bottom of their closet. When she received this piece of fabric, she lamented that such material was too wasteful for anything else, except for making cheongsams. But few people knew how to make them, and even if they did, they wouldn't dare wear them. Now that the Cultural Revolution is over, people's minds are gradually being liberated, and it seems no one is interfering in other people's lives anymore. If she made a cheongsam, maybe she could even wear it out. More importantly, this piece of fabric would finally no longer be stored away like a worm; it could be put to good use, which made her very happy.
Zhao Mingyue said, "I haven't done it in a long time. If you trust me, Master's wife, then I'll give it a try, okay?"
"Okay, sure!" Mrs. Teacher readily agreed.
Zhao Mingyue decided to make a cheongsam for her teacher's wife and a dress for Li Yurong. The dress was easier to make; Li Yurong was only in her early twenties. Zhao Mingyue made a puff-sleeved, sweetheart-neck top with a simple flared hem, focusing on the sleeves and collar. With the help of three women, the dress was finished that very evening, and Li Yurong was overjoyed.
Making a cheongsam is a bit more difficult, especially since it requires piping and making frog buttons. These are all very delicate tasks, and it can't be finished in a short time; it can only be done slowly. Zhao Mingyue took the frog buttons back to her dormitory to make them. Making these is particularly time-consuming, and if they aren't done well, the quality of the dress will be compromised.
When they got home, Mao Jianlan said with envy, "Xiao Zhao, how are you so capable? You can make all kinds of clothes."
Zhao Mingyue smiled and said, "Do you want to learn? If you do, I'll teach you."
Mao Jianlan admired Zhao Mingyue's skills, but was also a little worried that it would interfere with her own study time: "Wouldn't that be too much of a waste of time?"
Zhao Mingyue smiled and said, "It depends on how you think about it. If you think it will interfere with your studies, then we can talk about it later."
The desire for beauty is universal, and in this increasingly open-minded era, people's yearning for beauty is surging like a flood. Zhao Mingyue knew that everyone wanted to possess beautiful things, which strengthened her resolve to open a shop and start a business. She decided not to go back home during the summer vacation but to open a clothing shop in Beijing. She asked Shen Xuyue to help her rent a room, and she borrowed a sewing machine. Even if she only earned one yuan per garment, making several garments a day would still earn her several yuan. After deducting rent and other costs, she could earn several tens of yuan a month.
She told Shen Xuyue about her plan, and he looked at her with great surprise: "You really plan to do that?"
Zhao Mingyue looked at Shen Xuyue: "Do you think this will work?"
Shen Xuyue thought for a moment and said, "I don't think it's a problem, I'm just worried that business might not be very good."
“I don’t think it will be too bad.” Zhao Mingyue believes that Beijingers are from big cities and their ideas are much more open than those in smaller places. Moreover, Beijingers are not short of money. They would have to spend money to have their clothes made in other shops anyway, but now that they have more beautiful dresses to wear, why wouldn’t they come to her shop to have them made?
Shen Xuyue laughed and said, "I was also worried that if business was too good, you would work too hard."
Zhao Mingyue said, "If I'm really busy, I'll find a helper, like a neighborhood auntie, to help me with buttonholes and sewing on buttons. I'll pay her a small fee, and I'm sure someone will be willing to do it."
Shen Xuyue shook his head repeatedly as he looked at Zhao Mingyue: "Mingyue, how come you have so many ideas in your little head? And you're so bold, doing things without hesitation."
Zhao Mingyue smiled, pursing her lips: "Isn't this better?"
"It's not that it's bad, it's just that it surprised me too much. I always felt that you were too capable, which made me a little insecure." Shen Xuyue said frankly, Zhao Mingyue was too capable.
Zhao Mingyue said, "I can't do this without you. I can't do so much. We have a good division of labor and work closely together. I think it's great."
Shen Xuyue nodded: "Alright, in other families the husband and wife follow each other's lead, it looks like in my family the wife will follow the husband's lead."
Zhao Mingyue blushed and her ears turned red. She scolded, "Who said we're husband and wife? You're so annoying!"
Shen Xuyue burst into laughter.
Zhao Mingyue spent over a week, working on it intermittently rather than every day, before finally finishing the cheongsam for her teacher's wife. Zhao Mingyue thought sleeveless cheongsams were the most beautiful, but in this day and age, they were clearly a bit too avant-garde, so she made a short-sleeved version. Even so, it was still incredibly fashionable. Her teacher's wife held the cheongsam, admiring it dearly, but was hesitant to wear it. Only after Li Yurong's repeated urging did she finally go and change.
Zhao Mingyue looked at the cheongsam she had made herself. It fit her teacher's wife perfectly, accentuating her curves and making her incredibly alluring. Teacher Li glanced at it once and then quickly said, "You can't wear this outside. Just wear it at home."
Zhao Mingyue turned her head and chuckled to herself. She understood her teacher's thoughts. It was absolutely unacceptable for her to wear such a seductive cheongsam out and attract the attention of other men.
The teacher's wife took out five yuan: "Thank you, Mingyue, this is your payment for making the clothes for us."
Zhao Mingyue quickly waved her hand: "No, no, I'm helping my teacher's wife in my spare time, how can I accept money? I absolutely cannot take this money."
Teacher Li said, "Take it, Zhao Mingyue. Thank you for giving us such a visual feast. I haven't seen such beautiful clothes in years."
Zhao Mingyue shook her head: "Really, there's no need. If you give this to me, I won't dare to visit my teacher and his wife again."
The teacher's wife said, "This cheongsam is particularly difficult to make. I saw it with my own eyes. It takes so much effort and time. You've really gone to so much trouble. I would feel embarrassed to accept this dress if you didn't accept the money."
Zhao Mingyue said, "Well then, if my teacher's wife really thinks the clothes are nice, she can recommend me to her friends so I can make clothes for them and charge a small processing fee. I plan not to go back home during the summer vacation; I'll work and study in Beijing."
"Do you want clothes made?" the teacher's wife asked.
Zhao Mingyue nodded: "Yes, I'd like to open a clothing store and make clothes for people during the holidays. I just don't know if it's in accordance with the school's rules." The school's rules stipulate that students are not allowed to do business on campus.
Teacher Li said, "The idea of working while studying is good, and it's not against the rules. You're opening a shop during the holidays, not doing business in the school dormitory, so it doesn't conflict with the school's rules." The school also has no jurisdiction if the student goes back to their hometown to do business.
With the teacher's assurance, Zhao Mingyue felt relieved: "Then I'm at ease."
Since Zhao Mingyue had really decided to open a shop, Shen Xuyue naturally gave his full support. He also knew that this was only temporary, and the shop would definitely close once they both started working. Shen Xuyue was much more familiar with Beijing than Zhao Mingyue, so he quickly found a place to live. The landlord was also easy to talk to, and the rent would only be charged from the day they moved in. So now they were just waiting for school to let out so Zhao Mingyue could move in.
As finals approached, everyone was focused on reviewing and preparing for exams. There's only one exam a year in university, so of course it's important. Shen Xuyue's school was a bit stricter than theirs, with an additional midterm exam every semester.
As the weather gets hotter, there are more and more mosquitoes. This "more" is relative; there are far fewer mosquitoes than in Zhao Mingyue's hometown because mosquitoes prefer humid environments. Beijing is dry, so there are far fewer mosquitoes. However, the ecological environment is too good these days, with grass and trees everywhere, which provides mosquitoes with hiding places. At night, they follow the smell of sweat and come looking for you.
Everyone was studying late into the night to get good grades on their first exam. However, the school lights went out at 10:30 p.m., and after that, they could only use candles. Since candles couldn't be lit in bed to avoid a fire, they had to study by the table. It was hot, and there were no air conditioners, fans, or any other cooling facilities, so they filled buckets with water and put their legs in them to cool off and repel mosquitoes.
Qian Sisheng reached out and slapped his arm hard: "What's going on? Why are all the mosquitoes biting me?"
Zhao Mingyue chuckled: "That means you have sweet blood and an optimistic nature."
"I don't think it's a big deal to say I have a sweet heart, but what do you mean by being naturally optimistic?" Qian Sisheng said, not quite understanding.
Zhao Mingyue said, "According to research, type O blood is the most attractive to mosquitoes, and among all blood types, type O blood is the most optimistic. This proves that you are naturally optimistic."
Qian Sisheng looked at Zhao Mingyue and nodded: "That seems to make some sense."
Li Chunmei stopped reading and looked at Zhao Mingyue: "Youngest, what about other blood types?"
"I'm not too sure either. You can borrow that book from the library next time. It was researched by foreign scientists." Zhao Mingyue only had a strong impression of the blood type that attracts mosquitoes because she herself is blood type O.
Gao Dongfang stretched and said, "My brain is numb from memorizing all these dates. Why do we still need to remember what happened in the Spring and Autumn Period?"
“Because you studied history,” Mao Jianlan said.
Tang Weihua asked, "Are you all hungry?"
Li Chunmei said, "I'm hungry, but there's no dry food."
Tang Weihua chuckled and said, "I have some here. I bought three extra pancakes after dinner, half for each person. Come and get them; I was too lazy to get up." She then took out a paper package.
"Big sister, just hand it over." Qian Sisheng was too lazy to move.
Tang Weihua said, "I'm using chopsticks to eat, and I don't mind if you use your hands." After reading for a long time, everyone's palms were sweaty and dusty, so it was indeed not suitable to eat directly with their hands.
Zhao Mingyue lifted her feet and ran outside to wash her hands first, then came running back like a gust of wind: "Thank you, big sister." She had been studying for most of the night and was really hungry now. Half a pancake tasted really good. "I'll treat you to supper tomorrow night."
Gao Dongfang said while eating the pancake, "It would be even better with some Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor)."
Qian Sisheng couldn't help but burst out laughing: "Second sister, who taught you to eat Erguotou with flatbread?"
Gao Dongfang said, "It's my own creation, a way of life for the poor. After drinking, I feel particularly good, and I can even write poetry."
"Then I'll get you a bottle of Erguotou tomorrow, and you can write two poems," Qian Sisheng said with a smile.
Gao Dongfang shook his head: "Forget it, I have to wait until after the exam to drink, otherwise I'll miss the exam. Although I love to drink, I can't hold my liquor. If I drink, I'll definitely pass out."
Zhao Mingyue asked, "Do you all go back to your hometown after the exams?"
Tang Weihua and Li Chunmei both said they wanted to go back, and Qian Sisheng went without saying. Gao Dongfang said, "I'm planning to go on a trip with some fellow villagers, and Lao Qin will be coming too. There will be both men and women. Who wants to go?"
Zhao Mingyue was quite interested in traveling, but she had to open her shop and couldn't go. Thinking about this, Shen Xuyue was probably also annoyed, since she hadn't even asked him about his summer vacation plans yet, and he had already made his own summer vacation plans.
No one responded. Mao Jianlan said, "I'm not going back. I'm going to find something to do."
Zhao Mingyue asked, "Jianlan, what kind of work are you looking for?"
Mao Jianlan shook her head: "I don't know yet. Beijing is such a big city, I should be able to find some temporary work. I'll think about it when I have a holiday."
Zhao Mingyue said, "Once my shop opens, we'll see how things go. If we need help, you can come and help me out."
Mao Jianlan nodded and smiled: "Okay."
The exams were finally over. Those who were supposed to go back had gone back, and those who didn't had all found their own places. Zhao Mingyue rented a room in Xidan, the most bustling commercial street in Beijing. Of course, it wasn't the main street, as the shops on the main street were all state-owned enterprises. Instead, it was a street across the road from the main street, which was basically filled with small grocery stores and had fewer pedestrians. She rented a room in a courtyard house, a room facing the street.
Shen Xuyue made a signboard himself, writing "Made-in-the-Wear Garments" with a thick brush, and hung it above the storefront. Zhao Mingyue also made a sample set, a very beautiful dress, and hung it at the entrance; they were now open for business.
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