Qiuhua has been embroidering handkerchiefs these days under the guidance of her master Jiang Xiang.
A total of four pieces need to be embroidered. This is a new order that Qiuhua has taken on.
Just the day before Qiuhua came to Tahe Town, Wu Xin came with his father (grandfather).
"Little girl, we meet again. Do you still remember me?"
The old man has a kind face, is dressed neatly, and has his gray hair neatly combed.
"I remember, of course I remember." Qiuhua blinked, a little surprised and a little happy.
"Wu Xin, how do you know my home?"
Wu Xin had a smile on his face, but his eyes and brows did not show much happiness. That smile was like a mask covering his face, making it impossible to see his true expression.
"Didn't I tell you I have relatives in this village? Just ask and you'll know."
When Qiu Zhen heard someone outside, she came out and saw the old man's demeanor. She immediately felt that he was not an ordinary person, so she hurriedly welcomed him into the house and poured him some hot water.
"We don't have anything decent to offer you at home, so please have some water." Qiu Zhen felt very sorry.
The old man smiled and shook his head, saying, "Don't be polite. We are sorry to bother you without being invited."
He gestured to the young man next to him, who nodded and put the two bags in his hands on the table.
“This…” Qiu Zhen was about to refuse when the old man said, “You guys take care of these little things; they’re all food for the children.
Last time at the hospital, I shamelessly asked the little girl for an embroidered handkerchief. Now I am using these snacks to appease the little girl. I am still making a profit!
"That handkerchief is something she used to practice on. The embroidery is not good."
"That's right, the little girl has great craftsmanship. If you don't want this little thing, I have no choice but to return the handkerchief to you."
Under the insistence of the old man, Qiu Zhen had no choice but to nod and accept it. Xiao Hua leaned his head over and reached out to rummage through the bag curiously. Qiu Zhen gently patted his little hand, and he looked aggrieved with tears in his eyes.
"Eat, the child wants to eat, give it to him."
The old man took out a few candies from the bag, and Xiaohua immediately smiled. Children are really easy to coax.
"I came here this time with a request." The old man spoke in a gentle and slow voice, which made people feel comfortable listening to him.
"Could you please embroider four more handkerchiefs, little girl? Although it's a bit vulgar to talk about money, this is the only way I can express my gratitude."
Qiuhua was secretly delighted that her craftsmanship was recognized, and she looked at her mother with excitement.
Mommy said slowly, "Of course, it's possible, but Qiuhua is currently learning the craft from a master, so this needs the master's approval."
The old man nodded in agreement. He didn't expect that this ordinary peasant woman in front of him was so sensible and reasonable.
"I'm going to my master's tomorrow. If he agrees, I'll embroider it and I can get it next month."
"Okay, then I'll trouble Wu Xin to make the trip for me."
Wu Xin nodded and said, "I'll come and take a look on the fifth of next month, whether I embroider or not."
As he spoke, his eyes lit up, and he no longer looked lonely.
Later, the old man promised to charge ten yuan for a handkerchief, and Qiuhua agreed contentedly, letting her decide what pattern to embroider.
Before leaving, Wu Xin specifically told Qiuhua not to rush and not to embroider at night to avoid hurting her eyes. She nodded repeatedly.
Watching them leave, Mum asked Qiuhua, "Is this your classmate? How come he doesn't look like a country boy at all? He's so thin and pale. Maybe his family is poor and he doesn't have enough to eat."
Qiuhua knew that what Wu Xin had experienced was far more than just hunger, and she couldn't help feeling a little sad. Xiaohua pinched a piece of candy and put it in her mouth, but she didn't feel it was very sweet at all.
After listening to Qiuhua's description, Master Jiang Xiang immediately nodded in agreement, thinking that this was also a good opportunity for training.
"Embroidery is both art and life. If we can do it well and make a living from it, our skills will be well spent."
The master said so and personally drew four sample pictures of plum, orchid, bamboo and chrysanthemum for Qiuhua, asking her to embroider them according to them.
When Qiuhua grew up, whenever she recalled the days when she learned embroidery at her master's house, she would always sigh that it was the purest time. She didn't have to worry about trivial matters, food, clothing and expenses, and her master taught her carefully and step by step.
Those were the happiest, simplest and happiest days in her life.
Her embroidery skills have improved a lot. Splitting silk threads is no longer a problem for her. The thin silk threads seem like living things in her hands, and she deftly splits them layer by layer.
The old man's request for handkerchiefs came at the right time, and Qiuhua had been eager to try and test herself.
"Sister, what are you embroidering?"
After dinner, Zhou Lanhua went out. It was the sun's brightest at that time, and her face was sunburned red. Her short hair was soaked with sweat, and her skin looked dark and shiny with sweat.
She was carrying a wooden bucket in her hand, probably going to the river to catch fish again.
"The handkerchief I embroidered."
"let me see!"
Zhou Lanhua lifted up her clothes and wiped her face with a large movement, revealing a piece of white and tender flesh around her waist. She waited until her face was clean before leaning over to take a look.
"You don't look like a mermaid at all! How can you wipe your sweat like that? Your waist is exposed!"
The master complained that his daughter was as careless as a man and had no manners. Zhou Lanhua just smiled and didn't take it seriously.
"Oh, sister, you embroider so well! I think you will surpass mom soon!" Zhou Lanhua not only behaved like a man, but also had a deeper voice than other little women.
"You're talking nonsense! I'm still a million miles away from being a master!"
Zhou Lanhua touched her head and said embarrassedly, "I just think your embroidery is good. Sister, can you embroider a piece for me too?"
"Look at you, you're so shameless. What do you want a handkerchief for? You're not the type to use such delicate things.
Besides, I have been doing embroidery since you were old enough to understand. Why haven’t I seen you ask me for a handkerchief?
The complaints from her own mother were the most deadly. Zhou Lanhua stuck out her tongue and winked at Qiuhua.
Qiuhua smiled and stood up to pour her some water, agreeing readily.
Zhou Lanhua took the cup, tilted her head back and drank it all. After she was done, she held the cup upside down and let out a happy "Ha!"
"Zhou Lanhua, when will you be able to act like a mermaid?"
"Mom, why do I have to look like a mermaid? I just want to be a man. Look at my name, Zhou Lanhua, it doesn't suit me at all.
I'm going to change my name to Zhou Jianguo from now on, to build the motherland! Sister, does it sound good?
Qiuhua nodded and secretly glanced at her master, who was holding her forehead helplessly.
"I've made up my mind. After changing my name, I'm going to join the army and become a glorious member of the People's Liberation Army, defending my country!"
Zhou Lanhua finally found her ideal in life.
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