He Jiuniang took the opportunity to attract customers to her club. Everyone was very interested in what kind of place it was that could cover eating, drinking and entertainment.
"When will the club open? I can't wait!"
"Yes, I really want to experience it tomorrow!"
"Madam Lu is so capable, no wonder Lord Lu is so fond of you!"
...
Lianhua, receiving a hint from He Jiuniang, stepped forward and said with a smile, "Ladies, please don't worry. The club is still under construction and will probably not be open until the end of the year. However, the milk tea should be available at Lu Heiya's shop next month, and other flavors will be added. Ladies, please look forward to it!"
"This milk tea is already so delicious, and it even comes in other flavors! Wow, this is amazing, I'm going to drink a cup every day from now on!"
Someone immediately chimed in, saying it wasn't flattery, but that they genuinely loved the food!
Everyone else also expressed their intention to attend. The banquet proceeded smoothly from beginning to end, with everyone arriving and leaving with smiles on their faces.
Only Jiang Ruoya stayed a little longer, waiting for Gou'er and the others to return so she could have dinner with them before leaving.
“Auntie, I think Grandma Jiang really likes dogs. She often came over when you weren’t here recently.”
After seeing the person to the door, Lianhua told He Jiuniang about her discovery.
He Jiuniang noticed this as well, but she didn't care. She said, "Your Grandma Jiang has always treated me as her long-lost daughter, and naturally she treats Gou'er as her grandson. Don't worry about it too much. She can come whenever she wants. When I'm not here, you have to take good care of her."
"Okay, sure."
Lotus nodded, and He Jiuniang added, "You did very well today! I never told you how to make those pastries!"
He Jiuniang looked at Lianhua with a smile. Lianhua smiled shyly and said, "I was thinking of helping out at home, and I knew I couldn't not know these things, so I went to the kitchen to ask the aunties who cook."
He Jiuniang nodded with great satisfaction: "Well done! Everyone who was busy in the kitchen, and everyone who served at the banquet today, should be rewarded! Madam Qian was quite sad at first, but after eating those delicious foods, she became happy all over again. That's the meaning of good food—it can make people feel good!"
Lotus nodded again, keeping her aunt's words in mind.
The two were talking and preparing to go inside when, unexpectedly, the Li mother and daughter returned and stood at the door, looking at them with smiles on their faces.
"Did you forget something?"
Upon seeing this, Lotus politely stepped forward to inquire.
Madam Li shook her head and said softly, "We have something we'd like to discuss with Madam Lu privately. Could you please do us a favor?"
Li Yuan, who was standing next to her, lowered her head somewhat embarrassedly. He Jiu Niang remembered what Aunt Xu had said before, that Li Yuan had come to see her several times.
"Then let's go inside and talk."
He Jiuniang turned and walked inside. Her attitude was neither warm nor cold. The Li mother and daughter exchanged a glance and quickly followed.
Upon arriving at the reception room, Lianhua sensibly left, leaving only He Jiuniang and her daughter.
"Madam Li, please feel free to speak your mind."
He Jiuniang sat in the chair, leaning back lazily, looking like a pleasing picture of beauty.
"Actually, it's nothing important. My daughter is very interested in dress design. Madam Lu is so talented, so I'd like to ask if Madam Lu could take on a disciple and mentor my daughter, Yuan'er?"
Madam Li spoke up, then quickly added, "We brought gifts, we will definitely not let you suffer any loss!"
This is because when I came to apologize before, I saw He Jiuniang drawing, so I knew that my daughter was interested in this, so I prepared to bring her to become her apprentice?
This is how He Jiuniang understood it.
She looked Li Yuan up and down with a slightly scrutinizing gaze and asked, "Miss Li likes designing clothes?"
Li Yuan nodded: "Yes, I've loved it since I was little, and I sometimes design dresses for myself, but they're still far from what Madam Lu has done. So I thought..."
“No need to think about it,” He Jiuniang hurriedly interrupted, “I don’t accept apprentices.”
The Li mother and daughter exchanged a glance, not expecting He Jiuniang to refuse so readily.
To avoid any misunderstanding, He Jiuniang explained, "As you both know, I'm usually very busy and can't take on apprentices. However, our workshop is recruiting senior female workers who can design clothing. If Miss Li is interested, you can give it a try. If you pass the selection process, you can get a job. You just need to provide three design drawings each month."
"Does Madam Lu mean that my Yuan'er should do needlework?"
Madam Li stared wide-eyed in disbelief. "Madam Lu, my Yuan'er is still unmarried. She can't go out in public like that, or people will laugh at her!"
She was getting anxious. She had only wanted to learn a skill so that her daughter would have more confidence in finding a husband in the future. She never expected that she would not be able to become an apprentice but would have to work as a maid in a shop. How could this be allowed?
He Jiuniang raised an eyebrow and asked, "What, does Madam Li look down on female workers?"
In the past, Madam Li would have definitely said yes, considering those people to be inferior. But now He Jiu Niang was right in front of her, and she was a woman who had done a lot of business. She didn't dare to speak arrogantly, so she said, "No, no, that's not what I meant! I'm just worried that it will be difficult for my Yuan'er to find a husband in the future."
"This is voluntary, no one is forcing you. You can try if you want, and you don't have to if you don't want to. In addition, we need to select people in our workshop. Only those who meet the requirements can be employed. Those who do not meet the requirements cannot be hired. I cannot use back channels here."
He Jiuniang maintained a professional fake smile, but she was actually getting impatient. If it weren't for the fact that she had to help Lu Baichuan maintain certain relationships, she really wouldn't want to pay any attention to them.
She wanted to become an apprentice but didn't send someone to inquire beforehand. She just came to my door to ask for my apprenticeship and even said she brought gifts so I wouldn't suffer any loss. Does she think she's someone who lacks those little gifts?
Sometimes, I don't want to say anything too harsh, but I hope these people can have some self-awareness and not cause trouble for each other.
Madam Li was about to give up, but Li Yuan spoke up first, "I want to go! Thank you for your guidance, Madam!"
As she spoke, she even curtsied to He Jiuniang.
As a result, He Jiuniang began to look at her with more respect, as her willingness to try and take on challenges showed that she truly loved this job.
"Yuan'er, stop fooling around!"
Madam Li was a little angry, but Li Yuan insisted, "Mother, I want to be like Madam Lu, to do what I love and achieve something. I really enjoy designing dresses, and I'm willing to give it a try!"
"But……"
Madam Li was still somewhat worried, but Li Yuan continued, "My daughter's mind is made up. As long as she can do what she loves, it doesn't matter if she never gets married!"
He Jiu Niang almost applauded her. This girl is remarkable; she's ambitious and has her own opinions. It's truly remarkable that she has such thoughts in this era.
He Jiuniang's opinion of her changed instantly.
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