"I can definitely spend a lot of money to go back to the master's hometown and find a few more masters to come over and draw lace for me."
Su Jingyi watched helplessly as Amber spent a large sum of money to order fifty lace paintings from Huang Wanzhen.
After sending Amber away, Su Jingyi asked, "I think Sui Sui's crochet technique isn't that difficult. If she teaches other students, they could finish 50 pieces in less than a month. Why did you set a four-month delivery time? Isn't that too long?"
Huang Wanzhen packed up the lace in the box and said without looking up, "Artwork takes time. Can something that takes only one month be called art? I originally wanted to book it for six months. I wanted you to save more money before going to the United States!"
Huang Wanzhen, who was packing up samples, was suddenly hugged by Su Jingyi. She imitated Amber's tone and said, "Oh! Miss Huang, you are such an angel!"
Huang Wanzhen rolled her eyes and pushed her away. "Go back to work. I plan to go to Shanghai to spend the New Year with my mother this year. I'll leave on the 25th of the twelfth lunar month. Before that, you need to arrange things in the shop. I don't have time to help you keep an eye on the orders. Go by yourself."
Su Jingyi spun around happily, her beautiful velvet skirt rippling. "Yes, sir!"
Since they were not celebrating the New Year in Peking this year, Huang Wanzhen prepared New Year gifts for Mrs. Fan, Mrs. Liu, Chu Yanzhi, Shen Junyan and others early on.
In order to save time on the road, she specially chartered a taxi and personally went to each family to deliver the gifts.
Mrs. Fan was the only one at home, and her complexion wasn't as good as before. Huang Wanzhen offered a few words of concern, but Mrs. Fan pulled her aside and talked for a long time, "You didn't come to the salon a few days ago. Can you come during the Lunar New Year?"
Huang Wanzhen held her hand and said, "I'm going to Shanghai to spend the New Year with my mother. I might not be able to make it to the salon during the first month of the lunar year. What's the matter? Madam, if you have anything to say, just tell me directly. I treat you like family, so you don't have to be polite."
Mrs. Fan's slightly pale face broke into a smile. "It's better to have a daughter. A daughter is a warm and caring little cotton-padded jacket for her parents. Hengming has been getting busier these past few months and hasn't been home much. Your Uncle Fan is also very busy. I don't like playing cards with those wives. It's boring to stay at home all day. If you're free, come and talk to me more often."
"Okay, I'll make a note of that."
Huang Wanzhen left Fan's house and went to Mayor Liu's house. Mayor Liu's house was still crowded with guests. Huang Wanzhen put down the New Year gift, went to Mrs. Liu to say a few words, and then went back.
This busy period lasted until the 25th day of the twelfth lunar month.
Chen Hanfeng, Haimi, Haili and Yuya, who were far away in Shanghai, all returned to Peking.
One is to go back to Beijing to spend the New Year with Chen Yumei and Chen Yubao, and the other is to have a meal with people from the company.
As usual, Huang Wanzhen took everyone to a banquet in the evening. The banquet was held at Zui Xiang Lou and was very sumptuous. The four traditional main dishes were stewed pork elbow, Guifei chicken, four-happiness meatballs, and braised fish. There were also other dishes, and there were sixteen dishes on the table.
"Oh my, you guys are really enjoying yourself following Mr. Huang. I'm even thinking about coming back." Chen Hanfeng had originally wanted to make it big in Shanghai after seeing its prosperity, but his eighth senior brother did, while he returned to Beijing in disgrace. When Huang Wanzhen asked everyone who was going to Shanghai to develop their careers, he was the first to respond, quite thinking about returning to avenge his previous humiliation.
But after a few years, the company in Beijing grew bigger and bigger, and even opened a school. Even Gao Zhixiang, who followed Mr. Huang later, has become rich now, but he is still standing still, which makes him a little discouraged.
Huang Wanzhen saw what he was thinking with a quick glance, but she didn't want him to come back. There was no shortage of positions in Peiping, but Shanghai needed Chen Hanfeng to look after it.
"Hai Li, hurry up and pour some wine for Uncle Nine. I hope he'll be well-served tonight. If he's not well-served, I'll hold you accountable."
Hai Li has grown into a big man. He has had good food in recent years and has grown rapidly. He usually practices boxing and martial arts. At first glance, he looks like a strong man.
"Okay! Don't worry, Mr. Huang! I promise to make sure Senior Brother Nine drinks well."
All of a sudden, Xiao Shitou, Zhang Dongqian, Shi Liang, Shi Zhen and others toasted Chen Hanfeng with wine.
Huang Wanzhen ate the meal leisurely, and took Huang Dachui on the train early the next morning, without giving Chen Hanfeng any chance to speak.
Huang Dongshi didn't see Xiulan and Xiuqing, and she missed them very much. She kept asking Huang Wanzhen, "Why didn't Xiulan and Xiuqing come?"
Huang Wanzhen glanced at her and really wanted to say something unpleasant to teach her a lesson. But then she thought, after not seeing each other for such a long time, why bother to make her angry? So she said, "Well, I asked them to stay in the shop."
Mrs. Huang glanced at Huang Wanzhen with a complaining look, and said with a distressed look, "We have all been raised in our family since childhood, and you don't even let us take a few days off during the New Year. It's a bit too harsh."
Huang Wanzhen was almost amused by her. Who was being so harsh? She had no idea at all. "I let them choose for themselves. The one who stayed would get double the salary. They chose to stay and look after the shop. How could I go back on my word?"
"Hey! They are all good and hardworking children."
Huang Wanzhen pushed Huang Dongshi into the house and said, "Let me have a good rest for a day. I'll go to the opera with you tomorrow."
"What's the point of listening to opera? You're even more unfashionable than an old lady like me. Movies are the new thing now."
Huang Wanzhen looked at Huang Dongshi in surprise, then asked Xiuzhu beside her, "Who invited her to the movies?"
Xiuzhu covered her mouth and laughed, "It was Lady Sidonie. She has taken her wife to see the movie several times, and even Miss Zhenzhen has been there once."
Mrs. Huang grabbed Huang Wanzhen's hand and said mysteriously, "Hey, you don't know, there's a movie actress who looks a lot like your sister. Her name is Julie. But she's prettier than your sister."
Huang Wanzhen smiled nonchalantly, "Really? Have you seen any female celebrities who look like me?"
"Not really." Mrs. Huang shook her head.
Xiuzhu continued, "Second Miss is so beautiful. If she wants to be a female star, she can definitely apply for a job at a film and television company."
"Hey! Xiuzhu, what nonsense are you talking about? It's New Year's Day, stop talking nonsense." Mrs. Huang glared at Xiuzhu, took Huang Wanzhen's hand, and walked to the sofa to sit down. "Wanzhen, don't listen to Xiuzhu's nonsense. We are a decent family and we don't want to be actors for others' entertainment."
"Girls your age are the easiest to be deceived. Movie stars sound nice, but aren't they just for fun? Actresses don't have a good ending. When they're young, they can make a living with their looks, but when they get old and fade, they're worse than beggars and won't live long."
Xiuzhu brought over two cups of tea and said, "I'm just saying it, Miss. Don't take it seriously. You should listen to the Madam. You're the most vulnerable at your age. Once you've seen more, you'll know what's good and what's bad."
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