Hu Li was just so-so in looks; though pretty, she was not the kind of breathtaking beauty. However, after growing up, Qin Xiangmei was astonishingly beautiful. Every movement she made radiated a charm that others didn’t have. As a university graduate from a reputable brand name institution, plus her good looks, even if she came from a less privileged background, she ended up marrying either a second-generation official or a wealthy heir.
It turns out, it wasn’t because Qin Xiangnuan was naturally destined for such good fortune, but because she had taken the jade that belonged to her mother, seizing the opportunity meant for Qin Xiangnuan.
The system’s translucent panel was still in front of her.
Beauty, skills, martial arts.
Three options, choosing different paths would lead to different destinies.
Qin Xiangnuan had originally wanted to choose beauty since no woman would not want a beautiful face. By the time of her death, society had become highly focused on appearances. Remembering Qin Xiangmei’s face, which even at forty resembled that of a twenty-year-old, it was a lie to say she wasn’t envious, deceitful to claim she wasn’t jealous.
Her finger was almost about to press down, but in the end, she moved it to the next item, skills.
She was not Qin Xiangmei. Qin Xiangmei had Hu Li and Qin Guohua, who always put her first, even if it meant selling their wok for scrap to provide for her education. She also had a brother to take care of, so she wouldn’t choose beauty.
She clicked on skills, which had many options with significant rewards.
Musical instrument playing was not an option for her; they were poor and couldn’t afford lessons or even the instrument itself. Besides, they were too far from the big cities, how could she explain knowing how to play?
She gave up on cooking; her culinary skills were quite good. Since childhood, she had cooked for herself and worked in restaurants. While she might not be a renowned chef, the food she prepared was certainly passable.
Acting? Becoming an actress? She didn’t consider it.
Qin Xiangnuan thought for a moment. She was very interested in this. At the time of her death, she was working in a clothing factory and had various skills. She could make clothes, and she thought if she knew how to embroider, she could make even more beautiful garments.
Plus, tailors were in high demand during the decades since the economic reforms.
And now, she wasn’t even thinking about making money from clothes, at the very least, she could make them for her brother and herself to wear.
She did not hesitate to pick embroidery.
The system did not react much, just displaying a line of text, which must be the system’s manual.
The time inside the system was at a 1:10 ratio to the outside world. In other words, one day outside equaled ten days inside. If she spent one hour in there, it was actually ten hours, and the space would provide her with designated coursework to study, no simpler than traditional schooling and also very strict.
She chose embroidery, and the first lesson given to her was not on embroidering techniques but ancient poetry and classics like "Zizhi Tongjian" and the "Analects." These books, which she had to read, have encapsulated thousands of years of culture, and it’s indeed true that without understanding these cultural aspects, how could one possibly learn embroidery well.
The system did not specify how long she had to complete the first task. However, she could only move on to the next one after completing a task. These books, if read at a normal pace, might take decades to finish. But Qin Xiangnuan had such a miraculous existence like the system—where one day equals ten. Therefore, a year’s worth of effort was like ten years. Being young now, with a good memory, starting to study now meant she could finish these books quickly.