Tang Yue stood still, looking at the pile of gifts Lian He had brought and his solicitous demeanor, she said, "Mr. Lian, you don't need to do this."
"Xiao Yue, even if you don't acknowledge me as your father, think of this gift as a token between friends," Lian He hurriedly interrupted her, concerned Tang Yue would not accept it. The gifts he bought were all things that girls liked nowadays, and many of the snacks were specially sourced from abroad.
"I am too old to be your friend," Tang Yue refused, continuing, "Mr. Lian, some things once missed are truly missed. Why bother with me now after having abandoned my mom back then?"
"I heard you have twins, a boy and a girl. You should feel very blessed, shouldn't you?"
"We are living happily now, so let's not disturb each other. Let the past drift away like the wind."
Tang Yue spoke word by word, the eager anticipation she once held now turned into a sense of suffocation at the sight of Lian He. In just a year since he left, he had a wife and children, and now he puts on this act of deep affection, but for whom?
"Mr. Lian, I have things to do, so I'll be going now." Tang Yue turned and strode away without giving Lian He a chance to speak.
In the cold wind, Lian He stood holding the gifts, looking somewhat dejected.
Zhang Hualian and Tang Zhengde were about to head to the store and had seen the entire scene clearly. Zhang Hualian sighed inwardly and said, "Lian He, Xiao Yue now has a dad, you..."
"Hualian, I am Xiao Yue's biological father, the one who has a blood connection with her," Lian He's hand holding the gift bag clenched tightly. He took a deep breath and said, "Hualian, my daughter, I must acknowledge her."
With that, Lian He turned and left without even glancing at Tang Zhengde.
Every time he saw Tang Yue affectionately calling Tang Zhengde 'Dad' but referring to him formally as 'Mr. Lian,' Lian He felt like there was a knife twisting in his heart.
Lian He got into the car and said in a deep voice, "Let's go."
The car slowly moved off, the figures of Zhang Hualian and Tang Zhengde gradually disappeared, and determination settled in Lian He's eyes. He was resolute about acknowledging Tang Yue as his daughter.
Back at his residence, Lian He asked his assistant, and when he saw the housing contract, he finally showed a smile.
At Mingyue Clothing Factory, most of the employees had left, but Sister Deng and her group were still there.
After such a long time, the clothes designed by Sister Deng had also become good-looking, at least better than those sold in shops outside.
When Tang Yue arrived at the factory, Deng Lanhua was deep in concentration making clothes.
Tang Yue walked over quietly. Deng Lanhua was so focused she didn't notice Tang Yue's arrival.
Tang Yue held her breath, trying to keep it light as she watched Deng Lanhua's careful tailoring. After a long while, once the cutting was done, Tang Yue said, "Sister Deng, your craftsmanship is getting better and better."
The clothes Deng Lanhua had initially made were very ordinary. After a few years at the factory, the clothes she cut now were more fashionable, and her confidence during the process was palpable.
Even her demeanor had undergone a complete transformation. Once, she was a woman toiling for survival, her eyes full of weariness.
But the current Deng Lanhua had earned money, with all of the factory's sample-making entrusted to her. Her skills improved over time, and with years of experience, she gained a composed demeanor, exuding confidence and happiness from her eyes.
True enough, those who work hard are never let down by fate.
That's what Tang Yue thought to herself.
Deng Lanhua looked at Tang Yue with surprise and said, "Xiao Yue, compared to you, I've got a long way to go. The orders for your designs, they're just incredible."
"Xiao Yue, what do you think of the outcome of this coat I made?" Deng Lanhua asked eagerly, like a student waiting for praise from a teacher.
"Not bad," complimented Tang Yue. She took the cut fabric and made a subtle change to the neckline, seemingly perfecting the garment.
She also designed pleats at the cuffs, making them resemble delicate frills when extended, exceptionally attractive.
"Xiao Yue," Deng Lanhua said excitedly, "this modification seems to make the clothes look even better."
"Sister Deng, the overall work you've done is quite good, it's just that some details, if handled even better, would make it perfect." Tang Yue didn't hold back in teaching Deng Lanhua. After half a year at Jinghua, Tang Yue sadly found that most of what was taught was already within her knowledge.
Next year, she planned to reduce her coursework and devote more time and energy to fashion.
After talking with Deng Lanhua for half a day, a coat was finished. Looking at the coat, Tang Yue felt a deep sense of accomplishment.
Initially, perhaps she was leaning on the development of fashion from her previous life, finding designing clothes quite effortless. But lately, she began trying to incorporate her own style.
Mingyue Clothing aimed for a simple, generous, yet affordable style.
Star Bright, on the other hand, went for a more high-end and grand look.
These two styles could be said to be polar opposites.
Whether it was in terms of material or design, Tang Yue initially struggled, but gradually, she found her own way, able to switch seamlessly between the two extreme styles.
On the day of Little New Year.
The Mo Family brought over many things, a traditional custom where the groom's family visits the bride's family before marriage.
After marriage, the young couple would bring gifts to visit the bride's parents.
The New Year was a major festival, and the Mo Family placed great importance on it. The gifts they brought were very presentable.
Since Mo Siyu had not returned home, it was Mo Xiaolin who came in person. As the in-laws met, there was no end to the conversation.
Especially when Mo Xiaolin repeatedly praised Tang Yue, her words revealing her fondness for Tang Yue, this made Tang Zhengde and Zhang Hualian even more pleased with this match.
After seeing off Mo Xiaolin, the Tang Family headed back to Qianjin Village.
The Tang Family's reputation was excellent in Qianjin Village.
Whether it was Qianjin Village or Shuanghe Town, many women worked in the clothing factory, and as they earned money, their lives improved. This year, everyone bought an extraordinary amount of New Year goods.
When the Tang Family returned, they were greeted warmly by many villagers.