Xiaoxiao lay on the heated brick bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep. She felt an emptiness in her heart, a touch of loneliness creeping in.
She told herself it was just a matter of getting used to it, that things would be better tomorrow.
Groggily enduring until dawn, she got up with a pair of red eyes. It was Yang Ming’s first day away, and she had gloriously suffered from insomnia.
That made no sense. She was usually heartless, falling asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow with excellent quality of sleep.
After eating, with nothing to do during the day, Xiaoxiao curled back up in her room to catch up on sleep.
"Younger Sister-in-law, Younger Sister-in-law!"
Just as Xiaoxiao had barely drifted off, she heard her second sister-in-law’s voice, "What’s the matter, Second Sister-in-law?"
"Someone from town is here. Hurry up and come out!"
Someone from town? Who could it be? Xiaoxiao quickly dressed and left the room.
"May I ask who you are?"
"Madam Yang, I am from the Xiangxiang Cloth Shop in the county town. Our boss has already hired the embroiderers and painters and asked me to pick you up."
"..." That was an unrivaled efficiency in getting things done, with even a car to pick her up and drop her off. The treatment was just too high.
"Alright, wait for me for a moment."
Xiaoxiao hurried back to her room to pack, having not expected to go to the county town so soon. Should she go visit Yang Ming as promised, and if so, what should she bring? She was somewhat flustered, rummaging through chests and cabinets—a sign she didn’t even notice herself being slightly off.
"Younger Sister-in-law, are you ready? You’ve been a long time, and they are waiting," Second Sister-in-law started to urge her again. Younger Sister-in-law was normally quite prompt, so why was she dawdling now?
In the end, Xiaoxiao dithered for ages but left home without bringing anything, thinking she would just buy whatever was needed in the county town.
Thus, Xiaoxiao took the private car to the Xiangxiang Cloth Shop in the county town.
"Xiaoxiao, come in quickly. Take a look at the embroiderers and painters I’ve hired!"
Wang Xiangxiang was also an impatient person, getting things done as soon as she said them. The talent was in place in less than two days.
Looking at the embroidery works brought by the embroiderers, they were simply in another league. She had thought her eldest and second sister-in-law were quite skilled, but the professionals were on a different level—so vivid and lifelike. She was thoroughly impressed by her own insignificance.
Then looking at the various patterns drawn by the painter, if she gave a little guidance based on what she had seen in the modern world, they could definitely produce beautiful lingerie.
"Sister Wang, are the materials for all these ready?"
"Don’t worry, everything will be in place within five days!" Wang Xiangxiang assured her, thumping her chest confidently.
"..." She admired those who had great wealth; they could get things done quickly.
"What about your side? Do you have many who can do embroidery work?" Wang Xiangxiang was also concerned. The craftsmanship of country folk couldn’t compare to the maids of big households in the city, but thankfully they had samples, which made it much easier to follow.
"Sister Wang, don’t worry about my side, we’re just waiting for the samples and the fabrics to arrive!" She also couldn’t afford to be the weak link. She’d have to hurry and select some embroiderers once back.
"Xiaoxiao, why don’t you stay at my house? In the next few days, let’s try to get the samples done!" Wang Xiangxiang suggested.
Seeing that Xiaoxiao didn’t respond, Wang Xiangxiang continued, "Are you worried that your husband won’t allow it?"
"Oh, no, no, he’s not at home right now, he’s gone to the Academy!"
"It’s just that my family will worry. How about this? Starting tomorrow, I’ll come over every day, and we can work on the new designs here! Let’s not work on them today; I still have something to do later."
After setting things with Wang Xiangxiang, she left the Cloth Shop and headed to the streets, unaware that her heart had already flown to the Academy. How could she have the mood to think about lingerie designs?