Wang Xiangxiang had wide connections in the county, and with her help, they might indeed find Xiaotian. The family felt like they had found hope upon hearing this and thanked Wang Xiangxiang profusely.
Wang Xiangxiang felt somewhat embarrassed by the attention and told Xiaoxiao in private, "Actually, I can only try finding him around this county, so don’t be disappointed if we can’t find him."
"No, no, we’re already very thankful that Sister Wang is willing to help," Xiaoxiao said earnestly. She hadn’t expected this serendipitous encounter would lead to Wang Xiangxiang volunteering to help. It seemed that Li Fugui was indeed a lucky man.
"Xiaoxiao, how is the search for embroiderers going, when can we start production?"
"The search is almost over. We don’t need to find many from the start. As for production, let’s pick an auspicious day."
Xiaoxiao thought this was akin to a business opening and wondered if they should set off firecrackers or something similar for good luck. She had become superstitious now and didn’t want to encounter any mishaps like when they had made pickled vegetables before.
"Alright, how about the beginning of next month? It’s not that far off."
"..." The beginning of the month? Xiaoxiao shook her head, "No, the first is definitely not going to work."
"What’s wrong? Isn’t the first a good day?"
Blushing slightly, Xiaoxiao said, "My husband will be back on the first, and I won’t be available."
"..." Is this about spending time with the husband? That’s obviously a different attitude from a few days ago, "Then let’s make it the second!"
Xiaoxiao thought for a moment. The Dragon Head Festival was on the second day of the second month, a day for haircuts. That would be fine, as long as it wasn’t the first day. "Okay, then the second it is."
With the production start date set, what remained were the small preparatory tasks: ordering long tables and benches to facilitate everyone’s cutting work. These simple tasks could be taken care of in a few days, and they had already hired a villager who was a carpenter to do them.
Wang Xiangxiang had prepared all the cutting tools, rulers, needles, threads, and the like, and the designs were also ready. They planned to produce ten different styles to begin with, and it seemed everything was set for them to start production.
In the afternoon, Wang Xiangxiang prepared to leave. "Xiaoxiao, I truly don’t want to go. Your home is so warm and lively, unlike mine, which is rather quiet."
"If you don’t mind the noise, you could always stay with us," Xiaoxiao offered.
Seeing Wang Xiangxiang’s envious look, Xiaoxiao felt that small households had their benefits. Large households came with their drawbacks; few people and it’s lonely, too many and there are endless schemes and battles over the inheritance. Now she felt fortunate to have transmigrated into this family.
"But that won’t do, if I stay here, where will your husband live?"
"..." Oh right, where would her husband live? She hadn’t wanted to share a room with him before, but now she didn’t want to be apart from him.
Seeing Xiaoxiao’s silence, Wang Xiangxiang continued to tease her, "I think you can’t wait for me to leave, so I don’t get in the way of you two."
Xiaoxiao, now red-faced, hurriedly said, "No, no, Sister Wang, there are so many places to stay, anywhere is fine."
"Pfft!" Wang Xiangxiang laughed out loud, waving her hand dismissively, "Alright, enough jokes. I’m leaving now. I’ll be imposing on you again in the future, haha."
Wang Xiangxiang said this as she climbed into the carriage and told the coachman, "Let’s go."
After sending off Wang Xiangxiang, Xiaoxiao felt she had changed. She too could have a day like today. Before, no matter how much others teased her, she remained unaffected, but now, just a little teasing could make her blush.
It’s all to blame on her bargain of a husband – would she have changed otherwise?