"Nanny Wu, that..."
Qian Yuanli came to find Nanny Wu again, hesitating to speak.
"Mr. Qian, if you have any tasks, feel free to instruct me. I can find time to do them for you."
Nanny Wu cooking and washing clothes for Qian Yuanli was all done with Chun Nuan’s consent.
No other reason; Chun Nuan also wanted to glean some useful information from Qian Yuanli. You can’t get a return without some investment, right?
By having Nanny Wu help him, he would appreciate this favor.
It’s often said that debts of money are easy to pay off, but debts of gratitude are hard to return.
She adopted the strategy of sugar-coated bullets; in the future, it would be easier to get the information she wanted.
Nanny Wu worked diligently, and since there wasn’t much work to do for the Xiao family, she could earn silver by doing both jobs alone. Wasn’t this killing two birds with one stone?
"Was it you who mended my torn clothes?"
"Yes, I noticed they were slightly torn while washing. The fabric tore more when I rubbed too hard, so after they dried, I mended them. Are they comfortable to wear?"
"Yes, very comfortable, um..."
Why does Mr. Qian speak so hesitantly?
He wasn’t like this before.
"Mr. Qian, is there anything else?"
If not, she should go cook; it’s almost noon.
"I’d like to buy some fabric to make two new outfits; could you help me with that?" Feeling his request might be abrupt: "I can pay you for the labor."
"Of course."
Who would ever refuse silver?
She’s not foolish.
Ever since separating and moving in with the Xiao family, bringing her daughter along, Nanny Wu hasn’t had to worry about food or clothes. Her daughter also has work to do, relieving her of the financial burden. She’s been full of energy and feeling very content, even her mood has improved greatly.
"Alright, I’ll go to the market tomorrow and buy the fabric; you help me make two new outfits." Qian Yuanli was relieved: "You don’t know, it’s been a whole year since I’ve worn new clothes; these are indeed old."
Nanny Wu glanced at Qian Yuanli meaningfully; is this really the life of a rich person?
Feeling wronged for not wearing new clothes for a year?
As for us poor people, three years wearing new clothes, three years wearing old, patching them up for another three years, yet life goes on?
When Mr. Qian brought the rolls of fabric to make clothes, Nanny Wu realized what it means to be wealthy.
"Mr. Qian, how many clothes are you having made?"
"Isn’t winter approaching? I don’t have much luggage here in Shu City, haven’t prepared any, so I need them all."
Undergarments, outerwear, cotton garments—he had three fabric store assistants carry them into the Xiao family’s courtyard.
Nanny Wu was stunned.
Was she becoming his personal seamstress?
"I don’t have enough time; I still have other work to do, you know?"
By comparison, Nanny Wu preferred to keep her job with the Xiao family. After all, he’s just a visitor—might leave at any moment. She shouldn’t abandon a watermelon to pick up sesame seeds; clinging to the Xiao family’s strong tree is more reliable. Besides, her work contract is with the Xiao family.
"It’s alright; do as much as you can." Qian Yuanli was generous: "By the way, make two undergarments, one outerwear, and one cotton garment; the remaining fabric, you can use to make clothes for yourself and your daughter."
What?
"Consider it your labor payment by barter; I won’t pay separately."
Nanny Wu silently calculated and realized she’s not losing out.
Without any time constraints, she decided this job was worth doing.
She then strenuously moved the rolls of fabric and cotton into her room, planning to use her evening resting time to make clothes for him.
Qian Yuanli’s actions were noted by Mrs. Xu and tucked away in her mind.
When Chun Nuan returned, she quietly mentioned it to her.
"To me, this Mr. Qian seems like a weasel greeting a chicken with bad intentions."
Chun Nuan hesitated for a moment and then laughed.
"Auntie, Nanny Wu has a contract and is about to complete a three-year term; she’s free then."
Having separated and still young, it’s unlikely Nanny Wu would remain alone forever.
If it’s Qian Yuanli... oh dear, might not work; he’s already forty or fifty, a whole generation older than Nanny Wu, like an old ox feeding on tender grass—not afraid of breaking a tooth.
After dinner, Chun Nuan went to Nanny Wu’s room.
"Second Miss is here, please sit down."
"No need to sit; just strolling around to aid digestion, saw your light and came to check." Chun Nuan feigning ignorance: "Wow, such a lot of fabric?"
"Not bought, given by Mr. Qian; he wants me to make..." Nanny Wu unreservedly recounted Qian Yuanli’s request, adding: "Don’t worry, Second Miss. I will do it in my spare evenings, won’t delay my daytime duties."