“I just learned a bit of embroidery from my grandmother when I was a kid—nothing like a famous style,” Qiuyun said, sidestepping the compliment. “Besides, I didn’t spend much time studying, so I had to put effort into other areas.”
Everyone knew Xiaoqiu had only a high school education, and before, they thought she hadn’t applied herself, that she must be someone who didn’t take life seriously and loafed around. But with this display of embroidery skills, the image in everyone’s mind instantly shifted to that of a patient, dexterous, and attentive young woman.
Jiang Chuling clutched Sister Xiaoqiu’s embroidery, unable to put it down. “If you can embroider this well just from learning a little on the side, imagine what an expert you’d be if you studied formally!”
Seeing that the young Miss truly admired it, and since it was just something she did to pass the time in the evenings, Qiuyun wasn’t stingy. “If Miss likes it, I’d be happy to give you this piece as a gift.”
Before Yu Xiang could decline, Jiang Chuling shook her head. “No, that’s not what I want. Sister Xiaoqiu, could you embroider a little rabbit on my school uniform instead?”
The girl nuzzled close to her, “Sister Xiaoqiu, our school has so many uniforms—several sets for daily wear, plus formal ones for ceremonies, gym clothes for PE, and work outfits for social practice. Sometimes when everyone’s busy and changes quickly, all the clothes get tossed in a pile. I have to tie a knot in mine just to make sure I don’t pick up the wrong one!”
Some classmates had their names embroidered on theirs, but the rough stitching was so bad that Jiang Chuling would rather go without.
“Of course, no problem at all.” Qiuyun agreed with a smile.
“Yay!” Jiang Chuling beamed. “Then when the new uniforms come out next semester, I’ll hand them over to you, Sister Xiaoqiu!”
“This child.” Yu Xiang gave her daughter a playful, reproachful glance, then had Sister Zhou transfer another twenty thousand yuan to Qiuyun. “This embroidery skill of yours must have taken a lot of hardship to perfect when you were young. From now on, remember: never give away a skill that can earn you money for free, or else your relationships will fall into chaos down the line.”
Qiuyun understood that Madam Jiang was worried she was too young and thin-skinned, that she might give in to requests from Sister Fang, Sister Yuan, or Assistant Manager Chen and the others to embroider for them too. Over time, she’d feel resentful while others would take it for granted, and the imbalance would lead to conflict. So Madam Jiang had set clear boundaries in advance, making it so that even the Miss had to pay for embroidery.
A warm surge filled Qiuyun’s heart.
Madam Jiang was exactly as Assistant Manager Chen had said: an exceptionally kind and good-hearted person.
“Thank you, Madam. I understand what you mean.” Qiuyun felt genuine gratitude for every bit of kindness.
Seeing that Qiuyun grasped the point immediately and that the two trivial worries were settled, Yu Xiang, tired from a day of mountain climbing, fell into a deep, sweet sleep that night with her daughter, enjoying a full night’s rest.
Back in her room, Qiuyun looked at the fresh forty-two thousand yuan in her phone account while savoring the red velvet cake sent over by Chef Wang. Her spirits soared to their peak!
That cake, worth four hundred yuan for a palm-sized slice, was divine—more delicious than any dessert she’d ever tasted, truly unforgettable!
Before, with such an expensive cake, she would have savored every bite, especially since she still had over a hundred thousand yuan in loans to repay. This kind of luxury was rare to try.
But today, with a windfall in hand—still over two hundred thousand after paying off the loan—she could eat it every night for the next month without a second thought!
After her late-night snack, Qiuyun began preparing for the birthday gift.
The money Madam Jiang had given covered not just her workmanship but also the cost of materials. Though the gifts mainly depended on content and embroidery skill, if the paper and brocade holding them were too shoddy, they’d be embarrassing to present.
Qiuyun searched online and found that Chengxin Hall paper and Floating Light brocade were now classified as “intangible cultural heritage” products. To buy them, you had to try your luck at the relevant storehouses.
Trying your luck meant that unqualified guests had no chance at all. Qiuyun saved the address after a quick photo.
She currently had no qualifications—but Madam Jiang, as the wife of the eldest son of the Jiang family, certainly did.
---------
Compared to the serene atmosphere of Bright Moon Tower, Jiang Yihua was restless with insomnia on the lower floor.
For over twenty years, he and his wife had known and accompanied each other. She had always been gentle and rational, but this was the first time they’d argued so fiercely, and now they were even sleeping apart.
Thinking about yesterday’s teasing from his younger brothers, Old Master Jiang’s changing stance, and his wife’s unyielding attitude, he found sleep impossible. He got up and had Sun Assistant Manager bring up some wine from the cellar.
In middle age with a thriving career, especially in these critical years of the past three to five, Jiang Yihua couldn’t help but feel some resentment toward his wife and son for not being understanding. Hadn’t he been laboring day and night in the group for the sake of the family?
The Jiang’s Bolo Group wasn’t just his father’s life’s work—it was also the result of his mother and grandfather’s full commitment and hard effort.
As his mother’s only son, how could he bear to see his parents’ legacy fall into the hands of a half-brother?
He downed glass after glass of red wine, hoping to drink enough to sleep, especially since there was an international meeting the next morning he couldn’t miss. But he didn’t notice the door to the study’s break room quietly opening, revealing a sneaking figure.
The next morning.
Qiuyun explained her purpose to Madam Jiang, who readily agreed and sent her own car to escort her to the ancient street in the southern city to find the Ruan family’s steward.
As the saying goes, “Dynasties come and go, but noble families endure.” The Ruan family was one such clan, weathering wars, revolutions, reforms, and new beginnings, standing firm through the ages.
Today, besides real estate and internet technology, the Ruan family had their own century-old foundations: the crafting and sale of ink, paper, inkstones, ancient zithers, jade chess sets, and fine silks and brocades.
For the nouveau riche—those looked down upon by old families as having only become wealthy in the past two or three generations—these rare, priceless classical luxuries had always been objects of fascination and pursuit.
Qiuyun learned this from Madam Jiang’s driver on the way. Clearly, the Jiangs, especially Old Master Jiang, were regular customers here.
“Here we are, Xiaoqiu,” said Uncle Zhang, the driver. “I’ll wait in the tea room by the parking lot. Come find me when you’re done.”
“Okay, sorry for the trouble, Uncle Zhang.”
“No problem.” The young woman was not only beautiful but also quick-witted; she’d handed him a whole crate of fruit when she first got in, meant for his wife and son.
“Oh, and one more thing,” Uncle Zhang added before she left. “I heard from some drivers in the main building that Old Master Jiang takes this birthday banquet very seriously. Be polite and careful at the Ruan place—don’t offend anyone you shouldn’t.”
“Will the Ruan family also attend the birthday banquet?”
Uncle Zhang kindly reminded her, “Mayor Pei is a son-in-law of the Ruan family.”
Qiuyun nodded knowingly. So the century-old clan didn’t just deal in commerce but also politics—the business chart was only part of their family empire.
“I understand. Thanks, Uncle Zhang. Go take your rest.”
“Sure thing.”
After exiting the car, she faced an extremely plain and aged gate, its surface so polished with wear that you’d hardly notice the lintel was made of priceless gilded nanmu wood.
