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墨書 Inktalez
Everyone was patiently waiting in line, not competing with one another. The aunts and older women who hadn’t had their turn yet sat on stools in the courtyard, chatting idly.
How long could this free sewing machine be used? It was hard to say. If they didn’t take advantage of this great deal now, they would have to pay for it or trade something for it in a few days. They would really miss out!
There were quite a few people in the family courtyard, and some of them, despite their higher standards, were still going around looking for other households with sewing machines.
The marks on Wu Mei's face from being hit were still visible upon closer inspection. She hurried over to Wen Qian, not daring to speak loudly for fear of attracting attention, and whispered angrily, “Don’t get too smug. One day, I’ll make you pay for this.”
Wen Qian nonchalantly nodded, “Alright, I’ll be waiting. I’m sure I’ll look better in the future. Just let me know what you plan to do.”
“No, that’s not what I meant! I meant I’m going to deal with you!”
“Then I’ll just wait for you to come and deal with me.”
With that, she ignored the furious Wu Mei behind her and walked away. After buying thread at the supply store, she headed back home.
On her way back, she noticed Guo Xiaojuan walking ahead of her; she looked like she had been through a lot. As she walked, Wen Qian saw Guo Xiaojuan suddenly turn down an unfamiliar path.
As she passed by, she glanced in that direction and thought it seemed like it led to Chi Xuecha’s house.
When Wen Qian got home, her mind was occupied with thoughts of what kind of trouble Chi Xuecha and Guo Xiaojuan might be getting into together.
Upon arriving home, she noticed Aunt Tian standing at the door.
When Aunt Tian saw Wen Qian return, she smiled and approached her. “Xiao Qian, you’re finally back!”
“Auntie, did you come looking for me for something?”
“Can’t I come find you just to play?”
Wen Qian opened the door and the two of them walked inside. Aunt Tian chuckled, “My daughter-in-law is chatting with someone and I couldn’t get a word in edgewise, so I came out to find you.”
This was surprising; it was rare for Aunt Tian not to have anything to say. Wen Qian’s curiosity was piqued as they walked together.
“What kind of conversation could you not join?”
"Well, it's about learning. I'm just an illiterate old woman, and their conversations sound like encrypted telegrams to me. It's giving me a headache!"
Aunt Tian excitedly pulled her aside. "I heard from my daughter-in-law's colleague that you're going to teach at the school. Is it true?"
Wen Qian's heart skipped a beat. How did this news spread so quickly?
"Auntie, how did she find out? I only agreed to this with Lu Zheng last night! Does everyone know now?"
Aunt Tian sat on a stool, catching her breath as she looked at Wen Qian. "No, my daughter-in-law's colleague went to see the principal this morning and happened to run into your Lu Zheng discussing this matter. That's how she found out. Not everyone knows yet, but it won't be long."
"You know how it is; news travels fast in the family compound. By today, everyone should know."
"You need to make clothes! I'll help you; we can finish faster together."
While they were making clothes, Wen Qian looked at Aunt Tian in surprise. "Auntie, you have quite a few ideas, don't you?"
Aunt Tian proudly puffed out her chest and looked at Wen Qian with a smirk. "Of course! I'm well-known in the village. Young girls and aunties come to me for designs; I'm so busy I can hardly keep up!"
Wen Qian smiled at her proud demeanor and complimented her. "Auntie, you're really impressive! I should learn more from you."
"I'll teach you; you'll get the hang of it."
"I designed all my daughter-in-law's clothes, and I made my eldest grandson's outfits too!"
Wen Qian thought about it and realized that their clothes were indeed more stylish than those typically seen in the family compound—either the designs were fresh or the cuts had unique characteristics.
An idea suddenly popped into her mind, but she suppressed her excitement. She needed to think this through!
While they were working on the clothes, Aunt Tian curiously asked Wen Qian, "Xiao Qian, how are things between you and your Lu Zheng? I felt something was off between you two before."
"It doesn't look like you two are a couple; you're too polite with each other. I even started to wonder how Lu Chen came about!"
Especially when they first got on the bus together; she didn't have a good impression of Lu Zheng then.
He was a big man, tall and strong, while his wife and child looked so frail that a gust of wind could blow them over!
She felt uncomfortable watching them but couldn't say anything since they were just strangers.
Wen Qian paused for a moment, awkwardly smiling. "We're doing quite well."
Aunt Tian scoffed. "Really? Is that so?"
The couple lived more decently than she did with her husband. Back when she and her husband were young, they would hold hands and steal kisses! If they got angry, it was straightforward; whoever could win a fight was right. Generally, though, she was the one who won. It wasn’t just her boasting; with her level of strength, even ten old men wouldn’t stand a chance.
Aunt Tian chuckled to herself as she thought about it. Seeing Aunt Tian laughing alone made Wen Qian smile.
"Go on in quickly and come out soon. Don’t waste time inside talking nonsense with my daughter. If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t want you here at all." The woman pinched her nose in disdain and waved her hand. "How long has it been since you last bathed? You smell! Get yourself cleaned up before coming back; it’s embarrassing."
Guo Xiaojun stood at the door, blushing as she looked at Chixuecha’s mother. She lowered her head shyly and said, "Auntie, I’m sorry. I was just too anxious. Next time I come, I promise I’ll be tidied up first."
"Just hurry inside; don’t stand there bothering me. You annoy me just by being here." Chixuecha’s mother walked in and ordered, "Close the door behind you."
Suppressing the humiliation of being scolded, Guo Xiaojun walked in and shut the door. Once inside, she saw Chixuecha’s mother sitting on the sofa and softly called out, "Auntie, I’ve closed the door!"
She approached Chixuecha’s room and knocked on the door. "Xue, it’s me; I’m here."
Chixuecha opened the door irritably. Upon seeing Guo Xiaojun looking dirty all over, she quickly covered her nose, unable to hide her disgust. "Why are you so filthy? Can’t you clean yourself up before coming? You’ve made my room dirty just by being here! You smell terrible!"
Guo Xiaojun felt wronged and blinked back tears, biting her lip to hide her anger and humiliation. She sniffled a couple of times and quietly retorted, "You were the one who asked me to come find you! You said to hurry over!"
"You can’t rush over like this!"
Guo Xiaojun thought to herself that if she had arrived late, would Chixuecha blame her for that too?
"Come in already."
Suddenly, Chixuecha blocked Guo Xiaojun again and pointed at a newspaper on the table. "Go grab a piece of newspaper and put it under the stool."
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