lcionline Chapter 344: Square Scarf
Chapter 344: Square Scarf
"You should make this square scarf first."Chunya was already quite skilled at making hair flowers, Lin Xiang just drew the pattern for the square scarf, and she made it after a glance.
Since it was winter, Chunya specifically used thicker fabric.
"Well done, Chunya, your craftsmanship is quite good," Lin Xiang complimented her, then gestured for Ge Yuanyi to undo her hair.
"The low ponytail technique isn’t difficult, but making it look good involves some tricks. I’ll demonstrate it once for you to watch closely, so that when customers ask you how to tie a low ponytail, you can teach them."
To ensure Chunya could understand, Lin Xiang demonstrated the techniques slowly, but fortunately, Chunya had a good perception and learned it in one go.
Looking at the square scarf on Ge Yuanyi’s head, Chunya couldn’t help but say, "The effect of the square scarf is indeed different from hair flowers."
"On this basic style, you can make changes. For example, you can embroider on solid-colored fabric or add a small pendant on it, so it looks different from others."
Chunya nodded continuously, "I understand. When I open my hair flower workshop, I’ll first launch the square scarf style."
Ge Yuanyi kept looking in the mirror, "It looks so nice, I really like it. Chunya, can you give me this square scarf?"
"Of course I can. I have quite a bit of fabric here, I’ll make some more for you and Niuzi over the next few days, and you can wear them to Beijing!"
"Then I won’t be polite with you."
"We’re sisters, no need to be polite."
After a while, Fifth Aunt knocked on the door, "Come out for the New Year’s Eve dinner!"
It seemed Fifth Aunt deliberately arranged it, as Lin Xiang ended up sitting directly across from Cheng Jinyun at the Eight Immortals table.
Lin Xiang subconsciously glanced at Cheng Jinyun, only to find he was looking at her too.
In that instant their gazes met, Lin Xiang hurriedly lowered her head, not daring to meet Cheng Jinyun’s eyes.
But the feeling was so tantalizing that she frequently snuck a glance at Cheng Jinyun, and somehow, whenever she looked up, he was also looking her way.
Lin Xiang barely managed to finish the meal, and Aunt Ge’s family of three left for home.
"Let me take you home," Cheng Jinyun offered.
Aunt Ge quickly declined, "Yuanxin has his Fifth Uncle’s wheelchair, I’ll push it at a slower pace, we’ll eventually get there. Sending us back would mean a long round trip, and it’s not easy to celebrate the New Year’s, you should spend time with your family."
After Aunt Ge’s family left, Fifth Aunt said to Chunya and Lin Xiang, "Do you want to go see Lihua and Xingzi?"
"Mom, it’s New Year’s Eve, people are having their family dinner, why should we bother them?"
"Niuzi hasn’t visited Xingzi yet. She had a baby, a big healthy girl, and probably just finished her postpartum recovery."
"What?" Lin Xiang was shocked, "Wang Xing had a baby?"
Her memories of Wang Xing were stuck on how the Wang Family forced Wang Xing to marry an old widower for a bride price, and she and Yang Lihua helped save Wang Xing.
Before she went to college in Beijing, Wang Xing had even brought homemade pickles to her house, and Lin Xiang hadn’t heard about Wang Xing’s marriage. Now, a few months later, Wang Xing already had a child?
"When did Wang Xing get married?"
"When you were in senior year of high school, Xingzi had the wedding. You seemed to be taking some exams at the time, so Xingzi specifically asked not to tell you, worried it would affect your studies."
Later, Fifth Aunt and the others assumed Wang Xing had told Lin Xiang about her marriage, not expecting that none of them mentioned it. Wang Xing hadn’t said anything either, and Lin Xiang only found out when Wang Xing already had a child.
Lin Xiang couldn’t sit still, "I must go see her. Fifth Aunt, let me take some brown sugar from you; I’ll bring it back later."
Fifth Aunt brought out a basket, packed with two bags of brown sugar, two bags of dates, and took the two hens and two roosters Lin Xiang brought as well.
"Mom, grab those two cans of malted milk, also the pastries Niuzi brought from Beijing. We can always get more from Beijing if we want them, Wang Xing just finished confinement, she needs proper nourishment."
"Alright, pack it all up."
Fifth Aunt’s family was in a better financial position now, generous in food and drink, and understanding Wang Xing’s situation, they didn’t hold back.
Lin Xiang’s relationship with Wang Xing wasn’t as close as with Yang Lihua, so she was less aware of Wang Xing’s circumstances, even not knowing who her partner was.
But Chunya knew.
"He’s from our village, named Chen Jianguo, orphaned early, raised by his elder brother and sister-in-law. The family isn’t wealthy, but they are kind people. Wang Xing married into the family and despite financial struggles, she isn’t mistreated, nor does she fear being sold off by relatives."
As they chatted, Lin Xiang and Chunya arrived at the Chen Family.
It was New Year’s Eve, and the Chen Family was having their festive dinner when they heard Wang Xing’s friends visiting, Aunt Chen quickly invited them inside.
"Today Xingzi just ended her postpartum confinement, and it’s New Year’s Eve, so I made some old hen soup. You two sit down first, I’ll serve you some chicken soup."
"Aunt, no need to be so polite," Lin Xiang quickly stopped her, "We’ve had dinner before coming, you carry on with yours, don’t mind us, we just want to see Xingzi."
Coming out of confinement meant it had just been thirty days, so Wang Xing hadn’t gotten out of bed, and had her meals brought to her room by Aunt Chen.
Even though Wang Xing hadn’t bathed or left the house in a month, she didn’t look disheveled, nor was there any unpleasant smell in the room, showing that her in-laws cared well for her.
"Niuzi, Chunya, you’re here." Wang Xing handed the soundly sleeping little girl over for Lin Xiang to see, "This is my daughter, named Mengmeng, isn’t she adorable?"
Little babies all look alike, especially when asleep, Lin Xiang couldn’t see much of a difference.
But Mengmeng was dressed very cleanly, without the typical baby milk odor, looking neat and showing that she was well cared for.
"Very cute, fair and clean, clearly cherished."
Wang Xing showed a gentle smile, "When Mengmeng was born, I worried for a long time knowing she was a girl. Growing up in a patriarchal setting myself, I feared my daughter might face the same struggles, but unexpectedly, both Jianguo and my brother and sister-in-law adore Mengmeng."
"They never belittle her for being a girl, and they’ve looked after me during my postpartum diligently, ensuring I have the best food. My sister-in-law even quit her job at the bun workshop to attend to me."