The embroidery association was located some distance from the Xiao family home. Along the way, Yang Xueyan kept telling Lin Aiyun stories about the association.
Having been established for over fifty years, the National Embroidery Association was an institution recognized by the previous government. It held an irreplaceable position in the hearts of all orthodox embroiderers, and most people strived their entire lives to become members.
However, there were only two ways to join the National Embroidery Association, and both had extremely stringent requirements.
The first path: first, one needed a recommendation from a member—members were embroiderers of a higher rank than ordinary members, making up only five percent of the association—and then secure the president’s approval. The association president was famously impartial; before her, exceptional embroidery skill was the only pass.
The second path: placing among the top five in the embroidery competition held every three years. With so many skilled embroiderers across the nation, fighting one’s way through to the top was as difficult as reaching the heavens.
Thus, the National Embroidery Association currently had only about a hundred members.
Lin Aiyun was joining the association as an ordinary member, receiving the lowest tier of monthly subsidy. To raise her subsidy level, she would have to exchange corresponding embroidered pieces.
Each submitted piece would be evaluated by professional embroiderers, who would assign a grade, and she would receive corresponding compensation and points. Once accumulated points reached the cap, she would become a member.
The higher the quality of the embroidery, the more money she could earn and the greater her chances of eventually being promoted to membership.
The association only looked at skill—nothing else.
“I’m going to work hard to become a member.” Lin Aiyun’s eyes sparkled, her heart burning with passion. Youth was the best stimulant—she felt full of energy.
A voice kept echoing in her mind, telling her to shine here, rather than wasting half her life in obscurity in a mountain village like in her previous life, only to find that by the time opportunities and conditions arose, she no longer had the drive to strive.
She wanted to become the kind of independent woman she’d seen in her past life—dressed in suits, confident, and successful.
Standing on equal ground with men—or even higher.
“Go for it. I believe with your skills, Aiyun, you’ll definitely get what you wish for.” Watching the invisible radiance emanating from Lin Aiyun, Yang Xueyan’s face showed a trace of satisfaction. She was also reminded of her younger self, first entering the association.
She’d climbed step by step to the position of vice president. Others praised her exceptional skill and good fortune, but only she knew the hardships and sweat she’d put in day and night. Fortunately, the results were enough to leave her with no regrets.
Now that Lin Aiyun had this awareness and ambition to rise, Yang Xueyan was naturally delighted to see it.
“Thank you for the encouragement, Auntie.” Hearing Yang Xueyan’s roundabout praise, Lin Aiyun smiled a little sheepishly.
Her peripheral vision suddenly caught Zhuang Dongping sitting beside her—she noticed the veins on the back of her hand bulging as she gripped her skirt tightly. Lin Aiyun’s heart gave a jolt, but when she looked up, she met a face full of smiles.
The next moment, Zhuang Dongping’s arm looped through hers, her sweet, playful voice carrying into Lin Aiyun’s ear with unassuming coquettishness: “Sister-in-law is so impressive! From now on, I want to learn from you too and strive to become a member of the association as soon as possible.”
Hearing this, Lin Aiyun paused, staring at Zhuang Dongping’s perfectly composed expression. She slowly curled her lips, placed her hand over Zhuang Dongping’s, and said softly, with a hint of meaning: “Xiaoping, everyone has different strengths. I’d actually like to learn some of the unique embroidery techniques specific to Beijing from you. Auntie says you’ve picked them up exceptionally well—given time, I’m sure you’ll make it into the association.”
“And of course, if you ever have any questions for me, feel free to come find me anytime.”
Her tone was gentle as she spoke unhurriedly, like a stream flowing over one’s heart, sending faint shivers through it.
Zhuang Dongping’s long lashes trembled, and she couldn’t help asking, “Really?”
“Really!” Lin Aiyun nodded without hesitation, then reached out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind Zhuang Dongping’s ear. “Xiaoping, you’re very talented too.”
“… ” This time, Zhuang Dongping said nothing in reply.
Meanwhile, the car slowly came to a stop in front of a three-story building. Almost before it had fully parked, people who’d been waiting at the entrance craned their necks out. Some were still holding needlework kits, as if they’d been sitting inside diligently embroidering and had rushed out at the sound of the car.
Without exception, these people were all members of the association.
“That’s the car, no doubt about it. I saw Uncle Huang drive it out to pick someone up this morning.”
“So the one sitting in the car is the new member joining the association? I heard she’s only twenty—wow, she’d be the youngest among us, right? I wonder what she looks like—is she pretty?”
“You’re so shallow. What’s the use of just looking at appearances? Even if she’s as beautiful as a celestial being, if her embroidery skills aren’t up to par, she’s nothing but a pile of dog crap in my eyes.”
“Skills not up to par? Are you kidding? That’s someone the president personally approved and praised—how could her skills be anything but excellent?”
A few men and women huddled together, chattering noisily. Amidst all the clamor, the car door opened. They’d seen Yang Xueyan’s face many times before, so their gazes quickly moved past her—but due to her usual authority, the noise at the entrance subsided considerably.
The back door opened next. Zhuang Dongping stepped out first, and everyone was stunned by her unusually stylish appearance—they’d never realized she could look so pretty, practically glowing.
All eyes were drawn to her, and no one noticed Lin Aiyun getting out from the other side. Carefully carrying a large bag, she walked around the front of the car to stand beside Yang Xueyan. Gazing at the crowd, she swallowed and asked in a low voice.
“Why are there so many people?”
Yang Xueyan sighed helplessly. “They’re all just caught up in the excitement. It’ll be fine once you get to know everyone.”
Lin Aiyun nodded in heartfelt agreement—people always tended to be especially enthusiastic about new things.
“Xiaoping, didn’t I tell you to wait a while before entering the association?” Yang Xueyan tugged at Zhuang Dongping’s arm. She felt both puzzled and annoyed by her apprentice’s disobedience in suddenly opening the car door and getting out—all her careful consideration had been thrown away.
Watching the glances being cast toward Zhuang Dongping and the occasional murmurs from the crowd, Yang Xueyan felt a headache coming on.
Zhuang Dongping frowned. She’d dressed so beautifully today precisely to outshine Lin Aiyun—if she didn’t get out of the car now, all her effort would be for nothing.
But she certainly couldn’t say that out loud. So she lowered her lashes and explained in a low voice, “I forgot for a moment.”
“You…” Seeing Zhuang Dongping looking so pitiful, Yang Xueyan couldn’t bring herself to keep scolding her, but she also felt somewhat unable to save face. Fortunately, Lin Aiyun chimed in with a few kind words, giving her an out.
Zhuang Dongping’s eyes flickered as she looked at Lin Aiyun, who was speaking up for her. She felt the qipao she was wearing begin to burn against her skin, making her heart flutter with unease. Unbidden, the words Lin Aiyun had said in the car surfaced in her mind.
Instantly, a wave of shame washed over her.
“Xiaoping, what are you standing there for? Let’s go.” Lin Aiyun turned her head and smiled at Zhuang Dongping.
“Mm.” Zhuang Dongping licked her dry lips and let out a hollow laugh as she followed their pace, all the while scanning the area around the entrance for something. She didn’t even seem to notice her fingernails digging into her palms.
The three walked toward the main gate. The closer they got, the more clearly they could hear what everyone was saying.
“She really is a celestial beauty, isn’t she?” The person who’d spoken earlier stared fixedly in Lin Aiyun’s direction, only snapping out of it when the person next to him gave him a nudge.
“Hey, you actually called it.”
“She’s even prettier than Sister Yaoyao—no, they’re different styles, but both are gorgeous.”
Just then, Qin Shuang, a member who was usually close to Yang Xueyan, came up and asked cheerfully, “Vice President, is this Miss Lin? Looks like our association is getting another showpiece.”
“I think you care more about looking at pretty girls than you do about embroidery.” Yang Xueyan teased with a laugh, and took the opportunity to introduce Lin Aiyun to everyone.
“Hello everyone, it’s my first time meeting you all. My name is Lin Aiyun. I look forward to your guidance in the future.”
“Hello, hello.”
By now, most people’s attention had finally settled on Lin Aiyun. She was wearing a cream-colored long dress with small blue flowers embroidered at the cuffs. Her glossy black hair was braided into a single plait that hung down to her chest, making her look fresh and lovely.
A few stray strands fell at her cheeks, making her oval face appear even smaller. Her skin was fair, her eyelids slightly lowered, revealing long, upturned lashes. Beneath her straight, high-bridged nose were pale pink lips. Every contour of her features seemed gentle, yet carried a subtle, resilient sharpness.
Her brows were like a painting, her figure graceful and poised—standing there, she looked like a vibrant, blooming flower bud.
“Oh, it’s all good, all good!” Qin Shuang waved her hand, her animated expression making everyone laugh. But just then, an accident occurred—a young man holding a bottle of ink stumbled forward, as if someone had pushed him from behind. Unable to steady himself, he lurched straight toward Lin Aiyun.
“Ah!” Someone screamed, and everyone gasped sharply.
“Xiaoping, are you alright?” Yang Xueyan cried out, crouching down and grabbing Zhuang Dongping’s arm to help her up.
Zhuang Dongping shook her head, biting her lip and lowering her gaze. Her voice was already thick with tears. “I’m fine—it’s just my dress… wuwuwu, it was a gift from you, Teacher.”
“As long as you’re okay, that’s what matters. As long as you’re okay.” Yang Xueyan let out a relieved breath, repeating herself twice. Seeing Zhuang Dongping crying, her heart ached for her, and she immediately said, “It’s just a dress. I’ll embroider you another one when I have time.”
By then, Lin Aiyun, who had been knocked aside by Zhuang Dongping and fallen to the ground, had also come to her senses. With Qin Shuang’s help, she stood up. Her ankle throbbed with pain—she’d probably twisted it—but she had no mind for that right now. She stepped forward and said, “Xiaoping, thank you. I’m so sorry about the dress…”
If it hadn’t been for Zhuang Dongping, she would have been the one in trouble.
And judging by the angle from which the man had lunged, the bag she was carrying would have taken the full brunt of the ink. The bag had no zipper—the ink would have poured straight in, ruining all the embroidery pieces and documents inside.
“It has nothing to do with you.” Zhuang Dongping met Lin Aiyun’s sincere, worried gaze and instinctively turned away, pretending to brush off her skirt.
“What’s wrong with you? Why are you walking around with a bottle of ink and waving it about? Don’t you know to put the cap on?” Qin Shuang grabbed the collar of the culprit and hauled him forward.
She’d always had a fiery temper, and now, furious to the extreme, her twisted expression was quite frightening.
“I didn’t mean to! Someone pushed me from behind!”
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