Lin Aiyun: “…”
After Xiao Cheng finished eating, Lin Aiyun took the bowls to the kitchen. On her way back, she happened to run into Zhang Wenhua and Yang Xueyan walking over from the end of the nearby corridor. The two were chatting and laughing merrily, and it wasn’t until she called out to them that they noticed her.
“Aiyun, come over here—someone’s looking for you.”
“Auntie?” Several thoughts ran through Lin Aiyun’s mind. Could Yang Xueyan’s visit mean there was progress on the embroidery association matter? She hadn’t had a chance to ask at the wedding a few days ago, what with all the people around.
They all quickened their pace toward one another. Yang Xueyan took Lin Aiyun’s hand with a smile, the corners of her mouth curving upward. “Aiyun, I really didn’t want to disturb you two lovebirds during your honeymoon, but they’ve been pressing me urgently over there.”
“Huh?” Lin Aiyun pretended not to understand, giving her a playful, coquettish glance. “Auntie, how could your visit possibly be a disturbance? I’d welcome you anytime!”
Yang Xueyan’s eyes narrowed into crescent moons, clearly pleased by the response. But time was tight, and she was eager to share the good news, so she got straight to the point: “Remember how I told you I’d take that peony embroidery of yours to show our association president?”
“What did she say?” Lin Aiyun nodded. Though she could already guess the outcome from Yang Xueyan’s expression, she still couldn’t help feeling nervous.
Fortunately, Yang Xueyan didn’t keep her in suspense. A soft laugh escaped her throat as she spoke: “The president loved it. She praised you in front of several of our members—it’s the first time I’ve heard her give such high recognition to a younger generation.”
“In short, Aiyun, your entry into the embroidery association is as good as settled. The president asked me to bring you over for a meeting sometime in the next couple of days, and we’ll get the paperwork done. From then on, you’ll receive a fixed monthly salary.”
That salary, in the past, would have meant nothing to Lin Aiyun—she’d spend that much on a single meal out. But the Xiao family’s “heroic feat” had been witnessed by the entire city, so how could Yang Xueyan not know?
Moreover, their family had donated generously right after the Xiao family, ranking near the top of the citywide donation totals.
Of course, the Xiao family came in first.
So she was rather worried about whether the young couple had much money left now.
But to put it bluntly, a starved camel is still bigger than a horse—the Xiao family certainly wasn’t reduced to poverty. Still, compared to their former lifestyle, things were definitely more frugal now. A little extra income was better than nothing.
“Aiyun, what riddle are you two solving? I don’t understand a thing!” Zhang Wenhua blinked in confusion, tugging urgently at Lin Aiyun’s sleeve, her eyes full of bewilderment.
From the fragments she’d caught, she could tell it was good news, so she was still smiling. But not knowing what was really going on left her uneasy and unsettled.
Hearing the confirmed news, Lin Aiyun’s face lit up with joy. It took several deep breaths to suppress her excitement before she patiently explained the whole story from beginning to end.
She hadn’t told Zhang Wenhua earlier because she was afraid that if something went wrong in the end, it would only lead to disappointment. But now that everything was confirmed, there was no reason to keep it from her.
“Ahhhhhh!” Zhang Wenhua couldn’t help letting out a few squeals, throwing her arms around Lin Aiyun, barely containing her excitement. “This is why big cities are better! Back in the day, who’d have known you could embroider flowers and get into some national… thing?”
“As expected of my daughter! Aiyun, I knew you could do it!”
Zhang Wenhua didn’t fully grasp the prestige of the National Embroidery Association, but the word “national” told her it was no small matter—wasn’t that saying that in such a vast country, hardly anyone could get in?
And yet her daughter had made it!
Seeing the pride on Zhang Wenhua’s face and the tears welling in her eyes, Lin Aiyun’s own eyes grew red.
The National Embroidery Association was a department that would continue for many years to come. Within a few years, it would temporarily merge with the country’s largest textile factory, primarily handling design, research and development, and export-related work.
There would also be plenty of contact with foreign diplomats.
During the period when the country opened its doors, the National Embroidery Association would once again become independent—and that would truly be the moment to promote traditional Chinese culture, as well as a prime opportunity for embroidery to shine once more.
Embroidery had always been Lin Aiyun’s passion and the career she wanted to pursue for a lifetime. She wanted to witness every historic moment of the National Embroidery Association, to make like-minded friends there, and together with them, carry on the legacy of embroidery and spread it far and wide.
To let the whole world know about Chinese embroidery!
“Absolutely right. Aiyun is one of the most talented young people I’ve ever seen. Don’t worry—she has a long road of development ahead of her.” As a mother herself, Yang Xueyan understood Zhang Wenhua’s feelings well and was happy to say a few honest words to make her even more delighted.
“Thank you, thank you! Please, do take good care of our Aiyun from now on.” Having listened for so long, Zhang Wenhua now understood that Yang Xueyan was the one who had recommended Lin Aiyun to the embroidery association. She looked at her as if she were a savior, eyes gleaming, unwilling to let go of her hand.
Yang Xueyan clasped Zhang Wenhua’s hand in return, beaming. “Oh, don’t say that—Aiyun and Xiao Cheng are just like my own flesh and blood. Saying that makes it sound like we’re strangers! As long as it’s within my power to help at the association, I absolutely will.”
“But I still have to thank you, Auntie. Without you, I wouldn’t have gotten into the embroidery association so smoothly. Why don’t you stay for dinner tonight?” Lin Aiyun invited sincerely.
“I still remember your cooking from last time and was hoping for another chance to try it. But unfortunately, my eldest son and his family are coming back today, so I need to go help look after my little grandson.” Yang Xueyan sighed regretfully. “I’ll have to take a rain check.”
“Then we’ll do it another time—you have to come next time, for sure.”
Hearing this, Yang Xueyan nodded and readily agreed, then remembered something else. “By the way, have you finished that large piece I asked you to embroider?”
“Just a little bit left—I’ll finish it today.”
“That’s wonderful. Bring it with you tomorrow when you go to the association.”
The two discussed the time for going to the association together the next day to complete the formalities, after which Yang Xueyan took her leave.
“I’m going to buy some more groceries right now—we must celebrate properly tonight.” Zhang Wenhua clasped her hands together, grinning so wide her mouth nearly reached her ears. Then, as if something else occurred to her, she stomped her foot in frustration.
“Your father’s been up to goodness knows what lately—gone all day long and I can’t even find him. It’s infuriating! I was going to have him help carry the groceries.”
“He’s probably gone fishing with Uncle Zhang again?” At that, Lin Aiyun also realized that aside from the few days around the wedding when she’d seen Lin Jianzhi regularly, she’d hardly caught sight of him at other times.
She’d been so busy she didn’t know where Lin Jianzhi went or what he did—that was understandable. But even Zhang Wenhua didn’t know? That was rather strange.
“Forget it. When your father comes back tonight, I’ll have a good talk with him.” Zhang Wenhua had clearly arrived at the same thought as Lin Aiyun and furrowed her brow. But since she couldn’t find him now, she’d have to ask tonight.
“Right now, there’s something more important. Aiyun, tell me what you’d like to eat tonight—I’ll make it for you.”
Lin Aiyun named a few of her favorite dishes and suggested going to the market with Zhang Wenhua so she wouldn’t have to carry too much back alone. But the latter waved her hand dismissively.
“No need for you to come. I’ll take your little brother along. Aiyun, you focus on finishing that embroidery—what if it’s not done by tomorrow?”
“Alright then. Stay safe on the road, you two.” Lin Aiyun didn’t insist. She really did need to hurry, or she’d end up working late into the night.
Zhang Wenhua nodded, said goodbye, and strode off toward the backyard—presumably to get money and call Lin Wenkang to join her.
The next day, right after breakfast, Yang Xueyan arrived in a car sent by the embroidery association to pick Lin Aiyun up. With her was her apprentice, Zhuang Dongping.
“Xiaoping.” Lin Aiyun greeted her with a warm smile.
“Sister-in-law.” Pressed for time, Zhuang Dongping remained seated in the back of the car. She was wearing a powder-blue embroidered qipao today, with a butterfly hairpin clipped in her hair—sunlight streaming through the car window made it sparkle beautifully.
The meticulous, elegant outfit lent a certain vivacity to her otherwise ordinary features.
Lin Aiyun found herself glancing over more than once—not only because Zhuang Dongping looked more striking than when they’d last met, but also because the needlework on the qipao was so vivid and lifelike, every detail impeccably executed.
It looked like Yang Xueyan’s style.
Sure enough, noticing Lin Aiyun staring at her dress, Zhuang Dongping straightened her back and explained with a smile, “My teacher gave this to me as a birthday gift.”
“It’s gorgeous, and it suits you perfectly.” Lin Aiyun nodded, offering a sincere compliment as she got into the car.
Zhuang Dongping pursed her lips in a faint smile, her gaze casually falling on the bag Lin Aiyun had placed beside her. Inside was presumably the embroidery piece she’d spent so much time and effort completing.
Thinking of all the gossip floating around the association lately, Zhuang Dongping withdrew her gaze indifferently, though her hand, resting by her skirt, tightened slightly.
“Today’s this girl’s grandmother’s birthday, so she dug out this dress she usually treasures like a precious jewel and put it on.” Yang Xueyan turned around from the passenger seat to say this to Lin Aiyun, though her smile carried a hint of awkwardness.
Lin Aiyun, unaware of Yang Xueyan’s unease, widened her eyes in surprise and then smiled, offering a few words of congratulations to Zhuang Dongping.
Seeing that Lin Aiyun hadn’t taken it to heart, Yang Xueyan let out a silent sigh of relief. At the same time, she silently cursed Zhuang Dongping for being so tactless—not only had she pestered her this morning to come along to the association to watch the commotion, but couldn’t she have changed into something else?
Today was Aiyun’s first day at the association, the day she’d formally meet everyone for the first time—so Aiyun was supposed to be the star. Yet Xiaoping, the supporting role, had shown up in exceptionally flashy attire. Setting aside the fact that she’d steal the spotlight, what if others mistook it for deliberate intent and her reputation suffered?
Most crucially, if Aiyun took offense and a rift formed between them…
All in all, there was nothing good about this—any sensible person would never do such a thing. But Xiaoping was naive and simple-hearted.
It seemed she’d have to make Xiaoping get out of the car a bit later. She recalled having a few unworn clothes in her office—she’d have her change into one before joining the crowd.
Yang Xueyan let out a frustrated sigh, but it never crossed her mind to question whether Zhuang Dongping had done it on purpose. In her eyes, her apprentice was still just a little girl who hadn’t grown up yet.
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