Courtyard Houses: Starting with the principle of hard work paying off

Chapter 76 Paying Off
After discussing all the details of the dress with Chen Xueru, Li Hongbing originally wanted to use the best fabric, but after learning about the current prices, he gave up on that idea.

The finest silk fabrics are none other than the four famous brocades and kesi (silk tapestry).

Both the materials and the craftsmanship are impeccable and truly remarkable.

But the price is really high; it's a luxury item among luxury items.

Just like making a wedding dress with Yun brocade or Song brocade, the final price might drain all of Li Hongbing's current savings, whether it was the system reward he received before, the five million given to him by Lou Zhenhua, or all the family assets that Li Hongmei transferred to him.

It might not even be enough.

Moreover, in terms of the construction period, the time is simply not enough.

The more complex the process and the more refined the workmanship, the more time it takes.

Although Li Hongbing wanted to tailor a beautiful wedding dress for Li Hongmei so that she could have a grand wedding, if he pursued the ultimate and exhausted all his resources for a "showy but impractical" dress, it would be putting the cart before the horse and going too far.

finally.

Li Hongbing only chose the better silk fabric in the store on Chen Xueru's recommendation.

The two dresses together cost over a hundred.

Although it wasn't cheap, and was even a bit extravagant, it was still within Li Hongbing's acceptable range.

This is the only time I'll squander my money.

The remaining dowry prepared for Li Hongmei was not only presentable but also practical.

One must maintain a sense of propriety.

Making a good living is the most fundamental thing.

"Sister Xue Ru, can these two outfits be finished within half a month?"

Although there are still more than half a month until Li Hongmei and Zhao Weiguo's wedding, Li Hongbing wants to set aside some time in advance.

In case the clothes need alteration later, it won't be too late.

"No problem, I've got this covered."

Knowing that Li Hongmei's wedding was next month, Chen Xueru gave her a guarantee.

Li Hongbing wasn't the only customer in the shop, nor was this the only business. However, the wedding date had already been set, so it couldn't be delayed. The only option was to have the experienced craftsmen in the shop rush the work, and if necessary, he could also help out.

She had to do this job perfectly, without making the slightest mistake.

Otherwise, it would be a waste for Li Hongbing to call her "sister".

After paying the deposit and saying goodbye to Chen Xueru, Li Hongbing returned home satisfied with the two sets of morning exercise clothes.

When he got home, Li Hongbing first washed the two sets of morning exercise clothes and waited for them to dry before wearing them.

The silk fabric is comfortable, and the loose fit makes it suitable not only for morning exercise but also as pajamas – truly a versatile garment.

The clothes were dried overnight. When I woke up the next day, they were already dry.

Li Hongbing specially changed into these clothes when he did his morning exercise, and the experience was noticeably better than his usual clothes.

"Hey! Hongbing, when did you get this new outfit made?"

"This fabric..."

"Hiss, it's silk, isn't it?"

"These pants are so wide, it must have taken so much fabric!"

"Hey, what do you know? Does Hongbing need that little bit of money right now?"

"..."

His new clothes naturally attracted the attention of everyone in the front yard.

However, since everyone knew Li Hongbing's habit of exercising in the morning, they didn't bother him while he was practicing Baduanjin. Instead, they waited until he finished before starting to talk to him.

"My previous clothes didn't allow for much movement, so I specially made two new outfits."

Li Hongbing offered an explanation and emphasized that it was done for morning exercise.

He may be rich, but one cannot be a loner, especially in this day and age. Li Hongbing would never look down on anyone or put on airs in front of his neighbors.

After all, he would be living in this courtyard for a long time to come, and Li Hongbing didn't want to become bitter and resentful, constantly complaining about everything.

In fact, if it weren't for people like the Jia family and Yi Zhonghai deliberately causing trouble, Li Hongbing would have been quite happy to get along with everyone peacefully, at least avoiding offending anyone.

"This outfit must have been quite expensive, right?"

Even if you've never eaten pork, you've seen pigs run. Just by looking at the quality of Li Hongbing's clothes, you can tell that they're not in the same league as what they usually wear.

"It's okay, it's okay."

Li Hongbing didn't mention the specific price to avoid any suspicion of showing off.

As for how they discuss or research things in private, and how they envy or are jealous of each other after figuring it out, that's none of Li Hongbing's business.

Life goes on.

Regardless of what each person thinks, time will not stand still.

a few days later.

Li Hongbing is enjoying his day off.

Simultaneously.

Today is also the day the Zhao family comes to propose marriage.

Because we need to wait for Zhao Weiguo and his family to deliver the betrothal gifts, it's inconvenient to go out today to buy and stockpile supplies.

The date for the groom to propose marriage should naturally be discussed with the bride's family in advance. In order to avoid Li Hongbing having to take a day off, the date that happened to be his day off could only be chosen.

Coincidentally, today is a day off, and everyone is resting.

Coincidentally, today is also another blind date for Jia Dongxu.

It was as if everything had come together at once.

Li Hongbing knew this because he ran into Sha Zhu when he went to the vegetable market to buy groceries that morning.

Today, Zhao Weiguo came to present his betrothal gifts. As a member of the bride's family, Li Hongbing naturally had to entertain him and invite him to stay for a meal before leaving. He went out early in the morning to buy ingredients.

As for Sha Zhu...

I thought he was off today, but I accidentally let it slip.

Today, Jia Dongxu went on a blind date. The matchmaker brought the woman to the door and specifically asked Sha Zhu to take a day off to cook a meal for the Jia family to entertain the woman.

"Tsk, Madam Jia is really going all out. She's even willing to spend money to hire a cook to prepare meals just to find a wife for Jia Dongxu."

Clicking his tongue, Li Hongbing couldn't help but glance at Sha Zhu, who was traveling with him, and asked with a playful tone, "Sha Zhu, how much did Jia Zhangshi pay you?"

If Yan Bugui was a miser, then Jia Zhangshi was a mythical creature; once something went into her mouth, there was no way to get it out. It was hard for Li Hongbing not to be curious.

"Hey! We're all neighbors, no need for money, I'm just helping out."

Knowing that Li Hongbing and the Jia family had a previous disagreement, Sha Zhu thought that Li Hongbing would be unhappy if he helped the Jia family today, but seeing that he didn't seem to care, Sha Zhu also felt relieved.

"Ouch!"

"So stingy, huh?"

"Shazhu, when did your relationship with the Jia family become so good?"

"Not only do you cook for people for free, but you also buy the ingredients yourself. You don't mean you paid for all the groceries yourself, do you?"

"Is it you on your blind date today, or is it Jia Dongxu's blind date?"

"..."

I knew Jia Zhangshi was stingy, but I didn't expect her to get it for free without spending a single penny.

Li Hongbing was still thinking that even if things went badly, Jia Zhangshi should at least make up for the apprentice's wages for the day Sha Zhu took off today.

did not expect………

All of a sudden.

Li Hongbing's gaze towards Sha Zhu carried a hint of "admiration".

So they're already starting to pay out of pocket?

(End of this chapter)