Re-embroidering life

After the birthday party, Shui Qinghua felt that the door that had been trapping her was pushed open, and she was in a good mood.

At this moment, she stood by the window, her eyes fell on the courtyard from afar. She thought of the mountains and rivers, flowers, birds, animals, festivals, and folk customs of Chu. These are all elements that can be integrated into embroidery. Each element can be derived into several or even dozens of series of sketches. By then, a hundred patterns will not be enough. These elements can not only attract business for the new embroidery workshop, but also organize and display the culture of Chu.

She returned to the table, picked up a pen and paper, and began to sketch the design in her mind. This time she no longer pursued complicated details, but used simple strokes to capture the charm of Chu's customs.

Shui Qinghua felt that she should have a good talk with Shen Yi and Manager Wang. Before that, she had to find Dou Jianzhi first.

May 15th, the Dragon Boat Festival, was the day Tang Hao invited them to watch the Shenzhou Club in Xisai. At a time when the streets were empty and seats were hard to come by, Tang Hao had reserved a private room in Zhenjiang Pavilion. When Ji Fei and Ji Rui found out, they wanted to go out, and Ji Zimo joined in, so she had no choice but to agree. So she sent a letter to Dou Jianzhi and arranged to meet at Zhenjiang Pavilion.

When they arrived at Zhenjiang Pavilion, Dou Jianzhi was already there with Shui Xiuhua and Shui Yuhua.

Shui Xiuhua touched Shui Yuhua's cheek and said, "You are still a child at heart. If you hear there is something going on, you must come along."

Shui Yuhua pouted and said, "The Xise Dragon Boat Festival only happens once a year. Even if Master Tang doesn't invite me, I will come and watch!"

Both sisters asked Shui Qinghua: "Why don't you see my second brother-in-law?"

Shui Qinghua sighed helplessly: "He was hiding at home studying. I don't know why, but he suddenly worked like crazy and said he wanted to pass both the first place and the second place in one go."

Xiuhua and Yuhua looked at each other. They knew that their second brother-in-law was a talented man, but wasn't his tone a little too arrogant?

Shui Qinghua let the two children play with their fourth and fifth aunts, and called Dou Jianzhi aside.

We are all family, so Shui Qinghua didn't beat around the bush and asked directly: "Jianzhi, you work as an accountant in the restaurant, how much is your monthly salary?"

Dou Jianzhi scratched his head embarrassedly: "Usually it's one and a half taels. When the restaurant business is particularly good, I can get two taels."

"After the Dragon Boat Festival, Xiuhua will go to the Chen residence for treatment. Old Madam Chen will definitely not charge for the consultation, but what about the medicine? The herbs for conditioning the body are not cheap. Even if you pay all your monthly salary, it may not be enough." Shui Qinghua said bluntly.

"This... Second sister, don't worry, I will get medicine for Xiuhua even if I have to borrow money!" Dou Jianzhi patted his chest and promised.

"Who asked you to borrow money? If you do this, will your aunt be nice to Xiuhua?" Shui Qinghua rolled her eyes at him.

Dou Jianzhi was silent. He knew how powerful his mother was. He asked worriedly, "Second sister, do you have any ideas?"

"I can't help you, but I can recommend a job for you. See if you want to do it."

"Second sister, you tell me, I'll do it!"

"You know I'm going to open an embroidery workshop with Si Yi Fang. Now I'm still in need of a manager who can represent me in socializing and negotiating business. At first, I'll pay you three taels of silver per month. In addition, I'll give you ten percent of the fifty percent profit I share every year."

"10%? No, no, second sister, this is too much! I don't even know if I've done well or not, I can't take it!" Dou Jianzhi waved his hands repeatedly.

He was very tempted by the conditions offered by Shui Qinghua, but he knew that he had no experience in being a manager and could only learn on the job. He might even fall into a trap and pay the tuition. It was already a bad thing for him to take the high monthly salary. If he got a share of the profits, that would mean he would become the small boss of the embroidery workshop. How could he dare to do that!

He also knew that this opportunity was rare for him. In the past, he might have hesitated, but after the Buddha embroidery, he was impressed by Shui Qinghua's embroidery skills. He firmly believed that her embroidery workshop would be successful. And he would be the manager of this embroidery workshop!

"Second sister, you think highly of me, so I will be the manager! But I don't want a share of the profits for now, just a monthly salary. When the day comes when the embroidery workshop can really make money, we can talk about sharing the profits." Dou Jianzhi said sincerely.

"Okay!" Shui Qinghua agreed readily, "I didn't choose you just because you're my cousin. I really think you're capable, brave, careful, and good at fighting. By the way, when did you start practicing? How come I don't know?"

"Hey, what kind of skill is this? I have been taller and stronger than other children since I was young. The master of the martial arts school in the town thought I was a good candidate and asked me to go to the school to learn from him every day. I had not studied for a few days when my mother found me. She twisted my ear and asked me to go home to study. She also scolded the master. I never learned again after that." Dou Jianzhi's face was full of melancholy when he recalled the past.

"It's not too late to learn now." Shui Qinghua encouraged him, "When you go out to discuss business in the future, you may encounter some ruffians, bandits, or bullies. We all trust you if you have skills!" Shui Qinghua told Dou Jianzhi that she would take him to meet Shen Yi, the owner of Si Yi Fang, next time. "Mr. Shen is a real kung fu master. I saw him pull a crazy horse by himself!"

Dou Jianzhi took a deep breath, his eyes full of admiration: "I must make friends with such a hero!"

Shui Qinghua covered her mouth and smiled: "Please help me think about how to run the embroidery workshop first!"

The two were talking animatedly when they heard the sound of gongs and drums on the river, which attracted their attention. As far as the eye could see, people were surging, and folks from all over the country gathered by the river to pray for Shenzhou. There were various sheds on both sides of the river, and the opera troupe was performing Chu opera here. It was said that they had been performing day and night for several days.

On the river bank, a dragon-headed Shenzhou stood upright, with its head held high and its tail raised high. Inside the boat were pavilions, carved beams and painted buildings, and statues of Qu Yuan, Nuwa, and the three gods of fortune, wealth and longevity were enshrined. Soon, a group of strong men came out, each with a red ribbon tied on their forehead. They lifted the Shenzhou and walked towards the river in high spirits. The leading man was tall and handsome. Under the sun, sweat soaked his clothes and stuck to his body, and his strong chest and abdominal muscles were faintly visible. Many girls blushed when they saw this, and Yuhua blushed too. She covered her face with her hands, and her eyes looked at the man through her fingers.

From Shui Qinghua’s perspective, she saw Yuhua’s expression clearly. She also looked at the leading man, and it turned out to be... Tang Hao?

This is not possible!