Rebirth and making money first

Under Zhang Zhi's anxious urging, Zhang Jing finally slowly picked up her phone and dialed Mrs. Xu's number. After the call was connected, Zhang Jing first greeted Mrs. Xu politely and attentively, then chatted briefly about family matters. After obtaining the old lady's consent, she handed the phone to Zhang Zhi, who was already impatient, and said softly, "Here, go talk to the old lady and tell her that the child's mother wants to thank her."

After answering the phone, Zhang Zhi unleashed a torrent of chatter, chatting non-stop with Old Lady Xu. Meanwhile, Zhang Jing, watching Zhang Zhi, seemed unable to stop for a moment, and simply turned around and began ordering Achen around to help with the chores. The adorable little kid couldn't escape the same fate, spinning around like a top.

After waiting for a long time, Zhang Zhi finally hung up the phone with satisfaction. She excitedly shouted to Zhang Jing, "Haha, it's done!" However, Zhang Jing seemed a little skeptical of Zhang Zhi's words and couldn't help but ask, "Is it true? It's done so quickly?"

Seeing this, Zhang Zhi quickly patted her chest and assured, "Of course it's true! I've already made an agreement with the old lady. After I buy the fabric tomorrow, I'll go see her the day after tomorrow. And the old lady has already agreed!"

Hearing this, Zhang Jing couldn't help but frown slightly, and said earnestly: "After all, the old lady is old and her energy is limited. It's better not to trouble her if you can. In fact, I know another craftsman who can also make clothes. How about you ask her first?"

But Zhang Zhi didn't care about it. She waved her hand and said, "Oh, we can discuss these things slowly after we come back. Don't worry about it now. The most important thing is to keep the baby safe!" After that, she turned around and hummed a little tune and went to busy herself with other things.

The next day, Zhang Zhi went to Huizhou with Zhang Jing's mother-in-law. To Zhang Jing's surprise, even her brother-in-law and grandfather went along, supposedly to look after the shop. The child had to be taken care of by the babysitter. Zhang Jing, disgruntled, asked Zhang Zhi on the phone, "Are you planning on coming back tonight?" She got only three words: "It depends! If you're late, let my daughter sleep with you!"

Zhang Jing found Old Lady Xu and asked, "Godmother, why did you agree to her? Just turn it down. Aren't you tired?"

Mrs. Xu said, "It's something I can do. I have something to rely on. If I get tired, I'll just work slower. They're all your relatives. If I refuse, won't that just make people hate me?" Zhang Jing said, "I know. You're doing this for me!"

Mrs. Xu said, "Don't flatter yourself all the time. I want to see the child. Don't forget to bring him to me!"

Zhang Jing, knowing the old woman's wish, agreed to bring Naituanzi over the next day. She wasn't expecting Zhang Zhi and the others to return that afternoon, all in high spirits. Speaking of visiting Old Lady Xu tomorrow, Zhang Jing asked them to bring Naituanzi along as a family member. The mother-in-law and Zhang Zhi agreed immediately, even suggesting that Naituanzi wear a cheongsam so Old Lady Xu would be happy.

Director Chen called and said, "Ah Jing, I've taken care of what you mentioned. Alan has gone home to take care of the baby." Zhang Jing was curious about how he had managed it. He said he had called Zuo Panxue and told her to remember to wipe her mouth after having sex and not to bring this scandal to the office. After all, she had left, but Da Zhuang was still there.

"Aren't you afraid she'll bite you back?" Zhang Jing said, "After all, some things are just a shadow of a feather." Director Chen said, "Why should I care what she thinks? If even a mentally retarded person can see something's wrong, there's definitely a problem. She needs to mind her own business. Don't worry about it. Just avoid interacting with her."

"Then you let Alan go back. Does Gao Wei agree?"

"I explained the situation to him, and he immediately let Alan take three months off to take care of the baby. He also asked someone else to take over Alan's job for the time being. We'll talk about future matters later. We can't let this mess cause chaos at work! Keep an eye on your significant other and don't let anyone plot against you. Contact me if you need anything."

Zhang Jing breathed a sigh of relief and decided not to associate with these people anymore. It was too demanding, but it was a good subject for a novel. But even if she wrote it, it probably wouldn't pass muster, as it violated public order and morals.

Zhang Zhi, the mother-in-law, finally arrived with her son. After some discussion, they decided not to use the name of a relative but rather a visit to the nursing home. They were welcomed. Thinking that the old man might be able to move in later, Zhang Zhi, guided by Li Manyue, carefully inspected the nursing home and inquired about its details. Zhang Zhi, reluctantly carrying her son, joined the tour, amazed by the warmth and kindness of the elderly residents.

The lunch was free to try, and after lunch everyone took a nap in Zhang Jing's dormitory. Zhang Jing went to Li Manyue's room to rest.

"Tell me the truth, are they really here to visit the nursing home?" Li Manyue questioned. "They're just visiting. If the old man becomes ill in the future, they'll be sent here. The main purpose is to ask Old Madam Xu to make a cheongsam."

"She can do this?"

"Didn't you see the little cheongsam that little brat is wearing? That's the old lady's masterpiece! And she made more than one. My mother-in-law and my sister went to the Yiwu wholesale market in Huizhou yesterday and bought a lot of fabric. We plan to ask the old lady to make it for us. We'll pay the labor fee, whatever the old lady asks. There aren't many craftsmen like her these days. If one day they're gone, the skills will be lost."

Seeing Li Manyue's interest, Zhang Jing said, "I guess my sister and mother-in-law have bought a lot of fabric. Why don't you ask them to share some with you? At worst, I can make theirs first. You're not in a hurry. I'll take them over after they wake up from their nap. Think about it carefully. This opportunity is rare! What if more people ask her to make it in the future, you won't be able to get a spot!"

Li Manyue said, "You've been using official business to handle personal matters quite smoothly. You've done it quite a lot, haven't you?"

Zhang Jing said, "You're being ungrateful. I only dragged you along because we're all related. If you don't want to, forget it. Go to sleep. If I'm not awake by 2:, remember to wake me!"

When Zhang Jing was woken up, she didn't want to move until Naituanzi, Zhang Zhi, and her mother-in-law came in. Li Xiangyue said, "If you don't want to move, just lie down. I'll take them over first. Come back later!"

Zhang Jing looked at her watch and saw it was past 2:30, so she said she would get up slowly and let them go first.

Seeing that everyone had left, Zhang Jing slowly got up and went back to her room to wash up before going to look for them.

Mrs. Xu's room was much more lively now that Milk Tuanzi was there. She looked at the fabrics and the people, noting which fabrics and styles would suit each person. She also sketched a few designs for them to choose from. Seeing that Li Manyue hadn't left, she realized she had also shared two pieces of fabric.

Finally, Zhang Jing took the measurements of the three people, while Li Manyue counted. The mother-in-law made four, Zhang Zhi made four, and Li Manyue made three. Zhang Jing looked at Mrs. Xu calmly and said, "We'll deliver in a month, but we need to make the wedding dress for Milk Balloon first." She also asked Zhang Zhi to help cut it.

The price was written on a piece of paper; anyone who found it too expensive could opt out. Everyone looked at the price and agreed. So that everyone could have a new cheongsam, they asked Mrs. Xu to make one for each of them first, and not rush the others. With that agreement, the women breathed a sigh of relief.

Li Manyue said, "No problem, I'll help her with some of her work!" Zhang Jing sighed and said, "You guys are crazy. You've made so many clothes, how many times can you wear them?"

But in the excitement no one listened.

After seeing off the elders and the younger ones, Zhang Jing returned to Old Lady Xu's room. "You take on so many calls, don't you feel tired? Aren't you afraid of the nursing home? The old ladies all ask you to do it."

"Am I stupid? I won't refuse? Don't bother talking nonsense. Hurry up and bring the wedding dress material and white silk before I get off work. I'll teach you how to cut it first. I've drawn a few designs, you can choose one."

Zhang Jing stepped forward resignedly, "It would be a waste if your craftsmanship could not be passed on!"

“Some say that every time an elderly person dies, it’s like a library is destroyed.”

Mrs. Xu was furious. "Can you please concentrate? Who am I doing this for? You heartless person! I'm telling you, you have to make these clothes!"

"Really? I'm pregnant, you want to tire me to death? Besides, I don't know how to do it."

"I'll teach you. Don't worry, you'll be a master once you're done."

"Godmother, I'm not a genius! Do you have any scientific fantasies about me?"

"If I say yes, then it's okay. Don't question it! My method is different from the traditional one, and you'll master it quickly!"

Since that was the case, Zhang Jing didn't struggle any more. After all, if she got tired, the old lady would take care of her. She could work or do some private work and still get paid. This was a good thing that only nursing homes could offer.

Previously, an elderly person had offered Zhang Jing lessons in artificial flower making, calligraphy, painting, and piano... but she had turned them all down. She had thought that learning financial management would save her from having to learn tailoring, but now it seemed her excitement was in vain.

Thinking about Zhang Zhi and her mother-in-law, she had also invited them, so there was nothing she could do. But could she really finish 10 cheongsams in a month? Zhang Jing didn't believe it.