Su Xiaoqi looked at the firm expression in the little magpie's eyes. Fearing she was being too serious and would tire herself out, she recounted some interesting stories about their studies.
The atmosphere became very lively.
After chatting for a while, Su Xiaoqi went into the inner courtyard.
Because of her special instructions, she didn't disturb the two people inside who were concentrating on their embroidery.
It wasn't until she stood in front of Zhao Xiaozhu, deliberately blocking the light in front of her, that Zhao Xiaozhu reacted and looked up.
Seeing it was Su Xiaoqi, she immediately jumped up with surprise.
"Sister Xiaoqi, you're back."
Su Xiaoqi nodded, smiling at Zhao Xiaozhu, whose face had become round and full.
It seemed she was living quite comfortably here, regaining the baby fat she should have had at her age.
Su Xiaoqi supported her and looked at Granny Wen, who was also looking up at her. She politely greeted her, "Hello, Auntie Wen. How have you been lately?"
"Good, good, good, I'm very well." Granny Wen was also a little excited to see her, using the word 'good' three times in a row.
Su Xiaoqi saw that her complexion was ruddy and she was full of spirit. Judging by her state, there was no need to ask further; she must be living a very comfortable life.
She turned to look at the clothes placed beside the two of them.
She recognized them as the work uniforms for Chenjin Ji that she had asked them to make.
The clothes were made of fine lake-blue cotton cloth, with "Chenjin Ji" embroidered on the chest. The fabric was soft, and the craftsmanship was superb.
Zhao Xiaozhu was indeed very talented.
After only learning from Granny Wen for a short time, she already showed great promise.
A thought sparked in Su Xiaoqi's mind, and she immediately discussed it with Zhao Xiaozhu, "What do you think about opening a clothing shop?"
"Ah..." Zhao Xiaozhu hadn't quite understood.
Su Xiaoqi asked again, saying she wanted to buy another shop in the city and asking if she would like to open a clothing shop there.
Zhao Xiaozhu heard clearly, but she was a little hesitant to even consider it.
Her opening a shop?
She wasn't capable of it, was she?
She was just a village girl from a remote mountain village who knew nothing. How could she possibly open a shop?
"What do you think? What's on your mind?" Su Xiaoqi asked her patiently.
Zhao Xiaozhu was simple-minded, and everything she thought was displayed on her face.
Su Xiaoqi easily saw through her thoughts.
Instead of continuing to persuade her to open a shop, she picked up the finished clothes beside her and asked.
"How many sets of these clothes have you made?"
Zhao Xiaozhu crooked her fingers and said, "About eighteen sets."
"Think about it, would you have dared to imagine doing something like this before?"
Zhao Xiaozhu subconsciously shook her head, "I wouldn't have dared to imagine."
Although she had sewing skills before, it was only because her mother, Qian Shi, wanted to save money and had her make clothes for their family.
At best, she only knew how to stitch and cut clothes.
Such beautiful and exquisite embroidery, let alone thinking about it, she had never even dreamed of it.
In her dreams, only her mother favored sons over daughters and doted on her brother. Her elder sisters were like wild grass in the field.
They were allowed to grow as they pleased, completely ignored.
Even when she was harmed, her mother's first reaction was not to protect her.
Instead, it was to see if she had caused any trouble for the family.
Once she caused any trouble, she would be beaten and scolded without mercy, even driven to death.
From the day she was forced into Yuanbao River, her attachment to her mother had died.
She was someone who had died once, after all. Regardless of what happened, the kindness of nurturing had been repaid.
This matter was over!
Su Xiaoqi didn't expect that her words would lead her to think so much and immediately felt a pang of regret.
She didn't want to bring up what Zhao Xiaozhu wanted to forget.
But she didn't expect her to think of that from the matter of opening a shop.
She couldn't help but feel regret. However, Zhao Xiaozhu raised her head at this moment and said, "Sister Xiaoqi, I think I have let it go.
I've saved some money during this time. I'll give half of it to the family, and the other half for opening the shop."
Su Xiaoqi smiled. She was very happy that she could say this.
Now she could feel that Zhao Xiaozhu had truly let go.
She had let go of her hatred for Qian Shi and also her attachment to them.
That's why she could calmly propose giving them the money she earned.
This was repaying the kindness of her upbringing and also saying goodbye to her past.
This was a new beginning.
"Alright, you make preparations early. The shop will be bought soon."
Su Xiaoqi had spoken with Shen Xiaomei yesterday. She said that the real estate agent had many shops available these days, of all kinds.
She would go to the agency this afternoon, and the matter could be settled.
Su Xiaoqi greeted Granny Wen and heard that everything was going well. In her words, she was very satisfied with Zhao Xiaozhu.
As she spoke, Su Xiaoqi couldn't tell if it was her imagination, but she even felt that Granny Wen seemed to treat Zhao Xiaozhu as her own daughter.
She didn't hold back at all when teaching Xiaozhu embroidery skills.
Thinking about it, they were both pitiable people.
One had parents but was driven out of her home.
The other had no children and was alone and helpless.
Thinking of the godmother she had taken, she smiled and suggested to the two of them that since they were so compatible, they should perform a ritual of formal adoption, so they could look after each other in the future.
"This, this isn't appropriate. I'm of low status." Granny Wen didn't want to harm Zhao Xiaozhu.
"We'll just do it privately, knowing it in our hearts. Having a title is enough. What do you think, Xiaozhu?" Su Xiaoqi asked for Zhao Xiaozhu's opinion.
She naturally clapped her hands in agreement.
During this time, she had relied entirely on Granny Wen's care and guidance.
She could feel Granny Wen's affection for her.
She never hid anything and always prioritized her with good food and drink.
Granny Wen treated her better than her own mother a thousand times over.
The two hit it off, and witnessed by Su Xiaoqi, they officially became mother and daughter.
They agreed to call each other mother and daughter privately when there were no outsiders, but to act as usual when there were people around.
After handling this matter, Su Xiaoqi felt incredibly refreshed as she walked out of the backyard.
Shen Yun came from behind and called her. Seeing that she was in a good mood, he asked a bit more.
Su Xiaoqi didn't hide anything and told him everything she had just done.
Shen Yun looked at her with exceptionally gentle eyes. This little wife of his was simply a worrier.
However, he just liked her enthusiastic nature.
It made him feel that the world wasn't so cold and heartless.
After a round, Su Xiaoqi returned to the supermarket.
She briefly explained a few things to Zhao Dayou, focusing on the membership system.
She would go back to perfect it and give him the proposal later.
Next, Su Xiaoqi led Shen Yun to Chenjin Ji.
As expected, Chen Jinniang had returned and was busy attending to customers in the shop.
Without disturbing her, the two knocked on the side door and entered the backyard. Shen Xiaomei was making pastries in the workshop.
Looking closer, there was someone beside her helping her.
The two were chatting and laughing, and the atmosphere was extremely harmonious.
Su Xiaoqi blinked her eyes and recognized the person as Chen Jiaan at a glance.
She looked at the two of them, and a thought struck her. She held back Shen Yun, who was about to call out.
She remembered what Shen Yun had told her earlier and whispered, "What do you think of him?"
Shen Yun understood instantly.
He had previously asked Xiaoqi to help him pay attention to his little sister's matters, but he didn't expect her to actually find something.
He narrowed his eyes, sizing up Chen Jiaan, a hint of gloom in his brows.