Daily Life in the 70s
Chapter 219: Strike a Deal

Chapter 219: Chapter 219: Strike a Deal

"Dahua had been ordered by Shen Yiqiu to come pick me up," Yang Peimin said with a laugh while patting his head, feeling a bit embarrassed, "Dahua, you even came to pick me up."

Dahua scratched his head as if feeling a bit too old to have his head patted and seemed somewhat embarrassed, "My mom said it was your first time walking this way and was afraid you’d get lost, so she sent me to check on you. My school is not too far from yours, so it was convenient for me to drop by on my way."

"It’s just that I get out of school a bit earlier than you do, and I walk fast. I’ve already been home and back. Sister Hu, who asked you to make clothes this morning, came by again. She’s been waiting for you in the yard for almost half an hour, and she even went into our house to look at the sewing machine..."

Yang Peimin: "..."

When we got back to the yard, there was indeed Miss Hu, her face full of impatience, but when she saw Yang Peimin, a smile appeared, only to be quickly suppressed as she glanced at her and asked, "Why did it take so long?"

Since they hadn’t set a time in the morning, Yang Peimin didn’t expect to see her until noon and thought Miss Hu might not come at all. She greeted Miss Hu with a smile, "Miss Hu, I’m sorry to have kept you waiting."

Miss Hu had changed clothes from this morning, now wearing a blue short-sleeved casual shirt with true-blue linen trousers, black leather shoes, her hair half-tied and half-loose, adding a touch of softness to her look. She followed Yang Peimin and stopped at the gate of the An Family, frowning slightly, pointing inside and asking, "Do you live in there?"

Yang Peimin shook her head and pointed to Aunt Fan’s house, "No, I live over there; this place belongs to my elder sister."

Miss Hu seemed relieved, "That’s good. I thought you lived inside. It looks like there isn’t even a place to sit down, let alone to make good clothes. I came over now to bring you fabric and measurements, and I wanted to see your workplace to ensure that the clothes you make will be clean and tidy."

Yang Peimin had intended to invite her in for a drink of water, but seeing Miss Hu’s brisk and efficient manner, eager to speak her piece and leave, she let it be. She took her to her own room, which over the past couple of days she’d arranged with the help of her cousins. A bed cover, sheet, and mosquito net were spread over the bed. Shen Yiqiu brought over an old desk from her own home, which also served as a writing desk. Yang Peimin, finding the desk’s wooden appearance too plain, covered it with a piece of floral cloth.

Additionally, at the wall’s edge, her brother-in-law had helped nail up several small wooden shelves, which served for placing various daily necessities, and a curtain was hung over the window. While she worked on these things, Shen Yiqiu didn’t quite understand why, since it wasn’t her own home and she wouldn’t live there long, she was sprucing it up so intricately only to move out soon. Though Shen Yiqiu appeared puzzled, she didn’t discourage Yang Peimin. Everyone has their habits, and Pei Min was just particular about hers, which wasn’t a big issue. Besides, Yang Peimin could afford the expenses of these luxuries.

So when Miss Hu entered the room, she looked somewhat surprised and commented, "This room is pretty well put together, but you’ll have to move the sewing machine over here." Having said that, she stepped out as if to discuss it with Shen Yiqiu.

Yang Peimin quickly followed her out, not having brought it up with Shen Yiqiu herself yet. Miss Hu was indeed in a hurry.

Fortunately, Shen Yiqiu had already heard about it from Dahua and seemed very supportive. She called over her husband, and together they moved the sewing machine into Yang Peimin’s room. Shen Yiqiu told her, "This sewing machine is part of the dowry Yiguang made up for me. Rest assured and use it. I make the decisions on this. If you don’t have the time, I can also help out. With a couple more jobs like this, your monthly rent will be covered."

Shen Yiqiu was being honest. After witnessing her sister-in-law’s extravagance these past few days, Shen Yiqiu was relieved to see her earning her keep. She wholeheartedly supported Yang Peimin’s endeavors because if it were up to her brother alone, even a mountain of gold and silver wouldn’t withstand her lavish spending.

Yang PeiMin agreed.

Miss Hu looked at Yang PeiMin’s room and finally saw a sewing machine, which seemed to reassure her. She placed the cloth material on the table, "This is my own fabric, and these are my measurements, as well as a deposit for one piece. I’ll come to pick up the skirt in two days, please make it as detailed as possible."

Yang PeiMin watched as Miss Hu turned to leave and quickly called her back to sit down and discuss the details again before she was willing to let her go. Although there was no prior agreement, it was important to be meticulous to avoid having flaws picked out after the work was done.

Miss Hu uttered a few words and seemed in a hurry to leave, "Alright, alright, just do as you say. It’s getting dark, and it’s not safe for a girl to go home alone. Let’s leave it at that, I’ll come back in a couple of days."

After Yang PeiMin had settled matters, Shen Yiqiu called her over to their house for dinner.

Aunt Fan and her two sons were also eating when they saw the sisters-in-law come out. Aunt Fan lifted her eyes to look at them and asked, "What’s the sewing machine brought over for?"

Shen Yiqiu replied, "What else? My sister-in-law needs to make some things, so we brought it over to use for a few days."

Aunt Fan glanced at her own son and said, "My Baodi’s bag is broken, can we borrow your sewing machine for a bit?"

Shen Yiqiu refused, "Aunt Fan, we agreed when renting the house that we’re merely landlord and tenant. Let’s not borrow things from each other, so as to avoid making the neighboring relationships complicated to the point where a few days’ tenancy does not warrant charging rent."

Aunt Fan’s face fell.

As Shen Yiqiu and Yang PeiMin walked through the courtyard, Shen Yiqiu whispered, "Don’t worry about her, borrowing things like this can lead to endless hassles. You’re living at her place, and she could go into your room anytime to borrow things. Then how would you use it? Would you still be able to study? She’s not without precedent; most people in the courtyard are reluctant to lend her anything. The next time she asks you, don’t be shy; you can just refer her to me if you really can’t refuse."

Yang PeiMin nodded, "Okay, sister, I’ll listen to you."

When they went to the An Family for dinner, Mrs. An also inquired about the sewing machine. Shen Yiqiu hastily answered for her, "It’s nothing much, my sister-in-law can make clothes, so she took some orders to work on at home, earning a bit of a fee for the labor. Renting here also helps with the expenses."

She said this to prevent An Xiaoli from getting any ideas, but she underestimated the younger sister-in-law’s enthusiasm. An Xiaoli’s eyes lit up as she said, "You can make money by sewing clothes? Then I’ll also take some orders."

Shen Yiqiu threw cold water on her excitement, "Do you even know how to make them?" This younger sister-in-law was the late child of her in-laws, somewhat spoiled, and barely able to sew a garment, not to mention her unskilled use of the sewing machine.

"Then teach me, sister-in-law."