Reborn as a Rich Woman in the Eighties
Chapter 131 - 130: Lend a Hand

Chapter 131: Chapter 130: Lend a Hand

"Sister He! Can you help? Do you know how to make clothes?" Lin Xia exclaimed excitedly, her eyes lit up.

She hadn’t set up her stall or gone to any factories to sell goods in the past two days; instead, she took Xiaoqiu around the city, looking to take advantage of her free time to sort out Xiaoqiu’s apprenticeship in tailoring.

But they returned without success, and before she went out today, she had even thought about checking with a clothing factory or somewhere similar tomorrow to see if they were hiring;

If they were, she was prepared to let Xiaoqiu take the job for the time being and keep looking for a tailoring opportunity when possible, rather than having her stay at home all day feeling restless and anxious.

She didn’t expect to find a light at the end of the tunnel in the moment of despair!

Sister He saw Lin Xia’s excitement and smiled as she waved her hands, "Xiaolin! It’s not me! Since you never mentioned it before, I had no idea either!

It’s not that I can do it, it’s my aunt! She’s an experienced tailor who can cut and sew. Now that she’s older, she only occasionally takes on work sent over from the tailor shops.

If your sister really wants to learn, I can connect you two, but whether my aunt is willing to teach, I can’t make any promises. You’ll have to take your sister to ask her in person!"

Lin Xia spoke with a light and incessant tone, feeling that as long as there was a goal, they could work towards it, "Great, Sister He! As long as we have your help, that’s enough! We thank you whether it works out or not!

Sister He! You’ve really solved a big problem for us sisters!

Actually, my sister is quite skilled with her hands, and she does good work. Who knows, your aunt might take a liking to her at first glance!"

She had great confidence in Xiaoqiu, but she didn’t know what kind of temperament Sister He’s aunt had, so everything was uncertain until they met.

"Alright then! With your sincere words, I’m reassured. My aunt is a bit peculiar and not very easygoing, but she’s kind-hearted. She just doesn’t take to most people easily, so I can’t guarantee anything!"

She knew of several apprentices who wanted to learn the trade and had been turned away, so even though she was grateful to Xiaolin, she couldn’t make any promises; this was different from other matters.

Lin Xia complimented casually, "Then she must be good at her craft, usually those with bad tempers are skilled!"

The carpenters and such at her workplace, those with solid skills, all had their little quirks, which she understood.

Sister He was amused by her words, "Xiaolin! You really have a way with words!"

Laughing and chatting, the two settled the matter and agreed to visit her aunt that afternoon.

Overjoyed, Lin Xia immediately gave Sister He a beautiful hair clip, and hearing that she had a daughter in primary school, she also gave her a hair band.

Whether things worked out or not, she was grateful to Sister He.

After closing up her stall, Lin Xia made plans to meet up with Sister He at a spot later, as Sister He would deliver her goods home first, and Lin Xia would go home to deliver goods and then pick up Lin Qiu.

Upon hearing from Lin Xia that a connection had been made with an experienced tailor, Lin Qiu happily hopped off the kang (a traditional Chinese bed that is also a family space).

"Sister! What should I wear? What should I say when I get there? Will they take me?"

She was both excited and nervous, fearful that even if her sister managed to find a tailor, they might not want to take her on.

It was just like when they went out looking and kept being rejected, which felt terrible.

Faced with Lin Qiu’s barrage of questions, Lin Xia told her directly, "Xiaoqiu, just be confident and straightforward. Answer honestly whatever you’re asked and make eye contact, but don’t stare them down.

I’ve heard the old lady can be a bit peculiar and not very amiable, but, Xiaoqiu, Sister believes you can handle it well, because you’re a very sensible and accommodating child.

Besides, don’t worry about whether they’ll take you on for now; let’s just treat this as visiting a new elder at their home.

Yeah, just think of the old lady as Auntie Zhao, and you’ll feel relaxed... Do you get nervous around Auntie Zhao?"

"Sister! Not at all! I better get ready then!"

After hearing Lin Xia’s words, Lin Qiu did feel less nervous. She washed her face anew and combed her braids again.

Lin Xia took the opportunity to count the money from the sale. She initially wanted to buy something for Xiaoqiu, but then she thought she didn’t know the situation and decided it was better to meet the person first before doing so.

She put the change together and took it into Jade’s room, deliberately taking out five large ’Great Unity’ bills and putting them in her trouser pocket.

Before leaving the house, the two sisters left a note for Lin Dong, worrying that if they came back late and he came home early, he would be concerned not finding them at home.

When Lin Xia and Lin Qiu arrived at the meeting place, it seemed that Sister He had just arrived as well.

Lin Xia introduced them, "Sister He! This is my younger sister, Lin Qiu! Xiaoqiu! This is Sister He!"

Lin Qiu smiled and greeted her, "Hello Sister He!"

"Ah! Hello!" Sister He continuously praised them upon seeing Lin Qiu, "Xiaolin, you sisters look so alike, both so bright and lovely! Just like a pair of sister flowers!"

Lin Xia didn’t react much, but Lin Qiu’s face turned red

Lin Xia laughed and waved her hand, "Sister He! Stop praising us! Otherwise, we won’t be able to keep walking!"

Sister He had not seen them before, when they were skinny and their faces had been pale and sickly. In the past few months since they moved out, they had been eating well and living better, making their complexions turn fair and healthy.

The three of them walked towards Sister He’s second aunt’s house with laughter and conversation.

By the time they arrived, Lin Xia estimated that the distance was not too far.

The main gate was wide open, and Sister He led them straight in. In the courtyard, a big black dog barred its teeth and barked at them.

Sister He scolded the dog lightly, "Dahei! Don’t bark!"

The big black dog wagged its tail at her and continued to bark at Lin Xia and the others.

Hearing the noise, someone pushed the door open from inside; it was a spry old lady with her hair coiled up, short in stature and slender.

"Xiufeng? Why are you here?" While she spoke, she sized up the Lin sisters.

Sister He smiled and managed the dog while speaking to the old lady, "Second Aunt! I have something to discuss with you. Shall we talk inside?"

"Sure! Come on in!"

Lin Qiu nervously followed behind Lin Xia and grabbed her hand.

Lin Xia gave her a reassuring look and signaled her to act naturally and not to be afraid.

Lin Xia could tell at a glance that the old lady was meddlesome, but her eyes seemed sincere; she probably didn’t have any bad intentions.

Upon entering the old lady’s house, they were immediately in a corridor, and they followed her into the living room on the left.

The room had a wooden single bed and a sofa, and there was also a sewing machine with cloth being sewn on it.

On the long wooden table next to it were an iron, scissors and other tools.

Sister He didn’t beat around the bush since she knew her second aunt’s temper. As soon as she sat down, she got straight to the point, "Second Aunt! The thing is my little sister here wants to learn tailoring, so I thought I’d bring her to you to see if you could teach her!"

The old lady looked at Lin Xia and Lin Qiu and asked in a plain tone, "Which one of them wants to learn?"

Lin Qiu quickly stood up and replied respectfully, "Auntie! I want to learn!"

The old lady sized her up and asked a bunch of questions, such as what she could do and the family situation.

Lin Qiu answered truthfully, except for the part about her parents.