sinovels Chapter 129 Refusing gifts in a humble dwelling reveals true character; sewing clothes with simple h
Chapter 129 Refusing gifts in a humble dwelling reveals true character; sewing clothes with simple h
The first cold snap after the start of winter arrived unexpectedly. Last night, the north wind whipped up snowflakes that lashed against the gray bricks and tiles of the Hongxing Courtyard. This morning, when she opened the window, icicles hanging from the eaves were about half a foot long. Qin Huairu got up before dawn and, by the dim light of the stove, moved the unfinished cotton shoe soles she had sewed the night before under the oil lamp. The needle moved swiftly through the coarse linen, and with each prick, she frowned—her finger, pricked while sewing a neighbor's cotton-padded coat a few days ago, hadn't fully healed, and the cold made it even more excruciating.
"Mother, I'm going to fetch water," Jia Dang's voice came from the inner room, followed by the rustling sound of clothes being put on. Since the child started helping Qin Huairu with her sewing and mending stall, she had become increasingly sensible. Every day before dawn, she would take the initiative to fetch water and chop firewood, and even Jia Huaihua had learned to help with tidying up loose threads and folding fabric. Qin Huairu looked up at the curtain in the inner room and said softly, "It's cold outside. Wear the thick gloves I made for you. Fetch water slowly, don't fall."
Just as she finished the last stitch, dragging footsteps echoed from the courtyard gate, accompanied by Aunt Yi's deliberately amplified cough. Qin Huairu's heart skipped a beat, and she unconsciously clenched the shoe sole in her hand. Ever since Yi Zhonghai was criticized by the factory for withholding apprentice benefits, Aunt Yi had been constantly visiting various homes under the guise of "taking care of old neighbors," but in reality, she wanted to use past relationships to build connections, especially with her, her "former apprentice's wife," whom she would visit every few days, constantly nagging her.
"Is Qin girl home?" Aunt Yi lifted the curtain and came in, shivering in the cold, her nose red from the cold. She glanced around the room, her gaze landing on the pile of fabric and sewing supplies by the kang (a heated brick bed). She curled her lip. "Oh, still busy with these needlework? How much money can you make from this? Your hands are all rough from the effort." Saying this, she sat down on the edge of the kang, deliberately sighing, "Alas, old people are useless. Yesterday I stewed some bones to nourish your uncle, but I didn't hold the bowl properly and dropped it, splattering oil all over me. My arms are still sore, and I can't even get a hot meal."
Qin Huai handed over a cup of hot water, her mind perfectly clear. Aunt Yi used to say similar things often, and after each such remark, she would offer to help with cooking and feeding, and incidentally "borrow" some food coupons or scraps of cloth from the Yi family. Back then, she was solely focused on relying on Yi Zhonghai's protection, hoping to get more benefits from Sha Zhu, and she always obeyed Aunt Yi's every word, even knowing that the other woman was deliberately manipulating her, she could only swallow her anger.
But things are different now. Ever since Sha Zhu saw through her scheming and stopped helping the Jia family as before, and Jia Zhangshi was sent to a labor camp for stealing chickens, she completely lost her support. When she was desperate, Lin Chen reminded her that "earning a living with a skill is more sustainable than relying on scheming," and even helped her connect with the neighborhood's sewing jobs. It was indeed difficult at first; her fingers were covered in needle marks, and she couldn't earn much food stamps after a busy day. But seeing her children able to eat a stable meal and no longer having to depend on others made it all worthwhile. Now her sewing stall has become quite well-known, and even people from the next alley come to her to make clothes. Life isn't wealthy, but it's peaceful and stable.
"Auntie, if your arm is sore, try not to move it too much. Let Uncle Yi help you out." Qin Huairu said calmly, tidying up her sewing basket, without any intention of replying. The firewood in the stove crackled, making the contours of her face particularly clear. Her eyes, which used to have a somewhat ingratiating look, now had more angular features.
Aunt Yi was taken aback, clearly not expecting Qin Huairu's reaction. Usually, whenever she played the victim, Qin Huairu would immediately offer help. What was wrong with her today? She cleared her throat, leaned closer, and lowered her voice, saying, "You know your uncle, he's clumsy and rough, how could he possibly serve anyone? Besides, he's been in a bad mood lately. The factory stopped his technical subsidies because of what happened before, and he's really upset. Qin girl, we've known each other for a long time. Remember when your husband just left, and you were raising three children alone? Wasn't it me and your uncle who helped you find connections to take over the factory job? Now that we're down on our luck, can't you lend a hand and help me feed your uncle a few hot meals?"
When the topic of the past "favors" came up, Aunt Yi's tone carried a sense of entitlement. In her view, Qin Huairu's success today was entirely due to her and Yi Zhonghai's support, and asking her to help feed him was just a small favor, nothing at all. She had even planned that once Qin Huairu agreed, she would also ask her to help wash the dirty clothes at home and mend a few old cotton-padded jackets.
Qin Huai snipped the thread with the scissors in her hand, looked up at Aunt Yi, and her eyes, which had been timid, now held a clear and sharp look: "Auntie, I've always remembered your kindness in helping me take over the business back then. I had just lost my husband and was raising three children with nowhere else to turn. You gave me a way to survive, so I did whatever you asked me to do afterward. You asked me to keep an eye on Sha Zhu's lunchbox, so I waited for him to get off work by the sink every day; you asked me to speak well of Sha Zhu in front of Uncle Yi, so I tried my best to help him; even when you withheld my handover compensation, I didn't dare say a word against it."
She had kept these words bottled up inside for a long time. She didn't dare to speak them before, for fear of losing her support and for her children going hungry. Now that she earns her own living and no longer has to depend on others, she finally dares to voice the grievances and resentment that had been weighing on her heart.
Aunt Yi's face changed instantly, and she waved her hands frantically, "Qin girl, what do you mean by that? What do you mean by deducting resettlement fees? That's all a misunderstanding! Your uncle and I have treated you with our whole hearts..."
"Whether it's a misunderstanding or not, you know in your heart." Qin Huai interrupted her, her tone calm but with an undeniable firmness. "The reason I listened to you before was because I was cowardly. I was afraid of losing your protection, afraid that my three children wouldn't survive. Back then, I always thought of relying on others, on Uncle Yi's power, on Sha Zhu's help, on you so-called 'backers.' But what happened? Sha Zhu saw through my scheme and stopped helping me; Jia Zhangshi acted arrogantly and made a mess of things at home; even you only used me as a tool to win over Sha Zhu, as a backup plan for your old age."
She recalled those years, when she acted like a performer every day in the courtyard, playing the role of a "virtuous single mother." She would go to the public water basin to wash clothes before dawn, deliberately letting her hands turn red with cold; she would time her departure precisely when Sha Zhu got off work, pretending to bump into him and lamenting her family's difficulties; she would carefully try to please Yi Zhonghai, afraid that one wrong word would cost her her support. Back then, she lived without any dignity, and even her children had to be mindful of others' opinions.
Once, Jia Geng was caught stealing sweet potatoes from Lin Chen. Jia Zhangshi not only refused to apologize but also threw a tantrum, claiming that Lin Chen had bullied the child and forcing her to kowtow to Yi Zhonghai and beg for mercy. Kneeling on the ground in the Yi family's house, listening to Aunt Yi's sarcastic remarks about "the mother's fault for not teaching her child properly," and watching Yi Zhonghai leisurely sipping his tea, waiting for her to agree to work even harder to win over Sha Zhu, she never forgot the humiliation she felt.
"It wasn't until Sha Zhu stopped helping us and our family ran out of food that I truly understood that relying on yourself is worse than relying on anyone else." Qin Huairu's voice was a little choked up, but her determination only grew stronger. "Lin Chen told me that it's not shameful to earn a living with your skills. Even if you only earn half a pound of food coupons a day, it's still money you've earned yourself, and you can eat with peace of mind. I believed him and started mending clothes for the neighbors. At first, no one believed me, but now everyone is willing to hire me. With my own hands, I've enabled my children to have hot meals and clean clothes, and I no longer have to depend on others."
She pointed to the pile of fabric beside the kang (a heated brick bed): "These are clothes ordered by the neighbors. Some are cotton-padded jackets for the children, and some are cotton-padded trousers for the elderly. I have to finish them before the end of the month. I'm busy from morning till night every day, and I really don't have time to feed Grandpa Yi. Auntie, it's not that I'm ungrateful, it's that I've truly understood that a person has to rely on themselves to live. Before, I listened to your schemes against Sha Zhu, that was because I was confused; now I rely on myself to eat, and I don't want to get involved in those scheming things anymore."
Aunt Yi sat on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), her face alternating between pale and flushed. She hadn't expected Qin Huairu, who used to be so obedient to her, to speak to her like this, and so bluntly at that. She wanted to lash out, to scold Qin Huairu for being ungrateful, but looking into Qin Huairu's clear and resolute eyes, the words stuck in her throat. She knew that Qin Huairu had truly severed ties with her this time.
"Good, very good!" Aunt Yi stood up abruptly, slamming her teacup down on the kang table, splashing water everywhere. "Qin Huairu, you've really grown wings! Have you forgotten who helped you through your difficulties? Now that you can make money, you don't recognize us anymore, huh? Let's see how long you can be so smug!" With that, she flicked her sleeves and walked out, deliberately slamming her hand against the doorframe as she reached the doorway, making a loud "bang."
Jia Dang returned with water and bumped into Aunt Yi storming out of the house, her face grim. Aunt Yi glared at Jia Dang, muttering things like "ungrateful." Jia Dang paused, then went inside and asked, "Mother, what's wrong? Why is Aunt Yi so angry?"
Qin Huai sighed, walked over and took the bucket of water from her daughter's shoulder, pouring it into the water vat: "It's nothing, she wanted me to feed Grandpa Yi, but I didn't agree."
"Mother, you did the right thing!" Jia Dang put down the carrying pole and said earnestly, "We used to always have to watch our step by step with Aunt Yi and Uncle Yi, and they always used you to scheme against Uncle Shazhu. I've been fed up with it for a long time. Now that we earn our own money through our own work, why should we still have to serve them?"
Seeing her daughter's sensible expression, Qin Huairu felt a surge of warmth in her heart. She patted Jia Dang's head: "Yes, we rely on ourselves and don't owe anyone anything. Wash your hands quickly, Mom has roasted some sweet potatoes for you. After you finish eating, help Mom straighten the loose threads."
When Aunt Yi returned home, she immediately unleashed her pent-up anger on Yi Zhonghai. Yi Zhonghai was sitting in a chair, smoking and reading the newspaper. Seeing her stormy entrance, he frowned and asked, "What's wrong? Who upset you?"
"Who else could it be? It's your good apprentice's wife, Qin Huairu!" Aunt Yi slammed her handkerchief on the table, angrily saying, "I told her we're not doing well these days, and I wanted her to help feed you a few hot meals, and guess what she said? She gave me a hard time, saying she has to support herself now and doesn't have time to serve us, and that she was foolish to listen to our schemes against Sha Zhu before! Listen to that! What kind of talk is that? Isn't that ingratitude?"
Yi Zhonghai's face darkened, and he threw the newspaper on the table: "Did she really say that?"
"That's right!" Aunt Yi said, getting angrier as she spoke. "She even said we withheld her resettlement allowance before, that we treated her like a tool! I think she's gotten too big for her britches and forgotten who helped her get the job in the factory! If it weren't for us, she and her three children would have starved to death long ago!"
Yi Zhonghai fell silent, his fingers unconsciously stroking his pipe. He knew in his heart that Qin Huairu was telling the truth. Back then, when he helped Qin Huairu take over, he did indeed intend to groom her as a backup plan for retirement, and withholding her settlement allowance was also to better control her. He just never expected that this woman, who once seemed weak and easily bullied, would have such a tough stance one day.
"How does she make a living now?" Yi Zhonghai asked, his tone somewhat complicated.
"What else can she do? Mend clothes, of course!" Aunt Yi curled her lip, her tone full of disdain. "Dealing with needles and thread all day, how much money can she make? I think she's just putting on an act; she'll be coming back to beg us for money soon enough!"
Yi Zhonghai remained silent, but a sense of unease crept into his mind. His days at the factory had been difficult lately. His "fairness" had plummeted after it was exposed that he had helped Qin Huairu modify the test samples; apprentices were unwilling to learn from him, and the factory had even suspended his technical subsidies. He had initially thought that if all else failed, he could rely on his past kindness to Qin Huairu to put in a good word for him with Sha Zhu, perhaps salvaging the situation. Now it seemed that this path was also blocked.
Around noon, Lin Chen and Su Qing returned from the steel rolling mill. As they entered the courtyard, they saw Aunt Yi complaining to some neighbors by the public water fountain, saying that Qin Huairu was ungrateful and had forgotten her roots now that she was successful. The neighbors listened with subtle expressions, but no one responded. Everyone knew how the Yi family used to control Qin Huairu; now that Qin Huairu was earning her own living, it was understandable that she didn't want to be controlled anymore.
"Aunt Yi, you can eat whatever you want, but you can't say whatever you want." Lin Chen walked over, carrying the groceries he had just bought. "Sister Qin earns money by mending clothes, working from morning till night every day. It's really not easy for her. If you really need help, you can find a caregiver in the neighborhood, or you can tell us and we'll help you get in touch. But it's not appropriate for you to talk badly about Sister Qin behind her back like this, is it?"
Aunt Yi was surprised that Lin Chen would stand up for Qin Huairu, and her expression changed: "Lin, this is a matter between our family and Qin Huairu, it has nothing to do with you, mind your own business!"
"You can't say that," Su Qing interjected, her tone gentle yet firm. "Sister-in-law Qin is our neighbor. She's hardworking and earns her living with her own skills; she deserves respect. Everyone saw what happened before. You helped Sister-in-law Qin, and she repaid you. Now that she has her own work and doesn't have time to help, you can't say she's ungrateful. You have to have a conscience; you can't just think about what others have given you without considering their difficulties."
Su Qing's words made perfect sense, and the neighbors nodded in agreement. One older woman said, "Yes, Qin girl is probably working now. I had her make a cotton-padded jacket for my grandson last time, and it fit perfectly and was very warm. Her handiwork was also excellent." Another older man added, "There's nothing shameful about earning a living with your skills. It's much better than those who scheme against others all day long."
Aunt Yi, feeling embarrassed by what she'd been told, glared at Lin Chen and Su Qing, muttering "meddlesome," and slunk home. Watching her retreating figure, the neighbors couldn't help but laugh, praising Qin Huairu for becoming increasingly capable.
Lin Chen and Su Qing arrived at Qin Huairu's door and knocked. Qin Huairu opened the door, was taken aback when she saw them, and quickly invited them in: "Brother Lin, Sister Su, please come in and sit down."
The room was warm and cozy, with a roaring fire in the stove and neatly stacked cloths and needles and thread beside the kang (a heated brick bed). Jia Dang and Jia Huaihua were helping to straighten the threads when they saw Lin Chen and Su Qing, and they greeted them with smiles.
"We heard everything that happened at the gate just now," Lin Chen said bluntly after sitting down. "You did the right thing. Some boundaries need to be clearly drawn."
Qin Huai looked at him gratefully, her eyes slightly red: "Brother Lin, thank you. If you hadn't woken me up back then, I don't know what foolish things I would be doing now. I used to always think about relying on others, and as a result, I lived a life that was neither human nor ghost. Now I earn money with my own hands. Although it's tiring, I feel at peace."
"Relying on yourself is the most reliable thing," Su Qing said with a smile, taking a piece of fabric out of her bag and handing it to her. "This is corduroy that I asked someone to bring back from Shanghai. The quality is particularly good. I was thinking of sending it to you so you can make some nice clothes and display them on your stall to attract more customers."
Qin Huairu quickly declined, saying, "Sister Su, this is too precious, I can't accept it."
"Take this, it's just a small token of our appreciation," Lin Chen said. "Your sewing stall is doing quite well now. If you want to expand, just let us know. We know a few friends who are in the fabric business. We can get cheap and good fabrics, and we can also help you connect with some companies to make work clothes for their employees. The volume is large and plentiful, and it's more profitable than taking on odd jobs."
Qin Huairu's eyes lit up, and an excited expression appeared on her face. She had long wanted to expand her sewing stall, but she had been struggling to find affordable fabrics and a stable customer base. Lin Chen's suggestion resonated perfectly with her.
"Brother Lin, Sister Su, thank you so much!" Qin Huairu's voice trembled with excitement. "I really don't know how to thank you enough."
"No need to thank me, we're all neighbors, helping each other out is only right," Su Qing said with a smile. "In a couple of days, I'll take you to see that fabric merchant, and we'll discuss the price properly. Don't worry, with us here, we guarantee you won't be taken advantage of."
That afternoon, Lin Chen and Su Qing sat at Qin Huairu's house for a long time, helping her plan to expand her famous sewing stall. From fabric procurement to customer acquisition, and even how to improve efficiency, they gave detailed suggestions. Qin Huairu listened very attentively, holding a small notebook and jotting down the key points. Sunlight streamed into the room through the window, falling on her earnest face and reflecting her anticipation for the future.
In the evening, Sha Zhu returned from the military guesthouse and passed by Qin Huairu's house. He saw her mending Jia Geng's cotton-padded coat, with Jia Dang and Jia Huaihua helping her. The family looked happy and harmonious, and he couldn't help but feel a little emotional. He walked over, took out two jin of grain coupons from his bag, and handed them to Qin Huairu: "These are the grain coupons I saved. I'm going to buy some food for the children."
Qin Huai hesitated for a moment, then shook her head instead of immediately accepting the food coupons as she usually did. "Brother Shazhu, thank you for your kindness, but I can't take these coupons. I can earn money by mending clothes now and support my children, so I don't need to trouble you anymore."
Sha Zhu paused for a moment, then laughed, "Good, well done! Qin Huairu, you're really becoming more and more successful." He took back the food coupons, but felt no resentment; instead, he felt very gratified. He used to think that Qin Huairu couldn't live without his help, but now, seeing her living so steadily with her own hands, he was genuinely happy for her.
"Brother Shazhu, if you don't mind, I'll mend your clothes if they ever get torn, no charge," Qin Huairu said with a smile, her tone filled with sincere gratitude. She knew it was wrong of her to scheme against Shazhu for lunchboxes before, but she also remembered how kind Shazhu was to the children.
"Alright, then I won't stand on ceremony." Sha Zhu said with a smile. "By the way, I heard you want to expand your mending stall. If you need any help, just let me know. I know a few colleagues at the guesthouse who all need their clothes mended. I can introduce you to some."
"Really? Thank you so much!" Qin Huairu said excitedly.
Sha Zhu waved his hand: "Don't be so polite, we're neighbors. Live a good life from now on, don't be so calculating like before. Earning a living with your own skills is better than anything else." After saying that, he turned and left, his steps much lighter.
In the days that followed, Qin Huairu's mending stall gradually expanded. With the help of Lin Chen and Su Qing, she obtained cheap and good fabrics and even received several orders for work uniforms from various companies. She hired two quick-witted neighbors to help her and transformed the mending stall into "Qin Huairu's Sewing Shop," and business flourished.
Aunt Yi watched Qin Huairu's sewing shop thrive, feeling both jealous and regretful. She considered visiting Qin Huairu several times to mend their relationship, but each time she reached the door, she remembered Qin Huairu's words from that day and felt too embarrassed to go in. Later, she heard that Qin Huairu had received an order for work uniforms from the steel mill, and her feelings became even more complex—if only she hadn't schemed against Qin Huairu back then, she might still be able to benefit from it.
One day, Aunt Yi's cotton-padded coat developed a hole. She wanted to ask Qin Huairu to mend it, but she was too embarrassed to ask, so she went to other neighbors instead. However, none of the other neighbors were as skilled as Qin Huairu; their mendings were rough and unsightly. Looking at the crooked stitches on her coat, Aunt Yi felt increasingly regretful.
That afternoon, Qin Huairu was busy in her sewing shop when she saw Aunt Yi standing at the door, hesitating whether to come in. Qin Huairu paused for a moment, then went out and said with a smile, "Auntie, is there something you need?"
Aunt Yi looked a little embarrassed, rubbed her hands together and said, "Qin girl, I... I have a hole in my cotton-padded coat, and I'd like you to help me mend it."
Qin Huairu took the cotton-padded coat from her hand, looked at the hole, and said, "Auntie, please come in and sit down for a while. I'll mend it for you as soon as I finish what I'm doing."
Aunt Yi walked into the sewing shop, and looking at the neatly arranged fabrics and busy workers, she felt increasingly uneasy. She sat in a corner, watching Qin Huairu skillfully operate the sewing machine, her movements swift and focused. The woman who used to rely on pleasing others to get by had now become a capable small business owner.
Qin Huairu quickly finished her work and picked up Aunt Yi's cotton-padded coat to start mending it. She was very skilled and soon finished mending the hole. She even used thread of the same color, so the hole was barely noticeable unless you looked closely.
"Auntie, it's sewn up." Qin Huairu handed her the cotton-padded coat.
Aunt Yi took the cotton-padded coat, touched the mended area, and felt a pang of guilt. She took out five cents from her pocket and handed it to Qin Huairu: "Qin girl, this is for the labor."
Qin Huairu smiled and pushed the money back, saying, "Auntie, no need to pay. Consider it money I gave you for mending it. You helped me before, and I remember that kindness. But from now on, we can help each other as neighbors, but I don't want to get involved in those scheming and calculating things anymore."
Looking at the cotton-padded coat in her hand and then at Qin Huairu's sincere eyes, Aunt Yi finally nodded: "Okay, okay, let's get along well from now on and not scheme against each other." After saying that, she took the cotton-padded coat and slowly walked out of the tailor shop, a weight finally lifted from her heart.