Su Caiqing thought for a moment and said, “Forget it. You have such a large batch of clothes, and I don’t have that much time to make them all for you. Here’s what we’ll do: I’ll finalize the patterns, and you can find another tailor to cut and sew them. But the payment to me must not be reduced in the slightest.”
The labor costs were minor; it was the design fees that made up the bulk of the cost.
Wang Chaoying felt guilty and didn’t hesitate to agree with Su Caiqing.
“You need to find someone reliable, preferably a sewing master, and not a garment factory or similar place. I don’t want my designs stolen and used for profit,” Su Caiqing warned.
Wang Chaoying quickly promised, “I know! That’s copyright; it can’t be copied casually.”
Those who had been to college understood these things better, and Su Caiqing nodded, “Exactly.”
Liang Qiheng, seeing that the two had finally finished talking, said quickly, “Alright, I have something to discuss with you, Caiqing.”
Wang Chaoying snorted, “Why are you in such a rush? I haven’t finished yet! Caiqing, my husband’s cousin is also getting married soon and is worried about it. After attending my wedding, she really wants your help. Ideally, she wants a few beautiful dresses like mine, a full wedding photoshoot, and assistance with makeup on the day. Don’t worry, her family can afford it.”
Su Caiqing laughed, “What a coincidence, the studio was planning to offer exactly this service.”
Liang Qiheng was even happier. “This is what I wanted to talk to you about, Caiqing. You just showed me this proposal, and I have a lot of questions and ideas to discuss with you. But you know, she always monopolizes you.”
Wang Chaoying felt a bit embarrassed and pursed her lips, “Oh, I didn’t realize you had such important things to discuss. Sorry about that…”
Su Caiqing appreciated her straightforward nature, acknowledging mistakes when wrong, and patted her hand, saying, “We’re willing to take on this project, but we need some time to sort things out and establish a plan.”
Wang Chaoying nodded, “Sure! No problem! My cousin’s wedding is in two months, there’s still time. I’ll tell her right away.”
Liang Qiheng added, “Make sure she has my number; she can call me anytime.”
“No problem! That’s settled then. I’ll head back now, and remember to keep me informed of anything else,” Wang Chaoying said, still a bit resentful over Su Caiqing and Liang Qiheng’s sudden collaboration.
Liang Qiheng refused to yield, saying, “This is our business secret, not something to share casually. You should accept that reality sooner rather than later.”
Seeing Wang Chaoying fuming because Su Caiqing had been hired, Liang Qiheng felt even more vindicated.
Wang Chaoying had no choice but to snort and turn away.
In the afternoon, Su Caiqing stayed at the studio, explaining the detailed plan to Liang Qiheng so he could understand the future operational model and methods.
Su Caiqing’s business acumen was honed over generations, so creating a business plan for a small photo studio was second nature. She read newspapers daily to stay informed about the current economic climate and policies, knowing that economic conditions formed the foundation while regulations set the boundaries; both determined the fate of an industry.
Liang Qiheng, who had attended university and came from a scholarly family, was surprised by some of Su Caiqing’s advanced concepts but understood and accepted them, which greatly eased her mind.
The key to communication was mutual understanding; the worst scenario was talking past each other.
After more than two hours of discussion, Liang Qiheng understood Su Caiqing’s plan almost completely. Not only did he have no objections, he praised her to the skies.
“Caiqing, where do you get these ideas? How did you think of this? My goodness! These methods could work not just for most photo studios, no, not just studios, any store could achieve great results! It’s a pity you didn’t go to university! The country has lost a talent!” he gushed without reservation, and even Su Caiqing, used to hearing praise, felt he was excessively sincere.
Su Caiqing smiled warmly, “Although I didn’t go to university, I can still make an impact here at your studio. Perhaps this is my starting platform.”
Liang Qiheng said, “It’s an honor! Haha! When you look back on your journey, remember my little photo studio.”
They chatted casually for a while, and Su Caiqing said, “The sun isn’t so strong now, I’ll head home. Make sure my family portrait is developed quickly.”
Liang Qiheng promised wholeheartedly, “Of course! I’ll expedite it.”
Su Caiqing was eager because Su Dazhuang would soon leave, and she wanted him to take the photos.
Back home, the courtyard was lively; the little monkeys were all there.
“Mom!” Zhang Yunxing, the eldest of the triplets, saw her immediately.
Su Caiqing responded, and the others followed suit.
“What are you all doing?” she asked.
They quickly pulled her to the steps. “Mom! Look! Big Uncle repaired the well!”
Su Caiqing noticed that the once-overgrown water well was now working.
Zhang Yunbing pressed the water while saying, “Big Uncle said to let the dirty water out first, then we can use the clean water.”
“Good thinking, keep it up! Where’s Big Uncle?”
“The little one pooped, so he went to wash him!”
Su Caiqing went inside without another word.
Previously, she had thought Su Dazhuang was just an ordinary farmer, but now she saw him in a new light. He had cleaned out the well alone, replaced the plastic plug, and made it usable again.
Inside, Su Dazhuang was awkwardly changing his youngest nephew’s diaper, probably more attentively than he ever cared for his own child.
“Big Brother, you’re amazing!” Su Caiqing said.
Su Dazhuang looked up, a little red-faced, “I’m not amazing.”
After living there for a while, he began referring to himself as “I.”
“Cleaning up an abandoned well alone isn’t amazing? Not everyone can do that.”
Su Dazhuang gave a small, excited “oh” and explained, “I worked with a construction crew before, so I knew what to do. This is easier than digging a well. I know water costs money, electricity costs money, food and drink cost money, so I thought cleaning up the well would save you some expenses.”
Su Caiqing sincerely said, “Thank you, Big Brother.”
“You don’t have to thank me…” he felt no need for formalities within the family.
Su Caiqing asked, “When are you planning to return?”
Su Dazhuang said, “Tomorrow or the day after.”
“Then the day after, so I can prepare. Have you learned to ride the bike?”
“Yes, I’ve ridden a team bike before, just need a refresher.”
Su Caiqing was satisfied with her obedient big brother.
That evening, she bought a few pounds of mung beans, soaked them in water, and the next day had the children remove the skins before steaming the beans.
After mashing the beans, sieving them twice, and adding some maltose and oil, she pressed them into molds to make individual cakes.
The pale yellow mung bean cakes were irresistible to the children.
Su Caiqing gave one to each child, including Cao Xiaowang. She wrapped a few more to deliver to Director Zhao, Wang Chaoying, and Liang Qiheng. The largest portion was for Su Dazhuang to take home.
She also delivered one to Aunt Wu, who was delighted.
“Your mung bean cakes, why are they yellow? They look so delicious,” Aunt Wu said, curious, as her family rarely bought pastries.
Su Caiqing explained, “Most store-bought beans are unskinned; I removed the skins, so they look better and taste better.”
Aunt Wu exclaimed, “You’re incredible, what can’t you do?”
In return, Aunt Wu cut some chives and eggs, making dumplings with chive and egg filling as a gift.
When Su Dazhuang left, Su Caiqing had all the items she prepared stacked on the table.
Su Dazhuang was displeased, “Fifth Sister, everything in the city costs money, you should save! In the countryside, having land is enough to live.”
Su Caiqing said, “These are hard to get in the countryside, so take them. Don’t worry, raising the children is fine. Tell our parents later so they don’t worry.”
Su Dazhuang had no counter-argument.
Early, he strapped two baskets to his bicycle, one on each side, filled with goods.
He didn’t dare stop much on the way, because not only were the baskets heavy, but Su Caiqing also gave him fifty yuan—practically a fortune.
He rode fast and arrived home by lunch.
The family, seeing his freshly shaved hair and new clothes, at first thought he was some official.
“Which official is this? Secretary or team leader?” Su Yunfei asked.
Second brother Su Erzhuang said, “That’s Big Brother! Mom! Big Brother’s back!”
The Su family rushed out in surprise.
Seeing the two-eight-frame bike, Su Xiaozhuang quickly asked, “Big Brother, where did this bike come from?”
Su Dazhuang parked it carefully, saying, “Fifth Sister bought it. Help me unload the things!”
Su Xiaozhuang hurried over to steady the bike, eyes gleaming, unwilling to leave it.