Su Caiqing had Su Dazhuang help bring the things down, and invited Liang Qiheng to sit and eat.
Once Liang Qiheng was seated, Su Caiqing fetched fresh bowls and utensils, and the large table was filled with lively conversation.
After a few glasses of wine, Liang Qiheng refused to drink any more. “I came today to discuss something with you, Caiqing. If I get drunk, it might mess things up. Let the principal and the two elder brothers drink.”
“This wine is really good. Who knows when we’ll get a chance to drink something like this again?” Su Dazhuang urged him.
Su Caiqing had to stop him. “Big brother, they don’t need this little wine. Their family can afford Wuliangye or Maotai.”
Su Dazhuang immediately felt embarrassed and stopped pressing.
The table remained lively. Aside from a few side dishes for the wine, most of the food was quickly eaten, especially the plate of red-braised pork, a real luxury in these times.
After the meal, Liang Qiheng put down his chopsticks and couldn’t wait any longer. “Caiqing, show me the new clothes you’ve been designing recently!”
Su Caiqing tidied the bowls together. “Why the rush?”
But Liang Qiheng kept urging, leaving her no choice but to bring out the designs she had been working on: three outfits in total.
One was a white dress with red polka dots, another a blue puff-sleeve blouse with a gray plaid skirt, and the third a white shirt paired with a bright red umbrella skirt.
Though the colored pencils weren’t perfectly precise, the designs were clearly beautiful.
Liang Qiheng examined them several times before saying, “These clothes are lovely, but why aren’t they like the dresses Wang Chaoying wore for her wedding photos?”
Before her wedding, Wang Chaoying had a series of wedding photos taken, featuring three completely different formal gowns plus the pink wedding dress worn that day. Each outfit was stunning, making her look like a princess.
Those dresses were specially preserved in her wardrobe, and others could only look at them; touching or trying them on was entirely up to her.
Liang Qiheng approached Su Caiqing because of those dresses.
Su Caiqing said, “Chaoying’s dresses were for her wedding, a grand occasion where extravagance isn’t excessive. How many people come to your photo studio to take wedding photos? Most are just for family, friends, or frames. Using such elaborate dresses wouldn’t be appropriate.”
Liang Qiheng considered her point, though disappointment lingered.
Su Caiqing continued, “If I were to make such complicated gowns, do you think my fees would be cheap? Chaoying’s outfits weren’t free.”
Designing wasn’t hard for Su Caiqing; she had countless references and ideas, but pattern-making, cutting, and sewing were labor-intensive, and she didn’t want her work undervalued.
Despite understanding her explanation, Liang Qiheng still felt reluctant. “Does that mean only Wang Chaoying wants such beautiful wedding photos? Don’t other women want them too?”
Su Caiqing nodded. “Many would want them, but how many can afford it? You know the reality.”
Nowadays, taking wedding portraits has become popular because many can pay for them. More expensive wedding gowns, however, were beyond the reach of most.
Liang Qiheng suddenly felt a twinge of guilt. He’d only thought about the idea, never the practical side.
Su Caiqing didn’t want to discourage him and said, “If you want to know how many people there are like that, go investigate.”
Liang Qiheng sat up straight. “How do I investigate?”
Su Caiqing explained, “It’s simple. Your family is well-off, so many of your acquaintances are similar. Take Wang Chaoying’s wedding photos and ask unmarried girls if they’d want such photos, and how much they’d pay. Then check newspapers or libraries for recent marriage rates, residents’ income growth, and population size. Calculate the number of marriageable people, then estimate the proportion who can and would pay for it.”
Liang Qiheng felt confident at first but got dizzy by the later steps.
He Hongmei, listening nearby, was amazed. Many of the terms Su Caiqing used were unfamiliar to her.
“Is it really that complicated?” Liang Qiheng asked.
Su Caiqing said, “It’s just a simple market survey. Without knowing the market size, this business is risky. Compared to that, the few outfits I’ve designed can be used for just a small fee. Many young women would happily try them, wanting to see how they look in beautiful clothes and preserve a memory of their youth.”
Liang Qiheng didn’t hesitate, slapping his thigh. “Alright, I’ll gather the data, find the statistics, and figure this out!”
His decision-making speed surprised Su Caiqing; he was more decisive than she expected, showing he had initiative.
“So, will you make these outfits?” Su Caiqing asked.
Liang Qiheng nodded. “Yes! Of course! That’s a completely different matter.”
“Then you’ll need to invest quite a bit in this period,” Su Caiqing reminded him.
Besides her labor, buying fabric cost money.
Liang Qiheng winced, then said after a moment, “I don’t want to give up.”
Su Caiqing didn’t press further.
Liang Qiheng had no objections to the three designs, so Su Caiqing could begin making them.
By nearly midnight, the guests gradually left. Principal Jiang and Su Dazhuang were predictably drunk, but since Principal Jiang lived nearby and Liang Qiheng helped, it wasn’t hard for them to get home, though Director Zhao naturally had some words for him.
The next day, Su Dazhuang didn’t get up until after nine. After a quick meal and rest, he took his tools to tend the yard, determined to plant it full of vegetables.
Su Caiqing, sitting at the door picking vegetables, asked, “Big brother, you’ve been here for several days. Aren’t you in a hurry to go back?”
The factory matters were settled and the move completed, and it was the busy season for fieldwork.
Su Dazhuang replied, “Mother said to make this place comfortable first, then I’ll return. As long as it’s before the rice harvest, it’s fine.”
Su Caiqing nodded. “No rush, I was worried they couldn’t manage the chores without you.”
Clearly skilled in farm work, Su Dazhuang smiled at the compliment. “With Dad around, nothing will go wrong.”
He wasn’t in a hurry, so Su Caiqing wasn’t either, only reminding him to learn to ride a bicycle from Liang Qiheng before leaving.
Su Dazhuang agreed readily.
After finishing the vegetables, Su Caiqing returned indoors, noticing a child perched on the wall curiously watching her.
Soon, someone shouted, “My goodness! How did you climb so high? Come down now!”
It seemed the child was being pulled down.
That afternoon, the little boy came by with an older woman.
Su Caiqing set aside her sewing and hurried out to greet them.
“You just moved here, right? I heard the noise yesterday but was too busy to come see. Don’t be offended,” the woman said, speaking with a slight regional accent, likely not local.
Su Caiqing gave the child some candy from the supply store. “Yes, we moved yesterday, busy unpacking and hosting guests in the evening, so we hadn’t had time to greet neighbors.”
After a few words, Su Caiqing learned that the family’s surname was Wu, the husband’s family surname Cao, and that they also worked at the mechanical factory. She had heard a little about their situation.
The child in Wu’s arms was about three, similar in age to the triplets, but shy and timid compared to their boldness.
After seeing them off, Su Caiqing felt a bit tired of social niceties.
No sooner had she sat down than someone else arrived—it was newlywed Wang Chaoying.
Upon entering the yard, Wang Chaoying looked around and exclaimed, “Caiqing! You didn’t even tell me you were moving? If my dad hadn’t mentioned it, I wouldn’t have known!”
Su Caiqing replied, “I thought you were enjoying your honeymoon, all happy and sweet, so I didn’t want to disturb you.”
Following Wang Chaoying was Huang Zili, the one known as “Good Luck” at the wedding.
Once inside, Huang Zili placed several gifts on the table: some pastries wrapped in oiled paper, a bit of wine, candy, and even a few apples.
Such lavish housewarming gifts were more than necessary.
Seeing Su Caiqing look at the presents, Wang Chaoying said, “Oh, these were from Huang Zili’s mother. She heard we were coming and sent these to thank you for handling things at the wedding.”
The Huang family, being in official circles, valued face, and Su Caiqing accepted the gesture graciously.
Huang Zili also stepped forward, saying, “Caiqing, I came to personally thank you. I really appreciate it.”
Su Caiqing said, “It’s nothing, no need to be so formal.”
Wang Chaoying nodded. “I like your straightforward character. Unlike many, you don’t hold grudges over small matters. By the way, my dad said you didn’t work at the mechanical factory. Why?”
Su Caiqing poured tea for them. “Because the wages weren’t enough. With seven children at home, all eating, and schooling coming up, money is needed everywhere.”
If it were anyone else, they might think she found the factory’s pay insufficient, but Wang Chaoying didn’t, so Su Caiqing spoke freely.
“I wanted to get my dad to find you a better job, but it wouldn’t sit well with others, so he couldn’t. What are you doing now? How are you planning to earn?”
Su Caiqing said, “Liang Qiheng asked me to make a few outfits for his photo studio to attract customers for photoshoots.”
“New clothes? Where? Let me see!” Wang Chaoying immediately grew excited.