The embroiderers widened their eyes upon hearing the head steward’s words, their faces filled with shock. Each of them struggled to suppress the corners of their lips from rising.
Only Bai Shanshan and Feng Chun remained cautious.
Bai Shanshan said, “Steward, don’t rush. We still have one more condition.”
“Another condition?” the steward asked impatiently. “Are you done yet? I warn you not to push your luck. Otherwise…”
Though he did not finish his words, the threat behind them was already felt by everyone present.
The embroiderers felt a bit fearful. Feng Chun and Bai Shanshan exchanged reassuring looks with the others.
Then Bai Shanshan said to the steward, “We demand daily payment of wages.”
“What?”
“You… you people don’t know when to stop. Always another condition, another demand. Take it or leave it—if you don’t want to work, get lost!” the steward shouted angrily.
He had originally intended to delay these people, finish this batch of goods first, and then dismiss them later. As for wages, whether to pay or not would have been up to him.
But he did not expect there were clever people among these embroiderers who had already considered this.
Feng Chun then said, “Does the steward refuse? Or is the steward only making promises with words but never intends to keep them? Huayi Pavilion is a famous clothing shop in Sifang Town. If news spreads that the steward breaks promises and mistreats workers, how will Huayi Pavilion continue to stand?”
“I am not!” the steward panicked slightly, then coughed and said seriously, “I would never go back on my word! I agree to your condition—daily payment it is.”
He then urged, “Since you’ve agreed, hurry back to work. Don’t delay the schedule.”
“Please write a contract,” Bai Shanshan said.
She had learned from past experience—verbal promises meant nothing. Only written contracts were proof.
The steward glared at her fiercely, grinding his teeth. “Fine! I’ll write it!”
Soon after, he returned with a written contract and slapped it onto the table. “Here. Now get back to work. You’ve delayed too long—today’s wages will be deducted.”
After the steward left, the thirteen embroiderers were overjoyed.
“We won!”
“We actually succeeded!”
“The steward agreed!”
“He won’t be able to withhold our wages anymore!”
Bai Shanshan said, “Don’t thank me. This is everyone’s effort. Without everyone uniting, he wouldn’t have agreed.”
Meanwhile, a woman named Xiang Xue felt her heart racing. She had not expected it to truly succeed. She felt her decision had been correct.
Though she had not had much hope at first, the result exceeded her expectations.
The embroiderers worked faster than usual that day, even though they worked less time.
After inspection, the steward reluctantly paid them.
Each embroiderer earned one hundred wen per day, and after deductions, they received eighty wen.
This was more than what many strong young men earned carrying heavy loads at the docks, which was around thirty to fifty wen per day.
For embroiderers, however, this was normal—they were the best craftsmen in Sifang Town.
Still, it was the first time they had held so much money in their hands.
“Shanshan… this really is what I earned today?” Xiang Xue asked in disbelief, holding her purse carefully.
Bai Shanshan smiled slightly. “Of course. From now on, we’ll earn this every day.”
“That’s wonderful!” Xiang Xue said happily. “If it stays like this, I can soon save enough for my younger brother to marry.”
When it came time for the remaining two embroiderers to collect their wages—
“These two did not participate in the strike,” someone muttered.
The steward coldly said, “Get lost.”
“Why? Why do they get paid but not us?” one protested.
The steward replied, “Their names are not on the contract. You are still paid monthly as before. Leave.”
“But we do the same work!” the embroiderer argued. “This is unfair!”
“I decide what is fair,” the steward said dismissively.
The two women then decided to imitate the earlier strike and declared they would quit.
“Fine! We’re leaving!”
“Pay us—we’re done!”
The steward calmly agreed, “Alright. I’ll settle your wages immediately.”
This shocked them. The situation did not go as they expected.
Soon, the money was placed in front of them.
“Take your money and leave,” the steward said.
Now panicked, the two hesitated.
“We… we’re not leaving anymore.”
“We want to stay.”
The steward sneered. “Do you think Huayi Pavilion is a place you can come and go as you please? If you want to stay, your wages will be reduced. Think carefully.”
In the end, they reluctantly chose to stay.
They left the shop with bitter expressions. Seeing the other embroiderers happily receiving their wages, they felt jealousy and resentment rising in their hearts.
If they had joined earlier, things would not have ended like this.