Busy until dusk, Lao Si's two sets of clothes were finally finished: one set was a Dacron shirt paired with blue Boss pants, and the other was a moon white dress, with a blue belt added made from the leftover pant material.
The ironing board was set straight, and she called Lao Si over to try on the clothes.
"They're done already?"
Lao Si excitedly took them, trying on the dress first. Li Xiangqin helped tie a bow and told her to look in the mirror herself.
"They look so pretty, this is the first time I've ever worn a dress." Lao Si turned around in front of the large cabinet mirror, her excited little face flushed.
Afterward, she tried on the shirt and pants; they were fresh, elegant, simple, and capable.
Looking at the new clothes on her body, Lao Si turned and hugged Li Xiangqin,
"Mom, thank you."
"Why thank your mother? As long as you work hard, Old Mother will rest assured."
Li Xiangqin patted her daughter's shoulder. Who told her she owed her daughter? A little compensation was also a way to lessen the guilt in her heart.
A good mood leads to good health.
However, looking at the clothes on Lao Si, Li Xiangqin was very satisfied with her craftsmanship; it was no worse than the ready-to-wear clothing sold outside.
At this time, ready-to-wear clothing was already being sold at the Department Store, the drawback being the price was too high, and most people were reluctant to spend it.
If one wanted new clothes, they still tended to buy fabric to make them themselves or send them to a tailor. If they found someone with good craftsmanship, the leftover fabric could even be pieced together to make a short-sleeved undershirt or something similar.
Therefore, at this time, fabric was more popular than ready-to-wear clothing.
"Alright, it's getting late, time to make dinner."
Li Xiangqin brushed the lint off herself and pushed the door open. Upon opening it, she saw Lao Wu standing stiffly at the doorway, her eyes red like a rabbit's.
"What's wrong?"
"Mom, you're partial! I didn't get a single thing, but you made two outfits for Fourth Sister, boohoo..."
Lao Wu looked up, mouth open, crying loudly with tears streaming down, clearly genuinely upset.
Seeing her crying with her mouth wide open, Li Xiangqin couldn't help but twitch the corner of her mouth. She turned, took an item from the cabinet, and stuffed it into her hand.
"I knew you wouldn't be easily satisfied. Luckily, Old Mother prepared in advance."
Having anticipated that Lao Wu would be difficult, she had asked for enough fabric for two outfits when buying the material. She had originally planned for it to be a birthday gift next week when it was her birthday.
She didn't expect this dead girl to cry more miserably than when her dad was buried.
"I was planning to give it to you on your birthday, but since you can't wait, take it now. But besides a bowl of noodles then, don't ask Old Mother for anything else."
Lao Wu looked down at the Dacron stuffed into her arms, blinking her eyes. The surprise came too suddenly, and she couldn't control it; a snot bubble even formed.
"Waaah... Thank you, Mom, this is the best birthday present I've ever received."
"Hurry up and wash your face, are you trying to disgust someone to death?" Li Xiangqin averted her gaze, unable to look.
Watching Lao Wu dash off to wash her face, Li Xiangqin glanced at the door to Third Brother and his wife's room; those two had apparently left and hadn't returned.
Just as she stepped into the Kitchen, before she could even tie her apron, it was snatched away by Lao Si.
"Mom, you rest, I'll cook."
Mom had been working non-stop all day without a moment to rest; letting Mom get started on cooking again was something she couldn't bear.
"It's just the four of us eating, no need to make too much. An Egg drop soup and heating up a few Steamed Buns will be enough."
"Okay~," Lao Si replied, immediately starting to get busy.
Li Xiangqin turned to pour herself a glass of water and sat on a Chair, sipping it slowly. The day had worn her out; even a donkey pulling a millstone couldn't be this busy, could it?
Fortunately, she was satisfied with the outcome. The family was divided, which would mean less future trouble.
She would officially be Retired in just over half a year. During this time, she needed to seriously think about how to save more money to ensure her old age was secure.
Since she couldn't rely on her children, she had to rely on herself.
Moreover, Lao Wu and Lao Liu were still studying, and it was uncertain if Old Man's Solatium would last until then. She couldn't just sit and consume her savings; she needed to figure out a way to bring in income.
Although she had lived through this life again, in her Previous life, she had spent all her experience within the family. Matters outside were somewhat unfamiliar to her, but she knew the general trends. She needed to calm down and plan carefully.
Knock knock~
Just as she was lost in thought, the main door was knocked upon.
Before she could get up, Lao Wu darted out of the room quickly and opened the door.
"Mom, Aunt Wang is here."
"Fifth Girl, did your mother make you new clothes again?"
"Yes, just finished."
Li Xiangqin stood up and saw Wang Erying holding two Eggplants.
"I went to the Vegetable market today and saw these Eggplants were fresh, so I brought two over for you to try."
"Thank goodness Er Ying Jie still thinks of me. I haven't been to the Vegetable market in days; I still don't know what we're having for breakfast tomorrow."
Li Xiangqin poured her a glass of water, invited her to sit down, and chuckled lightly.
"How many years of Friendship have we had? Why are you being so polite with me?"
Wang Erying glanced at her.
"I heard from people in the Courtyard that you lost your temper again today?"
"It was nothing much. I just called all the children over, laid out the family matters, and divided the Family Property... It's a pity, there's not enough to go around. Besides signing an agreement verbally and cursing a few times to vent, we didn't gain any actual benefits."
Anyway, she wouldn't see it even if the house was divided equally after she died.
Wang Erying was stunned. Looking at her calm expression, it took a while before she couldn't help but laugh.
"Hahaha... Dividing the family, only you could think of that! Our generation suffered and lived in poverty, raising children and supporting the elderly, starving until we were dizzy, only to have a few days of being full?"
Talking about Family Property—it would be good enough if they didn't have debt.
After sighing, Wang Erying turned to look at Li Xiangqin and asked worriedly.
"Are they targeting your Old Man's Solatium?"
That was real money; even if the Sons were willing, their Wives wouldn't agree.
"Yes, but Lao Wu and Lao Liu aren't adults yet. I explained the situation to them in detail, and they were all quite reasonable, agreeing to leave it for the two younger ones as education funds.
It wasn't just a verbal promise; we also signed an agreement and put down Handprints. I am quite satisfied with that part."
Wang Erying looked at her cheerful tone, blinking her slightly drooping eyes.
"You've changed."
Her old friend was indeed different. Before, she worked herself to death for her children, busy like a spinning top, rushing people even when speaking, and wouldn't listen to any persuasion.
Who would have thought that after Old Zhang passed away, she would become so philosophical.
"Haven't I? I think so too."
Li Xiangqin curved her lips.
"The three of them are already settled down, one way or another. I still have three who haven't started their own families yet, so I have to plan ahead."
"That's true; your burden is still quite heavy."
Wang Erying nodded; managing three children alone wasn't easy either.
"Going by that, Brother Jianguo and the others were quite reasonable. It's good enough that they didn't get angry."
"Who says otherwise? I'm very satisfied with their Attitude this time too." Li Xiangqin agreed. After chatting about daily life for a while, Wang Erying left.