The auntie quickly chimed in, “That’s two pieces—you can even wear them separately! That’s like getting three outfits. Such a bargain! And this young lady is honest—buy a dress and you get a hairband, keychain, even a little cloth bag! I’m telling you, there’s only one of this skirt. Miss it and it’s gone!”
With that reminder, everyone’s attention shifted to the hairbands and keychains laid out on the ground.
The girl at the front immediately noticed the blue-and-white checkered hairband in Su Jinle’s hair. She carried a matching cloth bag, with a pink little lamb dangling from it. Standing there, she looked like a movie star.
Her heart thumped. “You mean for twenty yuan, everything you’re wearing is included?”
Su Jinle nodded quickly—then shook her head. “No… not the shoes…”
Everyone glanced at her feet. Black cloth shoes and white socks—those could be bought anywhere. But paired with the outfit, the simple shoes somehow looked even more stylish than leather ones.
“I’ll take it! I’m going home to get the money now!” The girl made up her mind instantly. If she hadn’t seen Su Jinle wearing it, she might’ve hesitated. But with a live model in front of her? No hesitation at all.
Twenty yuan for the whole set—what a deal!
But the moment she spoke, another girl protested, “Isn’t there only one? I want it too!”
She was taller and a bit chubby, thinking the skirt looked slimming.
The first girl turned. “Qiao Fengxia, don’t fight me for it. You won’t even fit!”
Qiao Fengxia opened her mouth to argue, but her eyes dimmed when she looked at the skirt. She fell silent.
Afraid someone else would grab it, the first girl stuffed two yuan into Su Jinle’s hand. “Wait for me! I’ll be back in half an hour!”
She hopped on her bicycle and sped off, shouting back, “Don’t you dare leave! My house is nearby—if you cheat me, you’ll never sell here again!”
Originally, Su Jinle had made two sets—one she wore, one she planned to sell. Now both were gone. The other girls sighed and prepared to leave.
Su Jinle tugged at Qiao Fengxia’s sleeve. “You… still want?”
Fengxia lowered her head. “Forget it. I can’t wear it anyway.”
She was tall and heavy, but still loved pretty clothes. Unfortunately, department stores never carried her size. She usually had to settle for loose, shapeless outfits.
“I can make… make it,” Su Jinle said hurriedly. “I made these. I can make yours.”
Fengxia froze. “You made them?”
She’d assumed they were high-end goods shipped from the south!
Su Jinle smiled shyly. “Yes… if you want… I measure you.”
Fengxia’s face lit up. “I want it! I’ll pay a deposit!”
That sparked chaos.
“You make them yourself? Any other styles?”
“Can you make a white dress like the heroine Zhou Yun in Romance on Lushan Mountain?”
“I want a shirt! Are shirts cheaper?”
“Do you have other colors of what you’re wearing? Pink would be so pretty!”
…
Su Jinle had never spoken so much in her life. Sweat soaked her back. “Can… can make. All can.”
She pulled out a small notebook, carefully writing down sizes and style requests. Soon pages were filled. But without samples, most hesitated to pay deposits. Only Qiao Fengxia and one other girl ordered her current outfit.
Each paid two yuan. She generously gave them hairbands and keychains with cloth bags.
The others felt awkward leaving empty-handed and began picking out accessories instead. By the end, only one hairband and two small bags remained.
The keychains sold fastest—young girls had zero resistance to cute things. Five mao each, and neither the department store nor supply co-op sold anything like them. At one point, two girls nearly fought over the last lamb.
Su Jinle and the egg-selling auntie each held one girl back, promising new styles tomorrow.
Su Jinle collapsed onto her stool.
The other vendors were practically green with envy.
They could shout all day and barely earn a few mao. This young girl showed up for days and customers were fighting over her goods. What was so special?!
Her throat burned from talking. Her hair was messy from breaking up that near-fight.
She hugged the auntie sincerely. “Tomorrow… I make you clothes.”
The auntie laughed it off. “Don’t you dare! I’m not comfortable in new clothes.”
A shirt cost over ten yuan. She’d only helped say a few words—how could she accept such a gift?
Su Jinle said nothing. But she was the type who returned tenfold for a single kindness. In her mind, she was already planning a style for the auntie.
It was nearly seven. The auntie packed up and left. Su Jinle tidied her things too, mind racing.
She must have earned so much today!
Just as she packed away the last items, a pair of black leather shoes stopped in front of her.
“Lele… it’s really you.” Gu Jingxiu stared at her disheveled state, disbelief in his voice.
Her throat hurt too much to speak. She kept packing.
He crouched down, pressing a hand over her cloth bag. “Refused my money, and you insist on struggling like this? How much can you make in a day? When have I ever let you show your face in public like this?”
She ignored him.
“I’ve spoken to Muqing about your father. The factory rescinded his punishment.”
That made her look up. “Not… because of you.”
It was Brother Song who’d pressured the union. The cannery factory wouldn’t dare target her father otherwise!
Only then did Gu Jingxiu notice her outfit. Blue-and-white checks made her skin look even fairer. A bow cinched her waist. Though modest, it was somehow more alluring than her usual style.
“Why are you wearing something like this?”
He slipped off his suit jacket to drape over her shoulders. “I’ll take you home. Starting this month, I’ll give you twenty yuan monthly. Stop selling clothes! Look at yourself—what kind of image is this? Wouldn’t it be better to wait and become Mrs. Gu?”
She couldn’t break free.
From across the street, men shouted, “Hey! Harassing her? The police station’s right there!”
“Miss, need help?”
“Yell if you need us!”
Pang Auntie—the egg seller—might not be here, but others were watching.
Su Jinle stomped hard on his foot. “You. Get lost!”
He’d humbled himself again and again, thinking he’d already lowered himself enough. In his mind, she was spoiled now. In their previous life, she’d been obedient—always doing as he said.
If not for hearing rumors that her family was nearly starving, he wouldn’t have rushed over with money out of pity.
And she told him to get lost?
“Fine.” He stood tall, looking down at her. “Su Jinle, I’ll wait for you to beg me to marry you.”
Tears slid down her face. She wiped them roughly.
“I’d rather marry a dog… than you!”
He laughed angrily. “Good. Let’s see what kind of man you manage to marry.”