Song Shixu shook his head. “Your parents’ movements are fixed, and your sister doesn’t go out much except for her stall. I’ve already arranged people. Don’t worry.”
Su Yian frowned. “What about Lele? She goes out every day to sell things. I can’t find a reason to stop her.”
The little girl was in high spirits about selling clothes lately. At this hour, she was probably still awake, drawing design drafts. And he’d heard her mention someone had placed an order. What excuse could he possibly use to keep her home for days?
Song Shixu couldn’t help shaking his head. “Your sister is delicate—and troublesome.”
Su Yian’s expression darkened. “You don’t understand Lele.”
Song Shixu tapped the table with his fingers. After a moment, he said coolly, “If they make a move, it’ll be against you and your sister. I’ve already stationed people near your home. As for your sister, I’ll protect her secretly.”
Su Yian smiled. “Thanks, Shixu.”
No one knew Song Shixu’s capabilities better than he did. With him watching from the shadows, Lele would be absolutely safe. Once the opposing side was caught, the crisis would be over.
Before leaving, Song Shixu suddenly asked, “Has your sister been doing weighted runs lately?”
“…What?” Su Yian blinked. “Lele? Weighted runs?”
“She’s physically weak. You should train her more.”
Su Yian’s expression turned strange. After a long pause, he said with difficulty, “Shixu… you really should start dating.”
His friend was upright, yes—but perhaps a bit too upright.
When Song Shixu stepped out of Su Yian’s room, he passed by the west side room. A single lamp glowed inside. The curtain was thin; through it he could vaguely see a slender silhouette. He knew it was Su Jinle.
She seemed to be in a good mood, softly humming to herself. When she hummed, she didn’t stutter. She was bent over, doing something; her long hair spilled over her shoulder.
Suddenly, the delicate figure straightened and stretched lazily. Then—arms crossing—she lifted her upper garment slightly. The graceful curve of her slim waist and soft feminine lines shifted faintly with the movement of the curtain.
Song Shixu froze.
A long moment passed before he abruptly spun around, executing a textbook military about-face, as if some fierce beast lurked behind him. In one swift motion, he leapt up onto the Su family’s wall.
He crouched there for a while, waiting for his racing heartbeat to settle. Despite himself, he glanced back once more. The room had gone dark.
He couldn’t quite make sense of what he was thinking. He only knew that when he meant to jump down properly, he somehow lost focus and fell straight off the wall.
When the dignified “king of soldiers” stood up beneath the wall again, his handsome, expressionless face had acquired a sizeable bruise.
Originally, Su Jinle had planned to make the same outfit for the plump girl. But when she began drafting, she hesitated.
She had a sharp eye for body shapes and styling. Running it through her mind, she felt unsure.
Qiao Fengxia wasn’t truly fat. She was tall with a large frame, and even a little flesh made her look sturdy. That cute-style outfit wasn’t actually suited to her. But yesterday, the girl had specifically requested that design.
In theory, whether it looked good on the customer wasn’t her concern. As long as she got paid, wasn’t that enough?
Yet when Su Jinle started sewing, she only completed the other girl’s order. She also made a few little lamb keychains, then took her sketchbook to the stall location.
Aunt Pang hadn’t arrived yet, but her small stool was there. Given Aunt Pang’s “status” on the street, no one dared take her spot—much less sit on her stool.
Su Jinle, however, sat down naturally.
Across from her was a woman selling handmade cloth shoes, short permed hair framing her face. Seeing this, she warned, “Girl, that’s Pang Tiger’s seat. Better move aside.”
“Ti… tiger?” Su Jinle blinked.
“It’s the egg seller. Fierce as can be. If you take her spot, she’ll scratch your face up!”
Just look at those skinny arms—no way she could win against Pang Tiger.
Su Jinle glanced at her seat and shook her head. “This… is my spot.”
Bold, huh?
The woman was about to continue persuading her when Aunt Pang appeared in the distance, egg basket hooked over her arm—today even carrying the lace-trimmed little bag Su Jinle had gifted her yesterday.
She lifted her arm to greet her—
But the shoe-selling woman suddenly stepped forward and grabbed her. “Tiger, she’s just a little girl. Talk it out nicely.”
Aunt Pang blinked. “Lion Head, what are you doing?”
“Lion Head” was Aunt Pang’s nickname for her. Everyone here had a nickname. Only Su Jinle didn’t—yet.
Lion Head shot Su Jinle a look and scolded sternly, “Why aren’t you getting up? Don’t you know that’s Aunt Pang’s seat? Go sit by me!”
Su Jinle stared blankly. “Ah?”
Aunt Pang immediately bristled. “Lion Head, you’ve gone too far! Bullying a little girl?”
Lion Head snapped back, “You’re the one bullying her! She’s younger than your daughter! You think she can take a slap from you? I’m interfering today!”
Nearby vendors subtly shuffled away. When these two clashed, it was best not to get involved.
Just then, a small pale hand stretched between them. A soft voice trembled, “A-Auntie… Big sister… please don’t fight, okay?”
Aunt Pang’s face transformed instantly into kindness. She sat down grandly and gave Lion Head a warning look before pressing Su Jinle back onto the stool. “Ignore her. With me here, you can strut sideways down this street!”
Lion Head stared stiffly. “…You’re not chasing her away?”
Aunt Pang glared around. “Listen up! This girl’s under my protection. Anyone who bullies her, I’ll scratch their dog face!”
Lion Head let out a breath. “Good.”
Aunt Pang: “?”
…
The two returned to their stalls, oddly finding each other more agreeable than before.
With a few days of selling experience under her belt, Su Jinle now wrote prices clearly on cardboard signs. She also added large characters: Custom Clothing.
By five o’clock, nearby factories got off work. Several female workers pedaled over on bicycles. Those who hadn’t gotten keychains yesterday rushed in first. Within five minutes, they were gone.
Leftover headbands and small pouches sold out too.
The girl who ordered the skirt came, paid the rest, and took her dress.
Then Qiao Fengxia arrived, face glowing with excitement. “Miss, I brought the money. Where’s my dress?”
But there was only one finished set—and it had just been taken.
Su Jinle grew nervous. When she was nervous, her speech slowed even more. “I… I haven’t made it yet. Please listen to me first, okay?”
“Not made?” Qiao Fengxia’s heart dropped. “But I paid a deposit!”
She had anticipated that dress all day and night. On the production line, during meals—she’d imagined wearing it, imagined envious looks. Maybe even that gentle technician at the factory would notice her.
Now she was told it wasn’t made?
She’d just seen the other girl walk away with hers!
Qiao Fengxia bit her lip. “You think I won’t look good in it, don’t you? But you took my deposit!”
Her voice rose. People began to gather.
Aunt Pang quickly stepped in. “Making a dress takes time. Give her one more day. She’ll finish it tomorrow.”
Then she shot Su Jinle a look: If not, throw in more small gifts!
Breaking promises was bad business.
The crowd thickened.
Su Jinle forced herself to calm down. If she panicked, she would stutter more—and explain even less clearly.
She took a deep breath, gently held Qiao Fengxia’s hand, and spoke slowly.
“That outfit… truly isn’t right for you.”
Qiao Fengxia’s temper flared—
But then a design sketch appeared before her eyes.
Su Jinle continued, as steadily as she could, “Everyone’s body has strengths and weaknesses. Finding what suits you is more important. This… is a dress I designed especially for you. You’ll look even better in this than in that set.”
Qiao Fengxia froze.
Designed… especially for her?