Because her brother-in-law had just undergone surgery and needed care afterward, and the hospital ward couldn’t accommodate so many people, her sister had no choice but to ask her to take care of Tiantian for a few days.
When Song Zhinian’s military jeep stopped at the entrance of the family housing compound, many women who were chatting and picking vegetables in the courtyard paused and looked over, stopping what they were doing.
“Go on in. I’ll bring dinner tonight. If anything comes up, you can come find me.” His voice was still low and emotionless.
“What if I miss you does that count as something I can go find you for?”
She gave him a big smile, her tone soft and a little coquettish, almost like a newlywed wife.
“No.”
Song Zhinian replied flatly, started the engine, and drove away cleanly, disappearing at the end of the alley.
“Stingy.” she muttered under her breath, then held Tiantian’s hand and walked inside.
From the group of women, whispers immediately began to spread quiet, but clear enough to be heard.
“Look at that, look at that. Commander Song’s face is dark as a pot bottom. He must’ve had a fight with Qiao Yuwei!”
“I told you, a woman like her could never behave herself. She must’ve caused trouble again and upset Commander Song.”
“And look at her! Covered in dust, even her hair is messy. Did she get into a fight? Tsk tsk, what bad luck for the family. How did someone like Commander Song end up marrying her?”
Several women sized Qiao Yuwei up with disdain.
The flour on her clothes hadn’t been fully cleaned off, and in their eyes, it had already become “evidence of a fight.” And honestly, Song Zhinian’s face was always dark anyway.
The original owner of this body had a very bad reputation in the compound always gossiping and stirring trouble so these women already held deep prejudice against her. Now, even the smallest thing could be exaggerated into a full drama.
At that moment, they also noticed Tang Tiantian. Seeing her face somewhat similar to Qiao Yuwei’s, new thoughts immediately formed in their minds.
They had heard that Qiao Yuwei’s reputation in the village hadn’t been good either. Could this child… be one she had given birth to before?
Feeling the stares, Tang Tiantian shrank slightly into Qiao Yuwei’s arms and asked softly, “Auntie, what are they saying? Why are they looking at us?”
Qiao Yuwei patted her head and smiled down gently. “They’re just looking because Tiantian is cute.”
Before the rumors could spread further, Aunt Zhao happened to walk out of her house. Seeing Tang Tiantian, her eyes lit up warmly.
“Yuwei is back? This must be your sister’s child, Tiantian, right? Your sister came by earlier today we only talked for a bit.”
“Hello, Auntie. I’m Tang Tiantian.” She politely bowed, looking very well-behaved and adorable.
“Good, good, good! Auntie will make dumplings tonight and bring a bowl for our cute Tiantian.”
When Qiao Yuwei heard the word “dumplings,” an idea suddenly flashed in her mind. She looked at Aunt Zhao and said seriously, “Auntie, I need someone to help me with something in town tomorrow. Do you have time?”
Aunt Zhao didn’t even ask what it was. She immediately agreed warmly, “I’m free. Just tell me what you need help with.”
“Aren’t you going to ask what it is?”
“Hey, what can’t your Aunt Zhao do? I didn’t study much, but I’ve got plenty of strength.”
“It’s nothing complicated just washing dishes and serving food. And I won’t let you help for free. I’ll pay you 8 yuan a day. What do you think?”
She couldn’t let too many people know about the dumpling stall yet before things were ready.
As soon as she said that, the women nearby stopped again, staring at her in shock.
“Qiao Yuwei, are you joking? 8 yuan a day? Are you trying to sell Aunt Zhao off?” one of them exclaimed.
Another added, “Exactly! What kind of work pays 8 yuan a day? That’s several days’ wages for normal people!”
Aunt Zhao also hesitated. “Yuwei, there’s no need for that. It’s just a small favor ”
After the last incident, Aunt Zhao had realized this girl was only foolish before and wasn’t bad by nature. Now that she seemed to want to change, as a kind older woman from the countryside herself, she was willing to help if she could.
Qiao Yuwei interrupted her with a smile. “Aunt Zhao, I’m already very grateful that you’re willing to help me. This is what you deserve.”
She knew very well that her dumplings were far better than anything sold on the market now. Once she opened, business would definitely get busy. Aunt Zhao was reliable, and having her help would put her at ease.
“Alright, I still have things to do,” she said quickly, ending the conversation and pulling Tiantian away before Aunt Zhao could refuse.
Back home, she let Tiantian play in the courtyard while she prepared a basin of warm water to wash off the flour.
Just as she turned around, she saw Tiantian quietly looking down at her clothes, her fingers picking at a torn hem.
Something stirred in Qiao Yuwei’s heart. She walked over and squatted down, inspecting the little girl’s outfit carefully.
It was a faded blue dress, washed almost white, patched in several places.
“Auntie, my clothes are torn. Can you help me fix them?” Tiantian asked, blinking her big eyes.
A faint bitterness rose in her chest as she thought of her sister’s clothes, which were even more patched. She was only in her early twenties, yet looked much older than others her age.
She said nothing, stood up, and went inside to rummage through the bottom of the wardrobe. As expected, she found some fabric.
It was part of the dowry Song Zhinian had once prepared for the original owner when they got married high-quality dacron cloth. One piece was pink with small floral patterns, the other light blue. In this era, they were considered rare materials.
“No need to patch it. Auntie will make you a new one a pink dress.”
“Really? I’ve never had a new dress before. Auntie, you can make dresses?” Tiantian’s eyes lit up instantly, full of excitement.
“Of course I can,” Qiao Yuwei said confidently.
Her grandmother, though renowned in medicine, was also a skilled traditional craft heir. She often spent time in her embroidery room, and Qiao Yuwei had grown up as her “model,” wearing almost all handmade clothes. Over time, she naturally picked up the skills.
But right now, there was one problem: no sewing machine.
When she got married, Song Zhinian had given her a full set of appliances, but the original owner had already sold them to please Lin Sen.
Without a sewing machine, making a dress would be difficult.
After thinking it over, she realized there were only a few people in the compound who had one. Aunt Pang did have a sewing machine at home part of her wedding dowry but the original owner had a terrible relationship with her.
She had once gone to borrow something and ended up arguing with Aunt Pang, even calling her stingy. From then on, they became sworn enemies and barely spoke.
It was a bit difficult.
But looking at Tiantian’s expectant eyes, she still decided to try.
She took out a jar of canned fruit from the cupboard, held Tiantian’s hand, and walked to Aunt Pang’s house, lightly knocking on the door.