Shopkeeper Zhou kept looking Chu Fuyu up and down, unable to hold back her admiration.
“Sister, your waist still looks just like an unmarried girl. How do you maintain yourself after having children?”
Chu Fuyu pursed her lips and smiled lightly. “I just do some farm work. I haven’t really maintained anything.”
Shopkeeper Zhou nodded knowingly, her gaze turning slightly sympathetic as she picked out clothes. Then she asked casually, “Where’s your husband? Why didn’t he come with you and the children today?”
Chu Fuyu paused for a moment, then turned to look at the three children who were still happily holding onto their new clothes, comparing them excitedly to see whose looked better.
She lowered her voice. “We’re divorced.”
Shopkeeper Zhou paused mid-motion, then looked Chu Fuyu over again. The more she looked, the more satisfied she became. Lowering her voice slightly, she said, “Sister, I actually have a younger brother. He works at the private school nearby. He’s a bit older, never married, just a little dull and not very good with words, so he’s been delayed. If you’re interested…”
Chu Fuyu understood immediately and felt a bit awkward. She just came to buy clothes—how did this turn into matchmaking?!
She quickly waved her hands. “No, no, thank you, Shopkeeper Zhou. I still have to take care of three children.”
Seeing this, Shopkeeper Zhou assumed she was feeling insecure because of the children and dismissed it casually.
“That’s not a problem at all! Sister, having three children is proof you’re fertile and capable—some families can’t even wish for that!”
Chu Fuyu didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “Shopkeeper Zhou, that’s really not what I meant.”
Only then did Shopkeeper Zhou realize she might be shy, so she stopped the topic. After all, marriage required mutual willingness. She only brought it up because she felt this woman was kind and pleasant.
So she changed the subject back to business.
“Alright, Sister, take a look at these clothes. They suit your complexion. You’re so fair—you should wear bright colors like sky blue, bright yellow, bean green, and flame red.”
Chu Fuyu touched the fabrics. They were indeed excellent—smooth, soft, and comfortable against the skin. The embroidery of flowers and butterflies was delicate and beautiful.
The only issue was that they weren’t suitable for farm work.
But Chu Fuyu was experiencing motherhood for the first time, and she still had modern sensibilities. A mother could also be stylish—why not be a “hot mom”? Which woman didn’t like beauty?
So she nodded. “Alright, I’ll take them all. And that white fox fur coat too.”
Shopkeeper Zhou quickly packed everything up, secretly thinking this woman clearly had money. No wonder she didn’t fancy her younger brother.
Buying more than twenty sets of clothes in one go—almost like a wealthy household placing a bulk order—and even several fur garments. Just that white fox fur alone cost two taels of silver.
Even if they couldn’t become family, keeping such a big customer was still a win.
Her smile grew even warmer. She even called someone over to show Chu Fuyu some embroidered undergarments decorated with orchids and lotus flowers.
Chu Fuyu froze for a moment, then reacted and felt her face heat up.
This was basically the ancient version of underwear…
“…I’ll take these too.”
Although she already had plenty from her spatial storage, she had never tried ancient-style undergarments before. She could treat it as a new experience.
Shopkeeper Zhou worked quickly, packed everything up, and totaled the bill: fifteen taels of silver.
Chu Fuyu paid without hesitation and then asked, “Shopkeeper Zhou, do you accept fabric and custom tailoring?”
“Yes, Sister. What fabric do you have? I can make clothes from it.”
Chu Fuyu was delighted. After loading all the purchased clothes onto the donkey cart with her children, she took out several bolts of fabric from her bundle.
These were bought from a fabric factory near the wholesale market in her previous world. She had purchased thousands of bolts in total—today she only brought five.
The moment Shopkeeper Zhou saw them, her eyes lit up.
She was already the biggest clothing shop owner in Xing’an Town, and being close to the capital, she had seen many fabrics before—but none like these.
She became excited and grabbed Chu Fuyu’s hand. “Sister, where did you get these? How much more do you have? Can I buy them?”
Chu Fuyu understood her reaction. The textile gap between modern and ancient worlds was enormous.
Still, she needed these fabrics for herself, so she said, “These are part of my dowry. I don’t have much. I can sell you a few bolts, but I need the rest for myself.”
“Even a few bolts is fine!” Shopkeeper Zhou quickly agreed.
With such quality fabric, even a few bolts were enough. If she studied them carefully, she might even be able to replicate them.
If successful, her embroidery shop could expand to five branches—or even open in the capital.
At that moment, Shopkeeper Zhou completely regarded Chu Fuyu as a lucky star.
She waved her hand generously. “From now on, Sister, if you want clothes made, just come to me. I’ll make them for you free of charge—and even add extra fabric for you.”
“Our tailors are the best in Xing’an Town. I’ll have them put their heart into it and make sure you get the most beautiful clothes.”
Chu Fuyu was also pleased. Having a reliable tailor made things much easier. She had a good impression of Shopkeeper Zhou.
Before leaving, Shopkeeper Zhou even gifted her a few tiger-head hats for the children and some trousers for Huai Jin and the others, saying it was “a gift for buying more.”
Chu Fuyu once again admired how well she did business.
She left with a cart full of clothes.