In her past life, she had studied fashion design and made a living with her sewing machine.  

It wasn’t just a tool for survival—it was the very vessel of her soul.  

She never expected that after transmigrating into the 1980s, she’d get the chance to return to her old craft. Her fingertips lightly brushed the machine’s body, and a peculiar warmth surged in her heart.  

Just as she was lost in her emotions, Yingying arrived.  

Picking up the batwing blouse and flared jeans Qiqi had set aside, Yingying frowned deeply.  

“Qiqi, these are the clothes you bought wholesale? They look so…”  

She wanted to say “outdated,” but the word lodged in her throat, turning her cheeks red. In the end, she could only stammer, “I feel like they might not sell well. Was this decision a bit… rash?”  

Though Yingying was shy and usually avoided social interactions, at her core, she was still a girl who loved beauty. Even she knew that basic batwing blouses like this were last year’s trend—they were already out of style this year.  

She couldn’t help but worry for Zhou Qiqi.  

But Qiqi remained calm and composed, a mysterious smile curling at the corners of her lips.  

“What’s the rush? You’ll see in a bit.”  

With that, she deftly pulled out a spool of cotton thread, expertly placed the bobbin on its holder, and guided the thread through the needle’s eye with practiced precision.  

Then, she casually picked up a plain piece of cotton fabric, secured it under the presser foot, adjusted the stitch length, and slowly pressed down on the pedal.  

This old sewing machine was nothing like the modern equipment she remembered, but she quickly got the hang of it.  

The moment the pedal moved, it was as if it awakened a dormant memory in her body—every rise and fall carried a rhythmic grace.  

Zhu Yingying keenly sensed that Zhou Qiqi was different now—utterly focused, completely absorbed.  

With a seam ripper in hand, Qiqi decisively went to work on the black batwing blouse. With a rip, the seams came apart.  

The fabric danced under the sewing machine’s needle, the pristine white stitches forming straight, unbroken lines. Her fingers nimbly pulled and adjusted the fabric, creating delicate pleats that unfolded like layers of blooming spring petals.  

Her foot never left the pedal, her hands moving in a blur—it was as if she were performing a dance atop the sewing machine.  

Soon, a revamped black batwing blouse was born.  

Zhou Qiqi, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction, handed the garment to Zhu Yingying and said confidently, “Try it on?”  

Yingying took it hesitantly and disappeared into the house.  

Less than a minute later, she rushed back out, her fingers constantly brushing over the sleeves.  

“How did you do this? It’s still a batwing sleeve, but it doesn’t look bulky at all—and it’s so much easier to move in!”  

“That’s exactly the point!”  

Zhou Qiqi planted her hands on her hips, her eyes shining with pride.  

She lightly traced the gathered cuffs and explained, “Old-style batwing blouses are nice, but they have their flaws. The sleeves are too wide—wearing them feels like being wrapped in a sack. Plus, the open sleeves aren’t warm. I added gathers at the elbows and paired them with small lantern sleeves. It keeps the flowy look while solving the practicality issues, and it adds a touch of elegance and femininity.”  

The more Yingying looked at it, the more she loved it. She didn’t even want to take it off and immediately pulled out a ten-yuan bill from her pocket.  

“I’m buying this one! How much?”  

Zhou Qiqi swiftly pressed her hand down and shoved the clothes back into her arms.  

“What are you talking about? I’m borrowing your sewing machine—how could I take your money? If you insist on paying, you’re treating me like an outsider!”  

Yingying had no choice but to put the money away, but her gaze was already glued to the light-washed flared jeans nearby, her curiosity burning.  

“How are you planning to alter those flared jeans? I can’t wait to see!”  

“No rush. First, take a look—which of these trimmings do you like?”

Zhou Qiqi gave a sly smile and, like a magician, produced an array of trimmings—lace, rivets, and assorted floral fabrics.  

Zhu Yingying agonized over the choices before finally settling on a piece of beige lace.  

Zhou Qiqi got to work immediately.  

First, she snipped a smooth inverted-V arc along the hem of the pants and stitched on the lace fabric.  

Then, with nimble fingers, she expertly frayed the seams into a natural fringe transition.  

Noticing the leftover lace scraps, she had a sudden inspiration—embroidering a lace border on the back pocket and sewing a three-dimensional bow on top.  

As the silver thread wove in and out, the once-ordinary flared jeans instantly came to life with a playful charm.  

Before the bow was even securely fastened, Yingying leaned in close to Qiqi, her face full of admiration.  

“Qiqi, I spoke too hastily earlier. How could jeans like these not sell? They’ll be a huge hit!”  

Zhou Qiqi shrugged, finishing the last stitches as she replied,  

“Not necessarily. I haven’t even started my business yet, and I’ve already made enemies. Who knows what’ll happen tomorrow?”  

She then recounted her morning encounter at the wholesale stall to Zhu Yingying.  

When she got to the woman’s biting mockery, Yingying’s eyes reddened with anger.  

“That’s just bullying! Maybe we should find out where her stall is…”  

“Great minds think alike—I already asked the shop owner. She usually sets up near the city cinema.”  

Yingying quickly suggested, “Then maybe we should avoid that area…”  

“Why avoid such a prime spot?”  

Qiqi raised an eyebrow, her eyes brimming with confidence.  

“She looks down on me? Then I’ll set up my stall right under her nose!”  

That woman might be nasty, but Zhou Qiqi wasn’t someone to be trifled with either!  

If someone insulted her to her face, she wasn’t about to take it lying down!  

Seeing Qiqi’s determination, Yingying didn’t try to dissuade her. Taking a deep breath, she said,  

“Then I’ll go with you tomorrow!”  

Time was tight—there were still eighteen pieces of clothing to modify—so they didn’t chat any longer.  

Zhou Qiqi threw herself into the work, and by the time she looked up again, dusk had already fallen.  

A glance at her watch showed it was nearly six!  

At this hour, Shen Huaichuan would usually be home for dinner—but she hadn’t even started cooking!  

Yet the moment she stepped out of the room, she saw Shen Huaichuan walking in, carrying several food containers.  

“Shitou said you were busy with something important, so I wrapped up early and brought dinner back.”  

Zhou Qiqi exhaled in relief and blurted out, “Thanks, hubby!”  

Shen Huaichuan, who was just climbing the steps, stumbled slightly, his ears instantly turning red as he coughed to cover his reaction.  

“Ahem—”  

Qiqi set the table while Shen Huaichuan went to call Zhouzhou for dinner.  

But when he reached the door, he found her hunched over her desk, engrossed in drawing with a focus he’d never seen before, her eyes shining with newfound enthusiasm.  

There was no doubt—this had to be something Zhou Qiqi had bought for her.  

He couldn’t help but glance at Qiqi and say, “Thank you.”  

“Out of nowhere? Who exactly are you thanking?”  

Zhou Qiqi couldn’t resist teasing him.  

As expected, the redness that had barely faded from Shen Huaichuan’s ears flared up again, spreading all the way to his neck.  

Just then, Zhouzhou wandered out sleepily, and Zhou Qiqi decided to spare him further embarrassment, quickly calling out,  

“Alright, alright, everyone wash up—it’s time to eat.”  

Zhou Qiqi had eaten a big lunch and wasn’t particularly hungry, planning to just nibble a bit.  

But to her surprise, among the dishes Shen Huaichuan had brought back was a stewed fish—and her appetite instantly roared to life.  

After the satisfying meal, Shen Huaichuan washed the dishes while she returned to her work, finally finishing modifying all the clothes.  

Before the lights-out signal, she took a quick shower.  

By the time Shen Huaichuan returned, she was already asleep. He lay down gently beside her.  

Bathed in moonlight, he gazed at her peaceful, delicate sleeping face, unable to resist leaning closer and whispering,  

“Thank you, wife.”  

She slept soundly through the night.  

The next morning, Zhou Qiqi was up by six.  

She quickly whipped up some fresh pork wontons.  

After the family ate, Zhouzhou left for school, Shen Huaichuan headed to work, and she set off with Zhu Yingying in tow.