Chapter 14: Marrying Such a Capable Wife, I’ve Truly Struck Gold  

Summer clothing was easy to make. Once the fabric was cut, the sewing process became even simpler.  

At that time, people didn’t buy buttons. Traditional Chinese garments used frog closures, which could be made from fabric. Not only were they sturdier than plastic buttons, but they also looked more elegant.  

In her previous life, Su Ruanruan had only seen such closures on qipaos. Now that she had inherited the original owner’s skills, she could effortlessly create a beautifully crafted frog closure with just a few quick movements.  

Even though she had made it herself, Su Ruanruan still found it fascinating. She held the closure in her hand and stared at it for quite a while.  

As she was looking, Fu Wenjing’s voice, tinged with amusement, reached her ears.  

“Ruanruan has been staring at that closure for so long. Do you really like it? If so, why not keep it for yourself?”  

Su Ruanruan had been lost in her thoughts. When she suddenly heard this, she instinctively replied: “I was just thinking… How am I so amazing? How did I manage to make such a beautiful closure?”  

The moment the words left her mouth, she realized something was off.  

Had she just… boasted about herself?  

It was all because she had been too deep in thought earlier. When Fu Wenjing asked her a question, she responded without even thinking.  

Would it seem like she was trying too hard to explain herself if she clarified now?  

Su Ruanruan hesitated and looked up at Fu Wenjing, debating whether to say something. But before she could, she saw him nodding with a smile, his expression filled with agreement.  

“I also think Ruanruan is amazing. Being able to make such beautiful closures… Marrying such a capable wife, I’ve truly struck gold.”  

“……”  

If anyone else had said this, Su Ruanruan might have thought they were being sarcastic.  

But since it was Fu Wenjing, and he said it with such sincerity—  

Sincerity was a killer move, no matter the situation!  

Su Ruanruan simply decided to say nothing. She lowered her head and continued sewing the clothes.

Summer clothes were indeed quick to make. Before the sky even darkened, Su Ruanruan had already finished two sets of clothing.  

With many working hands in the Fu family, there were plenty of people going out to labor, which meant Wang Maoni didn’t have to.  

Even though a different daughter-in-law took turns cooking and feeding the chickens each day, there were still plenty of other household chores. Wang Maoni remained busy from morning to night.  

Su Ruanruan listened carefully and heard Wang Maoni’s voice coming from the main house. She picked up the freshly sewn clothes, stood up, and said to Fu Wenjing, who was reading: “I’m going to take these clothes to Mother.”  

Fu Wenjing looked over. “Do you want me to go with you?”  

Su Ruanruan was pleased that he offered, but she still refused.  “No need. It’s just within the house. I can go by myself.”  

If she needed Fu Wenjing to accompany her just to give Wang Maoni some clothes, it would make it seem as if she was afraid of her, which might end up displeasing Wang Maoni instead.  

Since Su Ruanruan declined, Fu Wenjing did not insist. He simply watched as she walked out the door.  

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As soon as Su Ruanruan entered the main house with the clothes, Liu Xiue came out from the west room, her eyes fixed on the garments in Su Ruanruan’s hands.  

“Oh my!” Liu Xiue exclaimed. “Seventh’s Wife, you really work fast. You just bought the fabric this morning, and now you’ve already made new clothes! But making them is one thing—why bring them here? Do you want to show them off to us?”  

Faced with Liu Xiue’s sarcasm, Su Ruanruan showed no sign of irritation. “Eldest Sister-in-law, these are new clothes I made for Father and Mother. I brought them over to see if they fit. Do you have any objections?”  

Liu Xiue’s expression turned to one of surprise. “For Father and Mother? Seventh’s Wife, you’re really quite filial!”  

Su Ruanruan smiled. “Being filial to Father and Mother is only right. Eldest Sister-in-law, I won’t chat with you any longer—I’ll take these to Mother first.”  

With that, she turned and walked toward the east room.  

Wang Maoni was sitting on the kang inside. Since the door was open and the walls weren’t soundproof, she had heard the entire conversation between Su Ruanruan and Liu Xiue loud and clear.  

Su Ruanruan had barely stepped inside when Wang Maoni spoke. “Didn’t I tell you? Seventh gave me cloth tickets. If I want new clothes, I can buy fabric myself. You should keep those for yourself.”  

“I know Mother is looking out for me, but since you care for me, I must also care for you.” Su Ruanruan said with a smile. “Wenjing looked at the clothes I made and said they’d suit Father and Mother perfectly. Why don’t you take a look first?”

Just as Su Ruanruan had expected, the moment she finished speaking, Wang Maoni’s interest was piqued.  

Since her most beloved youngest son had already praised the clothes, Wang Maoni didn’t even need to take a proper look—she was already convinced they were good. “If Wenjing says they’re nice, then they must be. Let me see.”  

Although Su Ruanruan had come from another time and had seen a variety of clothing styles, she had no intention of standing out.  

In this era, the more unique and eye-catching something was, the more dangerous it became. Living a quiet, ordinary life was the safest path.  

The clothes she made for Wang Maoni and Fu Chunshan were the most common styles of this period, without any modifications.  

With high-quality fabric, meticulous stitching, and well-hidden thread ends, the garments were already considered excellent.  

Initially, Wang Maoni had praised them only because of Fu Wenjing. But once she got a proper look at the clothes, her compliments became far more genuine.  

“I heard all the clothes in your family are made by you, and that your sewing skills are first-rate. Now I see they weren’t lying—these clothes are truly well-made.”  

As she spoke, Wang Maoni held the garment against herself. “The size is just right. You didn’t even take my measurements—how did you make it fit so perfectly?”  

“I don’t have any special skills, just a good eye for sizes.” Su Ruanruan explained.  

Wang Maoni sincerely praised: “That’s an incredible skill. With that talent, if you could get a job at a tailor shop, you’d definitely earn a good living.”  

Hearing this, Su Ruanruan only smiled politely and didn’t respond.  

Tailor shops at this time weren’t privately owned but state-run, providing stable government jobs. There were countless people eager to secure a position in one, and there was no chance that a village girl without money or connections like her would have such an opportunity.  

Having lived for so many years, Wang Maoni naturally understood this as well. She had only mentioned it in passing.  

Since Su Ruanruan didn’t respond, Wang Maoni didn’t pursue the topic further.  

Just as the two of them fell silent, Liu Xiue peeked her head in and walked inside.  

The moment she entered, she started complimenting. “Mother, I have to say, Seventh’s Wife’s skills are truly impressive. Look at these clothes—the stitching is so fine! I’ve been sewing for years, but my work isn’t half as good as hers!”  

Wang Maoni cast her a sidelong glance and said indifferently: “If you know your sewing isn’t good, then you should take the time to learn properly.”  

“I’d love to learn!” Liu Xiue sighed. “But there’s no fabric for me to practice on!”

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Chinese Frog Closure

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