Chapter 27: Making Money

Qin Sui was a decisive man. The next day, during training, he found Zhao Cuifeng’s husband. He didn’t immediately tell him to control his son, but under the guise of a sparring match, he beat him up first.

Zhao Cuifeng’s husband couldn’t withstand Qin Sui’s fists.  He belatedly understood and quickly pleaded for mercy, “Deputy Commander Qin, just tell me what’s going on, okay?”

Ah, now he’s in a state where he can listen to reason.

Qin Sui then said in a low voice, “Your son bullied my son, and he admitted it yesterday.”

“Your wife didn’t admit it and made a fuss. It’s no secret that my wife is weak and often ill. My son’s minor injuries are no big deal, but if my wife faints, do you think your wife can afford the medical expenses?”

Zhao Cuifeng’s husband was stunned. Was this about caring for his wife through his son’s actions?

Regardless, it made him take it seriously.

If he didn’t take it seriously, Qin Sui would definitely want to “spar” with him again. But it wasn’t sparring; it was a one-sided beating.

His whole body ached.

To avoid being targeted by this Living King of Hell, he quickly put on a serious face, “I’ll beat my son and teach my wife a lesson. I guarantee she’ll apologize to your wife, okay?”

This was much more pleasing to the ear. Qin Sui nodded in satisfaction.

Zhao Cuifeng’s husband secretly breathed a sigh of relief. No wonder his eyelids had been twitching all day; it turned out he had been targeted by this terrifying figure.

He had to discipline his son and wife; otherwise, they would keep causing trouble for him.

Lin Su didn’t know about the chaos in Zhao Cuifeng’s family. After sending Qin Yao and Qin Ni to school, she busied herself sewing dresses.

She had taken Gu Lin’s words to heart.

Qin Keke, wearing the overalls Lin Su had altered, ran happily in the yard.  Unsatisfied, he ran outside to show off his cute overalls to a group of children who didn’t have them.

After successfully garnering a wave of envious glances, he trotted back, munching on cookies and snuggling at Lin Su’s feet, his eyes darting around, scheming something mischievous.

“Keke, I saw that.”

At that moment, Gu Lin pushed her bicycle into the yard and walked towards them.

Lin Su looked up at her and moved a stool for her, “Saw what?”

After sitting down, Gu Lin told Lin Su what she had seen, laughing at the end, “Don’t underestimate him; he’s quite clever.”

Lin Su looked down at Qin Keke and touched his head helplessly, “Little rascal.”

Qin Keke buried his face in Lin Su’s lap, slightly turning his face to pout at Gu Lin where Lin Su couldn’t see.

Gu Lin couldn’t stop laughing.

When Lin Su looked over, Qin Keke made a “shhh” gesture.  She didn’t want to expose him, so she changed the subject, “Are you making clothes for them?”

“No, it’s for myself.”

Gu Lin became interested and leaned closer to look.

“Are you making a blouse?”

“Yes.”

“This… is it made from old clothes?”

“Yes, I don’t have cloth coupons, and it’s inconvenient to buy cloth. Since I don’t wear these clothes anymore, I might as well make them into dresses.”

Gu Lin was immediately envious, “You’re so skillful. You’re beautiful, and you’re a good cook and seamstress. You also take such good care of your three children. Brother Qin marrying you is his good fortune from a past life.”

Lin Su smiled without speaking.

Gu Lin looked at her charming smile, coughed, and diverted her gaze.

Brother Qin really didn’t know how lucky he was.

“Gu Lin?”

Gu Lin suddenly snapped back to attention, “Ah?”

Lin Su looked at her, “What are you thinking about? I asked if you want me to alter a dress for you.”

Although she hadn’t seen the finished product, Gu Lin trusted her and immediately nodded, “Yes, yes, yes.”

Thinking of something, she whispered, “Should I help you advertise?”

“Advertise what?”

“It’s not really advertising. After you alter a dress for me, I’ll wear it out for a walk. If anyone asks, I’ll tell them you made it, to get you some business?”

“Won’t we be reported for speculation?”

“No, and besides, Brother Qin will have your back, what are you afraid of?”

Since she had nothing to do and could earn some money, why not? Lin Su nodded.

After finishing her own dress, Gu Lin returned with her old clothes. “Here, you finished it! Let me see.”

Gu Lin handed the old clothes to Lin Su and examined the dress she had made, constantly exclaiming.

“Wow, it’s so beautiful! The dresses sold in the supply and marketing cooperative aren’t as beautiful as this. How are you so skillful? This is the first time I’ve seen such a beautiful dress, it’s indescribably beautiful.”

Gu Lin didn’t know how to describe it; she only felt that the dress in her hand was more beautiful than any she had ever seen.

What was in Lin Su’s head? How could she have so many clever ideas?

Gu Lin admired Lin Su even more, carefully touching the embroidered pattern on the dress. She didn’t know what it was, but it was beautiful.

Lin Su, being a modern person, naturally made dresses with a modern style. Her skillful hands, combined with the unique and flattering design of the dress, captivated Gu Lin, a native of this time.

With such a beautiful dress, Gu Lin had high expectations for the dress Lin Su would make for her.

Worried that Qin Keke would disturb her work, she even tried to bribe him with candy to go play outside, but it didn’t work.

Qin Keke was small but alert. Even though he had met Gu Lin many times, he was still wary of her.

Afraid of being forcibly taken away, he clung tightly to Lin Su’s pants.

Lin Su smiled, “He won’t bother me.”

Gu Lin could only give up.

The altered dresses were easy to make, so by the afternoon, Lin Su had finished Gu Lin’s dress. Gu Lin loved it, spinning around happily with the dress, even changing into it right there.

Gu Lin was originally pretty, and the dress made her even more radiant.

“Don’t worry, I’ll ride back and make sure to advertise it well.” With that, Gu Lin excitedly rode away.

Seeing her hurry, Lin Su chuckled.

Meanwhile…

As soon as Gu Lin rode out, the eye-catching dress attracted the attention of many military wives.

Women love beautiful dresses, and Gu Lin rode slowly, so they quickly surrounded her.

“Linlin, where did you buy this dress?”

“I’ve never seen this kind of dress in the supply and marketing cooperative. Did you buy it from another province?”

“It’s so beautiful! Can I touch it?”

The military wives chattered, and Gu Lin didn’t know who to answer.

She knew Lin Su’s dresses were beautiful and would have an impact, but she didn’t expect the impact to be so great.

Happy inside, she smiled, “My sister-in-law altered this blouse for me.”

“Altered? How did she alter it?”

“Who is your sister-in-law?”

“My sister-in-law is Lin Su, Deputy Commander Qin’s wife. I gave her my old clothes to alter.”

“Really? Clothes can be altered like this?” The military wives were a little disbelieving.

Gu Lin: “My sister-in-law can do anything. She can alter clothes and dresses.”

A military wife nodded, “She probably can, after all, her cookies are delicious.”

Remembering the cookies, some military wives who had gotten the recipe also spoke up.

“Yes, yes, she’s always been skillful.”

“That’s right. Hey, Gu Lin, should I take my clothes to her to alter? Will she agree?”

“I also have old dresses. Can she alter them like yours?”

Hearing so many people praise Lin Su, Gu Lin felt happy and proud, but she pretended to be hesitant, “I’m not sure. She still has to take care of the children. It took her an afternoon to make this dress for me.”

One military wife was truly envious of Gu Lin’s dress and whispered, “I won’t let her alter it for free.”

Others reacted and quickly echoed, “Me too. And I won’t rush her; she can do it when she’s free.”

Gu Lin was still hesitant, “Although we don’t have to worry about speculation anymore, what if someone reports us…”

“Report? Whoever reports me, I’ll throw manure at their door.” This was said by the mother of the brat, who also had a bratty personality. Everyone around was speechless.

However, they wouldn’t do such an immoral thing; it would be thankless and offend Deputy Commander Qin.

With their assurances, Gu Lin said, “Then I’ll mention it to her tomorrow. I can’t guarantee she’ll agree.”

“Go ask her now.” An impatient military wife spoke, and others nodded in agreement.

Gu Lin looked helpless and turned her bicycle back.

Lin Su naturally agreed; every little bit helped.

Gu Lin was about to leave when she saw Lin Su still altering clothes and asked, “Whose clothes are you altering?”

“Mine. I’m making a dress for Erwa (second child, Qin Ni).”

Gu Lin saw that the clothes were still somewhat new, clothes she wouldn’t normally wear, and she was altering them for Qin Ni.

Lin Su’s performance as a stepmother was impeccable.

With mixed feelings, Gu Lin met the waiting military wives again and inadvertently mentioned this. The military wives couldn’t help but feel emotional.

Qin Sui had truly married the right person, and those three children were lucky to have such a kind stepmother.

But feelings aside, they still had to act.

The quickest military wife took her old clothes and money and rushed to Lin Su’s house. Seeing her still sewing small dresses, she was immediately impressed. After explaining her intentions, she placed the money next to Lin Su.

Lin Su saw that it was one yuan and was surprised, “Sister-in-law, this is too much.”

The military wife quickly said, “It’s not too much. With your skills, I was afraid you’d think one yuan was too little.”

Gu Lin’s dress, after being altered, looked brand new, and it was more beautiful than those from the supply and marketing cooperative.

The dresses in the supply and marketing cooperative were also expensive, costing ten or twenty yuan, while she could get a new dress for only one yuan. It was a bargain.

Others thought the same, but they gave more than just money, afraid that Lin Su would think they were being stingy and wouldn’t put in the effort.

When Grandma Lin came back with Qin Yao and the others, she saw a pile of things on the ground.

There was brown sugar, eggs, sweet potatoes, matches, and other common items, and some had brought their own handmade cloth shoes, steamed bread, red dates, and so on.

In short, there was quite a variety.

Qin Sui also returned and was surprised to see these things.  After learning the reason, he didn’t say anything but asked Lin Su, “Wasn’t the money I gave you enough?”

Lin Su: “It’s enough. I just wanted to find something to do and earn some extra money.”

“Your health…”

“It’s fine.”

“Don’t overwork yourself.”

“Okay.”

Grandma Lin interjected, “Su, how much money did they give you in total?”

Lin Su finally remembered to count. After counting the money one by one, she smiled, “Eight yuan and five cents.”

Grandma Lin was shocked, “This is more than working in a factory!”

Qin Sui was also slightly surprised.

Her cooking was delicious, she could make various pastries, and her skills could make money.  Even if she hadn’t married him, she could have supported herself and her grandmother.

With mixed feelings, Qin Sui silently went to feed the chickens.

Lin Su didn’t notice his emotional changes and handed a dress to Qin Ni, “Try it on and see if it fits.”

Qin Ni looked at the exceptionally beautiful little dress, somewhat disbelieving.

Was it really for her?