Chapter 58.2

Since hearing from Feng Mei yesterday that Commander Song might be promoted and transferred, Jiang Nian had been planning for the future. If Commander Song left, Lu Yu’s transfer order would also be expedited. However, she didn’t know which city he would be transferred to.

After breakfast, Lu Yu washed the pots and bowls, and the two of them left the army. The military wives they passed by couldn’t help but be stunned when they saw Jiang Nian, as today’s Jiang Nian was completely different from usual. Jiang Nian also greeted the military wives with a smile.

Lu Yu glanced down at Jiang Nian’s smiling face and remembered when he first brought her to the army. She had been quiet and withdrawn, holding a small cloth bag, avoiding people. He hoped that this current version of Jiang Nian would remain forever.

As they left the army, they saw Chen Fang and Sun Ying approaching. Lu Yu nodded and greeted, “Hello, Sister Chen.”

He ignored Sun Ying.

Sun Ying pursed her lips, her gaze fixed on Lu Yu, almost as if her eyes were glued to him.

Jiang Nian: …

She also greeted Chen Fang, “Hello, Sister Chen.”

“Where are you going?” Chen Fang asked Jiang Nian. She felt quite guilty about the previous misunderstanding involving Jiang Nian and Song Bai. Seeing Jiang Nian dressed differently today, her eyes lit up, and she smiled, “People really do rely on clothes, you look beautiful.”

Jiang Nian smiled and exchanged pleasantries with Chen Fang.

Sun Ying finally withdrew her gaze from Lu Yu’s stern face and looked at Jiang Nian’s attire, her expression changing suddenly. Jealousy flared in her eyes, barely contained. She coldly ignored Jiang Nian and walked straight into the army.

Chen Fang awkwardly smiled, greeted the two of them, and then chased after Sun Ying.

After they left, Jiang Nian looked up at Lu Yu, her tone a bit sour, “Sun Ying’s eyes were practically glued to you.”

Lu Yu: …

Jiang Nian walked away immediately after saying that, with Lu Yu quickly following behind, looking at her slightly pursed lips. His deep voice was tinged with amusement, “Don’t mind her.”

“Oh.”

Jiang Nian lowered her head. She knew she couldn’t blame Lu Yu for this.

Now Lu Yu and Sun Ying were like people on parallel lines, but thinking about the storyline between Lu Yu and Sun Ying in the book, Jiang Nian couldn’t help but feel a bit bitter. She took a deep breath and ran to the bus stop, her cheeks suddenly feeling warm.

Jiang Nian paused, turning to see Lu Yu standing properly beside her. His tall, straight figure exuded a stern aura, completely different from his almost frantic appearance back in the room. If not for the warmth on her cheeks and Lu Yu standing next to her, she would have doubted that the person who kissed her was Lu Yu.

There were few people on the bus today. Jiang Nian wanted to sit near the front, but Lu Yu led her to two seats in the back. He let her sit by the window while he sat next to her. Once the bus started moving, Lu Yu held her hand, intertwining his fingers with hers and pressing their joined hands under the small cloth bag in her lap.

Jiang Nian: …

She realized that Lu Yu’s demeanor outside was completely different from when they were alone at home.

After a four-hour bus ride, they arrived in the city. Lu Yu reluctantly let go of her hand, his voice hoarse, “Let’s get off.”

They first went to a state-run restaurant for lunch, then headed to the embroidery shop. As they approached, Lu Yu said, “I’ll wait for you outside.”

Jiang Nian nodded, “Okay.”

She carried her small cloth bag and walked in. She heard Zhang Xiao’s nasal voice, “Hello, please—oh, Sister Jiang!”

Zhang Xiao came out from behind the counter excitedly, “Sister Jiang, what brings you here?”

Jiang Nian smiled, “I’m here to deliver the embroidery.”

There was only Zhang Xiao in the shop. Jiang Nian asked, “Where is everyone else?”

Zhang Xiao replied, “They’re all having lunch in the dormitory, they’ll be back soon.”

Seeing Zhang Xiao’s red eyes, clearly from crying, Jiang Nian sat on a bench by the window and looked out. From her angle, she could only see Lu Yu’s straight back.

Jiang Nian looked at Zhang Xiao, “Have you been wronged?”

Zhang Xiao’s eyes reddened again, “It’s nothing, I just have to endure for another month.”

Jiang Nian was puzzled, “Why just one month?”

Zhang Xiao sniffled and finally smiled, “Zhu Jun called yesterday. Our marriage application has been approved. Once our mothers arrive, we’ll handle the wedding arrangements, and I won’t stay at the embroidery shop anymore.”

Jiang Nian smiled, “Congratulations.”

After chatting with Zhang Xiao for a while, several people entered the shop. The woman in front had short hair, followed by a woman with braids. After they entered, Zhai Peipei and Lu Xiaoqing also came. After a brief conversation, seeing the new director Peng Yin’s displeased face, they all went to the separate room.

The woman beside Peng Yin was called Shi Li, Peng Yin’s niece, as mentioned by Sister Ge and Zhang Xiao.

Jiang Nian calculated the time. Sister Ge said on the phone that the boss from Gangcheng would come in the afternoon. She put the embroidery on the table. As Sister Ge mentioned, Peng Yin was unhappy, pointing out where the stitches were wrong, and the uneven needlework, saying that although the embroidery looked good, it had too many flaws. The boss from Gangcheng would not like it and would ask her to take it back and fix it.

Zhang Xiao worriedly looked at Jiang Nian. Shi Li, holding an embroidery frame, said, “I heard from the previous director that you can get a hundred yuan for this embroidery? With your skills, do you feel guilty holding a hundred yuan?”

Jiang Nian looked at Shi Li and retorted, “I can get a hundred yuan, can you?”

“Comrade Jiang Nian!”

Peng Yin’s face remained stern as she continued, “There are indeed many problems with this embroidery. It must be revised. The color scheme is also wrong. Presenting this to the boss from Gangcheng will not only be rejected but may also affect the continued cooperation between the state-run embroidery shop and Gangcheng.”

Peng Yin’s words fulfilled all of Ge Mei’s previous warnings.

Jiang Nian, not backing down, glanced at Shi Li, who was enjoying the show. She looked at the embroidery in Shi Li’s hands and said, “If mine isn’t good, what about hers? The color scheme doesn’t match, the stitches are uneven. Her embroidery skills are not even as good as Zhang Xiao’s. I’m very curious why Director Peng keeps her in the state-run embroidery shop? Are you relatives? So you want to squeeze Zhang Xiao out and let this careless woman handle the customer?”

Seeing Director Peng and Shi Li’s faces turn livid, Jiang Nian pressed on, “The state-run embroidery shop is not your private property. Using your power to squeeze out employees and keep your own people, even if this matter reaches the leaders, they will have to give an explanation. Does Director Peng think she can cover the sky with one hand just because she’s the director?”

“You are talking nonsense! Don’t label me randomly. Who said we are relatives?”

Peng Yin’s face was ugly, truly not expecting Ge Mei’s appreciated female embroiderer to be so sharp-tongued.

Shi Li, originally angry about Jiang Nian saying her embroidery skills were not as good as Zhang Xiao’s, fell silent upon hearing the internal matters of the state-run embroidery shop.

Jiang Nian calmly smiled, “It’s okay if you don’t admit it. Whether you are relatives or not, the leaders will find out upon investigation.”

Peng Yin angrily said, “I’m talking about the embroidery with you. Don’t divert to other matters.”

Jiang Nian said, “I’ll just say one more thing, whether you like it or not. Do you know the biggest difference between you and Director Ge?”

Before Peng Yin could speak, Jiang Nian blocked her again, “Director Ge is considerate, gives every employee dignity, and treats everyone equally, even relatives. She wouldn’t use her authority to put on airs. Zhang Xiao has been here; tell us, what has she not done well? Is it customer service or the introduction of embroidery? Is it the cleaning? Does her salary justify her work?”

Jiang Nian glanced at Shi Li, “Director Peng, what does this person do in the embroidery shop every day? Embroidery? Her skills disgrace the shop. Cleaning? Does she do it? What capability does she have to stay in the shop? Do you think the people here are afraid of your position and won’t report you for abusing power?”

If Zhang Xiao hadn’t told her about the recent happenings in the shop, she wouldn’t have known so much.

Peng Yin and Shi Li were speechless for a long time.

Jiang Nian smiled and changed the topic, “I know Director Peng is new and eager to establish authority, and I’m the one being targeted. But let’s be clear: you say my embroidery has several flaws. Why don’t we wait for the boss from Gangcheng and let them see it first?”

Peng Yin didn’t expect Jiang Nian to point out her intentions.

Indeed, before coming to the shop, she had heard the leaders and Ge Mei mention Jiang Nian’s name. Her embroidery skills were excellent, her patterns were top-notch. The big order between the shop and Gangcheng was because of her. So Peng Yin thought to give Jiang Nian a hard time to suppress her arrogance, lest she used her skills to put on airs.

But she didn’t expect to shoot herself in the foot.

Shi Li was her niece. Peng Yin harbored selfish motives. Zhang Xiao was not very good at embroidery; it didn’t matter if she stayed or not. It would be better to push her out and let Shi Li take over her work. As for Jiang Nian, she didn’t dare to drive her away, just wanted to show off her power.

Zhai Peipei and Lu Xiaoqing hid behind the curtain. Peng Yin and Shi Li had their backs to them. They gave Jiang Nian a thumbs-up. Even Zhang Xiao at the counter smiled. Jiang Nian saw them but did not respond.

“Leave the embroidery here and go back. I’ll contact you after the boss from Gangcheng sees it and approves.”

Just as Peng Yin finished speaking, three people entered the shop. Leading them was a leader, followed by two women Jiang Nian hadn’t seen before, but their attire suggested they were the bosses from Gangcheng.

“Director Wang.”

Peng Yin’s face changed. She didn’t expect the person to arrive so soon. She glanced at the embroidery on the table and walked over awkwardly. Director Wang nodded and, seeing Jiang Nian standing up, smiled, “Comrade Jiang.”

Jiang Nian smiled, “Director Wang.”

Ge Mei had introduced Jiang Nian to Director Wang before.

Shi Li stood aside, not daring to breathe. Zhang Xiao sensibly brought chairs and served water. Director Wang introduced the two people from Gangcheng, “Comrade Deng, this is Comrade Jiang from our state-run embroidery shop. It’s a coincidence that you get to meet her today.”

Peng Yin’s face turned ugly when she saw the boss from Gangcheng looking at the embroidery on the table.

“Comrade Jiang.”

The woman with permed hair, about the same age as Ge Mei, had delicate makeup and a different attire from the local people. She extended her hand to Jiang Nian, smiling, “My name is Deng Ke. You can call me Comrade Deng or Sister Deng.”

She introduced the woman next to her, “This is Xia He, my assistant.”

Jiang Nian smiled politely, extending her hand gracefully to shake Deng Ke’s, “My name is Jiang Nian. Sister Deng can call me Comrade Xiao Jiang.”

Across a pane of glass, Lu Yu stood outside by the utility pole, turning to glance inside.

Jiang Nian, whether in temperament or behavior, seemed completely different from before. Lu Yu noticed that whenever she was involved in her embroidery work, she exhibited a sharpness that was otherwise absent.

It was as if she was cloaked in a layer of mist. Lu Yu wondered when he would be able to pierce through that mist and uncover her secrets.

“Director Wang, Comrade Deng, please have some water.”

Director Peng tried to interject, but Deng Ke replied lightly, “Thank you, but I’m not thirsty.”

She looked down at the embroidery on the table, gently touching it. Her eyes gradually showed appreciation as she looked up at Jiang Nian, “Comrade Jiang, your embroidery skills are still as impressive as ever.”

Deng Ke’s speech had a slight accent. Jiang Nian smiled and said, “Sister Deng, please take another look. If there are any areas you find unsatisfactory, I can make modifications.”

As she said this, she glanced at Director Peng, who looked stiff and dared not speak.

Deng Ke smiled, “I am very satisfied. I didn’t expect such exquisite skills from someone so young. I’ve heard Ge Mei speak highly of you. I wanted to meet you last time but didn’t get the chance. Today, I see that you are indeed young, beautiful, and very skilled.”

Jiang Nian didn’t show any shyness from the compliment. She responded confidently, “Thank you for the praise, Sister Deng.”

Director Wang also appreciated Jiang Nian’s reaction, feeling that Ge Mei had not misjudged her by leaving such a valuable person for their embroidery shop. Since the state-run embroidery shop started cooperating with Deng Ke, their profits have increased. If they could maintain this, it would reflect well on Director Wang’s performance and potentially lead to a promotion.

After chatting for a while, Peng Yin felt uneasy, worried that Jiang Nian might bring up her previous remarks in front of Director Wang and Comrade Deng. If Jiang Nian did, Director Wang would be furious at her for almost ruining the cooperation with Gangcheng, and her newly acquired position as director would be at risk.

Peng Yin was sweating when Director Wang turned to her, “Are you very hot?”

Peng Yin glanced at Jiang Nian talking to Comrade Deng and forced a smile, “Yes, a bit.”

Deng Ke had brought three large embroidery patterns, one of which was a landscape that needed to be completed in two months. This embroidery was to be a gift for a prominent elder in Gangcheng. From Deng Ke’s words, Jiang Nian understood that this piece might gain her significant recognition in Gangcheng. If her name became well-known, any state-run embroidery shop in the district would be eager to have her.

Seeing the admiration in Deng Ke’s eyes, Jiang Nian smiled and said, “Sister Deng, rest assured, I will personally complete this embroidery on time.”

Deng Ke smiled back, “I trust you.”

Director Wang, experienced as she was, understood the underlying message. After seeing off Deng Ke and her assistant Xia He, she returned. Peng Yin’s scalp tingles when she sees Director Wang return. Director Wang didn’t look at Peng Yin but spoke to Jiang Nian for a while, looking pleased, as if Jiang Nian were a precious asset.

Everyone knew Jiang Nian was indeed a gem for the state-run embroidery shop. Without her, the Gangcheng boss might not continue cooperating with the shop, affecting its profitability and Director Wang’s performance. Naturally, they needed to keep Jiang Nian happy.

After Director Wang left, Jiang Nian didn’t mention the earlier incident. Peng Yin breathed a sigh of relief, realizing her attempt to assert authority had backfired. She looked at Jiang Nian and finally asked, “Why didn’t you bring up what happened earlier? If you had, Director Wang would have reprimanded me and made me reflect.”

Jiang Nian smiled, but her eyes were cold, “I said earlier that I understand Director Peng is new and eager to establish authority. I didn’t bring it up because I want to give you a favor.”

Peng Yin frowned, not understanding her meaning until Jiang Nian glanced at Shi Li, and then she understood.

Jiang Nian said, “I understand your desire to help your relative, but consider, who is more suitable for the job, Zhang Xiao or Shi Li? I’m not using my embroidery skills to put on airs. Think about which is more important.”

Jiang Nian smiled at Peng Yin, who felt a pang of frustration. If she still didn’t understand Jiang Nian’s words, she would be foolish. If she insisted on keeping Shi Li and pushing Zhang Xiao out, the matter of criticizing the embroidery would reach Director Wang’s ears, and both she and Shi Li would be out.

Jiang Nian packed the embroidery pattern into a cloth bag and told Peng Yin, “I need the embroidery cloth and silk threads to be sent over. Also, my payment for this embroidery. I’ll be leaving now.”

She greeted Zhai Peipei, Lu Xiaoqing, and Zhang Xiao, who all gave her a thumbs-up.

She pushed the door open and left the embroidery shop, seeing Lu Yu by the roadside. The man walked towards her as she exited, “Finished?”

Jiang Nian nodded lightly, “Yes, let’s go home.”

“Wait a moment. We need to take care of something first.”

Jiang Nian looked up at Lu Yu, curious, “What is it?”

As they walked along the road, Lu Yu cleared his throat and took her hand, “We’re going to take a photo.”

A photo?

Jiang Nian looked down at her hand held tightly by Lu Yu and smiled softly.

The photo studio of this era was very simple, with an old-fashioned camera.

They walked into the studio. Inside was a man with a beard and glasses, a camera hanging around his neck. He was looking down at something. Hearing the door, he stood up and smiled, “Are you here to take photos, comrades?”

Lu Yu nodded. When asked what kind of photo, Lu Yu simply said, “A photo of the two of us.”

Jiang Nian: ???!