Chapter 13 Did you draw the diagram yourself?
“Not much—fifty for the short one, and a hundred and twenty for the long coat.”
A hundred and twenty is a huge sum!
Chen Lijuan frowned. “Boss, are you joking? Charging 120 for a small town shop and saying it’s genuine mink wool?”
“This is real quality mink wool that can withstand the cold. You’re going to college; if it’s cold there, you must prepare your clothes in advance.”
“Otherwise, when you buy locally, you won’t get this quality for less than 200.”
Chen Lijuan thought the owner was just bluffing.
“Stop joking with me. It’s too expensive; I’m not buying.”
Seeing she was so dismissive, the owner decided not to push further. Good goods only fetch their price with those who understand their value; those who don’t just see an ordinary garment.
His gaze shifted toward Xia Xiaoyu, who had just entered.
Feeling neglected, Chen Lijuan grew uneasy and said, “Boss, you haven’t finished serving me yet, and you’re already attending to another customer?”
The owner turned and replied, “Miss, if you don’t like these two coats, just pay for the dress you’re wearing. You don’t need to pay for anything else.”
Chen Lijuan wanted to shout about being robbed but thought better of it.
She paid for her dress and left the shop.
The owner counted the money. “Two yuan short.”
He rushed outside, calling after her, “Miss, wait a moment! Wait!”
Chen Lijuan was hailing a rickshaw, brows furrowed deeply. Hearing the owner call, she turned coldly. “Boss, what now?”
“You gave me two yuan less.”
Chen Lijuan was unwilling to admit it. “Boss, that’s absurd. We agreed on the price from the start. I paid exactly that. How can you say I owe two yuan?”
“The houndstooth dress you’re wearing is at least fourteen yuan. You only gave me twelve.”
A cold light flashed in Chen Lijuan’s eyes. “Who said this dress belongs to you? Do you have any proof?”
The owner said, “Your payment is proof!”
“Brother, how can you be like this? You told me twelve, now you’re reneging and trying to cheat me out of two yuan?”
The shop owner was stubborn too. He argued with Chen Lijuan at the door for a long time. Neither side knew who was telling the truth.
If only Xia Xiaoyu would step forward to confirm the price she had overheard, but she remained still.
After the dispute died down, the woman left, and Xia Xiaoyu finished drawing two designs.
Only then did the owner approach Xia Xiaoyu.
“Miss, what would you like to custom-make?”
Xia Xiaoyu handed over her sketches. “Boss, I want to make two sets of clothes. This is the fabric I brought.”
“Did you draw these yourself?”
Xia Xiaoyu nodded. “Yes.”
“Your drawings are beautiful, and the style is well designed. After I make these for you, can you give me these two sketches?”
Xia Xiaoyu had simply replicated styles she liked from her past life. She wasn’t a professional designer.
“Sure, as long as you make the clothes well, you can do whatever you want.”
The owner’s earlier anger evaporated, replaced by a smile. “Alright, alright.”
“How long will it take to finish the clothes?” Xia Xiaoyu asked.
“This will take a bit longer—at least ten days.”
Xia Xiaoyu frowned. “That long?”
“Yes, our schedule is full. We serve people in order.”
“If it takes too long, I won’t have them made here.”
Though ten days was the official estimate, it could easily be longer due to fitting issues or alterations.
Seeing Xia Xiaoyu about to take back her designs, apparently planning to look elsewhere, the owner said, “Don’t rush, everything’s negotiable.”
“I’m pressed for time. If you can’t do it, I’ll find someone else,” Xia Xiaoyu replied.
“How about this—I’ll prioritize yours and finish it in a week?”
That was more reasonable.
“Fine, a week it is,” Xia Xiaoyu agreed.
The owner gritted his teeth. “Don’t worry. Our shop has a good reputation. Since you’re in a hurry, I’ll do my best.”
After staying a while in the tailor’s, Xia Xiaoyu went to buy some other necessities and snacks for the road.
When she returned, she found a crowd gathered near the cattle shed.
Frowning slightly, she asked a nearby villager, “What’s going on?”
“Xu Jinyan’s classmate came from the city. She doesn’t believe Xu Jinyan would do such a thing and came here demanding justice.”
Chen Lijuan stood on a stone, face serious. “Fellow villagers, listen to me. Xu Jinyan is an exceptional classmate. He studies with us in the city, with excellent grades and a kind heart. Don’t be fooled by villains and wrongly accuse a good person.”
Xia Xiaoyu stood not far off, listening to the woman’s passionate speech.
Isn’t this the same woman who argued with the tailor about two yuan?
How did she suddenly become Xu Jinyan’s classmate?
“Are you his classmate?” a curious villager asked.
Chen Lijuan said, “My name is Chen Lijuan. I am Xu Jinyan’s classmate.”
Xia Xiaoyu’s gaze darkened. “Chen Lijuan, it seems your relationship with him is more than just classmates.”
Chen Lijuan nodded. “Because Xu Jinyan is a good classmate and comrade. He’s smart and capable.”
Xia Xiaoyu sneered. “Capable of what? In what way? What brought you all this way? And are you the only classmate here? Why haven’t the others come?”
Villagers who hadn’t thought much before now sensed something fishy.
Chen Lijuan saw everyone’s changed expressions and quickly said, “Don’t jump to conclusions. Xu Jinyan and I are just normal classmates. That woman is slandering me, trying to frame me.”
Xia Xiaoyu laughed coldly. “Why would I frame anyone else? Why just you?”
Suddenly, Xu Chunhua stepped forward. “You’re so heartless, can’t bear to see Jinyan near any other woman.”
Xia Xiaoyu deliberately asked, “Xu Chunhua, what, do you want to get involved too?”
Xu Chunhua’s face flushed red. “Nonsense! You’re talking rubbish.”
Xia Xiaoyu smiled. “It’s fine if you admit it. I won’t hold you accountable. I’ve already given up on a man like Xu Jinyan.”
Xu Chunhua’s expression changed drastically.