Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty

Chapter 19: Chapter 18: Recovery from Illness Chapter 19: Chapter 18: Recovery from Illness Upon seeing the needlework baskets, which all looked similar, Chen Afu recalled the diverse styles of storage boxes from her past life. If she could modify the storage boxes to serve as needlework baskets, they would look hundreds of times better than the baskets of this era.

Despite the fact that most storage boxes were made of plastic, there were also those made of fabric or adorned with grass, or small baskets woven from bamboo. She aspired to choose a style that combines fabric with small grass-woven baskets; there’s no use in mulling over plastic creations or those purely made of fabric, which wouldn’t hold much.

She planned to initially introduce only two styles, given that imitation might be widespread due to their simplicity. Rolling out new products in batches would bring in more money. Though the chance of significant profit would be slight, there was still an opportunity to make money courtesy of the novelty that catches the eye.

She explained how to use fabric in decorating needlework baskets and also touched upon this era’s unique needlework bags – two styles. They were modeled after needlework kits from her past life, with spaces designed for pins, thread spools, needle-pushing tools, small scissors, or shoe awls. Once closed, it became an elegant bag with a disk button, and upon opening, several small packages or fabric straps appeared, capable of storing or holding many small items, creating a tidy, aesthetically pleasing look.

The material for needlework bags should be of better quality, while that for needlework baskets need not be as such, just brighter and more colorful. The surface should then be sewn with flowers, leaves, or small animals made from scrap fabric, which looked unique and eliminated the need to embroider, saving time.

Mrs. Wang, an embroiderer, quickly grasped the concept of beautiful objects. Intrigued by Chen Afu’s ideas, her eyes lit up. Despite not having seen the real objects, she could already imagine how unique and attractive they were.

She joyously told Chen Ming, “Husband, these needlework baskets and needlework bags are indeed much better than the ones we are currently using, they are sure to fetch a good price.”

Upon hearing Mrs. Wang’s feedback, Chen Ming was delighted. He said, “Then let’s produce more of them for sale on the 19th. If others learn to create these items fast, we may lose our price advantage.”

Chen Afu nodded in agreement, and said to Mrs. Wang, “Mother, when you go to hand in your embroidery orders in a few days, do buy more attractive fabric or scrap fabric. Please take on fewer embroidery orders, for my fingers are not nimble enough and I’ll need help from you.”

Agreeing earnestly to the idea of purchasing fabric and scrap fabric – as the Embroidery Workshop was fraught with these items – Mrs. Wang didn’t want to take on less work, intending to work even later into the night.

Chen Ming advised, “You are already working very late as it is. If this continues, I fear it might take a toll on your health. Listen to Afu and take up a little less embroidery work. On the 19th of June, not only will many female pilgrims come to Lingyin Temple, but Yingxue Nunnery as well, which is nearby. You also said that these unique needlework baskets and bags will certainly sell well, and it may earn you even more than your embroidery work does.”

Chen Afu praised Chen Ming in her heart – as a child student, he was indeed astute.

Seeing Mrs. Wang still hesitant, Chen Afu stroked Alu’s hair and smiled, “We need to earn more money this time so that we can take my brother to the capital city for treatment. Alu is handsome and smart, and he is going to become a scholar in the future. He can’t remain lame.”

The condition of Alu’s leg was the deepest pain in Mrs. Wang’s heart. Hearing this, she agreed readily.

The family was ecstatic at the prospect of a better future, causing the children to laugh heartily.

After that, the family began their busy preparation. Chen Afu exercised diligently every day for her rehabilitation while simultaneously providing artistic guidance for Chen Ming and Mrs. Wang. Chen Ming, given the limits of his own body, ceaselessly weaved small baskets. While in the day, Mrs. Wang worked on her embroidery orders, she spent her evenings making needlework bags and fabric-handled needlework baskets. Alu and Dabao spent their days looking for high-quality bulrush and thin willow branches, as well as checking the small baskets weaved by Chen Ming. They pushed the protruding pieces of grass or nodes back into the basket, to be hidden by the fabric later on. They were endeavoring to make their products high-end and thus needed to strive for perfection.

Besides, Chen Dabao became even more attached to Chen Afu—every night, he insisted on sleeping in her arms. As the weather started to get hotter, Chen Afu waited for him to fall asleep before gently moving him a bit further away. However, every morning, she found him in her arms again.

Chen Alu also became more attached to his elder sister, frequently going into the east room to spend time with her.

Time flew by as they remained busy and joyous, and May came around.

Chen Afu’s condition had significantly improved. She was now able to speak smoothly with clear pronunciation and no stammering, though her voice was rather deep—alto for a woman. If she were in her past life, people in the West would have appreciated this, dubbing it as ‘magnetic.’ However, during this era, people didn’t appreciate it as they believed it was coarse—similar to a man’s voice.

Her mobility also improved, allowing her to bend over, squat, and get up with ease, and even contribute to simple chores such as kindling a fire, pounding chicken feed, drying clothes, and cleaning. She also had Mrs. Wang educate her on how to tie knots, which could be utilized to decorate the needlework baskets and bags while exercising her finger joints. Since her fingers were still not very nimble, she dared not begin sewing.

Added to this, her eyes sparkled, her facial expressions became more refined, and she seemed even more beautiful than before.

While the family was extremely pleased with each of her improvements, they also worried a bit because of her delicate looks, graceful demeanor, and unique charm: undesirables might notice and covet her.

Especially Mrs. Wang, she felt disconcerted. It occurred to her that she hadn’t noticed earlier, her daughter was growing up to look just like her. Would people notice this in the future? If Chen Ming realized, would he stop loving his daughter?

She was aware that Chen Ming had met Chen Shiying when he was studying in his younger years.

Chen Ming noticed Mrs. Wang’s anxiety and comforted her privately, saying, “No matter who Afu takes after, she’s my own daughter whom I’ve cared for since she was a baby. The way I felt towards her before and the way I’m going to feel towards her always will remain the same.”

Tears welled up in Mrs. Wang’s eyes. She said, “Thank you, my husband.”

Chen Ming replied, “I should be the one thanking you. You work tirelessly day and night for this family; I appreciate your efforts. Also, Afu, as soon as her health improved, started taking the initiative to execute chores and think up ways to earn money. However, Afu is too beautiful, and when they grow up and have to live separately, they must own a dog to guard their home… Alas, it all comes back to me being incapable of protecting my family and my daughter.”

Wiping her tears, Mrs. Wang said, “When my husband says this, doesn’t it feel like he’s pricking my heart? I am aware of your affection and care for me and Afu. Without you, Afu wouldn’t have made it this far and even her dementia is gradually improving. The person Afu should be most grateful to is her father.”

Regardless of the Chen family’s happiness or concern, Chen Afu’s dementia was gradually improving and her vitality increasing.

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