Chapter 17: It's All Right, It's All Right

“Ahem, ahem...” At this point, Wu Ya knew the timing was just right.

He gave a soft cough, took small, measured steps, and held his head high as he walked in.

“Oh! Haha, so you’re Silu’s friend! Why didn’t you say so earlier? Look at the mess I’ve made—one family not recognizing another. Please, sit down, sit down.”

They say age brings wisdom, and the old man’s ability to go with the flow had clearly reached a masterful level. With a quick lift of his head, his face broke into a broad smile. While explaining things to Wu Ya, he skillfully shifted the blame away from himself, all the while exuding warmth and hospitality.

Even Wu Ya, who had lived two lifetimes, couldn’t help but feel a bit ashamed by comparison.

“Grandpa, it was my fault for not making myself clear earlier. You’re not to blame.”

Not your fault.

What else could he say?

Anything more would be pointless now! Getting the sewing machines and starting work today was the only thing that truly mattered at the moment!

Everything else was just a fleeting cloud.

“Oh, if you don’t blame this old man, that’s wonderful! Come, I’ll take you to pick up your goods. I know everyone here, so you won’t have to run in circles.”

The old man, overjoyed, immediately got up to lead the way. Only after sending these two young men off would he finally have peace of mind.

Very soon, all thirty sewing machines were in place. Wu Ya hired ten rickshaw tricycles, lining them up in a grand procession as they headed toward the tailor shop.

Along the way, they became a spectacle in the Suiyan District.

“Goodness, who is this big shot, throwing money around like that?”

“They just picked up thirty sewing machines from the hardware company in one go? When did someone so impressive move into Suiyan?”

“Tsk tsk tsk, such fanfare and such a grand display—must be for some big state-owned enterprise, right?”

Wherever they passed, people buzzed with speculation, thoroughly dazzled by the procession. Everyone guessed who could possibly afford to buy thirty sewing machines at once, and for which organization.

“Wu Ya, you’ve brought everything back so quickly? Aren’t you being a bit too flashy?”

Just as they reached the tailor shop, Liu Qian, having heard the commotion, came over.

She had imagined it would take at least several trips, but to her astonishment, he had managed everything in one go.

Parading down the street, as if afraid no one would know the family’s tailor shop was expanding.

Sure enough, looking up, she saw a crowd of elderly men and women gathering from afar.

“So it’s sewing machines for the Cai Xia Tailor Shop! Looks like business is booming and they’re expanding!”

“I heard their shop was about to go under. Why are they buying so many machines now?”

“Don’t you know? Their son swindled a bunch of thugs! Just wait and see—they won’t be riding high for long!”

Liu Qian’s expression grew darker as more people crowded around.

“See that? This is all your doing! Fame brings trouble, just like a fattened pig attracts the butcher. Couldn’t you have kept a lower profile?”

But—

“Low profile? Heh, I wish everyone in Suiyan District would know our tailor shop is expanding! This is free advertising, after all!”

Wu Ya replied nonchalantly.

People in those days were generally conservative, having lived by the same creed for decades: “Tall trees catch the wind.” Business was done under the table, for fear of attracting attention.

But times had changed, and those ways no longer worked.

Wu Ya’s ostentatious display was a deliberate act—a way to build a reputation for the tailor shop’s strength.

After all, the people of China were endlessly fascinated by a spectacle, and nothing spread faster than rumors.

In less than half an hour, the whole of little Suiyan District was abuzz.

Cai Xia Tailor Shop, flush with cash, had just bought thirty sewing machines in one swoop!

“Mom, can you take a look at how the machines should be arranged? And how’s the recruitment going?”

Inside the shop, Wu Ya called out to the busy Zhang Cai Xia.

“Goodness, you were gone all morning! I’ve been altering clothes and looking for workers—just about worked myself to death! But it’s alright, thirty people will be here to report in this afternoon.”

Zhang Cai Xia put down the student uniform she had just finished altering and got up to walk outside.

“Oh my!”

She stopped short as she stepped out.

“You blockhead, don’t you know how jealous people can be? Such a public display—who knows how envious the neighbors must be!”

She launched into a scolding.

Ten tricycles crowded the entrance, leaving not even a sliver of space. Every remaining gap was filled with onlookers, packed in tight.

Now, the tailor shop was famous—whether they wanted it or not!

“Son, don’t you know people have grown afraid of poverty and can’t stand to see others do well?”

Back then, society was undergoing great upheaval.

The wave of layoffs had shattered the once-stable lives of so many, tossing them into uncertainty and fear.

Naturally, this gave rise to a climate of resentment toward the wealthy.

If one family seemed to prosper, rumors immediately followed: they must have connections, or gotten their start through backdoor deals; maybe they were just fronts, working hard for someone else; or worse, their reputations were smeared—accusations of affairs and ill-gotten gains.

In any case, people simply couldn’t bear to see others get ahead first.

“Auntie, Wu Ya actually wanted to rent fewer tricycles and bring the machines over gradually. I was the impatient one, wanting to get things done quickly so we could open sooner. That’s why we made such a commotion. I’m sorry.”

Just as Wu Ya was about to explain, Liu Qian spoke up, shouldering all the blame herself.

“Oh? Is that so? Well, you meant well, wanting the business to get off to a good start. It’s alright, it’s alright.”

Alright?

Wu Ya was stunned by how quickly Zhang Cai Xia’s expression softened.

So, when you like someone, things can be this easy!

Soon, all thirty sewing machines were installed, and it was already afternoon.

“Cai Xia, we’re here!”

From afar, groups of three and five women approached, their dark-patterned floral shirts fluttering in the breeze, chattering away and displaying all the talents of middle-aged women.

“Haha, you’re right on time!”

Zhang Cai Xia greeted them with a smile.

These women had been handpicked by her; their skills, like hers, were well-known in the area. Naturally, they deserved a warm welcome.

But—

“Well, well, so that’s why you were so eager! You did it on purpose!”

A voice, sharp with anger, suddenly rang out above the crowd.