Chapter 28: Tingting 26

As a result, Han Guangzhi felt somewhat intimidated in front of Han Tingting. He felt it was quite pointless; after all, Han Tingting wasn't close to him, and he figured he wouldn't be able to enjoy any of her future prosperity anyway.

Moreover, she was already planning for herself at such a young age. She had mapped out her entire life, and he, as her father, wasn't even included in it. Why should he bother trying so hard?

Having come to terms with this, Han Guangzhi decided not to stay in his hometown any longer. On his fourth day back, he started making arrangements to leave. Naturally, Tan You had no intention of stopping him. Before the group had even left the house, Tan You was already whispering with Han Cunming.

"It just so happens I have a day off tomorrow. I'll bring back two side dishes for you in the evening."

"I'll stew some old duck soup for you tomorrow..."

Han Cunming brightened up: "That would be wonderful! I've been craving exactly that."

Han Guangzhi felt a pang in his heart listening to them. Consequently, not a single thing he had intended to accomplish during this trip had been successful. Furthermore, what did "day off tomorrow" mean? Was she gauging whether they would stay home constantly, so she could keep going to the factory to work?

Li Xiaomei also felt uneasy. She had known from their very first meeting that Han Tingting disliked her. In all the stepmothers and stepdaughters she had seen, how many had a good relationship?

Even when people didn't get along, they at least maintained a polite facade. Her stepdaughter, however, seemed to want to avoid her as if she were a plague, refusing to come anywhere near her.

And then there was the old man. Even though this boy was clearly his grandson, he wouldn't even spare him a glance. It was as if his own son wasn't a grandson of the Han family, as his entire focus was placed solely on Han Tingting.

Regardless of what Han Guangzhi and Li Xiaomei thought, Tan You and Han Cunming were happy. The next day, on her day off, Tan You specially prepared two substantial dishes to appease the old man.

During the few days Han Guangzhi had been back, the old man had been feeling quite stifled.

After lunch, the old man lay contentedly in the living room like a "corpse," while Tan You sat frowning at several pieces of clothing. Her aunts had been too generous with their love; over the summer, Tan You had accumulated many clothes, almost all of which were in seventy to eighty percent new condition.

It would be a waste to throw them away, so Tan You was thinking about repurposing them.

Han Cunming squinted: "If you can't wear them, use them for practice. We can't afford good fabric, so use these clothes to test your skills first. You've always been smart; you'll get the hang of it with practice."

Tan You squinted back: "I know. Grandpa always praises me for being smart, serious, and hardworking."

Han Cunming: "Of course. The family values you, and as long as you value yourself, you won't be easily deceived by a few words from others. If you take yourself seriously, others won't dare to treat you with anything less."

He kept the words of the boarding house proprietress firmly in his heart. He was counting on Han Tingting to take care of him in his old age; how could he let her be easily tricked by outsiders?

Tan You drifted off into thought as she pondered these words. In her real life, she had been a very ordinary girl. Her horizons were narrow, and she had met very few people.

But since coming to this world, Tan You had seen many things through others, which made her realize it wasn't that her former self was bad, but rather that she simply hadn't met good people.

"Your factory director is quite generous. He let you bring this sewing machine home while it's still so new?" Han Cunming looked at the sewing machine by the window—the kind commonly used in garment factories, which wouldn't cost less than two or three thousand yuan.

Tan You snapped back to reality: "This is a decommissioned machine from the factory. You haven't seen a new sewing machine; this is far inferior to those. I'm not picky; as long as it works, it's fine."

"It didn't cost much anyway. It would just be gathering dust in the warehouse. If you want to learn fashion design, you need to have some skill in your hands."

At this moment, Tan You was thinking that if she learned how to make clothes, she wouldn't need Cheng Wenhui to buy her many clothes when she eventually went back. Her own family also had many clothes they didn't use, which she could simply modify herself.

Han Tingting had worked in the garment factory for over a decade, and over these past few days, Tan You had gradually absorbed all the memories of Han Tingting's time working there. Therefore, while her movements were a bit clumsy when she first started using the sewing machine, she became increasingly proficient.

Han Cunming: "I told you you were smart. You picked up the sewing machine in no time. In the past, one would need a master to teach them step-by-step."

Tan You practiced with scraps of cloth: "Mm, in Grandpa's eyes, I seem to be the best."

Han Cunming said proudly: "Naturally."

The grandfather and granddaughter chatted idly as Tan You busied herself with the cut pieces of fabric. By evening, Tan You had managed to make a Polo shirt.

Han Cunming found it quite remarkable: "Not bad! I can't quite say what's good about it, but it just looks different."

Tan You pursed her lips: "It's mainly the tailoring. Want to try it on?"

She had made it exactly according to Han Cunming's measurements; he was a ready-made model, and how could Tan You pass up such an opportunity? Besides, the old man only ever rotated between two undershirts; if she tried to buy him new ones, he would be stingy and refuse.

Han Cunming was delighted: "Alright, let me see my granddaughter's craftsmanship!"

After changing into the clothes Tan You made in the main room, the old man even went to the mirror to check himself: "Not bad, very neat!"

Tan You smiled: "As long as you like it. I'll make two more. This one has a small flaw; I'll know better next time."

Once the sample was made, the rest went much faster. Moreover, summer clothes are very quick to make; before nine o'clock, five or six Polo shirts were piled up next to Han Cunming.

The old man was overjoyed: "I never thought I'd have a day where I'd be spoiled for choice. Girls are so thoughtful. That useless son of yours didn't even buy me a single piece of clothing when he came back."

Tan You smiled: "I'll make them for you in the future. When I have money, I'll buy good fabric to make them for you. I guarantee they'll be styles you can't find on the market."

Han Cunming was elated by Tan You's coaxing: "Then I'll be waiting. My granddaughter is truly filial."

Without even asking Tan You to rinse the clothes, and regardless of the deepening night, the old man went to the well to wash and hang all the new clothes himself, ensuring he could wear them the next morning.

Tan You didn't stop him; there was no harm in an old man moving around. However, looking at the scraps of fabric, Tan You felt a bit troubled. What should she give to Teacher Qin and the others?

Maybe a suit? Thinking of the sharp, well-dressed male leads in the idol dramas she had seen in Han Tingting's memories, Tan You's eyes lit up; she loved that crisp, formal suit look.

A suit... Tan You bumped her head against the sewing machine; that was too difficult. Maybe she should ask her master tomorrow? Would her master know how to make a suit?

"A suit? To give to your teachers?" Master Hu heard Tan You's question as soon as he arrived for work. He lowered his reading glasses and looked at Tan You over the rims.

"Yes. I was thinking that if I'm going to give a gift, it's more sincere if it's handmade." Tan You nodded. "Unfortunately, I haven't read any books on suit design, so I don't quite know where to start."