Chapter 26: Tingting 24

The clothing team leader was skeptical, but in less than half an hour, the new sample appeared in the office. Master Hu clicked his tongue in admiration. "It really is different. Is this what you called the 'Chanel style'?"

"Yes, that's exactly what Chanel style is like." Tan You narrowed her eyes slightly. What she was discussing with Master Hu now was the "Chanel style" that would become ubiquitous in later generations, but at this time, it was unheard of.

When the first version of the sample came out, almost everyone went wild; everyone loved it.

The factory director rubbed his hands together. "Tingting, with a brain like yours, it would be a real shame if you didn't study fashion design in the future."

Tan You thought about it. "I suppose so. We'll see about the future when it comes."

"Uncle Yang, once the finished products are out, please save a few pieces for me. I want to give them to my teachers."

The factory director replied, "Don't worry, it's just a few pieces of clothing. I'll make sure to save them for you."

"But you're only giving them to the female teachers? None for the male teachers?"

"That's my headache right now." Tan You also felt the pressure. "Our factory mainly makes women's wear. As for men's wear..."

"Master, how about we research it?"

The factory director was more than willing to let her research. "Researching is great! Whatever you need, just tell your master. The factory will absolutely meet your needs! It's not like our factory can't make men's wear!"

Master Hu watched the factory director manipulate Tan You, but he said nothing. Nowadays, everyone cherished their skills, but Han Tingting was indeed a likable girl, and Master Hu didn't hold anything back when teaching her.

Since she was willing to research it, Master Hu naturally wouldn't object.

As time flew by, while Tan You was absorbing knowledge like a sponge, Han Guangzhi, far away in Yuncheng, finally learned about Han Tingting's middle school entrance exam results.

Upon hearing the news, Han Guangzhi fell silent for a long time. Ever since that incident the year before last, he and Han Tingting had not met again. Every year, he sent maintenance fees to Han Cunming via bank transfer, but he hadn't returned once in over a year.

Li Xiaomei was gnashing her teeth in hatred, yet her face remained smiling. "You have two days off this weekend, then take a few more days of leave. Shall we go back for a visit?"

Naturally, she couldn't stand Han Tingting. The more outstanding Han Guangzhi's eldest daughter became, the more unhappy Li Xiaomei felt. However, she couldn't say this out loud, as it would ruin her image in Han Guangzhi's heart.

Han Guangzhi was somewhat tempted. Li Xiaomei gritted her teeth but continued to persuade him: "Her grades are so good; she naturally deserves to choose a better school. You are her father; it is only right that you worry about her future."

Han Guangzhi was immediately convinced by this reasoning. "Then we'll go back tomorrow. As for Xiaobao..."

Li Xiaomei smiled brightly. "Xiaobao is Tingting's younger brother. The last time Tingting came over, Xiaobao couldn't even talk. It's time to let him go back to see his sister and the old man."

Han Guangzhi patted her hand. "You are so thoughtful. It hasn't felt right in my heart not having returned for over a year."

His failure to return had been intentional. Firstly, he held a grudge against Han Cunming for siding with Han Tingting. Secondly, his intentions had been detected by the Li family, who then subtly obstructed him in various ways, making Han Guangzhi think of his hometown even less.

Tan You had no idea that Han Guangzhi and Han Tingting's stepmother were planning to manipulate her life; of course, even if she did know, she wouldn't care. She had already signed the enrollment agreement; no matter what happened, she would continue her studies through high school.

It was clearly impossible for Han Guangzhi to manipulate her. As for Li Xiaomei, she was just a stepmother—what right did she have to interfere in Han Tingting's life?

When Tan You returned from work the next evening, she had just pushed her bicycle through the door when she saw a small child running around the courtyard, screaming from time to time. Han Cunming sat to one side, fanning himself with a palm leaf, acting as if he didn't notice the child's commotion.

The old man frowned, clearly very unaccustomed to such noise. Tan You smiled and set her small bag aside. "When did they arrive?"

She said "arrive," not "return." Clearly, in Tan You's mind, these people were outsiders, not family.

Han Cunming said with a grim face, "They arrived at noon. As soon as they got here, they asked which school you enrolled in. When I said the main campus high school, both of their faces instantly soured."

Tan You washed her hands by the sink. "Don't bother with them. The die is cast; what can they do?"

"What did you eat for lunch at home?"

Han Cunming said helplessly, "Porridge. The pancakes you made this morning were all eaten by the three of them. They said they were going to cook just now, but there hasn't been a sound from the kitchen yet."

Tan You heard the grievance in Han Cunming's voice. "I'll make more tomorrow morning."

"Don't, I can't bear to see you working hard for others." Han Cunming stopped her. "Keep the cooking simple for the next few days. They can't stay here forever anyway. Once they leave, you can cook several good dishes."

"I can endure a few days."

Tan You smiled. "Alright, I've got it. I'll go check the kitchen."

After drying her hands and entering the kitchen, Tan You saw Li Xiaomei stir-frying vegetables in front of the stove. Seeing that the prepared ingredients were all various types of chili, scallions, and garlic, Tan You's brow furrowed.

She didn't show her displeasure to Li Xiaomei, but instead looked at Han Guangzhi, who was picking green beans nearby. "Grandpa has a weak stomach; he can't eat spicy food."

Han Guangzhi said sheepishly, "I forgot... I forgot."

Tan You ignored him. She went into the yard to pick two tomatoes, grabbed a few eggs from the chicken coop, and started a fire in the earthen stove to make tomato scrambled eggs for herself.

As for what Li Xiaomei cooked or what the three of them would eat, Tan You didn't give them a single glance.

Thus, dinner was very clearly divided. Han Cunming and Tan You sat on one side, with tomato scrambled eggs and loofah soup in front of them. In front of Han Guangzhi, Li Xiaomei, and the child, the meal was much more lavish: spicy chicken, poached pork slices, and sautéed green beans.

As soon as Han Cunming saw that even the green beans contained chili, he immediately declined the meal, eating only the two dishes prepared for Tan You throughout the entire meal.

Li Xiaomei gritted her teeth inwardly. "Dad, I'm so sorry. I didn't know you couldn't eat spicy food. I'll be careful in the future."

Han Cunming waved his hand. "There's really no need. Even my own son can't remember; why should I blame you? It just goes to show that raising children to provide for old age isn't always reliable."

Han Guangzhi felt embarrassed. Looking at Tan You sitting to the side, his expression darkened further. "Why didn't you call me when your results came out? Why did you make the decision yourself?"

"How high could the teaching quality of a township middle school be?"

Was Tan You intimidated by Han Guangzhi? She glanced at him. "I am grown up now. Why should I let others make decisions for me?"

"What 'others'? I am your father!" Han Guangzhi blustered, though for some reason, he felt somewhat guilty in front of his daughter.

Tan You found it amusing. "You only remember that you're my father now? What were you doing all this time?"

She was not the type to back down; she was stubborn to her core. If he had spoken kindly, Tan You wouldn't have embarrassed him like this. But now that Han Guangzhi wanted to act like an authoritative father the moment he saw her, would Tan You indulge him?