After dinner, everyone cleaned up. Zhu Yanyi specially cut a plate of fruit. They sat together and chatted. Zhu Yanyi looked at Xie Xinyan.
"Auntie, do you have something to ask me?"
If it were anyone else, Zhu Yanyi would never ask this. But Xie Xinyan was Xie Xinlian’s younger sister. They were fourteen years apart, yet their bond was deep. Xie Xinyan had been raised by her older sister. Their love was like that of mother and daughter. It was said that when Xie Xinlian married, Xie Xinyan cried and refused to let her go. This story was a well-known joke in the Xie family.
Xie Xinyan was twenty-three now. She was not married. In modern times, this was normal. But now, she was considered an old maid. However, she was capable. Many men pursued her despite her age. Xie Xinyan had her own plans. In the theater troupe, women were usually sent home at twenty-eight. After thirty, there was little room for growth. So, members were expected to settle down. Xie Xinyan knew her time was short. She wanted to plan for her future.
She returned to look for opportunities. "It is like this," she said. "The troupe requires women to return home at twenty-eight. They can bring apprentices to train new blood. But mostly, they want us to solve personal matters. I thought, since I must return anyway, why not come back early? There might be other chances. So, I decided to retire early. I do not plan to go back."
Zhu Yanyi understood. Xie Xinyan wanted to start a career. But she only knew theater work. She did not know what else to do.
Zhu Yanyi tilted her head and thought. Then she smiled. "Auntie, can you sew?"
"Yes, I can," Xie Xinyan said. "Not only me, but your mother too. We learned from your grandmother. We started with hand sewing. Later, when sewing machines appeared, we learned those too. We know the basics. Complex things might need practice."
Zhu Yanyi nodded. "When people are hungry, they only want to eat. But after eating, they want to wear well. Clothing is very important after food. It shows that life is getting better." She paused. "I have thought about this for a long time. Originally, I thought of it for my mother. Her hardware factory is doing well, but it is just okay. It is better to leave the factory, like Dad did. But if Mom cannot bear to leave, she can keep her job and take leave. Many people are starting businesses now. Those who start early succeed early. We can start by making clothes for people. In this era, if you dare to try, you will gain something."
"But there are already sewing shops on the street," Xie Xinlian said. She was tempted, but stated the reality.
Zhu Yanyi smiled slightly. "I know there are sewing shops. But ours will be different." Zhu Yanyi took a blank notebook and a pencil from her schoolbag. She quickly drew a picture. "Look. Have you seen this style?"