Wufu had caused quite a stir at the Old Zhou family’s place, and she truly felt refreshed, the gloominess scattering considerably. However, it was Madam Zhou who was worried, tossing and turning sleeplessly, to the point that she had dark circles under her eyes the next day.
Madam Zhou was fretful about something Wufu knew very well, but she didn’t spell it out, pretending to be unaware as she said, "Mom, it’s getting hotter and hotter, why don’t you and Xiao Yu work on that outfit for me today? It would make getting around easier for me."
This perked Madam Zhou up as she asked, "The one based on the drawing you made?" The design looked bizarre, the pants not quite like pants, the skirt not quite like a skirt.
Wufu, finding skirts inconvenient for walking, had wanted to wear something simpler like pants, but Madam Zhou strongly disagreed, stating that no one dressed like that, and a woman should not dress in such a manner, exposing both legs without cover.
Wufu was at a loss for words. Actually, it wasn’t about showing legs, it was just that the pants were tight-fitting, and Madam Zhou just felt it was too frivolous and resolutely disagreed.
Later, Wufu devised another solution, drafting a design that combined a skirt and pants. This way, with a wide and baggy design, it even looked better than just pants.
"Mom, it really is too hot, wearing that should be cooler. You just need to cinch the pant legs a bit at the hem," Wufu pleaded.
Seeing her face was already sunburnt, Madam Zhou said, "Who asked you to insist on going by foot? Look at how dark your little face has gotten. Who knows how long it will take to return to normal."
Wufu replied, "No worries, it will get back to normal by winter. Remember to make those skirt-pants for me, mom."
Unable to resist her, Madam Zhou nodded, not forgetting to instruct, "Tomorrow your uncle gets married. Remember to ask for leave to go with mom!"
Wufu bit back her words. Just yesterday, she had made a scene at the Old Zhou family’s, and they probably couldn’t wait for her to stay away. Attending their wedding would undoubtedly be unwelcome.
She wanted to say she wouldn’t go and be subjected to disdainful looks, but seeing the hopeful look in Madam Zhou’s eyes, and fearing the Zhou family might treat her mother poorly the next day, Wufu nodded, "Okay."
Madam Zhou breathed a sigh of relief. She feared that her daughter was harboring resentment.
In fact, Madam Zhou was overthinking it. Wufu had no affection for the Old Zhou family, so whatever they did did not hurt her, nor did she bear any resentment. It was just their behavior that annoyed her!
Resentment comes from caring but not obtaining. With nothing to care for, what was there to resent? She’d rather sleep in!
Wufu arrived at the Hundred Treasures Silver Building, greeted everyone, and plunged into her craftsman’s workshop. Starting today, she would begin sculpting the Pixiu on that seal.
So absorbed was Wufu in her work that she would not notice even if the sky fell down outside; hence when someone stopped in the courtyard, peering through the open window at her, Wufu was completely unaware.
"Fourth Young Master?" Shopkeeper Lin, seeing Wen Congrui halt, followed his gaze, realized, and said, "That is Miss Wufu."
Wen Congrui did not utter a word. From his angle, he could see Wufu holding a carving knife, carefully etching into the Chicken Blood Stone with a focused, serious, and committed expression.
It had been a long time since it rained in Maofeng Town and the weather was extremely hot. Wufu was so detailed in her work that a droplet of sweat fell from her forehead, lingered on the tip of her nose, and wavered on the verge of dropping.
Wen Congrui found it quite amusing; he had never seen such a young craftsman so engrossed in her work.
"Young Master, would you like me to invite Miss Wufu out for a meeting?" Shopkeeper Lin tentatively suggested.
"No need, let her be busy!" Wen Congrui shook his head, reluctant to disturb the girl’s concentration.
Just as he was about to look away and leave, the girl looked up, her dark eyes directly meeting his.