Chapter 240: Transformation
She even marked the coveralls diagram with bra cup, shoulder straps, etc., including the lace material to be used, such as thin iron wire…
After all, the undergarments for men and women here are quite conservative, nothing this revealing and form-fitting.
But as a man, this thing has to be said to be exciting; just thinking about it, that area looking so perky and delicate really feels quite stimulating!
Mei Lan then understood that this was what he meant; she had somewhat wrongly blamed him. This thing was suitable for young women.
Luo Zhi’er remembered the clothing Mei Lan wore at the Flower God Festival. She didn’t care about the others, but she had to offer suggestions for the street dance outfit.
Hat, upper body t-shirt, lower pants wide-leg pants; her slim figure would look powerful.
“Brother Jiang, what are your courtesan festival costumes like?”
Jiang Shaoqing’s face showed some conflict. Speaking of this, he also had a bit of a headache. The designers argued endlessly, wanting to add every element together. As a layman, he thought simple was fine, but he wasn’t sure.
“Speaking of which, it’s still being revised repeatedly…”
“Like this, alright, Brother Jiang, does the Flower God Festival have any rule that Little Flower Fairies can only wear one set of clothes?”
Jiang Shaoqing was stunned. “There is no such restriction.”
“See if this could work: she has three rounds of competition, right? For the appearance round, wear one set suitable for her; for the literary talent and etiquette round, wear another set; for the silk and bamboo song and dance round, wear yet another set. How about that?”
As soon as she said this, it suddenly enlightened Jiang Shaoqing. Joy also showed in Mei Lan’s eyes. Participating in the courtesan competition required a huge financial investment.
How could the procuresses bear to spend silver on so many fancy things? Even better quality clothes were custom-made from a few ready-to-wear shops in town.
For the poor ones, they just bought a decent set of clothing themselves from inside out, overall one costume was enough; it all relied on their real skills!
“No problem with that.” Jiang Shaoqing’s main goal was to promote clothes. Design them inside and out; one set might not attract eyes, but three sets from his design studio would be enough to publicize the fame of his Jiangnan Hong Futai fabric high-end custom studio.
She picked up the brush and roughly sketched the street dance clothes and pants too, then discussed some specific details.
Before leaving,
“Young Woman Mei Lan, let me remind you once more: be careful with the recent tea and pastries, and manage your attire and personal items well at that time!”
In case pimples appeared on her face, she got an upset stomach, her voice went hoarse, or some problem arose with her body, the clothes and accessories worn would affect the competition results. Gui Xiang Lou had more than just her as a Little Flower Fairy participating.
That Si Xiang and Difina would of course participate too; they might pull some dirty trick.
Originally, they all thought Mei Lan had no chance. They knew she was pretty and often belittled her to weaken her energy, plus she had no silver to adorn and dress herself up, and the procuress wasn’t willing to spend silver to package her, thinking she could never turn things around.
This time she was booked by someone who also supported her participation. Except for toileting, they didn’t even see her during the day. Hearing she earned more silver than they did from accompanying guests daily, they were extremely depressed.
Mei Lan nodded seriously. Jiang Shaoqing also said, “This Young Master will figure out a way to handle this point!”
“That’s good!”
It was getting late outside. Luo Zhi’er hurriedly bid farewell to the two and had to go back.
Jiang Shaoqing invited her and Ye Beiyao to his design studio the day after tomorrow to view costumes, and she agreed. Ye Beiyao sent someone to escort her back to Zhao Li Village!
Li Sanmao had been greeted by her earlier; she told him to deposit the banknote and go back first. By the time she returned to the village, it was already dark. Luckily they had split from the family, or else Zhou Shi would have skinned her alive!
Master Yao safely delivered her home and left. As soon as Luo Zhi’er’s foot stepped into the yard, Zhou Shi howled. That look could gouge blood out of her!
“Well, Luo Zhi’er, you unchaste fat woman, you still know to come home? Where did you abandon your husband and daughter to go fool around with some wild man?”
Actually, Chen Shi hadn’t come back either, but she didn’t care about her whereabouts.
Out of sight, out of mind; probably off scavenging food somewhere.
Zhou Shi deliberately made her voice extra loud, as if afraid Li Sanmao wouldn’t hear.
Li Sanmao walked closer, his face grim as he said: “Mother, please don’t speak of my wife. I know very well where Miaomiao’s mother went!”
“You still think I’m meddling too much? You know, know my ass! Coming back in pitch black darkness—wait till she grows bold one day and she’ll kick you out!”
Zhou Shi lit a fuse and slipped away. Luo Zhi’er wasn’t one to stupidly take the scolding.
Her real intention was also to create discord between the couple, not truly for Li Sanmao’s sake.
Luo Zhi’er must have gone to Yumian Tower again; that carriage driver looked so familiar.
The two entered the room one after the other. “Where’s Miaomiao?”
“Already asleep.”
Li Sanmao’s face was dark and unclear as he said faintly.
“Fell asleep?” Luo Zhi’er felt a bit guilty for a moment. So late?
She prepared to go to her small bed to check on her. After taking two light steps, Li Sanmao called her back. “Miaomiao’s mother, wait a moment. Your husband has a few words for you…”
“Oh? What’s wrong, husband?”
“Miaomiao’s mother, actually we already have enough money to spend. How about from now on, the two of us build the house well, and then we just be an ordinary husband and wife, alright?”
“We already are an ordinary husband and wife!”
“You said you like sipping tea and listening to flowing water in leisure times, waking to birdsong in the morning. Actually, your husband likes that too!”
“Not only that, your husband even more likes you being a good wife who tends to her husband and teaches her children. Let’s have another male descendant; you stay home to raise the children and manage the inner courtyard, and I’ll tend to the crops in the fields and go hunting, alright?”
“What did you just say? Li Sanmao, say it again if you dare!!!”
Determination was in Li Sanmao’s eyes. “What I mean is, as a proper woman, how decent is it for you to always deal with those men?”
“It was for livelihood before, but now life is better. Look at you now, full of alcohol breath—how decent is that? Neither fish nor fowl, fat like this; you surely don’t really think those few men would have any ideas about you, do you?”
Luo Zhi’er looked incredulously at the man before her, as if she had never known him…
“Your bread shop in town is about to open. Since it’s opening, your husband permits you to manage it, but only that one place. You must keep distance from other men. We’ll have no worries about food and clothing for life; what more do you want?”
“Li Sanmao, get away from me. I don’t want to see you for now.”
She knew he had always been unable to earn big money, low energy; she didn’t know he was such a chauvinist, denying her, suppressing her, hurting her self-esteem. Knowing what she liked to do, yet wanting to bind her with children and restrict her!
This guy had held it in for so long, huh? One fight and he spilled all the words he’d wanted to say for ages. He really disappointed her too much. Just three thousand taels and he was scared?
“Miaomiao’s mother, your husband just…”
“I don’t want to hear it. I told you to get out!”
Luo Zhi’er covered her ears and pushed him out. Li Sanmao was furious. She squatted alone on the bed, chin on her legs, thoughts swirling.
She had always thought Li Sanmao supported her 100%. Turns out, he had just been unconditionally going along with her; actually, their worldviews were completely different.
Have a male descendant? She didn’t know when he started having this idea?
Or had he always had it? Didn’t he know what kind of body she had? What was the first time giving birth to Miaomiao like? Lucky to have survived.
Just a little worse, and she would have been able to fully trust him.
Today, for his own selfish reasons, he could even come up with such a damaging move?
