Chapter 280: Nineties: A Family by the Spring, Chapter 280 Grandma's Urging, Hanfu Rejected

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Protagonist:

Lin Xiyu

"After seeing your family's kid, ours suddenly isn't cute anymore."

Cousin's wife also came to join the fun, pointing at her own son, disliking him to no end.

——

Cousin and Cousin's wife's son, Zhuangzhuang, is already seven years old.

Old Jinan has a saying: dogs dislike little stinkers aged six or seven, referring exactly to kids his age.

Zhuangzhuang didn't disappoint this old saying; he really was very mischievous, and if he didn't get a beating for three days, he'd make the house chaotic with chickens flying and dogs jumping, making Cousin's wife feel heartache.

Cousin worked diligently at the Power Bureau for over ten years, finally receiving a promotion to Section-level Cadre.

Grassroots cadres must set an example, so he was again dispatched to the countryside to continue his old trade, patrolling power lines in remote mountain areas.

Patrolling lines is hard labor; staying in the mountains for a year and a half at a time, he must hold his post during holidays and festivals and cannot return home to reunite with relatives.

Cousin's wife had to work and take care of the child alone, unable to manage both ends, so Aunt Da and Da Yifu voluntarily took on the heavy responsibility of looking after their grandson.

Zhuangzhuang was raised by his grandparents.

The family had only this one little treasure, so the two elders naturally doted on him immensely, unwilling to let their grandson suffer the slightest grievance, giving him whatever he wanted.

Zhuangzhuang was spoiled a bit by the two elders; if anything wasn't to his liking, he'd cry and throw a tantrum.

After starting elementary school, it was even worse; comparing himself with classmates, whatever others had, he must have too.

Elementary school students wear school uniforms, so clothes can't be compared; they compare shoes.

Cheap ones won't do; they must be name brands.

A pair of shoes costs several hundred to over a thousand, and they're ruined before long.

Over a year, just the shoe expenses take up a large portion of the family's spending.

Aunt Da and Da Yifu's pensions aren't high, only two thousand or so a month.

The living expenses given by their daughter-in-law are far from enough; they have to chip in themselves.

The two elders had unspeakable bitterness; who let him be their own grandson? They couldn't bear to hit him, but if they didn't, they feared spoiling him.

Thus, between hitting and not hitting, they chose to leave the decision to their daughter-in-law.

If the daughter-in-law hits, they coax him.

If the daughter-in-law doesn't hit, they turn a blind eye.

As long as it doesn't make the house chaotic with chickens flying and dogs jumping, the old couple does what they should, pretending not to see.

——

"Zhuangzhuang is still young, only a seven-year-old child; there's no need to be so strict."

Lin Xiyu knew full well in her heart that Cousin's wife disliking her own son was fine, she being the biological mother; if Lin Xiyu also joined in scolding him, she'd just be disliked.

"Her husband isn't home; it's too tiring for me to take care of the child alone."

Cousin's wife was envious to no end: "Still, your brother-in-law is good; he runs his own company, has free time, and can focus all his energy on you and the child."

"Running your own business also has risks."

Lin Xiyu smiled and echoed: "Not like you and Cousin, both in state-owned enterprises, with stable work and guaranteed income."

"Cough cough."

Before her words fell, Grandma suddenly coughed once, frightening her so her heart and liver jumped wildly.

"Grandma..."

Lin Xiyu nimbly turned around and embraced Grandma's arm.

"You also know state-owned enterprises are good? Income is stable?"

Grandma shook her arm, not shaking Lin Xiyu off, and glared at her discontentedly.

"I know."

Lin Xiyu lowered her head to listen to the lecture, her attitude very respectful.

"Then you still quit your job? Grandma told you and you didn't listen..."

Grandma indeed still couldn't let go of the matter of her quitting her job.

"Grandma..."

Lin Xiyu smiled bitterly: "I know you care about me; can you just let me be willful this once?"

"You've already quit your job..."

Grandma was still displeased: "What's the use of saying this now?"

"None."

Lin Xiyu's attitude in admitting her mistake was very sincere.

Grandma laughed in anger: "You child, what can I say about you?"

"Grandma, don't be angry."

Lin Xiyu smiled slyly, embracing Grandma's arm to curry favor and act cute: "Let me show you the Hanfu I designed, okay? It's an idea I came up with myself, kept secret from outsiders, and I haven't shown it to anyone else."

"Aren't you into paper-cutting?"

Grandma was puzzled: "When did you start designing clothes again?"

"You'll know when you see it."

Lin Xiyu deliberately kept them in suspense and didn't say it out loud in public.

「What clothes? So mysterious... 」

「We want to see too... 」

All the relatives and friends had their curiosity piqued by her.

「No! 」

Lin Xiyu deliberately tried to please her grandmother: 「Only Grandma can look. 」

「Then let's go take a look. 」

Grandma was indeed pleased by her coaxing and no longer had the mind to continue scolding her.

——

The Old House had only two guest rooms, one occupied by the Nanny, the other temporarily used by Gu Bin for rest.

After Lin Xiyu had the idea of applying to become an Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritor, he moved the bed to the Study, cleared out unnecessary items, and converted the guest room into a dedicated studio, so that his beloved wife could have an independent space, undisturbed by anyone, and calm her mind to study paper-cutting skills.

The studio was somewhat messy, with paper scraps all over the floor.

Grandma entered the room supported by Lin Xiyu, and seeing the thick layer of red paper on the ground, she was truly surprised, not knowing where to step.

「Just step anywhere, they're all scraps left over from cutting, useless waste paper. 」

Lin Xiyu hooked a discarded streamer with her toe and casually threw it into the corner.

Grandma spoke with feeling: 「With scraps of paper all over the ground, one can see you've put in a lot of effort. 」

「It's alright. 」

Lin Xiyu came to the works she had carefully cut, and her eyes instantly brightened: 「Grandma, does this Hanfu look good? Doesn't it give people a refreshing feeling? And this streamer is also made by me imitating ancient Portraits of Beauties; just the patterns on it have several designs... 」

「You want me to look at this? 」

She spoke very excitedly, but Grandma withdrew her gaze from the ground, looked up, and her eyebrows were tightly furrowed.

In Old Man's view, a paper Hanfu with hollow patterns revealing skin was indeed rather unusual.

Fortunately, this was worn on a mannequin; if worn on a real person, it wouldn't be strange attire, but rather a violation of social norms.

「This is just an experimental piece, it still needs improvement. 」

Lin Xiyu understood the potential meaning from Grandma's gaze, and two beads of cold sweat dripped down the back of her head.

「Why not just cut a good ancient Portrait of Beauties? 」

Grandma couldn't understand: 「Must you do clothing design? Is this clothing for people to wear? 」

「A Portrait of Beauties isn't impossible either... 」

Lin Xiyu explained with an embarrassed smile: 「It's not that I want to innovate; only with one's own unique creativity can traditional art release new vitality and vigor. 」

「You haven't applied to become an Inheritor yet. 」

Grandma's gaze showed displeasure: 「Don't be too conspicuous; just honestly cut a Portrait of Beauties to submit. Wait for the selection results to come out, confirm your selection, then think about other things. 」

「Isn't making it into clothes fine? 」

Lin Xiyu's full enthusiasm was mercilessly extinguished by Grandma.

「It's not that it's not good, it's just not suitable. 」

Grandma considered things very thoroughly: 「Suppose you are already famous and have your own mass base; no matter what kind of work you cut, someone will support you. Cutting it like this is no problem; even if it's somewhat unusual and out of fashion, someone will jump out to defend you. 」

「On the contrary, you now are just a newcomer who has just entered the field, not even having the status of an Inheritor, yet you're thinking about innovation, about releasing some new vitality and vigor; it's too early for fashion. 」

——

「Just cutting a Portrait of Beauties, I'm afraid I won't be selected. 」

Lin Xiyu muttered softly: 「Anyone can cut a Portrait of Beauties; drawing it out is just cutting according to the pattern, there's no difficulty. I'm afraid it's too simple and won't pass the audit. 」

「What you're saying is... 」

Grandma scolded with dissatisfaction: 「Is it something just anyone can cut? People look at skill; do you think the judges are blind? Whether one is a paper-cutting expert, they can tell at a glance. 」

「Must it be like this? 」

Lin Xiyu felt very uncomfortable in her heart.

「If you're still willing to listen to Grandma, then you listen... 」

Grandma's eyes and brows dimmed: 「If you don't want to listen, forget it; anyway, it's not the first time you've outwardly complied but inwardly disobeyed. Grandma is old and can't manage you anymore. 」

「I listen, I listen, isn't that fine? 」

Lin Xiyu's eyes were stung by the fleeting desolation in Grandma's eyes.

Grandma was her closest relative; she couldn't disregard Grandma's feelings and disappoint her again.

「Have you decided? 」

Grandma's gaze was deep, able to see through her heart at a glance.

「I've decided. 」

Lin Xiyu nodded somewhat guiltily.

「You won't regret it again? 」

Grandma looked at her faintly and asked again.

「I won't. 」

Lin Xiyu lifted her eyelids, glanced at Grandma, and tried her best to remain calm.

「Before this, wasn't everyone praising you? 」

Grandma said without a moment's pause: 「Praising how novel your ideas are, how dexterous your hands are, how high your talent is? 」

「Cough cough. 」

Lin Xiyu covered her mouth and coughed twice.

Although not stated explicitly, the embarrassed expression proved everything.

「Sure enough, it's like that. 」

Grandma sighed knowingly: "So you see, child, you've already been praised by others until you can't distinguish true from false."

Lin Xiyu's breath caught, and she abruptly lifted her head.

"Of course......"

Grandma met her stunned gaze, shifted her tone, and said: "Grandma isn't saying the people praising you are bad, nor does she mean to blame them; they genuinely want to encourage you, to support you, they just used the wrong method."

"Grandma......"

Lin Xiyu's face turned pale.

"Do you want to know what Grandma's first impression was upon seeing this piece worn on the model?"

Grandma anticipated she wouldn't be able to answer, and continued on her own: "It was like watching you kids fold those Paper Cranes when you were little — clearly a proud paper crane, folded into a clumsy duck, yet you remained unaware, still smugly pleased with yourselves."

Lin Xiyu's face went from white to red in an instant, burning with shame until her cheeks flushed crimson.

"If you don't believe Grandma's words, you can let Aunt Da and Uncle and them come in, and see their reaction."

Grandma saw her standing there unmoving, and opened the door herself.

The people in the yard saw the door open, and all curiously turned their heads.

"You all come in."

Grandma waved her hand, signaling them over.

"We can look too?"

Uncle ran the fastest, rushing to the very front.

"An Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritor's masterpiece — how impressive, let us feast our eyes too."

Compared to running, Da Yifu's mouth was quicker; before he even reached the doorway he started flattering.

If it were the past, Lin Xiyu hearing such praise would certainly be very happy; hearing it now, she only found it sharp and grating.

The two entered one after another; seeing the model, their steps visibly paused, and their faces revealed an extremely subtle expression.

"What do you think of Xiyu's piece?"

Grandma had long anticipated this, asking with a beaming smile.

"Good!"

Da Yifu was stunned for merely one second, then immediately clapped and cheered, his answer couldn't have been smoother.

"Xiyu's craft can't be wrong."

Uncle quickly followed the rhythm; the two were like a comic duo, one singing, one harmonizing, coordinating with exceptional chemistry.

"You two move aside, let us have a look."

Aunt Da was blocked at the doorway, somewhat impatient, and simply rudely pushed them away.

"Aiyo, what on earth is this thing?"

The next second, a cry of surprise burst out.

Da Yifu tugged her sleeve, secretly signaling her with his eyes.

"Is this cut by Xiyu?"

Aunt Da grasped his meaning, and smoothly changed her tune: "Looks not bad, quite like the real thing."

"This is a skirt, right?"

Maternal Aunt entered after, gave it a rough glance, and reached a Conclusion.

"Smart."

Uncle praised his own wife just as smoothly: "Only your eyes are sharp, you figured out it's a skirt."

The subtext of this sentence was that, besides Maternal Aunt, no one had recognized it.

Lin Xiyu covered her face with her hands, wishing she could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

"Alright, you've all seen it, go on now."

Grandma saw the moment was about right, waved her hand and shooed them away.

"Go on, go on, don't all linger at the doorway, go play somewhere else......"

Da Yifu retreated the fastest, conveniently herding all the younger generation away too.

"We haven't seen it yet."

Nana felt a bit wronged, still wanting to crane her neck and peek inside.

"I want to look too."

Zhuangzhuang followed along making a fuss.

"What could you kids understand?"

Da Yifu laughed and scolded: "That's an artwork, not something you little jumping beans can appreciate."

"Can I take a look?"

Female Cousin-in-law hadn't dared compete with the Elders earlier, and got squeezed to the very back.

"Don't look."

Aunt Da secretly signaled her daughter-in-law with her eyes.

"Oh oh."

Female Cousin-in-law was also a Person of Influence, asked no further questions, and followed the crowd back to the Fish pond.

"Did you see?"

Grandma closed the door, her expression very serious.

"I saw."

Lin Xiyu's heart sank halfway; this time she truly had no Complaints, Admitting Grandma's words were all correct.

"If you want to become an Inheritor, the Road still must be walked step by step, steadily."

Maternal Grandmother smiled with relief: "You've already understood, so Maternal Grandmother won't say more. For your own dream, work hard."

"Maternal Grandmother....."

Lin Xiyu's eyes showed joy: "You agree to me applying for Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritor?"

"If Maternal Grandmother doesn't agree, what can you do?"

Maternal Grandmother feigned dissatisfaction: "You've already quit your job, could it be that your Principal would specially keep the vacancy open for you, waiting for you to change your mind?"

"That's impossible......"

Lin Xiyu laughed awkwardly: "A University Lecturer position this good is a hot commodity wherever it's placed. Once the recruitment news is announced publicly, there are plenty of people competing for the post."

"You also know it's a hot commodity?"

Maternal Grandmother sighed helplessly again.

"I will apply for Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritor."

Lin Xiyu felt a lump in her heart, forcing herself not to admit defeat: "I believe the path I chose is not wrong."

"Maternal Grandmother also hopes......"

Maternal Grandmother patted her Shoulder: "Your choice is not wrong."

"Maternal Grandmother, do you want to stay a few more days at the Old House?"

Lin Xiyu stuck close again, Embracing Maternal Grandmother's arm.

"Aren't you afraid Maternal Grandmother will nag you?"

Maternal Grandmother smiled Pamperingly, brows and eyes gentle.

"Not afraid."

Lin Xiyu curried favor acting cute: "I still want Maternal Grandmother to spur me on more."