Chapter 70: Mother-in-law Liu Mei

An Yinan was not very surprised after hearing Liu Mei's description. Once some items appear and lead a trend, many types of imitations are bound to emerge. Fortunately, it is not the modern era now; there are only State-run Textile Factories and no private factories, otherwise the patterns would be even more varied.

"What is the price?"

Liu Mei pulled open the tightly closed door. There was no one outside, so she turned back, relieved, and whispered, "Two yuan and fifty cents for each Square Scarf. Both the quality and the cut are not very good."

"The Textile Factory bought several of our Square Scarves and has been researching them, but there hasn't been any progress."

An Yinan was a bit surprised. Knowing the price was already good enough, and knowing the quality and feel meant she could understand that Liu Meijie had gone to buy them for testing.

But how could she even know the progress of their research and development?

This? This was very strange.

Seeing An Yinan's surprise, Liu Mei scratched her head, feeling a bit embarrassed, "The director of the Textile Factory is my mother-in-law..."

Alright then!

Understood!

"My mother-in-law knew the Square Scarves came from me and specifically came to ask me, but don't worry, I didn't mention you at all," Liu Mei hurriedly explained.

Moreover, she did not know the girl's information, nor did she know where the girl's home was; she only knew there was a godmother in Shanghai, and she knew nothing else about the girl.

An Yinan was not worried about this. Even if it was the director of the Textile Factory, she would surely be able to distinguish between inside and outside and know who to treat better.

"Then why did your mother-in-law want to check where the Square Scarves came from?" This was the point An Yinan was more confused about.

After all, for imitation products, there is no need to know the source of the Square Scarves, right?

"My mother-in-law wasn't after the Square Scarves, but the weaving method," Liu Mei explained.

"Your Square Scarf weaving method is very unique. Not to mention the material, even the weaving method itself is something the factory can't achieve. My mother-in-law is very passionate about her work, so she came to ask about the source, but I only said it was goods from Shanghai, and she didn't pursue it any further."

An Yinan nodded, understanding.

Thinking of weaving methods, she actually had quite a few. After all, as a designer, she had to come into contact with various fabrics, and understanding the weaving techniques of various fabrics was the most basic requirement.

She was hesitating whether or not to help Liu Mei's mother-in-law.

"Alright, you don't need to worry about this. The Square Scarves released by the Textile Factory can be bought at the Supply and Marketing Cooperative, and quite a few people buy them. However, those who buy them actually prefer to entrust someone to buy the ones from Shanghai. After having an uncomfortable experience, they prefer the ones with better patterns and quality." Liu Mei locked the five Woolen Coats and one hundred Square Scarves in the cabinet.

"I'll take you home to get the money." Liu Mei first went to the back kitchen to arrange things regarding the steamed buns, then took An Yinan back to her home in the alley.

After entering the room, she hurriedly unlocked the cabinet and handed the money to An Yinan.

After counting it, An Yinan put the money into her small military-green bag, but turned around and threw it into her space.

Just at this moment, a knock on the door sounded outside.

"Coming. Why is someone here at this time?" Liu Mei frowned. Everyone knew she wasn't home at this time every day, and if they had business, they would just go to the State-run Restaurant.

Was there some urgent matter today?

Liu Mei pushed open the door and saw the old lady outside.

She was wearing a dark gray Woolen Coat, which was exactly one of the ten from before.

"Mom? Why did you come at this time? Is there some urgent matter?" Liu Mei asked hurriedly. The person who came was indeed her mother-in-law.

Her mother-in-law had a standard oval face with quite a few wrinkles, and her eyelids were a bit droopy, but she did not look mean; instead, she had the kindliness of an elder.

After seeing Liu Mei open the door, she didn't speak immediately, but took two breaths to steady herself and looked at An Yinan, feeling a bit surprised, "This young girl is truly beautiful."

Liu Mei looked back at An Yinan and let her mother-in-law into the room, "Let's go inside to talk."

The three of them returned to the room, and Liu Mei poured a cup of hot water for her mother-in-law.

Her mother-in-law rarely disturbed their life as a couple; even though they hadn't had children for so long after marriage, her mother-in-law had never asked a single word.

She had curiously asked her mother-in-law at the time, "Mom, why don't you urge me to have children?"

She would never forget that her mother-in-law smiled happily at the time, took her hand, and sat down, "Children are the sustenance for the two of you, not for me. If you have children, I can't help you much; I can't help with the pain, I can't help with the suffering, and I might not be able to help much with taking care of the children in the future. These are things you have to bear. Since I can't help, why should I make decisions for you?"

It was a sentiment she had never heard before. She asked herself, she couldn't do it!

But her mother-in-law had done it.

She respected and loved her mother-in-law, and she admired her as well.

The harmony of their small family was largely due to having a sensible mother-in-law.

Liu Mei's mother-in-law was very kind. Sitting upright on the stool, the more she looked at An Yinan, the more she liked her.

"Where is the girl from?" The old lady held the hot water to warm her hands and asked with a smile.

An Yinan smiled, "From Reshi."

"Oh my, that's a long way off. Who else is in your family?"

"A godmother, a godfather, and two godbrothers." An Yinan didn't hide anything.

The older woman took An Yinan's hand, covered An Yinan's hands with her own two warmed hands, and held them, "Child, it hasn't been easy for you, but look forward in all things. You are still young and have a bright future ahead."

Perhaps fearing that she might trigger sad memories, the older woman didn't ask any more, but she didn't let go of the hand she was holding.

"Meizi, I came today to ask, do you still have those Square Scarves from Shanghai? Can you let me meet that person?"

The effect of the Square Scarves released by the Textile Factory was not good. Now the efficiency of the Textile Factory was declining day by day. If it continued like this, she couldn't see a future for the Textile Factory.

What would happen to so many workers?

Liu Mei lowered her head, not daring to look at An Yinan, "Mom, I have to ask the person first."

Her mother-in-law was not angry; instead, she nodded, thinking Liu Mei's way of handling things was correct, "Right, seek the person's opinion first. If they agree, then we can meet."

Although she hadn't been in contact for long, An Yinan liked this older woman very much; she had a kind of wisdom that came with age.

From her attitude toward life to her way of conducting herself and her tolerance, these were all things she couldn't achieve.

"Okay, I understand," Liu Mei also replied with a smile.

"Then I'll be going. The factory is still busy. Girl, next time let Meizi bring you to my house for a meal," the older woman instructed. Only when she reached the door did she let go of An Yinan's hand.

That hand, with its protruding bones and thinness, had hard calluses and the wrinkles of time, yet it was exceptionally warm, making one unable to resist.

The older woman left just as she had come.

Liu Mei looked at An Yinan, "Sister, I'm afraid my mother-in-law wants to know the weaving technology for those Square Scarves. The efficiency of the Textile Factory is getting worse and worse. My mother-in-law is very worried about those workers; she doesn't know what will happen in the future, which is why she was in such a hurry to ask me."

As she spoke, Liu Mei sighed.