Chapter 115: A Chance Encounter with Chen Xueru

"Who told you to stick on a fake mustache? I told you to make your hairstyle and attire look more mature. Your mind is as full of schemes as a hornet's nest; no one can underestimate you. As long as you dress up a little, you'll be set!" Liu Rusi said with a hint of sarcasm.

"Sister, what kind of medicine are you selling in this gourd?"

"I can't be bothered to explain it to you. Look at your hair, it's as messy as a chicken coop. If you go to see my father, do you think he'll look favorably upon you? Pingping, take him to the Qianmen Barber Shop in a while, find Master Charlie to trim it up for him, and then take him to get two decent outfits."

Pingping just nodded, her voice not loud but crisp: "Miss, let's go now! It will be dark soon."

"Let's go!" Liu Rusi said.

He Yuzhu followed Pingping out the door and sat in a brand-new Studebaker sedan. The smell of leather still permeated the inside of the car.

"Pingping, did your miss buy this car, or was it provided by the public?"

"It was sent by Mr. Shen; I don't know the specifics either."

The car drove through Wangfujing Street. He Yuzhu rolled down the window and muttered to himself: "This car doesn't even have electric windows, it's really backward."

Pingping looked at him as if he were a fool, as if to say, this kid really doesn't know his own limitations.

The hawkers' cries and the bells of the rickshaws made He Yuzhu feel the bustling atmosphere of this era, and he watched with great interest. He even waved at pedestrians from time to time.

Pingping drove with great concentration, her hands firmly gripping the steering wheel, looking straight ahead without distraction.

He Yuzhu opened the window and watched the street for a while before being scolded by Pingping, "Close the window quickly, it's too cold."

"You country bumpkin, are you trying to freeze me to death?" Pingping said in a low voice.

He Yuzhu turned his body to the side, looked at Pingping with a grin, and said: "Pingping, why do you keep a cold face all day long? It's so tiring to always be so tense."

Pingping didn't even look at him, remaining expressionless, only the fingers gripping the steering wheel tightened slightly.

Seeing that she ignored him, He Yuzhu became even more enthusiastic: "I think you're a bit out of balance with your yin and yang. How about I introduce a boyfriend to you?"

Pingping furrowed her brows and said coldly: "If you keep talking nonsense, I will turn around and go back immediately." Her foot lightly pressed the brake, and the car's speed slowed down significantly.

He Yuzhu hurriedly waved his hands, smiling to smooth things over: "Alright! Alright! You just keep that face tense then!"

Upon arriving at the Qianmen Barber Shop, Master Charlie's craftsmanship was indeed well-deserved.

The scissors danced in his hands, emitting a crisp "click-clack" sound.

As the hair clippings fell, the contours of the face in the mirror gradually became clear, and He Yuzhu felt that his whole person looked much more spirited.

He Yuzhu looked left and right in the mirror and said with a smile: "Pingping, you can go back! I know someone who makes clothes, so I won't trouble you anymore."

Pingping was quite happy to do so and drove back without saying another word.

He Yuzhu strolled along Qianmen Street. He suddenly remembered Chen Xueru. Last time he got her father out of the Police Bureau, this young girl had no follow-up, not even a thank-you gift. It was unreasonable; today he would go find her to collect on that favor.

Thinking of this, He Yuzhu walked toward the Chen Family Silk Store at Qianmen.

Before he even reached the shop entrance, he saw Chen Xueru strolling slowly down the street, arm-in-arm with a sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl.

Her fair, melon-seed-shaped face was flushed red from the cold, looking like a small apple.

Today, she was wearing a blue cotton robe, wrapped in a bright red scarf, and holding a string of bright red candied haws, full of vitality.

When Chen Xueru saw He Yuzhu, a flash of surprise crossed her eyes.

She originally didn't have much affection for him, but a favor owed is a favor owed, so she had to step forward and say indifferently: "He Yuzhu, why have you come here?"

He Yuzhu had a rogue-like smile on his face, his hands tucked into his coat pockets: "I wanted to make a few outfits and thought of you immediately. I came here specifically to find you today." His gaze swept over the candied haws in her hand, a smile lingering at the corners of his mouth.

Chen Xueru was almost laughed at by him—this person really had thick skin. But on second thought, since it was business coming to her door, she couldn't refuse. She had to politely say: "My family has a Silk Store; I'll take you to pick out some fabric, then go to my family's tailoring shop to have them made for you."

"Alright!" He Yuzhu readily agreed, "Anyway, I have nothing to do today, so I'll follow you for the whole afternoon. You help me make clothes, and I'll treat you to a meal."

The young girl beside Chen Xueru covered her mouth and giggled, her eyes curving into crescents: "Xueru, since you have a friend, I'll head home first." After saying this, she ran off in a flash, giving Chen Xueru a meaningful look before leaving, as if implying that this was her suitor.

Chen Xueru felt helpless inside, just shook her head, and led He Yuzhu into the Chen Family Silk Store.

The shop assistants were measuring customers, and the sound of scissors cutting fabric was incessant.

He Yuzhu didn't know how to choose fabric; he said what kind of clothes he wanted to make, and only after Chen Xueru's guidance did he select the fabric.

Chen Xueru took him to her family's tailoring shop.

After a master tailor measured his body, he asked: "Sir, what style of clothing would you like to make?"

He Yuzhu thought for a moment, took out a pencil, and began sketching on scratch paper. In a short time, he had outlined several clothing styles: a small lapel suit, a Mao-style Zhongshan suit, as well as a long trench coat and a hoodie.

His drawing lines were clean, the proportions accurate, and even the details of the buttons and pockets were clearly marked; one look and it was obvious he had design skills.

Seeing the designs, Chen Xueru was stunned. She had originally thought He Yuzhu was just a brute who knew how to fight; she hadn't expected him to be able to draw clothing designs.

In a flash of inspiration, she realized that this person could bring her huge business opportunities.

Her eyes shifted, and her tone became gentle, "He Yuzhu, these drawings of yours are really good. After you finish making your clothes, can you give all the drawings to me? I've been thinking about opening a ready-to-wear shop!" Her fingers lightly brushed over the drawings, her eyes shining with shrewdness.

He Yuzhu secretly admired this young girl's brain. He didn't hesitate and nodded: "Deal! But I have a price: don't charge me for making the clothes, and all these drawings are yours. Actually, I can also help you draw a few women's clothing styles."

Chen Xueru was overjoyed upon hearing this, "If they pass my inspection, I'll even refund the money you spent on the fabric!"

"It's a deal!"

In his past life, He Yuzhu had studied mechanical design; he could even draw engine blueprints, let alone a few pieces of clothing.

He quickly drew several women's clothing styles popular in later generations: a "Platycodon" dress, a short suit jacket paired with a short skirt, a modified version of a cheongsam..."

In Beiping in 1946, the common women's clothing on the market was still cheongsams and long gowns, at most paired with wool coats; such new styles with a bit of a Western flair were rare.

When Chen Xueru saw them, she felt as if she had found a treasure; just by imagining it, she could tell what the finished product would look like.

Her attitude toward He Yuzhu had changed from perfunctory to admiration.

"In the future, when I open the ready-to-wear shop, can I ask you to help me design styles!"

"No problem at all! As long as Miss Chen pays enough!" He Yuzhu said, imitating a Hong Kong accent.

"You really are glib!" Chen Xueru said coquettishly.

Time passed quickly, and the sky outside the window gradually darkened.

Chen Xueru pestered He Yuzhu to draw more women's clothing for her, from daily shirts and skirts to evening gowns, every single one of which could make one's eyes light up.

Chen Xueru was also a smart person; as long as He Yuzhu sketched a few strokes, she could imagine what the clothing would look like when made. In her little head, these were all shiny Big Ocean coins.

She looked at the drawings one by one, her eyes growing brighter and brighter.

He Yuzhu flexed his sore wrists, and looking at the sharp and capable young girl before him, he couldn't help but let a smile tug at the corners of his mouth.

"It's already dark out, shouldn't you treat me, this designer, to a meal?" He Yuzhu said.