Fusion System: Rebirth in a Courtyard - Bird Fighting Chronicles

Chapter 115 The Sewing Stall Scandal: The Initial Signs of Monetizing Skills

After the Awakening of Insects, new green shoots have begun to emerge from the withered grass at the base of the walls of the Hongxing Courtyard. Beside the communal pond in the central courtyard, Qin Huairu has set up a simple sewing stall—two wooden planks resting on a pile of bricks, covered with a faded blue cloth, upon which lie a sewing basket, thimbles, and several spools of thread in different colors. She wears a patched but neatly starched blue cotton jacket, her hair tied up with an ebony hairpin. As she bends down to mend, sunlight falls on her focused profile, revealing less of her usual sorrow and more of a steadfast tranquility.

"Sister-in-law Qin, the cuffs of my cotton-padded coat are worn out. Could you mend them a bit better?" Aunt Li from the backyard came over carrying a dark blue cotton-padded coat, her tone much more polite than usual. Ever since Jia Zhangshi returned from her labor reform and toned down her arrogance, and Qin Huairu stopped feigning pitifulness and scheming to get Sha Zhu's lunchbox, instead making a living by mending clothes, the neighbors' attitudes towards her had quietly changed.

Qin Huai looked up, revealing a sincere smile: "Don't worry, Aunt Li, I'll use double-stranded thread to hem it for you, it'll be even stronger than new. Please sit and wait a moment, I'll get it done for you right away." She skillfully took the cotton-padded coat, drew a simple pattern on the tear with chalk, and picked up a needle and thread to sew it up. The silver needle darted through the fabric, the stitches fine and even, and in no time, she had outlined half of a simple cloud pattern.

Aunt Li nodded in approval, "I didn't expect your skills to be so good! Even better than Old Lady Zhang's sewing at the alley entrance!" Just then, Yan Bugui from the front yard came over carrying a cloth bag. His eyes swept over the mending stall, his abacus-bead-like eyes darting around, "Widow Qin, the collars on these two shirts of mine are worn out. Could you replace them with new collars? How much is the labor fee?"

Qin Huairu put down her work, took the shirt, and looked at it. "Teacher Yan, changing the collar requires taking apart the old one and cutting new fabric, which will cost 25 cents per shirt. If you have some old fabric, I can save you some trouble and charge you 25 cents per shirt." Yan Bugui immediately frowned. "25 cents? That's too expensive! Old Lady Zhang only charges 15 cents for changing collars. You're overcharging!"

His voice wasn't quiet, and Liu Haizhong, who was sweeping snow in the yard, came over when he heard it: "Old Yan, that's not fair. Qin's stitches are so fine, while Zhang's stitches are so coarse you could stuff a finger in them. How can they be the same?" Yan Bugui snorted indignantly: "Even if they're fine, they're not worth 25 cents! I think you're just taking pity on her and deliberately trying to raise the price."

Qin Huairu's smile faded slightly, but she didn't show weakness as before. She calmly said, "Teacher Yan, if you think it's too expensive, you can go and take a look at Grandma Zhang's place. My skills are honed through countless stitches. I guarantee the collars I replace will be perfectly flat and won't deform after washing." She picked up a sewn garment next to her and pointed to the collar for Yan Bugui to see. "Look at this one, it belongs to Sister Su Qing. I replaced the collar last week, and she's been wearing it for a week and says it's comfortable."

As they were talking, Lin Chen and Su Qing walked into the courtyard together. Lin Chen had just returned from the factory, carrying a strange object made of sheet metal and wire, while Su Qing carried a cloth bag filled with brown sugar and flour she had just bought. Seeing the commotion in the courtyard, Su Qing smiled and stepped forward: "Teacher Yan, are you here to have clothes made? Sister Qin's tailoring skills are excellent; she altered the cuffs of my polyester shirt, and it fits me even better than before."

Seeing that Su Qing had also spoken up for him, Yan Bugui's expression softened somewhat—Su Qing was a key member of the steel mill's finance department, in charge of the accounts, and the neighbors were generally willing to give her some face. He coughed lightly, "Since Accountant Su has said so, then I'll make these two for you. But you'll have to give me a discount, how about four cents for two?" Qin Huairu was about to speak when Lin Chen smiled first, "Teacher Yan, Sister-in-law Qin's craftsmanship is worth the price. How about this, I'll talk to Sister-in-law Qin and give you a five-cent discount, four and a half cents for two, is that alright?"

This gave Yan Bugui a way out, and he quickly nodded, "Xiao Lin really knows how to handle things. Okay, forty-five cents it is. I'll come back for it tomorrow." He then put down his shirt, tucked his cloth bag into his pocket, and went back to the front yard. Aunt Li leaned close to Qin Huairu and whispered, "Xiao Lin really knows how to handle things; otherwise, that old miser might have kept pestering us indefinitely." Qin Huairu looked at Lin Chen gratefully and said softly, "Thanks to you all today."

Lin Chen waved his hand and handed over the tin object in his hand: "Sister-in-law Qin, I noticed that you always hold the fabric with your hands when you sew, which must be tiring, so I made you a simple support. Look, you can clamp the fabric on this and sew without holding it with your hands, saving a lot of effort." The object was a rectangular tin frame with adjustable clips around the edges, and the edges were polished smooth and rounded, clearly made with care.

Qin Huairu took the support and tried to clip her cotton-padded coat onto it. Sure enough, she no longer needed to strain her hands to open it, and the stitches were neater. Her eyes reddened slightly. "Xiao Lin, this... this is so kind of you. You even made this especially for me." Su Qing added with a smile, "Him? After the factory equipment was improved, he started thinking about these little gadgets. He spent half the day yesterday in the workshop drawing diagrams, saying he wanted to make you a handy tool."

Lin Chen scratched his head: "It was just something I did on the spot, no need to thank me. By the way, Sister Qin, if you want to do more business at your sewing stall, I have an idea." He squatted down and pointed to the fabric on the stall, "Look, these days the neighbors are all looking for nice patterns for their clothes. If you could embroider some simple designs on the clothes, like flowers, birds, or cloud patterns, you could definitely earn a lot more in labor fees."

Qin Huairu's eyes lit up: "I do know how to embroider some simple things, but I've never dared to embroider them on clothes before, afraid no one would want them." Lin Chen took out a piece of paper from his pocket, on which were drawn several simple embroidery patterns, all simplified from traditional patterns in the system: "Look at these, they're simple, easy to learn, and beautiful. For example, embroider a tiger head on a child's clothes, or a peach blossom on a girl's clothes, they'd definitely be popular."

Su Qing chimed in, "Last time I went to the city on business, I saw embroidered handkerchiefs being sold in the department store. They were twice as expensive as the regular ones, and people were scrambling to buy them. With your skills, Sister-in-law Qin, if you embroidered them on clothes, you definitely wouldn't have trouble selling them." Qin Huairu held the blueprint, carefully examining the pattern. Her fingers unconsciously traced the names on her knees, and a glimmer of hope gradually ignited in her eyes.

As they were talking, Sha Zhu returned from outside carrying a lunchbox. He paused, stunned, when he saw Qin Huairu's sewing stall. Usually at this time, Qin Huairu would have rushed over to complain about her family's difficulties, but today she was intently studying the patterns, her face showing a seriousness he had never seen before. Sha Zhu felt a strange mix of disappointment and relief. He walked over and placed the lunchbox on the stall: "Inside is some braised pork I got from the cafeteria, to help the kids get some nutrition."

Qin Huairu looked up, paused for a moment, then shook her head: "Brother Shazhu, thank you, but I can't accept it. I can earn money now by mending clothes and support my child. I appreciate your kindness." Shazhu didn't expect her to refuse and was a little embarrassed. Lin Chen quickly smoothed things over: "Brother Shazhu, Sister-in-law Qin has her own business now. If you really want to help, come here to mend your clothes whenever they're torn and support her business."

Sha Zhu nodded hurriedly, "Yes, yes, these clothes of mine really need mending. Sister Qin, please mend them properly for me. I'll still pay you for the mending." He put down the lunchbox. "Take this meat for the children. Consider it a deposit for my business." Without waiting for Qin Huairu to refuse, he turned and went back into the house. Qin Huairu looked at the lunchbox, her heart filled with mixed feelings. Su Qing patted her shoulder, "Take it. Sha Zhu meant well. Work hard in the future, and things will get better."

Lin Chen and Su Qing returned to the room. Su Qing placed brown sugar and flour on the table: "I asked someone to buy this for you to make brown sugar steamed buns to help you recover. You've lost weight these past few days working on improving the equipment." Lin Chen smiled and sat down, placing the sheet metal object he was holding on the table: "This is a simple counter I made for the workshop. It can count the production of parts and is much more accurate than manual counting. I tried it today, and it works well. The foreman said we should promote it in the workshop."

Su Qing picked up the counter and looked at it: "Your mind is really sharp! This little gadget can save you a lot of trouble, right? By the way, shouldn't the factory give you a bonus? Didn't the factory manager say he'd give you a 500 yuan bonus for the successful equipment improvement last time?" Lin Chen nodded: "The bonus has come through, but I want to invest the money elsewhere." He took out a piece of paper from the drawer, which read "Hardware Tool Processing" on it. "I want to make some useful small tools, like the sewing support I made for Sister Qin last time, and the simple wrenches used in the workshop. I'm sure I can make money selling them at the scrap yard or the market."

Su Qing's eyes lit up: "That's a great idea! Tools on the market these days are either poor quality or expensive. Your tools are both useful and sturdy, they'll definitely be popular. But how are you going to mass-produce them? You can't make many by yourself." Lin Chen already had a plan: "I've applied to the workshop foreman. I can make some after get off work using the workshop's scraps, but it can't take up working hours. Also, I'm thinking of asking Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu for help. They're both skillful and quick learners; we can just pay them a little."

Just then, an argument broke out outside the courtyard gate. Lin Chen and Su Qing quickly went out of the house and saw a group of people gathered in front of Qin Huairu's mending stall. A middle-aged man in a cadre's uniform was pointing at Qin Huairu's stall and yelling, "You're engaging in speculation and profiteering! You're setting up a stall and doing business without a business license. Close it down right now, or I'll call the industry and commerce bureau!"

Qin Huairu's face turned pale, and she tightly gripped the needle and thread in her hand: "I'm not speculating, I'm just mending clothes for the neighbors to earn some money to support my children." The man snorted: "That sounds nice! You need a license to mend clothes, otherwise it's illegal business!" Lin Chen recognized the man as Wang Decai, the deputy director of the neighborhood committee at the entrance of the alley, who usually liked to bully the neighbors by abusing his power.

Lin Chen stepped forward and calmly said, "Director Wang, Sister Qin is providing a convenient service, not engaging in speculation. She's a widow with three children, earning money through her own skills—it's perfectly reasonable. Besides, doesn't the neighborhood committee encourage everyone to be self-reliant? How does Sister Qin's business become illegal?" Wang Decai glanced at Lin Chen sideways and said, "Lin Chen, this is none of your business! Mind your own business! I'm telling you, this stall must close today!"

"Let's see who dares to close down!" Sha Zhu rushed out of the house, holding a rolling pin. "Sister Qin earns her living with her skills, she hasn't stolen or robbed anyone, why should you make her close down? Are you trying to extort money from her?" Wang Decai was startled, then became furious: "You dare to slander an official? I think you're asking for trouble!" He reached out to push Sha Zhu, but Lin Chen stopped him.

Lin Chen looked at Wang Decai: "Director Wang, as far as I know, the neighborhood committee has regulations that residents who provide convenience services within their own courtyards do not need a business license, as long as they don't disturb others or inflate prices. If you don't believe me, we can go to the subdistrict office to ask. Also, you just mentioned calling the industry and commerce bureau. I'd like to ask, the industry and commerce bureau manages commercial operations. Isn't Qin's neighborhood mending service outside their jurisdiction?"

Wang Decai was speechless, not expecting Lin Chen to know so much about the policies. He had originally intended to take advantage of Qin Huairu's thriving mending stall to extort some money, but Lin Chen had exposed his scheme. The surrounding neighbors chimed in, "Yes, Director Wang, Qin's wife has it tough, please don't make things difficult for her." "That's right, we've all had our clothes mended here; the prices are fair, and the workmanship is good."

Wang Decai's face turned pale and then red, knowing that if he continued to argue, he would only make a fool of himself. He glared at Qin Huairu and said, "I'll let you off this time for the sake of the neighbors. But if I see you operating without a license again, I won't tolerate it!" With that, he slunk away.

Watching Wang Decai's retreating figure, Qin Huai breathed a sigh of relief and said gratefully to Lin Chen and Sha Zhu, "Thank you so much today, otherwise I wouldn't be able to keep this stall." Lin Chen smiled and said, "No need to thank me, we're all from the same courtyard, it's only right that we help each other out. But Sister-in-law Qin, to avoid any trouble in the future, I think you should register for the community service at the neighborhood committee, that way it will be perfectly legitimate."

Sha Zhu chimed in, "I'll go with you tomorrow. If anyone dares to make things difficult for you, I'll make them pay!" Qin Huairu nodded, tears welling in her eyes, "Okay, I'll go tomorrow. With you all helping me, I feel much more at ease." Seeing that the commotion had subsided, the neighbors all gathered around, some wanting their clothes mended, others wanting new insoles made. Qin Huairu's mending stall business was even more booming than before.

That evening, Lin Chen went to see the Liu brothers, Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu. Liu Haizhong was very grateful to Lin Chen for what had happened before, and upon seeing him, he immediately asked his aunt to make tea. After Lin Chen explained his purpose, Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu were both very willing: "Brother Lin, we'll work for you! Just tell us what to do, and we'll do it!" Liu Haizhong also said, "Little Lin, don't worry, these two lads may be young, but they're skillful and hardworking; they won't cause you any trouble."

Lin Chen took out several drawings: "These are some tools I designed. There's a sewing machine, a wrench for the workshop, and a garlic peeler for home use. Make a few samples according to the drawings first, and I'll check the results. If you do a good job, I'll pay you ten cents for each tool. The more you make, the more you earn." Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu took the drawings and looked at them carefully, their eyes full of excitement.

For the next few days, Lin Chen worked with the Liu brothers making tools in the workshop after get off work, while Su Qing helped them find sales channels. She found Old Wang at the scrap yard on the outskirts of the city and showed him the wrenches and garlic peelers she had made: "Boss Wang, these are tools we make. The quality is better than what's on the market, and the price is cheaper. Do you want to try them?" Old Wang picked up the wrench and tried it out, finding it much sturdier than the wrenches he usually used, and it felt good in his hand: "These tools are good. How much are they? I'll take ten wrenches and twenty garlic peelers to test the waters first."

Su Qing quoted the prices: "Wrench is 1.5 yuan each, garlic peeler is 0.5 yuan each. If they sell well, we can cooperate long-term." Old Wang calculated and felt there was a profit to be made, so he immediately agreed: "Okay, we'll go with your price. Here's the deposit, you can deliver the goods to me first." He then took out a five-yuan deposit and handed it to Su Qing.

Lin Chen and Su Qing were both very excited about selling tools for the first time. Holding the deposit, Lin Chen said to the Liu brothers, "This is our first time earning money; everyone gets a share." He gave each of them two yuan: "This is your wages. From now on, we'll split any profits we make." Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu, holding the money, were too moved to speak: "Thank you, Brother Lin! We'll definitely work hard!"

Meanwhile, Qin Huairu's mending stall was becoming increasingly popular. Following the patterns Lin Chen provided, she embroidered simple designs on clothes, which were well-received by the neighbors. Especially the girls, who loved having her embroider small flowers on their shirts or handkerchiefs. Although the fee was a bit higher than regular mending, everyone was willing to pay. Jia Dang also came home from school to help, handing her mother thread and sewing on buttons; the mother and daughter worked together seamlessly.

That day, Qin Huairu was embroidering tiger-head shoes for Jia Huaihua when Yan Jiedi came over with a pink shirt and said shyly, "Sister-in-law Qin, I'm going on a blind date tomorrow. Could you embroider a peach blossom on this shirt? Something pretty." Qin Huairu smiled and nodded, "No problem, I guarantee I'll embroider it beautifully so you can succeed on your blind date." She picked up the shirt, drew a budding peach blossom with chalk, and then picked up pink and white thread and began to embroider carefully.

Looking at Qin Huairu's nimble hands, Yan Jiedi said enviously, "Sister-in-law Qin, your skills are really good. It would be great if you could open a tailor shop." Qin Huairu was stunned. Opening a tailor shop was something she never dared to think about before, but now, looking at the needle and thread in her hands, a thought suddenly popped into her mind: Maybe, with this skill, she could really make her family live a good life.

That evening, Lin Chen and Su Qing were tallying up tool sales when Sha Zhu suddenly appeared. He was carrying a cloth bag containing a few old clothes: "Lin, Su Qing, I'd like to alter the style of these clothes. Could you ask Aunt Qin for help? Also, my sister told me that a textile factory in the city is hiring temporary workers. I'd like Aunt Qin to give it a try; her skills are so good, she'll definitely get in."

Lin Chen and Su Qing exchanged a glance, both agreeing that this was a good opportunity. Su Qing said, "Brother Sha Zhu, this is a great idea! Although the temporary work at the textile factory is tiring, the wages are more stable than at the mending stall, and you can also learn a new skill. I'll go ask about the specific recruitment requirements for Sister Qin tomorrow." Lin Chen also said, "If Sister Qin can get a job at the textile factory, she won't have to worry about people bothering her with her mending stall anymore."

The next morning, Su Qing went to the textile factory in the city to inquire about recruitment. Upon returning, she excitedly told Lin Chen and Qin Huairu, "Great! The textile factory is hiring sewing workers, requiring basic sewing skills. Sister-in-law Qin's skills are definitely up to par. The application deadline is the day after tomorrow, and I've already registered you. You can go for the interview the day after tomorrow."

Qin Huairu's hands trembled with excitement: "Really? Sister Su Qing, thank you! I...can I do it?" Lin Chen encouraged her: "Sister Qin, your skills are better than many seamstresses, you'll definitely succeed. Don't be nervous during the interview, just perform normally." Sha Zhu also said: "That's right, Sister Qin, if you get into the textile factory, you'll be a permanent employee, and you won't have to put up with other people's mistreatment anymore."

On the day of the interview, Lin Chen and Su Qing accompanied Qin Huairu to the textile factory. The interviewer was the workshop foreman, who asked Qin Huairu to sew the collar of a shirt on the spot. Qin Huairu took a deep breath, picked up the needle and thread, and skillfully began to sew. The stitches were fine and even, and the collar was neat and tidy. The interviewer nodded repeatedly, "Not bad, very good craftsmanship. Start work tomorrow."

Stepping out of the textile factory, Qin Huairu cried with emotion. She had never imagined that she, a widow, could work as a laborer in a state-owned factory. Lin Chen smiled and said, "Sister-in-law Qin, work hard from now on, and things will get better and better. You can let Jia Dang manage your mending stall; you can do some simple mending after school to earn some pocket money." Su Qing also said, "If you encounter any difficulties in the future, just tell us, and we will help you."

Back in the courtyard house, Qin Huairu shared the good news with her family and neighbors. Jia Dang jumped up excitedly, "Mom, you're amazing! I'll help you watch the stall from now on, and I can earn money too!" Jia Geng also said sensibly, "Mom, I'll never steal again. I'll help you with the work." The neighbors also came to congratulate her. Yan Bugui looked at Qin Huairu with some envy. He hadn't expected that this widow, who used to only pretend to be pitiful, would be so successful now.

That evening, the neighbors in the courtyard set up several tables for a feast in the central courtyard to celebrate Qin Huairu finding a job and to celebrate Lin Chen's booming tool sales. Liu Haizhong, holding a bottle of baijiu, toasted Lin Chen: "Little Lin, thank you for helping Guangtian and Guangfu make money, and thank you for helping Sister-in-law Qin find a job. You are truly a blessing to our courtyard!"

Lin Chen smiled and raised his glass: "Master Liu, no need to thank me. We're all from the same courtyard, it's only right that we help each other out. If we work together, things will get better." Yi Zhonghai also raised his glass: "Little Lin is right. I was foolish before, always thinking about scheming against others. Now I understand that only by working together and helping each other can we live a stable life. If you need anything in the future, just come to me. My old skills can still come in handy."

Moonlight spilled onto the bluestone slabs of the courtyard, illuminating the smiling faces of everyone. Qin Huairu looked at the sensible children beside her, her heart filled with hope; Lin Chen looked at the harmonious neighbors before him, knowing that his foundation in this era was becoming increasingly solid; Su Qing looked at Lin Chen, her eyes full of admiration and support. This courtyard, once filled with scheming and conflict, gradually became filled with warmth and human kindness through everyone's efforts.

Night deepened, and the banquet gradually ended. Lin Chen returned to his room and activated the system. A notification popped up on the panel: [The host helped Qin Huairu find stable employment, promoting harmony among neighbors in the courtyard, earning 200 points. The host's hardware tools successfully found a market, earning 300 points. Current total points: 10500.]