Chapter 966 - 968: Learn to Paint with Me
Zhao Xuran and the others weren’t too excited about Gong Ruini mentioning that Gong Jiaxin could do embroidery.
If it weren’t for the fact that it was Gong Jiaxin, someone might have asked what embroidery even was.
Hua Miaozhu, however, was quite excited, "Xiao Xin can actually do embroidery?"
"Nowadays, not many people know how to embroider. In the past, many families would keep an embroiderer in-house."
"Even after the Republic of China, many families didn’t have embroiderers, but many still learned embroidery to make clothes or embroider screens."
Hua Miaozhu reminisced, "It’s a shame there aren’t many well-known or highly skilled embroiderers now. Otherwise, I could introduce a few."
Hua Miaozhu looked particularly regretful when she saw Gong Jiaxin’s finished piece, "Whoever taught you embroidery must be a master."
After asking about the name of Gong Jiaxin’s embroidery teacher, Hua Miaozhu thought for a long time but couldn’t recall the name.
This puzzled her greatly; having lived there for many years, she should have some idea unless there was only one situation—changing their name.
"If they could continue teaching you for a few more years, your achievements would be even greater." Hua Miaozhu felt regretful.
If someone else had said this, Gong Jiaxin might have thought they were just complimenting her, but Hua Miaozhu was different—she definitely had expertise in this area.
"But if you study on your own, you might actually become a master in your own right." With guidance, you might progress quickly, but many of your ideas might be restricted.
And studying diligently on your own, while progress may not be fast or significant, you will develop your own ideas and bring surprises to others.
"It’s good to read more books." Hua Miaozhu heard that the elderly embroiderer had left books for Gong Jiaxin and pointed out that even Gong Ruini had some books on embroidery, indicating that she should read more.
"If you have the time, join me and do some painting." Although painting and embroidery are somewhat distant fields, they are in fact mutually influential.
Learning to paint with Hua Miaozhu? Gong Jiaxin was pleasantly surprised; although Hua Miaozhu wasn’t exactly a master, her paintings were truly beautiful.
However, the fact that she had never offered before, and now she was taking the initiative—how could Gong Jiaxin not be surprised?
"But you have to work hard yourself. I’ll just give you a pointer or two, and where you end up learning is up to you." Hua Miaozhu just didn’t want Gong Jiaxin’s embroidery outcomes to suffer because her painting skills were lacking.
Even with that bit of indifference, Gong Jiaxin felt it was already enough to be happy about and kept promising to study diligently.
Hua Miaozhu had heard such promises many times, like Zhao Guangran who kept on promising to work hard at painting, but the results were not something to brag about.
Miao Cuihua was not quite satisfied with her daughter spending her days learning embroidery from their elderly neighbor. Even though girls used to have to learn needlework, that was in the past. Who demands such a thing now?
But she couldn’t overrule her daughter’s interests, coupled with Gong Zhuang’s support, so Miao Cuihua could only allow it. To her, in this age of ready-made clothes, who really cares about embroidery?
"Aunt Hua, is learning embroidery really a good thing?" Miao Cuihua asked cautiously.
If it weren’t because of Gong Tao and Gong Jiaxin, Hua Miaozhu wouldn’t bother answering such a silly question, "Having a skill is always better than having none."
Hua Miaozhu didn’t know what people nowadays were thinking, but she believed only fools would say education was useless.
On the other hand, if not for what her husband had taught their daughter back then, could she live so well now? Of course, without that skill, their children might still live decently.
But would Zhuge Zhi treat Zhan Jing’s family well? Hua Miaozhu admitted she had traditionally old-school beliefs that emphasized learning in addition to experience.
"Although running a business makes money now, it’s good to study more and add a skill," Zhuge Zhi knew the trends outside but never commented on them.
"Xiao Xin, Grandpa Zhuge is waiting for your embroidery. If possible, could you embroider a screen for me?" Zhuge Zhi always felt that something was missing in the study.
No way; Miao Cuihua was stunned. How can her daughter’s little skill make them all so excited, not only causing Hua Miaozhu to step forward but also Zhuge Zhi?
Generally speaking, this old man rarely speaks up.
Gong Zhuang had been protecting his daughter so that she could enjoy an easier life before marriage. At her parents’ home, she should follow her heart.
Especially since Ni Zi is studying calligraphy and painting in Beijing, she’s basically a little prodigy. If their daughter had no artistic skills, wouldn’t that be hard to showcase?
Unexpectedly, this one thing led their daughter to find her own path. Gong Zhuang couldn’t be happier he didn’t heed his wife’s advice but went against it.
It seems that for major decisions, he should have the say; otherwise, if he followed his wife’s opinions, it might ruin their daughter’s entire life.
Seeing her parents’ good mood, Gong Jiaxin cautiously voiced her thoughts, "I want to study fashion design in college later."
What?! Gong Zhuang and Miao Cuihua wondered if their daughter could use this skill to meet more people, but they were shocked by their daughter’s words.
In their hearts, they wanted to scold someone. Fashion design? Isn’t it almost like being a tailor? Although it’s possibly profitable, it doesn’t sound good.
The thought of telling friends their daughter is studying fashion design and plans to become a tailor—they found it hard to swallow.
Other people’s children, if not extremely successful, at least are going into business, which sounds better than being a tailor, especially given their daughter’s good grades. Gong Zhuang hoped she’d pick a good major.
Like studying medicine, at least there would be someone to rely on. Even though Zhan Jing had already quit her job to start her own business, she’s still in the pharmaceutical field, which means she could easily look after someone.
Not to mention Zhuge Zhi, even if he wouldn’t speak up, living in the same compound, it was clear they had connections. If not to look after, at least there wouldn’t be bullying.
Or she could follow in Gong Ruwen’s footsteps, even pursuing an economics degree—doing business is fine too.
But why does their daughter want to be a tailor? Gong Zhuang really didn’t understand and wanted to crack open her head to see what was going on inside.
Ah, a tailor? Gong Ruini didn’t expect her third uncle’s strong opposition just because of this reason. She was truly shocked.
"Uncle, it’s not being a tailor." Gong Ruini explained what a fashion degree was to Gong Zhuang.
No matter how Gong Ruini explained it, she couldn’t avoid the aspect of making custom clothes for clients.
Gong Zhuang pouted. He realized that there must have been someone suggesting this idea to his honest daughter.
That someone is Gong Ruini. Even though he was angry, he had to hold back. Saying a word to this girl could provoke the second brother.
Gong Zhuang was truly vexed. If he’d known Ni Zi was this unreliable, he wouldn’t have encouraged his daughter to be close to Gong Ruini and seek her opinions.
Now look, his daughter seemed to be following Gong Ruini into a ditch, and he was stressed. How should he handle this?