Liuu Yuming’s eyes shone brightly. "This dress... It’s so beautiful."

Tan You said, "You say you know how to use a sewing machine. So let me ask you, when you see a dress like this, how would you go about making it?"

Liuu Yuming puffed out her cheeks, unconvinced. "Isn’t that just how it’s done? Measure the dimensions, then cut the fabric and sew? What’s so hard about that? I’ve seen all the master tailors at the factory do it that way."

Tan You chuckled. "Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. It might look simple when others do it, but let me ask you this first: do you know how to take body measurements? Do you understand pattern making?"

Liuu Yuming wasn’t a fool, and it slowly dawned on her. "Mom, you mean you’re going to teach me all this? I’ll definitely study hard! Once I’ve learned, I’ll be able to make pretty dresses for myself and Little Min!"

"If you truly learn how, you’ll naturally have the chance to make some for yourself." Tan You didn’t pass judgment on Liuu Yuming’s hobby. ’There’s nothing wrong with loving beautiful clothes, as long as it brings you joy and doesn’t harm anyone else.’

Seeing Liuu Yuming all fired up, a hint of a smile touched Tan You’s eyes. "First, you’ll use Little Min as a model. I’ll start by teaching you how to take someone’s measurements..."

Liuu Yuming had a measuring tape at home. Any family with a sewing machine would have all these small tools on hand.

Chen Min hadn’t gone to bed either. She was only five and not yet old enough for school, so she sat to the side, cupping her chin in her hands and listening as Tan You taught Liuu Yuming.

The little girl found it quite novel to be her mother’s model.

Perhaps because she was learning something she enjoyed, Liuu Yuming was incredibly focused during the lesson. When it was already eleven o’clock, Tan You finally called it a night. "Go wash up and get some sleep. We’ll continue tomorrow."

Liuu Yuming put away the measuring tape, paper, and pen. "Mom, what did you learn all these years? You’re so amazing. Look, I understood everything you said. The pattern masters at the factory would never teach someone so patiently. They’re even secretive when they work, terrified someone will steal their techniques."

Tan You replied, "A lot of people are like that. It’s not uncommon. You should go to sleep. I did indeed learn a great many things. We’ll just have to see how much of it you can pick up."

Liuu Yuming mumbled, "Mom, I’ll definitely study hard. I heard the master tailors at the factory make over a thousand a month... Do you think I could earn that much someday?"

"You need to think bigger. You’re only thinking about a salary of a little over a thousand?" Tan You said softly. "Working for someone else, you just earn a fixed wage every month. It’s a predictable amount. Haven’t you ever thought about striking out on your own?"

Seeing Liuu Yuming fall silent, Tan You didn’t press her further. "Let’s save talk of the future for later. You haven’t even mastered the craft yet. Once you’ve finished your apprenticeship, we can plan for other things."

Liuu Yuming immediately brightened up. "That’s right! I’ve got my mom here. With Mom to worry about things for me, all I have to do is study hard and work hard. I won’t worry about anything else."

Tan You smiled. "As long as you listen to me, I don’t mind taking care of things for you."

’In any case, these aren’t major issues for me,’ Tan You thought. ’It doesn’t matter if someone is a little slow, as long as they know how to listen. It’s not like I would ever try to harm her, would I? Of course, it’s also fine if she has her own ideas, as long as we can maintain good communication.’

Liuu Yuming instantly looked as if a great weight had been lifted from her shoulders. "From now on, I’ll listen to Mom about everything! Whatever Mom says, goes!"

Chen Min nodded as well. "I’ll listen to Grandma, too! Whatever Grandma says, goes!"

Tan You chuckled softly. ’I’ve completed several missions, back and forth, and in most of them, I was in the prime of my youth. But in this world, my generational rank just keeps going up. Now I’m already a grandmother.’

"Listen to me on important matters, but you two also need to have your own judgment... Well, forget it. I’ll explain it to you slowly in the future." She looked at Liuu Yuming, who, despite being twenty-four, still had a naive and artless air about her. Chen Min, at only five, was genuinely innocent and pure.

With Tan You’s arrival, Liuu Yuming felt as if a great weight had been lifted from her shoulders. When she went to work, she no longer had to worry about whether her daughter, Chen Min, had enough to eat or warm clothes to wear at home. Every day, she would come home from work to a hot meal waiting for her.

It was just that every time she saw her own daughter standing on a small stool to cook, Liuu Yuming couldn’t help but feel a surge of emotion. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

"Momma, Grandma taught me how to make braised pork belly for lunch today! Grandma Guihong helped me with the stove, and Grandma had me set aside half for Grandma Guihong to take home." When Liuu Yuming got home from work that evening, Chen Min began to proudly show off her accomplishments.

Liuu Yuming washed her hands and sat down at the small kitchen table. "Mom, the elder aunt has been coming to our house more often now. She’s here almost every day."

Tan You said, "She’s worried about Chen Min being home alone. Since she doesn’t live far, she just comes over more often to check on her."

Liuu Yuming was also beginning to vaguely understand the ways of the world. "I know. The elder aunt is a good person."

She smiled as she spoke. "I got paid today, and I happen to have tomorrow off. I’m planning to buy some groceries and invite the elder uncle and aunt over for dinner. For the past few years while I was at work, Little Min always ate at their house. You were right, Mom. I can’t just pretend it never happened and accept their kindness with a clear conscience."

Tan You thought to herself, ’My lessons are finally paying off.’ Compared to just a month ago, much of Liuu Yuming’s flightiness had faded, and her entire demeanor had changed considerably.

’The most important change was in her eyes. Liuu Yuming’s gaze was much calmer now, not as restless as it used to be.’

"I’m glad to hear you say that. In the three years I was gone, your elder uncle and aunt were indeed good to you," Tan You said calmly. "As for your second elder aunt’s family, just treat them as you always have. There’s no need to offer a warm welcome only to get a cold shoulder."

"Your elder aunt might be a bit calculating with her words, but everyone is poor these days. It’s not easy for anyone to earn a living."

Liuu Yuming nodded. "I understand. I can’t expect others to help me for free, just like you said, Mom. So, about tomorrow’s dinner for my elder uncle and aunt... how many dishes do you think I should prepare?"

Tan You replied, "Let’s go to the market tomorrow and see. I’ll go with you."

Liuu Yuming was overjoyed. "Mom, you can go outside? I thought you couldn’t! I’ve only ever seen you at home."

’With her mom’s current ’status,’ she had thought she couldn’t walk in the sunlight.’

Chen Min meekly retorted, "That’s not true. Grandma takes me out. We just haven’t left the village."

Liuu Yuming was still a little unconvinced. "Mom, you can really go outside?"

Tan You chuckled. "It’s fine. And to think, you’re calling me ’Mom’ so easily now. I wonder who it was that got so scared when they first saw me that they hid under the covers and wouldn’t come out. You weren’t even as brave as Little Min."

Liuu Yuming declared righteously, "You’re my real mom, would you ever harm me? My mom is the best to me. Mom, there’s something I want to discuss with you."

Seeing Liuu Yuming turn so serious, Tan You knew what she was going to say. "You want a divorce? It’s about time. You’re working hard and supporting yourself now; there’s no need to drag this on."