"Comrade, your wife's figure is truly impeccable. Rest assured, this garment will be tailored to fit perfectly."
After measuring Shen Xue, Liang Hongfang lavished praise on Chen Yang, a true businesswoman.
Business was about making people feel good, and what she said was the truth. Chen Yang had personally experienced his wife's perfect physique last night.
It was just that due to long periods of malnourishment, she was still a little shy of being plump. With some more nourishment, she would undoubtedly be even better.
"Make one in plain color for her too, as a dress. With a slit from the waist down to the calves, and perhaps a sash made of the same fabric to go with it."
"A zipper at the back, below the waist. Don't use buttons; they're not as attractive. Also, use fabric to conceal the zipper with a pleated hem."
Chen Yang was a straightforward man and didn't understand fashion.
But having lived through the era of information explosion in his past life, he described the style of a dress from his memory to Liang Hongfang.
"Your idea is quite ingenious. From your description, it somewhat resembles the qipaos worn by wealthy ladies in the past."
"However, qipaos use fabric buttons from the front to the side waist. Using a zipper on the skirt has more of a Western style."
Liang Hongfang listened to Chen Yang's description, and the image of the dress made according to his specifications slowly formed in her mind. As a tailor, she was confident in the garments she handled.
Upon thinking it over, she couldn't help but feel amazed; a skirt made this way would indeed be beautiful!
"As long as you can make it, that's fine. Oh, and don't make it too big. Just slightly looser than my wife's measurements."
Chen Yang was pleased that Liang Hongfang understood his intentions. The styles from his later life were unheard of for many in this era, and she might not be able to visualize them.
Liang Hongfang was an excellent tailor!
Nowadays, people liked to make clothes a size larger. The reason was simple: fabric was too expensive, and a larger size allowed for layering clothes underneath.
But Chen Yang didn't need to worry about that. He only wanted Shen Xue to wear the most beautiful dress. A slightly looser fit was to allow for her to gain a little weight in the future, improving her figure.
"You can count on my craftsmanship."
"Adult clothing is one yuan per piece, children's are fifty cents. However, the zipper for the dress will cost an additional fifty cents."
Liang Hongfang was in a good mood. Polyester fabric, corduroy, and printed cotton cloth, one piece each for adult and child, would total four yuan and fifty cents.
That plain cotton cloth for the dress would be another yuan, and the zipper fifty cents. Her cost for the zipper was only twenty cents. This way, for Chen Yang's order alone, she would earn five yuan and eighty cents.
This was a significant business deal.
Furthermore, the leftover scraps from making the clothes would generally be kept by her as a tailor, representing an invisible income.
"That plain cotton cloth, I'll make another set for you. Thirty feet is more than I can use, and you don't even have a decent outfit yourself."
Before Chen Yang could speak, Shen Xue quickly pulled Liang Hongfang to measure him.
Her husband cared for her; she wasn't foolish enough to only think of herself and their child.
"This comrade is larger in build. The remaining twenty-three feet can make two sets for him, and two sets for the little one, and that should be about right."
Liang Hongfang measured Chen Yang's physique. His height of one meter eighty naturally required more fabric than Shen Xue, needing eight feet of cloth.
"Let's go with that. You pay the deposit first."
Afraid Chen Yang might disagree, Shen Xue quickly spoke up.
Seeing his wife's protective gesture, Chen Yang's heart was filled with warmth. He had originally intended to buy clothes for his wife and child, but in the end, he was also getting two sets made.
"Including two sets for this comrade and two sets of plain cotton cloth for the little one, that comes to eight yuan and eighty cents. Please pay two yuan as a deposit."
"You can pick up the clothes tomorrow. I'll prioritize all your orders. My father and I will work overtime today to finish your clothes."
Liang Hongfang, being a shrewd businesswoman, could tell Chen Yang was in a hurry and immediately offered to expedite his order.
For such a large order, prioritization was a given.
"Alright, you busy yourselves. I'll pay the remaining amount and pick up the clothes tomorrow."
With the clothing order settled, Chen Yang's heart was light and happy.
He would be able to see his wife in her new dress tomorrow, and she would surely look beautiful.
The crucial question was, could he light a lamp tomorrow night?
"What are you thinking about, smiling like that?"
As Chen Yang was lost in pleasant thoughts, Shen Xue felt an inexplicable chill down her spine, seeing the corners of his mouth upturned.
This rascal was probably thinking of something embarrassing again!
"I'm not thinking about anything. I'm just thinking about how beautiful you'll look in your new dress."
"You've suffered with me all these years. The only new clothes you had were for our wedding, and even then, your father paid for them. I've failed you."
Chen Yang gently stroked Shen Xue's head. She was only in her twenties, an age when women cared most about their appearance, yet she hadn't worn a new piece of clothing in years.
"Why talk about that? You're making it all up to me now."
"I haven't suffered at all."
"With you and Yanyan, I'm the happiest."
"Besides, now that we're getting new clothes, we'll be building a new house soon. In the entire Shenjiaba Village, which woman is better off than me? If I'm not happy, who is?"
Shen Xue held her head high.
Her man was capable.
He was like a dragon in the sky, waiting for the wind to soar to the highest heavens.
This spring of reform was her man's opportunity, and she believed he would be the most capable man in the world.
"You always say such silly things, only thinking of my well-being."
Chen Yang pinched Shen Xue's delicate nose. The heart of this old man, having lived two lives, couldn't help but ache with emotion.
What had he done to deserve such a wife? What more could a man ask for!
"Daddy, Yanyan also wishes Daddy well."
"Daddy is the best daddy in the world."
Just then, the little child also tilted her head, tugging at Chen Yang's trousers, and spoke softly.
Hearing her childish voice, Chen Yang was filled with boundless happiness.
In this life, he was determined to protect his wife and child, ensuring they lived the happiest lives.
"Let's go, we're going home to build a new house!"
Chen Yang drove the donkey cart, and the family of three was filled with happy laughter all the way.
Meanwhile, in the small courtyard of Chen Yang's home in Shenjiaba Village, Shen Futang was rolling cigarettes one by one. Shen Guangfu's tall companion behind him patted the residual lime from his hands.
Carefully wiping his hands on his clothes, he took a cigarette. He smelled it but couldn't bear to smoke it, so he neatly tucked it behind his ear.
"Uncle, my son-in-law said we should build it spacious, a three-courtyard structure with brick walls and tiled roofs. No mud bricks or anything like that. You estimate the cost."
"When he returns from the city at noon, I'll have him go with you to the brick factory to place the order. Three days after the kilns are fired, we'll start building."
Shen Futang looked at Cui Jianguo's reluctance to smoke the cigarette and felt a sense of pride. He himself used to be reluctant to smoke these rolled cigarettes; they cost thirty-five cents a pack.
But now that his son-in-law was filial and planned to build a brick and tile house, he had status in the entire Shenjiaba Village. He was willing to offer these cigarettes.
After all, what was life about if not for maintaining one's standing!