Chapter 18

Chapter 18

Jiang Yiwei charged more, plain and simple.

"You charge a whole yuan more just for a little extra flair?"

To Wu Li, that extra yuan could buy a lot.

Jiang Yiwei’s face went blank, giving nothing away.

"Look, I’ve told you—if it’s too pricey, go somewhere else."

Jiang Yiwei wasn’t budging.

She knew Wu Li’s game—she wanted the fancy designs but didn’t want to pay for them.

"You charge more than other tailors—don’t you feel even a little guilty?" Wu Li had never seen anyone as brazen as Jiang Yiwei—charging extra without a hint of guilt.

"Guilty? I earn every cent with my own hands and mind. I sleep just fine."

Wu Li wanted the designs without the cost, hoping Jiang Yiwei would budge. But Jiang Yiwei wouldn’t compromise.

Nor would she feel guilty. She charged more because her craftsmanship was worth it.

"Hey, if you're not serious about ordering clothes, you can leave. Don’t waste my time."

No real interest? Jiang Yiwei wasn’t wasting her time.

"I—I’ll take it." Jiang Xiaomei’s voice wavered slightly.

She worried Jiang Yiwei might say no.

Wu Li had a point—Jiang Yiwei did charge more. But as Wu Li admitted, Jiang Yiwei’s clothes were different. To Jiang Xiaomei, that alone was worth the extra.

Most importantly, she wanted to turn heads.

"Xiaomei, other tailors don’t rip people off like this. Let’s go to them."

Other tailors were cheaper—why overpay?

"Outside tailors can’t make clothes this pretty."

Jiang Xiaomei wouldn’t settle for some hack.

"Xiaomei, you’re being foolish. It’s not worth it." Wu Li was itching for Jiang Yiwei’s clothes but wouldn’t own up—and didn’t want Jiang Xiaomei getting them either.

"Wu Li, how about this—you go to another tailor, and I’ll stick with Jiang Yiwei."

Three yuan was no big deal for Jiang Xiaomei.

If Wu Li couldn’t handle the price, she could scram. But Jiang Xiaomei was staying.

"Play the fool if you want. Not me."

Wu Li huffed off, fabric bundled angrily under her arm.

Jiang Xiaomei bristled. Who did she think she was, snapping like that?

Liking it but finding it expensive, I regret coming with Wu Li.

"Jiang Yiwei, I'd like to have a dress made."

Jiang Xiaomei was afraid that because of Wu Li's issue, Jiang Yiwei might refuse to make clothes for her. She really loved the dresses Jiang Yiwei made.

Jiang Yiwei smiled and took the pale blue fabric from her hands. "Don't worry, her issues are hers; yours are yours."

Naturally, she wouldn’t take out her frustration with Wu Li on Jiang Xiaomei, nor would she refuse to make clothes for Jiang Xiaomei because of Wu Li.

Every customer is welcome, and Jiang Yiwei wouldn’t turn away business.

As usual, Jiang Yiwei confirmed Jiang Xiaomei’s measurements, asked about her preferences for the dress, and shared her own ideas with her.

Jiang Xiaomei didn’t quite understand, but she could imagine how beautiful the dress would look on her.

She had full faith in Jiang Yiwei.

Finally, Jiang Yiwei and Jiang Xiaomei agreed on a pickup time for the dress.

After putting away the fabric, Jiang Yiwei returned to the workshop.

As soon as she got back, Hong Su and He Xiaofeng asked her about it. Jiang Yiwei explained that someone had come to have a dress made.

He Xiaofeng and Hong Su were relieved, and the three continued chatting until it was time to resume work, diving back into their tasks again.

At night, under the harsh light of the bulb, the entire Jiang Sanjie family gathered around the old dining table for dinner.

Jiang Sanjie and his wife, along with Jiang Haolin and his wife, chatted among the four of them.

Jiang Yiwei ate her rice, lost in her thoughts.

Just as she was about to reach for more food, Jiang Sanjie scooped some scrambled eggs and placed them in her bowl.

Seeing Jiang Yiwei look up at him, Jiang Sanjie gave her a warm look. "You’ve lost weight recently. Have more eggs—you need the protein."

Jiang Yiwei took it gladly.

If there was food, of course she’d eat it.

"Tch!" Jiang Yuexin, sitting nearby, snorted coldly.

She was clearly displeased.

Jiang Yiwei naturally heard it and grinned smugly at Jiang Yuexin before putting the eggs in her mouth, making a show of enjoying them as if they were the most delicious food in the world. This only made Jiang Yuexin angrier, and she could only vent by jabbing her bowl angrily with her chopsticks.

"Yuexin, stop banging your bowl—just eat," Jiang Haolin frowned, unhappy with her behavior.

"Fine, I’ll eat! Happy now?" Jiang Yuexin snapped.

In this household, Jiang Yuexin wasn’t particularly afraid of Jiang Sanjie, but she was a little scared of Jiang Haolin. So even though she was fuming, she could only shoot daggers at Jiang Yiwei.

Huang Manjun piled more food onto Jiang Yiwei’s plate. "Yiwei, you really have lost weight lately. Eat more and gain some weight."

Huang Manjun had seen everything Jiang Yiwei had been doing recently.

"Thanks, sis," Jiang Yiwei naturally understood what Huang Manjun was referring to.

Lately, the factory happened to be rushing a batch of orders, and Jiang Yiwei had also taken on extra sewing jobs. The two overlapped, leaving her buried in work.

After finally wrapping up all her busy work, Jiang Yiwei finally had some free time to properly rest.

"Yi Wei, your factory job should be your main focus. You should stop taking private sewing jobs."

Zhang Cuifen always believed that even for a temp worker, being a seamstress in the factory was better than sewing clothes for others.

Moreover, it was tiring—coming back from the factory and immediately working on those clothes. She also knew Jiang Yiwei had been overworked at the factory lately, it’s made her lose weight. Since she was already a seamstress in the workshop, she should just drop the side hustle.

Sewing for others was inconsistent work.

It would be better to prove herself at the factory and try to get a permanent position.

"No."

Jiang Yiwei refused to give up sewing for others.

This is how her career starts—how could she just quit? She’d be a fool to abandon it.

"You should be focusing on finding a way to become a permanent worker. That’s the real goal. Landing a steady job means securing an iron rice bowl. How many clothes can you sew for others? Those jobs could dry up any day."

Zhang Cuifen insisted that securing a permanent job was the real task at hand. Sewing for others might earn some money now, but the work could disappear at any moment.

Why focus on that? It would be better to put all her effort into becoming a permanent worker.

"Mom, you’re talking about becoming permanent? The factory is full of old-timers with pull, all waiting for a chance to get permanent status. Someone like me doesn’t stand a chance—no money, no connections."

Become permanent?

Just as Jiang Yiwei had told He Xiaofeng before, as a recent temporary hire, she’d never get made permanent.

"Who says? Didn’t you know that person who recruited you—what’s her name, Zhang? We could grease her palm a little and ask her for help. There’s always a way."

Earlier, Jiang Yiwei had even sewed a blouse for the recruiter as a thank-you.

Why not spend a little extra and ask for her help in finding a way to transition from temporary to permanent?

"Sanjie, don’t you agree?" Zhang Cuifen was particularly enthusiastic about pushing Jiang Yiwei to become permanent.

Jiang Sanjie gave a nod. "Becoming a permanent worker is indeed more important."

He naturally agreed that securing a permanent position was crucial.

Once she became permanent, it would be like holding an iron rice bowl—no more worrying about getting axed like a temp.

Jiang Yiwei knew that, at present, factory jobs were cushy and in high demand, with no fear of unemployment. But when the layoffs hit, the so-called "iron rice bowl" would no longer be iron.

Of course, she didn’t mention this to them—after all, it was a matter for the future.

"Dad, Mom, I understand. If there’s a chance to become permanent, I’ll go for it."

"But Mom and Dad, I’m not quitting sewing for others. I won’t give that up."

She’d be a fool to abandon sewing for others—this was her career.

"Why won’t you listen to us? Your father and I only want what’s best for you."

For some reason, Jiang Yiwei had become so stubborn lately, tuning them out completely.

"Cuifen, if Yi Wei’s set on it, let her." Jiang Sanjie believed that if she wanted to continue, let her.

"Mom, I think it's pretty good. Yiwei's working a temp job, and the pay isn't great. But her side gig sewing for people brings in extra cash—what's wrong with that?"

If Huang Manjun had Jiang Yiwei’s skills, she’d probably take on sewing jobs too.

Yiwei worked all day and sewed in her free time—it was tiring, sure. But Huang Manjun knew the money wasn’t bad. From what she’d seen, Yiwei was clearly making good money.

No wonder Yiwei toughed it out instead of quitting her sewing work. If it were her, she’d do the same in her shoes.

"Manjun's right. It's good for a girl to save up more money."

Haolin agreed with Manjun. He thought Yiwei was doing well. Sure, it was hard work, but who wasn’t working hard these days? Making bank was what counted.

With Haolin and Manjun’s support, Jiang Yiwei felt even more confident. "Mom, look—big brother and sister-in-law support me continuing to sew for others."

"Alright then!"

With her husband and son both backing Jiang Yiwei, Cuifen couldn’t keep pushing her to quit.

"Sis, if you ever need my help, just let me know. Whatever I can do, I’ll definitely help you."

Jiang Weilin wanted to support Jiang Yiwei—he didn’t want her to overwork herself.