Chapter 31: So Beautiful

Chapter 31: Chapter 31: So Beautiful

"Wanwan, can you fire the pottery bowls now?" As soon as the three days were up, Aunt Liu was waiting bright and early in the Lu Family’s courtyard.

When she arrived, several other curious family members had come with her.

Among them was Zheng Qing. She hadn’t been having an easy time these past few days, never expecting the gossip about Su Wan to change so quickly.

The truth was the complete opposite of what she’d believed.

’Could Su Wan actually be the victim, not someone with a genuinely bad reputation?’

But Zheng Qing didn’t believe it. She had come to see the truth for herself.

"Yes, we can, Auntie. Take a look at these designs first and see which one you like." Su Wan handed her the design sketches she had drawn yesterday. They were all patterns for plates featuring a red "double happiness" character.

The moment Aunt Liu took them, she fell in love. "These are just too beautiful, Wanwan! I can’t choose between these designs."

"There’s no rush, Auntie. I’ll fire one of each first so you can see how they turn out. You can decide then."

"Also, what about the size? What size do you need?"

Su Wan sat in the courtyard, working on a clay plate. All the tools had been purchased cheaply from the Victory Team.

Aunt Liu stood to the side, watching her work the clay as if it were child’s play. Su Wan shaped a plate, then placed it in the small earthen kiln to be fired.

When it came out, it was already formed. Then, she applied the colors.

The morning passed, and several red celebratory plates were finished. Su Wan presented them to Aunt Liu to choose from.

In her left hand, Aunt Liu held one with a large red "double happiness" character and a magpie; in her right, she held one with the character and pomegranate blossoms.

The other family members held plates featuring the "double happiness" character with peonies and other designs.

These were all very fashionable patterns for the time.

"They’re so beautiful. How are they even prettier than the ones at the supply co-op?" one of the women couldn’t help but exclaim, falling in love at first sight.

Aunt Liu also couldn’t bear to put them down. "And these are pottery, not even porcelain. I never thought pottery could be made so beautifully."

"Wanwan, I’ve decided. I’ll take this one with the ’double happiness’ character and the pomegranate blossoms. It signifies many children and many blessings. It’ll bring good fortune to my daughter." Aunt Liu quickly made her choice.

Su Wan asked, "Auntie, how many do you need? I can start firing them for you now so I don’t waste your time."

"I need sixteen sets. The number sixteen... it’s a perfect match for the pomegranates. Just perfect," Aunt Liu said, the auspicious words flowing from her instantly.

Zheng Qing stood nearby, staring in shock at the celebratory plate in her hands. She secretly tried to squeeze it, attempting to crush it and prove that Su Wan’s creations were defective.

Her fingers turned red from the effort, but the plate remained whole and solid.

Clearly, the quality was excellent. It was truly comparable to what was sold at the supply co-op, and the patterns were even prettier.

Zheng Qing couldn’t help but scoff inwardly. When she saw Aunt Liu give Su Wan money, she felt even more sour.

"Aunt Liu, how can you give her money? Is Su Wan going into private business?" Zheng Qing asked in feigned shock, as if she had caught her doing something wrong.

The other women, who had been admiring the plate designs, couldn’t help but look over. They all stared at Su Wan with curiosity, each with her own thoughts.

Su Wan pretended not to notice. She could feel Zheng Qing’s hostility and knew the reason for it. ’Lu Zhengchuan might as well be a male siren,’ she thought. ’He’s just too popular, attracting all this unwanted attention.’

"This is 1978, the second year since the government reinstated the college entrance exams. The whole country is undergoing reform and opening up. Private businesses are permitted by the state. I know you ladies are probably worried about me, but since it’s the policy, someone has to be the first to do it."

"If I can run a small business and earn a little money, it can help improve our family’s situation." Su Wan was completely forthright.

Zheng Qing was unconvinced. "An iron rice bowl is still better. Su Wan, don’t tell me you’re only trying to start a business because you can’t find a job?"

At that time, private business owners were looked down upon; an iron rice bowl was considered the proper path.

Hearing this, Su Wan simply smiled. "Sister-in-law Zheng, my family isn’t as well-off as yours. Besides, I have a child in my belly to raise, and there will be many more expenses in the future. I don’t mind how I earn money, as long as it’s not illegal."

Zheng Qing was left speechless and snorted. "Well, isn’t that just because you spend too much? Look at all the fine things your family uses."

"Your face is so fair. You must be using a lot of that clam oil cream."

"If you used less of that stuff, you wouldn’t be so tight on money." Zheng Qing pointed accusingly and clucked her tongue. "I’m starting to think the old rumors were right. Su Wan, you just don’t know how to live frugally. I wonder if Battalion Commander Lu can even afford to support you."

Su Wan looked at her smug expression and just rubbed her belly. "Lu Zhengchuan buys all these things for me. He won’t listen even when I tell him not to."

"I’ll be sure to tell Lu Zhengchuan."

It was a seemingly simple sentence, but it revealed a truth: Su Wan had a man who doted on her, while Zheng Qing’s husband clearly didn’t.

Zheng Qing’s face instantly turned green. She opened her mouth to say something else.

But Zhao Qing cut her off, smiling at Su Wan. "Wanwan, I’d like to buy a Great Saint Pottery Bowl set for Little Hao. It would be even better if the chopsticks and spoon could have patterns on them too."

"Of course, Sister-in-law. I can have it done for you in about three days." Su Wan accepted the job, grateful for Zhao Qing’s favor.

"Wanwan, I’d like a set too!"

Su Wan’s pottery bowls were genuinely beautiful. The other women couldn’t resist and also placed orders. It wasn’t a huge amount for each, but buying a set or two for their children was no problem at all.

Su Wan took on the jobs and accepted the deposits.

That evening, Lu Zhengchuan came back from his office, carrying prepared meals as usual. He saw Su Wan happily eating her food with a side of pickled radishes and couldn’t help but ask, "I heard you’re selling pottery bowls?"

"Mhm," Su Wan nodded, not pausing as she picked up more food with her chopsticks. "The ladies in the compound have been so supportive. I just thought if I could help them out, I would."

"But you’re pregnant. When are you going to the clinic for a check-up? Don’t overwork yourself. We have enough money, and I have another mission coming up soon. I’ll get a bonus when I complete it," Lu Zhengchuan urged, his eyes full of worry.

Su Wan lifted her beautiful eyes and explained, "I haven’t had any morning sickness lately, probably because I’m further along. I won’t push myself too hard. I’m actually planning to find someone to help. That way, I won’t get tired, but the bowls can still be fired."

Lu Zhengchuan wasn’t worried that Su Wan was lying to him.

She just wasn’t that kind of person.

"Alright. As long as you know what you’re doing." Lu Zhengchuan’s hand, which had subconsciously moved to put a piece of meat in her bowl, paused, and he placed it back in his own.

Su Wan noticed his small movement. Her eyes curved into a smile, and at the same time, she reached out with her chopsticks and placed a few slices of stir-fried meat into Lu Zhengchuan’s bowl.

Lu Zhengchuan saw the meat in his bowl. His chopsticks touched it, and without picking up anything else, he ate the pieces Su Wan had given him.

"When do you leave for your mission?" Su Wan asked, concerned, upon hearing the news.

It was the first time a family member had ever asked him that. His expression softened. "The day after tomorrow. I’ll be back as soon as I can. Xiao Li isn’t going, so I’ve asked him to come by the house every day. If you’re too tired to cook for yourself, just have Xiao Li get meals for you from the canteen."

Although Lu Zhengchuan was jealous of Su Wan’s good relationship with Xiao Li, he also trusted Xiao Li to take good care of her, so he could only accept it.