The Koi Wife of the Prime Minister

Chapter 128 Strategic Vision

She understood how master and apprentice should get along with each other, and she cherished her master-apprentice relationship with Shen Yan even more.

Shen Yan watched the embroidery work in the hands of Shopkeeper Li with a focused and serious look. She knew that asking Shopkeeper Li to demonstrate his embroidery work in the past half month was not just to check the improvement of his skills, but also to cultivate his observation ability and critical thinking.

"Manager Li, let me see your results in the past half month."

Shen Yan's voice was calm and stern. She was looking forward to seeing Manager Li's progress, but she was also a little worried.

"Okay, Master, I brought everything."

Shopkeeper Li carefully handed the embroidery in his hand to Shen Yan, feeling a little nervous.

She knew that Shen Yan's requirements were always strict, and whether her work could meet Shen Yan's standards had always been a concern of hers.

Shen Yan took over the embroidery and looked at it carefully.

She examined every detail one by one, from the thickness of the lines to the color matching.

Finally, Shen Yan put down the embroidery in her hands and frowned slightly.

"Manager Li, your lines are not smooth enough, and the color transitions in some places are not natural enough."

There was a hint of disappointment in Shen Yan's tone, but more of it was expectation and encouragement.

Shopkeeper Li felt a sinking feeling in her heart when she heard this; she knew her own shortcomings, but she couldn't change them immediately.

"Yes, Master. I will try my best to improve." Her voice was slightly apologetic, but full of determination.

Shen Yan nodded, indicating that Shopkeeper Li could continue working hard.

"Very good, Shopkeeper Li. Only through continuous efforts and improvement can you become an excellent embroiderer."

Shen Yan's voice revealed encouragement and expectation. She believed that Manager Li would be able to overcome his shortcomings and embark on the road of growth. However, Shen Yan did not think she was that great. She had to learn more before she could teach Manager Li other things.

Although this inspection revealed Manager Li’s shortcomings, it also provided her with a valuable learning opportunity.

She will devote herself to study and practice with a harder attitude and constantly improve her embroidery skills.

And Shen Yan will continue to provide guidance and help to her, work together and grow together.

On the other side, Sister Xiaolan also closed her stall.

After closing the stall, Sister Xiaolan did not forget what Shen Yan had asked her to do and went to Guifang's house alone.

"Guifang, is Guifang at home?"

As soon as we entered the yard, Sister Xiaolan called out.

"Yes!" Guifang came out of the house to greet her. When she saw that it was Xiaolan, she was a little surprised. "Sister Lan, what are you here for today?"

Sister Xiaolan explained the whole story to convey Shen Yan's intention, which was that Shen Yan's business was now busy and he wanted to find someone to help him and get paid.

Guifang was a little hesitant.

"This, this, is this really okay? I'm not very efficient at work, will people dislike me?"

Sister Xiaolan thought she was worrying too much, so she consoled her: "You are too pessimistic. We know your personality. You are gentle and don't talk much, but you speak the truth. It is because of your honesty that I introduced you to Sister Yan."

"At first, I was just like you, afraid of gossip. But later, I became busier with Sister Yan. Even if the neighbors gossip, will it matter? They are just jealous of me making money!"

Sister Xiaolan's words were purely based on experience, because human hearts are hard to predict, and most of the villagers in this remote area can't bear to see their neighbors living better than themselves.

After she finished speaking, she added, "Besides, Sister Yan made those delicious dishes in front of me. You see, I have seen the secret recipes of her business that supports her family. Doesn't this mean she trusts me? That is to say, there are still good people. We just need to live our own lives. By the way, if I ask you to go and see Sister Yan cooking, don't tell anyone the recipe!"

Sister Xiaolan likes Shen Yan very much and is grateful to her. It is because of the wages Shen Yan pays her that her life, her children and her husband are much better now and they can eat meat every day.

Guifang nodded: "I know this. They asked me for help because they trust me. How can I disclose their secret recipe? I won't be a traitor, don't worry."

Sister Xiaolan smiled and patted Guifang on the shoulder: "Okay, it's settled. I have to go back first. Sister Yan is probably still waiting for me at home."

Guifang also went along. She settled her children at home and then went with Xiaolan.

Sister Xiaolan had to push the dining cart. When the two of them returned to Shen Yan's house, they found a horse-drawn carriage parked outside the door. They were a little surprised. Where did the horse-drawn carriage come from in this village?

Looking at the eyes of the villagers, there is envy and jealousy, but most of them are not well-intentioned and have quite a bit of gossip.

Sister Xiaolan didn't care and led Guifang straight into the yard, pushing the dining cart, and shouted as she walked, "Sister Yan, I'm back!"

In front of the door, Shen Yan was talking to Shopkeeper Li.

After Shopkeeper Li became Shen Yan's apprentice to learn embroidery, he did not leave immediately, but talked a lot with Shen Yan in the yard.

When I saw Sister Xiaolan pushing the food cart in, I suddenly recognized her.

"Xiang Xiang Shop! This is the shop I ate at when I came to Guandao today. The food was so delicious. I didn't expect it was opened by you, Master."

She still remembers the roujiamo and bamboo shoots she had for lunch, and thinking about them now still seems delicious.

Shen Yan smiled happily when she heard Shopkeeper Li praising her. "As long as you like it, it's fine. The food I cook is in line with the tastes of ordinary people, which is rare. I have to thank you for taking care of my business."

In this way, Shopkeeper Li also understood that the reason why Shen Yan didn't want to accept him as an apprentice before was because he ran such a large snack stand and the business was quite good.

Since Xiaolan and the others were back, Shopkeeper Li had no plan to stay any longer and prepared to leave with Chunjuan.

"Ms. Shen, we won't bother you any more today. We'll visit you another day."

Shen Yan smiled and nodded, "Okay, Shopkeeper Li, come back another day. If you need any help, just come to me."

Manager Li and Chunjuan quickly bowed to express their gratitude. Then, they turned around and left, stepped into the carriage, and slowly drove out of Shen Yan's yard.

Shopkeeper Li decided to find a yard close to Shen Yan in this village to rent.

Shen Yan saw Shopkeeper Li off and gave her some bacon and rice wine that she had made herself as a token of her appreciation. After all, Shopkeeper Li came to become her apprentice today, so she gave her a gift.

Standing at the door, Shen Yan watched Manager Li leave in a carriage and was about to go home, but at this moment, neighbors from the village came up to join in the fun.

"Sister Yan, this is incredible. Is there a distinguished guest at home?"

"Look at that noble lady just now, she was wearing gold and silver, and looked like a lady from a wealthy family. Why was she hanging out with Sister Yan? It seems that Sister Yan does know how to make some connections."