For three consecutive days at Jiang Ling's place, Rong Dai did not learn anything about acting.
On the first day, the two drank tea at Jiang's home until they nearly fainted.
On the second day, Rong Dai cooked. Not proficient with modern cookware and some complex dishes, she opted for simple handmade noodles.
On the third day, they played chess, one of Jiang Ling's three hobbies - drinking tea, playing chess, and Tai Chi.
Huo Shao Ting also accompanied her for three days. Over time, the two got along better, and he discovered Rong Dai's excellent qualities.
Drinking tea and playing chess require cultivated temperament and skill. She was very patient and composed.
In this day and age, unless it's one's profession or comes from an affluent family background, few young people have the patience to learn such time and energy consuming practices. Huo Shao Ting knew Jiang Ling's mastery of tea and chess, though the old fellow only started in middle age, he had decades of experience.
Yesterday Rong Dai unexpectedly beat him, piquing his curiosity about his wife.
"Shao Ting, I can go myself today. The company still needs you for many things. With a driver to take me, Uncle Jiang won't make things difficult for me, so don't worry."
After getting dressed, Rong Dai thought this was already the fourth day.
Him accompanying her on the first day made sense since it was the weekend. But going with her for three consecutive days made Rong Dai feel like "the emperor neglecting court duties". If company matters were delayed further because of her, she would have no defense.
Huo Shao Ting looked at her and nodded, naturally pecking her forehead.
He wanted to get closer to her, little by little, to understand everything about her.
She was like a hidden treasure, revealing new mysteries as each layer was uncovered.
But he also knew not to rush this. She no longer rejected his closeness, he could feel her changing.
He had the patience to wait for her.
"Okay, I'll pick you up after work, then we'll go for dinner."
Over the past three days, a tacit understanding had formed between them. The initial ardor and excitement still lingered but was less intense.
"Okay." She nodded. Her leg was improving with daily therapy and walking was no longer an issue, just no running or jumping yet, or walking too long, or it would still hurt.
The couple went downstairs to find Lu Zheng and Huo Mei Shu already seated at the dining table. Huo Mei Shu looked at Rong Dai with unconcealed amusement.
This embarrassed Rong Dai a little but she sat down calmly.
Lu Zheng had witnessed the changes between the two clearly these days and felt relieved.
"Sister-in-law, I have something to tell you."
As Rong Dai sat down, Huo Mei Shu looked at her mysteriously and said.
Lu Zheng also looked over and took out the handkerchief Rong Dai had embroidered to show her, "Did you really embroider this yourself?"
The exquisite embroidery astonished Lu Zheng. At first, she worried Rong Dai had spent a fortune somewhere to curry favor.
This was pure hand embroidery, different from machine work.
So she specifically asked experts, even sisters trained together had slight differences.
But she asked many to examine it and no one in the capital had such skills, at least ten to twenty years were needed.
Even if someone did, they would have reputation in the industry, custom works but not random pieces like this.
Rong Dai nodded, thinking Lu Zheng disliked it, and quickly explained, "If mother doesn't like it, I'll embroider another."
"It's not that, but your embroidery skill..." Lu Zheng caressed the stitches, feeling incredulous.
Initially displeased with this daughter-in-law, Lu Zheng had acquiesced since her husband and son did not object.
After recent events, she was even more unhappy but bore it for her son's sake.
But Rong Dai's changes were noticeable, not just to her son and daughter. Though unexpected, it was good.
Seeing her hesitation, Rong Dai thought there was an issue with her work and anxiously asked, "Mother, where did I embroider poorly?"
Although Huo Mei Shu chose fine threads, selection depended on the fabric, affecting thickness and texture.
"Sister-in-law, it's that your skills are too good. Remember you said you felt bored? So mom got you a job, but you've been busy these days."
Anxious, Huo Mei Shu jumped in to explain.
Only then did Rong Dai relax, sincerely thanking Lu Zheng, "Thank you, mother."
Lu Zheng smiled, sensing Rong Dai's respect.
She didn't expect a daughter-in-law like her daughter. Another Huo Mei Shu would give her a headache, her two sons already worried her enough.
"It's good you have this skill. The Huo family won't let you suffer, but times have changed. Unlike the old thinking, a woman who only serves her husband and teaches her children is backward."
Lu Zheng said slowly, having Wang Ma take the handkerchief for safekeeping.
"It's an old friend's mother-in-law's 70th birthday in two months. The old lady dislikes extravagance and expensive things. She wants something hand embroidered, old folks like such traditional gifts."
Rong Dai considered, then nodded, "Two months is rushed but a longevity quilt is doable."
"Make a quilt?" Huo Mei Shu was surprised by her sister-in-law's novel idea.
Rong Dai didn't think it strange. In her previous life, she had made one for the Empress Dowager, though due to the Emperor, Her Majesty could only treat her dutifully, never using that quilt.
"It's hot now, a thin quilt is okay." She earnestly answered Huo Mei Shu.
"A quilt is good, practical for an elderly lady." Lu Zheng fully agreed.
Sitting there listening to the women converse made Huo Shao Ting feel like an audience.
Since when could she embroider?
Could his wife be accomplished in the four arts?
"No, Rong Dai needs to study with Uncle Jiang these days. No time for this, embroidery strains the eyes."
He promptly declined for Rong Dai. He said she should strive for some things herself but not work so hard.
