CHAPTER 86: CHAPTER 86: LONG TIME NO SEE, I’VE MISSED YOU

As soon as Beisitian spoke, the room fell silent, leaving everyone stunned, staring at this girl who had come from the village!

Zhang Ziquan followed behind, feeling like he was struck by lightning. She must not have heard what he said just now, right? Just after warning her to be careful with her words, she says something like this!

Old Nine Zhang Baoju’s eyes widened, and the village girl suddenly seemed charming!

Old Three Zhang Baoguo couldn’t maintain his composure, placing the teacup heavily on the table with a crisp sound.

"You’re speaking to an elder!" Old Three Zhang Baoguo said with a low growl.

Beisitian turned her head once more, her eyes landing on Zhang Baoguo, asking with a puzzled expression, "Elder? Whose elder are you?"

Old Three Zhang Baoguo was instantly choked up and speechless, looking at Beisitian’s unflinching gaze, suddenly feeling that this village girl might not be someone he could easily manipulate!

"I’m older than you, naturally your elder!" Zhang Baoguo said coldly.

Beisitian smiled, "Once I step out of this door, there are plenty who are older than me; wouldn’t that make my elders all over the street!"

"That’s not the same!"

"How is it different?"

Old Three Zhang Baoguo felt displeased being compared to those village brutes, but faced with her question, couldn’t articulate a reason.

He was over fifty years old, yet he was being verbal cornered by a little girl!

Old Nine Zhang Baoju’s eyes sparkled, he liked this little girl more and more; never before had anyone confronted Old Three like this!

Old Three, being the main store manager in Beijing, was used to being pretentious. Moreover, upon seeing Beisitian’s attire, he assumed she was just an unworldly village girl and didn’t take her seriously, simply assuming that like other embroidery women and various shop owners, she would rush to flatter and praise him.

"Little girl, don’t know how your parents taught you, now you’re so disrespectful to your elders, lacking in virtue. Such an embroidery woman, we at Bao Niang Embroidery Workshop wouldn’t dare accept!" Old Three Zhang Baoguo snorted softly, starting his usual threats.

Beisitian glanced at him in surprise, and said, "This old gentleman, I’ve heard you came from Beijing. I thought someone from a large city would have better upbringing and manners, was I wrong? Besides, when did I say I wanted to join your Bao Niang Embroidery Workshop?"

The previous words made Old Three Zhang Baoguo’s face turn sombre; a girl of less than twelve years old actually accused him of lacking manners and etiquette!

Upon hearing her last sentence, his face suddenly tightened, while feeling a sinking inside. He had come earnestly this time to try and recruit this embroidery woman to Bao Niang Embroidery Workshop, but seeing she’s just a village girl, he was dismissive, and this little girl isn’t one to take lightly; speaking as she did, offended him!

Old Three Zhang Baoguo, with a gloomy face, was caught off guard by her words yet wanted to say something to mend the situation.

At this moment, Old Nine Zhang Baoju stood up and walked over to Beisitian, extending his hand and said: "Is it Miss Bei? I went to the exhibition back then, and seeing your embroidery was truly shocking!"

"You’re too kind." Beisitian extended her hand to shake his.

"Miss Bei looks just in her teens, how can you have such superb skills?" Old Nine Zhang Baoju said with a smile.

"Diligent study and practice, overcoming clumsiness with hard work, the heavens reward the diligent." Beisitian responded with a smile.

"Well said, the heavens reward the diligent!" Old Nine Zhang Baoju showed signs of astonishment, this girl’s tone and demeanor exuded confidence and poise, not characteristic of a village girl!

With just a few simple words, the surrounding people could also perceive that this girl was not an ordinary rural girl, and the contempt in their hearts diminished slightly, yet her clothes were clearly not from a wealthy family.

"Girl, we are from Bao Niang Embroidery Workshop, from the Beijing main store; it seems you already know. To be frank, we’ve come today for you!" Old Nine Zhang Baoju said straightforwardly.

He worried Old Three would figure a way to turn things around, though the chances were slim, but there were also two other brothers watching.

"I know; on the way I heard many people trying to find me." Beisitian responded with a gentle smile.

Old Nine Zhang Baoju was startled in his heart; those people acted swiftly, and he couldn’t quite figure Beisitian out. Was she hinting at something?

No one aside, Old Three Zhang Baoguo, although seeing Beisitian not leaving in anger, was talking with Old Nine’s side; if it just happened like this, their side would surely rise.

Never underestimate a talented embroidery woman; embroidery workshops aren’t supported by managers or owners, but by the embroidery women!

The level of an embroidery workshop largely depends on the level of its embroidery women.

"Since the girl knows, then what’s the girl’s intention?" Old Nine Zhang Baoju asked.

Beisitian said nothing, turning her gaze to Zhang Baoguo, as if saying that with such pretentious elders in the embroidery workshop, she’d have to think carefully!

Old Nine Zhang Baoju was amused by her expressive eyes, this little girl was really interesting, almost effortlessly helping to oppress Old Three from the same camp.

"Don’t mind too much, the Third Brother is just this way, not targeting you." Old Nine Zhang Baoju explained.

Old Third Zhang Baoguo’s face turned blue and red, yet at this moment he couldn’t explode; the reason so many people came was that the family head, Old Five, valued highly, required them to recruit this little girl, or else flipping out now would risk family interests, even if Old Five backed him, it would arouse collective resentment!

Yet thinking that the words came from Old Nine made him feel stifled inside!

Beisitian smiled slightly, seemingly truly indifferent, then said, "Is there someone named Zhang Baoxia at your Bao Niang Embroidery Workshop?"

Old Three Zhang Baoguo immediately perked up upon hearing those three words.

"Do you know Baoxia? She’s our shopkeeper in Anma Town." Old Nine Zhang Baoju knew she was about to stir trouble but seeing her smiling face, without knowing the situation, it’s hard to tell if her relationship with Zhang Baoxia is hostile or friendly.

Upon seeing this, he dared not underestimate this girl anymore; this girl is not a simple character!

These people, who’ve lived for decades, can’t gain any advantage in front of her!

"Can I see her?" Beisitian asked.

Old Three Zhang Baoguo seized the opportunity to speak, "Do you know Baoxia?"

If she knew Zhang Baoxia, then recruiting her to Old Five’s side would be simple!

"Yes, haven’t seen in a while, I miss her quite a lot." Beisitian maintained her smile.