16. Begging Her on His Knees

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In the end, Aunt Guo and Aunt You argued fiercely but didn’t take a single item with them; they could only curse as they left.

Outside, Ning Muhe had been watching from the car ever since Si Yun entered the door. Half an hour later, she saw the veteran embroiderer emerge with a group of people, beaming with joy—though they carried nothing with them, which was a pity.

“Sister Ning, have they really all left the Si City Embroidery Workshop?” Sitting on the other side, also watching the entrance, was Si Mianmian.

“Of course. These people wouldn’t be foolish enough to stay by the side of a fake heiress,” Ning Muhe said angrily, her face flushing red at the humiliating scene she had witnessed the day before. Her hands clenched into fists uncontrollably.

She wanted Si Yun to regret it!
She wanted Si Yun to come crawling and begging!
She would never agree to her grandfather taking the initiative to make peace.
She believed that with her own strength, crushing someone like Si Yun would be effortless.

“Sister Ning, your expression is so frightening right now. Are you okay? Did Sister Si Yun do something bad to make you angry?” Si Mianmian asked innocently.

Ning Muhe quickly composed herself and turned to Si Mianmian.

“Mianmian, remember, you are the true heiress of the Si family. Si Yun is merely a seasoned impostor the Si family hired as your stand-in. Now that you have returned, the Si family has only you as their daughter. Everything must return to its rightful place,” Ning Muhe said darkly.

Si Mianmian looked at Ning Muhe with deep gratitude.

“Sister Ning, I never expected you to care for me and support me like this. When I first came back, I always thought that over the years, Sister Si Yun, you, and Brother Liang all got along so well. I... how could I compare to Sister Si Yun? But now hearing you say this, I’m truly touched. I won’t let down the support you’ve given me. I will make sure this exhibition is a success.”

“Good, don’t put too much pressure on yourself. As for the embroidery pieces, I’ve already contacted other workshops in Su City. The best Su embroidery craftsmanship will be displayed at the exhibition. All you have to do is host the honored guests properly. Once your name, Si Mianmian, is well known, the next Su embroidery ambassador will definitely be you,” Ning Muhe promised. Just then, a knock sounded on the car window.

Ning Muhe looked up to see Aunt Guo and Aunt You.

“Didn’t bring out anything?”

“Si Yun is stubborn. Out of spite, she’d rather not have the Si City Embroidery Workshop’s pieces shown at the exhibition. The workshop is bound to fail under her,” Aunt Guo said, glancing at Si Mianmian and raising an eyebrow.

Ning Muhe snorted.

“That’s fine. Only when the workshop fails under her will Mianmian take over and rise again, showing everyone her true abilities,” Ning Muhe sneered.

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“Well then, what about our agreement...” Aunt Guo said ingratiatingly.

Ning Muhe frowned slightly and took out two checks from her bag.

“This is compensation for you. Don’t worry, you’ll be back soon.”

“Good, good. But this time, we’re taking half of the embroiderers from the Si City Workshop. They all think following Miss Mianmian offers a brighter future. Miss Mianmian, we look forward to you taking over the Si City Embroidery Workshop,” Aunt Guo boasted to Si Mianmian.

Si Mianmian hesitated, then took out a check from her bag as well.

“I don’t have much money, but please help pass this on to the embroiderers. They need to make a living. Before I take over, I hope you can bear with it for a while,” Si Mianmian said considerately.

Aunt Guo looked on approvingly.

“This is the true style of Sister Zhu. Not like Si Yun, selfish and only caring about her own fame and fortune. Miss Mianmian, rest assured, we will all support you.”

Once Aunt Guo and Aunt You left, Ning Muhe turned to give Si Mianmian a lesson.

“Don’t be so kind, Mianmian. These people aren’t good.”

“Huh? Sister Ning, why do you say that? They just helped me,” Si Mianmian said, confused.

“Help? Ridiculous. They only betrayed their master for money. I know better than anyone how much effort Si Yun has put into the workshop these years. These people sold her out for money and will sell you out one day. They will never return to the Si City Embroidery Workshop,” Ning Muhe said decisively.

Si Mianmian nodded, somewhat understanding, as Ning Muhe stroked her hair.

“You just graduated and haven’t experienced much. There’s a lot you don’t understand. I’ll teach you slowly from now on.”

“Okay, thank you, Sister Ning.” Si Mianmian hugged Ning Muhe gratefully, but in that instant, a glint of cunning and pride shone in her eyes.

Inside the Si City Embroidery Workshop.

In Si Yun’s office were four or five people: three veteran employees, a slightly younger embroiderer, and Xiao Han.

“Who was it? Someone from the Si family, or Si Mianmian, or someone else?” Aunt Hua asked.

Si Yun thought for a moment.

“Not from the Si family, not Si Mianmian... it must have been Ning Muhe.”

“Sister He? No way! You’re good friends with Sister He,” Xiao Han exclaimed.

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Aunt Hua was also surprised.

“For Si Mianmian?”

“Yes, but not only that. She probably wants me to admit defeat and continue to obey her. But the Si City Embroidery Workshop was left to me by Grandma. I can’t let it suffer any loss. Handing it over to Si Mianmian is impossible,” Si Yun replied, her expression serious. The others showed mixed feelings.

“But, Xiao Yun, the embroidery workshop is ultimately the Si family’s asset. Given your current status, can you really continue to control the Si City Embroidery Workshop?”

“Yeah, since Si Mianmian came back, there have been rumors in the workshop that you lack the ability to hold on. Today, Aunt You and Aunt Guo took so many people away. Can our workshop really survive? Are we not going to participate in this embroidery exhibition?” the veteran embroiderer asked.

Si Yun considered this.

“We will definitely participate in the exhibition.”

“So just now... were you planning to renegotiate cooperation with the Ning family?” Aunt Hua asked.

Si Yun shook her head.

“I’m going to hold the exhibition myself.”

“What!” Everyone was stunned, and the office fell silent for a long moment.

Si Yun then spoke again.

“I will organize the first Si City Embroidery Exhibition, under our city’s name.”

“Xiao Yun, that’s impossible. Not to mention our embroidery pieces aren’t enough, the Su City Embroidery Exhibition has built a reputation over many years. What’s the point of us doing our own? Besides, the Su City exhibition gathers works from all the top Su embroidery masters. It’s very prestigious,” someone said.

“I know. But Aunt Hua, Si City has the longest embroidery tradition. Most of the workshops were started by Grandma. If this exhibition goes well, the next one will have plenty of allies,” Si Yun replied.

“You’re going up against the Ning family? The textile giant Ning family? Si Yun, that’s too risky,” Aunt Hua disagreed.

Si Yun looked at this trusted elder.

“Give me some time, Aunt Hua. I won’t act rashly without confidence. I won’t gamble with Grandma’s embroidery workshop.”

“Have you found some master artisans?”