[Gold Powder GL] True Elegance Comes with Knowledge - Chapter 20

Yan Hui paused, slightly taken aback—Qingqiu’s reaction felt a bit intense. But she didn’t overthink it, simply assuming it stemmed from Qingqiu’s attachment to the character. Smiling, she said, “It’s not about what I think. It depends on how you design the character. Of course, I’m just offering a suggestion; ultimately, it’s your story, so you decide.”

“I get to decide?” Qingqiu lowered her eyes, unsurprised.

This was just like Yan Hui. She encouraged Qingqiu to explore new things but never made decisions for her—always asking for her opinion first.

Qingqiu smiled. “Alright. I’ll do my best.”

Yan Hui didn’t catch the deeper meaning in that reply and simply offered a few more words of encouragement. Qingqiu, meanwhile, began openly discussing the main characters’ personalities with her—feeling amused, yet secretly sighing over how oblivious Yan Hui was.

But since Yan Hui hadn’t noticed a thing, Qingqiu felt free to insert all sorts of personal touches into the story.

For the first time, she experienced the pure joy of being a creator. In just a few short days, the story had taken shape. While drafting the outline and developing the character settings, Qingqiu also passionately wrote the first 20,000 words and sent the manuscript to the newspaper.

She had poured a great deal of effort into this work and felt it was a clear improvement over her past stories. Still, when the editor from the newspaper personally came to discuss serialization—and even raised her rate to five yuan per thousand characters—Qingqiu was both thrilled and surprised.

Madam Leng and the Han couple were even more excited—not only because Qingqiu’s pay had gone up, but because they could finally see that she was now capable of supporting herself. For this small family that had long been barely scraping by, it was no doubt a moment of great joy.

To celebrate, Madam Leng personally cooked a full banquet and invited Yan Hui over as a guest.

Yan Hui laughed helplessly. “Auntie, you’re being so formal all of a sudden—I feel too embarrassed to visit. Besides, I didn’t really help much. This is all thanks to Qingqiu’s hard work.”
The more humble Yan Hui was, the more precious she seemed in Madam Leng’s eyes.

Back when Yanxi was pursuing Qingqiu, he frequently sent rare gifts to their home. Madam Leng had been overwhelmed at the time, thinking that if the marriage worked out, she would’ve fulfilled one of her life’s greatest wishes. She believed there could be no better match.

But how could anything given by others compare to what one earns by themselves?

Although she didn’t know what had happened between Qingqiu and Yanxi—why the two had drifted apart and eventually let go—Madam Leng was no longer worried in the slightest.

Living in this era of transition between the old and the new, she found it difficult to embrace many modern things. Still, she understood this was the direction the world was heading. She always held high hopes for her daughter, believing that even as a girl, she could be just as capable as anyone’s son. Yet, she had no clear idea what Qingqiu could actually achieve.

Perhaps even Qingqiu didn’t know herself.

But now, seemingly all at once, Qingqiu had a career of her own, was finding her place in society—and was even planning to attend university.

And Madam Leng had seen clearly who had helped make that possible.

She was genuinely glad that her daughter had made such a helpful and uplifting friend.

Once, she had looked at Jin Yanxi with the eyes of a hopeful mother-in-law and found nothing to complain about. Now, she saw Yan Hui as if she were her own daughter, and cherished her even more.

With her finances finally easing up, Qingqiu gave money to the household. With her worries lessened, Madam Leng began enthusiastically sewing new clothes and making jewelry for the girls—determined to dress them up beautifully. Wanting to please their youthful tastes, she even sent the housekeeper, Aunt Han, to buy pastries from a Western bakery to study and recreate at home.

Busy hands lifted her spirits too, and she seemed more energized than ever.

One day, Madam Leng finished making a new set of clothes. When Yan Hui came by to drop Qingqiu off, she immediately pulled them both inside to try them on.

The moment Yan Hui walked in and saw the dresses hanging on the rack, she exclaimed in delight, “Where did you order these? I don’t think I’ve seen this style anywhere on the street yet!”

“They weren’t ordered from a shop,” Madam Leng replied a bit sheepishly, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear. “I was just passing time at home and decided to experiment. I used the base of a Western dress and added some touches of my own. I think they turned out alright, but I’m worried they look neither fully Chinese nor Western—just something awkward in between.”

“How can you say that?” Yan Hui stepped forward, studying the dresses with genuine admiration. “I’d say you’ve created a whole new fashion style!”

The two dresses hanging on the rack had a Western silhouette, but used traditional Chinese qipao fabric and colors. Delicately embroidered floral vines curled across the hem, seamlessly blending Western and Chinese aesthetics in a way that was instantly captivating.

“You’re exaggerating,” Madam Leng said, ears turning red as she waved her hand modestly.

But Yan Hui responded seriously, “Auntie, you shouldn’t sell yourself short. Just because the West has good things doesn’t mean we don’t. Everyone’s rushing to copy Western styles these days and throwing away our own beautiful traditions. What you’ve done is a fusion of East and West—a fresh take. Calling it a new trend isn’t an exaggeration at all.”

She turned to Qingqiu. “Don’t you agree?”

“I don’t know much about fashion,” Qingqiu said. “All I know is, I love it. I’m wearing it out tomorrow.”

Madam Leng beamed and urged them, “Try it on first. If anything doesn’t fit, I can make adjustments.”

The two girls changed into the new dresses. When they came out, before Madam Leng could say anything, Aunt Han burst into laughter. “Madam, looking at the two of them now—they could be twins!”

Yan Hui and Qingqiu exchanged glances. One dress was jade green, the other lake blue. Aside from the color, everything else was identical—making them almost indistinguishable at first glance. They both couldn’t help but laugh.

Madam Leng laughed along, clearly delighted. “Wonderful! Now I have two daughters.”

Yan Hui slipped her arm through hers and pulled her in front of the mirror. She beckoned Qingqiu over as well, teasing, “Honestly, you don’t look like a mother and her two daughters—you look like three sisters!”

“Oh, come now!” Madam Leng blushed and lightly hit her with her hand. “What a thing to say!”

“It’s true,” Yan Hui insisted. “You look so young. You should dress up more and enjoy yourself. There’s so much fun out there—you’d be missing out if you let it all pass by.”

Qingqiu had said things like this before, but back then, Madam Leng was too weighed down with worries to be persuaded.

But things were different now. Though she hesitated to express it, Yan Hui could tell she was moved. So, she pressed further, “Why wait? Let’s go out today—have a nice dinner and watch a movie.”

Reluctantly, half-pushed and half-coaxed, Madam Leng allowed herself to be dressed and ushered into the car.

As they followed behind, Qingqiu whispered to Yan Hui with a smile, “You’re the one who gets through to her. I must’ve tried a thousand times over the years without any effect.”

“You’re jealous of that too?” Yan Hui reached over to pinch her cheek, laughing. “Honestly, I think it’s because she finally doesn’t have to worry about you anymore. That’s why she’s able to let go and enjoy life. So really, it’s your doing.”

Qingqiu covered her face and muttered, “Then it’s even more your doing.”

“What was that?” Yan Hui didn’t catch it but didn’t mind. She turned and took Qingqiu’s hand. “Come on, don’t keep Auntie waiting.”

Qingqiu smiled and tightened her grip on Yan Hui’s hand.

Being mindful of Madam Leng’s preferences, Yan Hui didn’t choose a Western restaurant. Instead, they went to a traditional Chinese restaurant—which, by coincidence, had recently bought a projector and opened a viewing area. So, after dinner, they stayed to watch a movie.

It wasn’t a foreign romance, but a domestic production.

To their surprise, Madam Leng really enjoyed it. She had always thought that movie theaters only showed love stories for young people, which made her uncomfortable. So, she had always declined invitations. But now that she had seen one herself, she realized how rich and varied movies could be—they weren’t just for the young.

There were even many older people in the theater, and she didn’t feel out of place at all.

Still, Yan Hui noticed that Madam Leng was a little uneasy—not because of the movie, but because of her outfit. At home, her traditional clothing didn’t stand out. But once she stepped outside, it became clear that her old-fashioned two-piece dress had become rare. Even those not wearing Western clothing mostly wore long gowns or qipao.

On the way home, Yan Hui gently suggested, “Auntie, since you’ve been sewing so much lately, why only make clothes for me and Qingqiu? You should make a few pieces for yourself too.”

Qingqiu immediately chimed in, “I already have more than enough. Mom, it’s time you made something new for yourself.”

Yan Hui added, “You don’t have to make matching ones. Just check out what’s popular outside and tailor a few sets in that style—for going out.”

After some back and forth, Madam Leng finally relented. “Alright, I’ll try making two. But at my age, wearing new clothes feels a bit silly…”

“You can’t say that—” Yan Hui started to reply, but was cut off by a sudden scream outside the car.

Startled, she slammed on the brakes and quickly got out to check.

It was almost 10 p.m., and the streets were mostly empty. The dim streetlamp barely illuminated the road ahead. As soon as she stepped out, she saw a woman kneeling in front of the car and gasped, hurrying over. “Are you alright?”

Only then did she notice the woman was holding a child in her arms, sitting dazedly on the ground. She didn’t respond even when Yan Hui spoke.

Yan Hui breathed a sigh of relief—it didn’t seem like they’d hit her.

She didn’t look like a scammer either. More like someone in trouble. Yan Hui crouched down and gently reached toward the child. As expected, the child was burning with fever.

Sighing softly, she withdrew her hand and spoke gently. “Your child is sick. Let me take you to the hospital, alright?”

The word “child” jolted the woman back to reality. She clutched the child tighter and pressed her forehead against his. The heat from his skin made her flinch, and she began to sob. “My poor baby…”

“Don’t cry now. What matters is getting him treated.” Yan Hui helped her to her feet.

The woman finally looked up at her, something flickering in her eyes. “Yes… the doctor…”

She allowed Yan Hui to guide her into the car, her eyes lighting up even more as she saw the sleek vehicle and obediently followed Yan Hui’s instructions.

While Madam Leng helped settle the woman and child inside, Qingqiu had quietly followed Yan Hui out and now stood beside her, watching the pair with concern. “Is she…?”

Yan Hui shook her head, cutting her off. “Let’s get to the hospital first.”

They arrived at the nearest clinic. The woman remained dazed and did whatever she was told—until the doctor mentioned “payment.” Then she visibly flinched and lowered her head.

“I’ll pay,” Yan Hui said simply, and headed out.

Qingqiu followed her. After they paid, Yan Hui glanced at her, then led her to a quiet spot outside. She smiled faintly. “Why are you following me around?”

“She did it on purpose,” Qingqiu said, biting her lip.

Yan Hui sighed. “Maybe she felt there was no other way but to cling to us.”

“You’re going to help her?”

“If it were anything else, I wouldn’t help—and maybe I couldn’t even if I wanted to. But this… this is treatment.” Yan Hui looked up at the greenery outside the window. “Luckily, I can still afford this small expense. Beyond that, though… there’s not much more I can do.”

For some reason, Qingqiu thought she looked incredibly sorrowful in that moment.

Without thinking, she stepped forward, opened her arms, and gently embraced Yan Hui. “Just do what you can. I’ll help.”

“You’re right,” Yan Hui quickly pulled herself together. “Let’s go check on the ward.”

Qingqiu lingered behind, watching her walk ahead. She couldn’t shake the feeling that Yan Hui carried a unique aura—like she could face any challenge with calm clarity, like no hardship could shake her composed optimism.

And yet, Yan Hui seemed completely unaware of this strength. She never wore it like armor. Instead, she quietly noticed others’ burdens and extended a hand with disarming simplicity.

She had already grasped the vastness of the universe—yet still felt compassion for the smallest blade of grass.

Qingqiu was one of those who had been helped. But now, she no longer wished to remain merely a recipient of kindness.