With Liu Qingchun out of the way, Chi Yin threw herself into mastering her technical skills. Beyond the general practical training she received at the workshop, she also wanted to seek out Master Zhao for private tutoring.
It had been over ten days since she became Zhao Jianguo’s apprentice, and this was her first visit to his home; she couldn't arrive empty-handed. Returning home, Chi Yin hung her canvas bag on a nail, crawled under the bed, and fumbled for the crumpled eighteen yuan and eighty cents she kept hidden beneath a brick.
This was every cent she possessed. Clutching the money, she found herself in a dilemma. Cheap gifts were embarrassing to present, but high-quality items—like malted milk or brown sugar—would cost at least four or five yuan. After some thought, she realized her best asset was her ability to whip up treats for the children, so she decided to bring some homemade snacks instead.
Chapter 69