Qin Xiaoyu felt relieved and responded wholeheartedly, while A Lei's hands became increasingly restless.

If Qin Xiaoyu hadn't still retained some rationality, they probably would have fought a fierce battle on the fallen leaves.

When the two hurriedly returned home, everyone stared at them with strange looks.

Since A Lei had chosen the location for building the house, Qin Xiaoyu simply handed over all the work to him.

Arena, who was usually a carefree person, looked dejected after a day out. Back in his room that evening, Qin Xiaoyu couldn't help but tease him, "You chickened out already?"

"If it weren't for you, why would I have endured such hardship?" A Lei said, pulling her over. Qin Xiaoyu realized that in front of him, she was like a rag doll, completely defenseless.

The two had just settled down on the sofa when they saw a pair of eerie green eyes staring straight at them.

Since Cake came back from A Lei, she has been staring at him and following him every step of the way, wishing she could stay in his arms forever.

As soon as A Lei raised his hand, Cake stepped on Qin Xiaoyu's leg, jumped into his arms, found a comfortable position, lay down, and began kneading.

"Hey, this is my territory," Qin Xiaoyu protested, grabbing Cake's ear. Cake forcefully pulled the ear back, shook it a few times, and glared at her with disgust.

"This cat is a spirit!" Qin Xiaoyu said angrily.

"There's something else I've been forgetting to give you," A Lei gestured towards the table.

Qin Xiaoyu picked up the notebook, flipped through a couple of pages, and became engrossed in reading. She sat down on the carpet and began to read attentively.

A Lei really put a lot of effort into her. This is an investigation report written by A Lei: an analysis of the sharp decline in the sales of Yue Clothing in Shanghai.

"Out of touch with reality?" Qin Xiaoyu said, distressed.

"This is the main issue in Shanghai. Shanghai is a metropolis with a high degree of inclusiveness, but it also has its principles."

"Then why did sales go so well when the counter was first set up?" Qin Xiaoyu was still puzzled.

"I'd guess it was probably because it was novel. The main designer at the time was Zhou Yue. Zhou Yue had been to many cities and even abroad, and she would buy high-end styles from overseas. Her mother had a high level of cultural literacy, which was gradually instilled in her daily life. So even though she didn't study fashion, she had a unique eye. Such designers often create clothing that is both meaningful and insightful."

"You mean there's a problem with Master Liang's design?"

"His problem is that he is too conservative, which only limits his audience. Master Liang has never traveled far from home. He learned from a master craftsman before the liberation and learned traditional techniques. His improvements are Chinese clothing improvements on their own and have nothing to do with the international market."

"What you said makes a lot of sense." Qin Xiaoyu became even more discouraged.

If what A Lei said is true, then if even the master's skills are insufficient, how can he teach a good apprentice? That explains why so many students would rather buy magazines and plagiarize other people's works.

"Given Zhou Yue's condition, it's difficult for her to come out and help me immediately."

“You need to cultivate a new successor. Zhou Yue alone can’t support a brand. Besides, her capabilities aren’t enough,” A Lei said bluntly.

"Finding a week or month is already difficult enough, I don't know how to continue."

"The counters in Shanghai probably won't last long. If you want to gain a foothold, you have to change. The counters in these northeastern cities should be fine for the next two or three years because there are no substitutes for now. Southern cities generally don't expand into the northeast; they have higher aspirations and are eyeing a larger market. It's hard to say what will happen in the future." A Lei's analysis was very rational.

It was clear that Qin Xiaoyu was in a bad mood, so the next day A Lei accompanied her to the clothing factory.

"The haute couture studio is quite impressive; the craftsmanship of these artisans is superb, even comparable to haute couture studios in Paris. It's just that the design studio is too weak." Aret looked around and examined some more drawings, shaking his head the whole time.

"Does this mean I have to go out and study?" Qin Xiaoyu was a little tempted.

“You want to manage the business, oversee the design, and handle the sales. Even if you’re willing to sacrifice yourself, I’m not willing. I still need my wife.” A Lei immediately dissuaded her from the idea.

"Then what do you suggest I do?"

“Repositioning. What kind of target audience should the Riyue Apparel brand be? And then cultivate the corresponding designers.” A Lei’s words gave Qin Xiaoyu a glimmer of hope.

She was simply lost in the mountains.

Yes, positioning.

Clothing isn't just about being new, unique, and high-quality to attract buyers; it's about the target consumer group.

"Why don't you talk to Tang Wenwen about it? Maybe she can give you some advice," A Lei said, hesitating slightly.

It wasn't until she spoke with Tang Wenwen that evening that Qin Xiaoyu understood why A Lei had hesitated.

When Miranda left Shanghai, she visited the Sun Moon Clothing counter.

"She criticized our fashions as worthless, and I didn't tell you because I was afraid you'd be angry." Tang Wenwen knew she couldn't hide it anymore.

"Go ahead and tell me, I can handle it."

When Miranda saw the Sun and Moon clothing, she used the word "unbelievable" three times in a row.

“These clothes are a pile of shit,” she said bluntly.

“Your designers are all about sensationalism; they have no idea what their fashion is supposed to bring to people. They just steal things from others and call it innovation!” Miranda picked up a dress. “I don’t even know how to describe it.”

"It's a best-selling item at department stores, and it sells very well."

"Next season, it will disappear from people's sight forever, and no one will ever touch it again. The designer simply doesn't understand fabrics. Silk is the least durable fabric, and a single water stain can ruin a cream-colored fabric. People in mainland China don't yet consume to the point of wearing something once and then throwing it away, so no one is willing to spend money to bring back a precious item."

Miranda was right, and Qin Xiaoyu had no way to refute her.

"She said our designers are still at a kindergarten level, they can only imitate, and they think they can design." Tang Wenwen said everything she could, and although Qin Xiaoyu was sad, she still comforted her a few times.

Qin Xiaoyu's prized Sun Moon Clothing collapsed to the ground with a single point from Miranda, shattering beyond repair.

She suddenly realized that success was far from easy, as she had imagined.

"What's wrong? Did you get frustrated? My little princess?" A Lei walked into the room, glanced at Qin Xiaoyu who was lying on the bed in a starfish position, and chuckled.

"Don't bother me." Qin Xiaoyu quickly curled up; she was very hurt.

“It’s not that bad. Actually, I hope you can retire now, and then we can have two more children, travel around with four children, go to the places we want to go, and live the life we ​​want to live.”

"Do you really think so?" Qin Xiaoyu turned around, and A Lei hugged her, lay down next to her, and gently hummed in agreement.