Qin Xiaoyu had calculated that a single fashion show would require at least two hundred outfits. This was unlike the performances on the stage back home, where there were interludes, music, and some period-specific pieces. Now, she had to produce two hundred actual outfits, which was no small feat.

Fortunately, the current designers are doing a great job.

Xu Jingye's progress in Guangzhou has been astonishing. His designs are very different from Master Liang's. Master Liang now favors a grand and steady Chinese style, while Xu Jingye's style is somewhat unconventional.

He has a very accurate self-positioning. His works all have an indescribable energy, a bit mischievous, a little tempting, but not too much, just enough.

It's very difficult to strike the right balance; if you overdo it, it becomes vulgar; if you underdo it, it lacks dynamism.

He used it perfectly.

For example, the dress he wore when he won an award back in his hometown—his initial design was black. But when it came to making the finished product, to cater to the conservatism of Northeast China, they reluctantly decided to make it pink. Although the effect was still very good, it was only when they changed it to black that they realized the difference between beauty and classic style is significant.

When the model walked out in a black dress, the few black veils fluttering behind her were like the wings of a devil, arousing desire from the bottom of one's heart.

"This kid's got some skills." A Lei usually doesn't offer any opinions, but this time he couldn't help but speak up.

Ever since Jiewei heard from Master Liang that they were going to Shanghai for a fashion show, although he hadn't resigned from Gao Daxiong's job, he often took a few days off and spent day and night at Master Liang's place, designing a few clothes in the hopes of participating.

Qin Xiaoyu isn't a heartless person. She'd already secretly taken advantage of him once, so she'd just pretend not to notice and let him slip in. Besides, Jie Wei is truly talented, and the fashion designs he creates are genuinely beautiful.

On the contrary, everyone was relieved to hear their own serious designer, Zhu Xu, rubbing his forehead and saying he had no inspiration.

"No rush, this isn't urgent, let's think about it slowly," Master Liang stepped forward first. As long as Zhu Xu doesn't make a move, everything is negotiable.

Furthermore, the show was supposed to be for brand building, but this event was quite expensive, so we have to make a profit. It's impossible not to consider sales at all.

Qin Xiaoyu decided to select some popular styles from these two hundred outfits, bring them to the event, and sell them outside the venue.

Each style and size requires more than ten sets, and the preparation time is only three months, requiring the cooperation of several factories to complete.

This had to be added outside of the original production plan, so the pressure was immense. We couldn't afford to rush things at the last minute.

There was also good news from Man Aihong's side. After returning from Shanghai, she continued to work tirelessly to develop business. Although she hadn't recruited a single agent, she received verbal promises from several merchants that if the fashion show at the Friendship Hall was a success, they would immediately come to acquire the agency rights.

These are all shrewd people; they've spotted the key selling point and are just waiting for Sun Moon Apparel to soar to new heights.

She had originally rented a house for Mr. and Mrs. Liang not far away, but when she brought Xu Jingye over this time, she rented the house on the third floor for convenience.

There are three tenants on the third floor. When Qin Xiaoyu went up to discuss buying their leases, two of them refused.

After the third deal was finalized, two other companies approached them, probably because they'd never seen anyone so wealthy and powerful. The contract only had six months left, but Qin Xiaoyu had paid for a year's payment.

The two apartments upstairs were for living, and one was converted into a workspace. After Man Aihong and Zhu Xu arrived, Qin Xiaoyu had no choice but to expand further upstairs. Fortunately, the apartments upstairs weren't worth much to begin with, making them easier to manage.

She had originally wanted to buy an electric sewing machine, but those things make too much noise when they're working, and she didn't want to disturb the neighbors, so she gave up on that idea.

Master Liang and Factory Director Fei were both veteran tailors, and they were very skilled at using sewing machines, while Xu Jingye was far less adept. However, he was willing to learn and quick-witted, and he soon mastered the skills, which greatly enhanced his designs.

Besides the existing fashion shows she already owns, she is still missing ninety design sketches and sample garments.

She first distributed the mass-market styles that could be ordered for production, and then began to organize the design of ninety fashion sets.

The hardest working person this time was Master Liang. He had to design it himself, review Xu Jingye's drawings, and do everything he could to stop Zhu Xu. She didn't want Master Liang to be worked to death.

Zhou Yue, along with designers from her hometown, submitted forty design drafts, but only a dozen or so were usable.

"Why do you feel like I've caused you trouble?" A Lei felt sorry for Qin Xiaoyu when he saw her thinking about it day and night.

"No, you've helped me take another step forward. I don't like standing still." Qin Xiaoyu was hesitant because she didn't want to follow the old path; it was time for a breakthrough.

She and Master Liang had held several meetings, and the main problem they identified was the shortage of fabric.

Qin Xiaoyu really wished she had a space like the ones in online novels, where she could steal all kinds of fabrics from the 21st century, and then she could reach the top.

But she didn't have that; she could only rely on herself.

The most popular fabrics for making skirts on the market now are cotton, georgette (coarse weave), which is also known as Yunfang, and linen.

The production process of flax was still somewhat backward. Unlike later production processes that added cotton and silk, flax in the 1980s was a very rough, mass-produced fabric that could not be well shaped and was very prone to wrinkles when worn. Even a model walking on the runway could cause some wrinkles.

Another type of fabric is a blend called seersucker. It has many small, artificially created bubbles. Because it's inexpensive, it's very versatile, but it's mostly used in small checks or patterns, with very few floral prints. It's a bit plain and considered a budget-friendly fabric.

Then there's silk. The 1980s were the golden age of silk. However, large manufacturers with good sales volume also had large shipments, making it difficult for small, scattered customers like Qin Xiaoyu to purchase silk. It was a very complicated process.

Every fashion item must have its own characteristics and be suitable for the fabric it is made of. Before the fabric is determined, everything else is just theoretical and may not be realized even if you do the most detailed work.

Qin Xiaoyu found Ye Qiu and asked her to take her to Suzhou to buy some fabric. Ye Qiu was familiar with the factories there, which would save a lot of trouble.

"There's a large fabric trade fair in Suzhou, let's go together."

Ye Qiu has now decided that Qin Xiaoyu is someone worth befriending.

She was commendable in both character and ability, and becoming her friend would only bring benefits. So he readily agreed and went to Suzhou with her the next day.

The two traveled by train; Ye Qiu refused to fly, saying he was scared. Qin Xiaoyu didn't bring A Lei this time, which displeased him, but he also realized that traveling with two women wouldn't be convenient.

"This is a one-time exception, and there will be no next time!" Are warned.

"Okay, I promise you!" Qin Xiaoyu seriously pressed a seal on his lips, and A Lei was helpless against her again.