The final step is burnishing.
This is a process that makes the material flat and smooth.
Under certain temperature and pressure conditions, the material is calendered at a speed of 500 meters per hour.
This requires a machine called a "calender".
There's no time to work with Schmidt on the machines now, so Shen Qing plans to omit the calendering process.
Anyway, it's just the lining fabric; there's another layer of material for the outer layer. The edges and corners of the down jacket will be sewn on, so the lining fabric won't be exposed. For now, we don't need to worry about whether it's smooth enough.
It's okay to be a little rough around the edges for now.
I'll think about the calendering machine later when I have more time and money.
Having figured all this out, Shen Qing felt much more at ease and reassured.
The pleasure she gained from her career lessened the regret in her relationship, and she wasn't as upset as before.
Who among adults doesn't have regrets?
No life is perfect. Learn to coexist with regrets and savor the bittersweetness of life.
Seven days later, Shen Qing completed the chemical treatment of the lining cloth.
She settled the female workers' wages in advance and let them go home to rest for a while.
She took the prepared lining cloth and a bolt of silk to the tailor shop and cut out the material for twelve vests.
Ten of them were to be used as samples, and the other two...
One item for Qi Zhenheng.
The reason we were able to find free silk fiber raw materials was entirely thanks to him.
Shen Qing did not forget his contribution, so she also made one according to his measurements.
There's one more thing... I need to give to Cheng Zhiwen, something I promised him before.
The first down jacket must have been his.
Shen Qing secluded himself in the factory for three days and three nights, completing the production of twelve down vests, from sewing to filling and sealing the edges.
Looking at the ten dark brown down vests laid out on the table, Shen Qing let out a long sigh of relief.
Looking back on the journey of making them, all that she had given and experienced, Shen Qing wanted to cry.
It wasn't easy, it really wasn't easy.
On the table were also twelve silk bags made to fit the down vests, each bag just big enough to fit a down vest inside.
Shen Qingzai carefully packed the items and then put the ten samples into a box.
Looking at the other two items left on the table, he thought for a moment, picked up one of them, and walked out of the factory.
When Old Xu saw her come out, he quickly took down the chair he was using as a footrest and placed it under the carriage.
Shen Qing quickly got into the carriage and said, "Old Xu, to the prefect's office."
"Okay!"
The carriage sped towards the prefectural government office.
Shen Qing sat by the car door and asked Lao Xu, "Is Boss Cheng still in Guangzhou?"
"I heard from He Fei that Boss Cheng returned to Shanghai a few days ago."
"How is he in Shanghai? Have the Japanese caused him any more trouble?"
"There shouldn't be."
Despite what Lao Xu said, Shen Qing was still worried, fearing that he might be retaliated against by the Japanese in Shanghai.
I felt nowhere near as at ease as I had when I heard about others in Guangzhou a few days ago.
Upon arriving at the prefectural government office, Shen Qing got off the carriage carrying a silk bag and several bags of sesame cakes he had bought along the way, and went to stroll around outside the courtroom.
Since Qi Zhenheng wasn't in the courtroom, he must be in the study, so they went to the backyard.
The guard at the gate saw her and greeted her with a smile: "Boss Shen, it's been a long time since you've come to see Lord Qi!"
Shen Qing handed over several oil paper bags, saying, "I bought these on the way here, they're still warm, eat them quickly!"
The constables accepted the bags with smiles and each received one.
This is a pure meat sesame flatbread, fried until golden and crispy on the outside, and sweet and chewy on the inside. Everyone ate it with beaming smiles, and someone even joked:
"If Boss Shen were the wife of the prefect, living in the prefect's mansion, we'd definitely have delicious food every day!"
"Isn't that right? Boss Shen is beautiful, kind-hearted, and generous. With her as the wife of the prefect, everyone in our prefecture is blessed!"
Shen Qing laughed heartily and joked, "You sold Lord Qi to me for just a sesame seed cake? If Lord Qi finds out, you'll be in big trouble!"
After saying that, he smiled and turned to go into the courtyard.
At the beginning of summer, the jasmine flowers in the yard are in bloom, and their faint fragrance fills the air.
Qi Zhenheng, dressed in a long white robe, sat at the stone table, drinking tea and reading a book.
Shen Qing smiled and stepped forward, calling out, "Lord Qi."
Qi Zhenheng looked up and saw that it was her. He stood up in surprise: "Shen Qing, what brings you to the prefect's office today?"
Shen Qing put the bag on the table and said, "I've come to give you a gift to express my gratitude."
"grateful?"
“Yes!” Shen Qing opened the bag, took out a navy blue down vest, and compared it to Qi Zhenheng’s body. “This is a winter vest made with a new material that I recently developed.”
Qi Zhenheng paused for a few seconds before looking down at the vest she was gesturing to herself: "Did you make this yourself?"
Shen Qing chuckled twice, a little embarrassed: "Actually, the tailor cut out the design, and I just sewed it on."
After saying that, he unbuttoned the top three buttons, held them in his hand, and gestured for Qi Zhenheng to try them on.
Qi Zhenheng was pleasantly surprised and spread his arms wide, allowing Shen Qing to put the vest on.
Shen Qing went around to him, stood in front of him, and helped him button up his shirt.
He looked down at her, his gaze moving from her full forehead to the tip of her nose, and finally to her hands as she buttoned his shirt.
Qi Zhenheng thought of his own mother, who had also gently helped his father get dressed in the same way...
"Alright!" Shen Qing clapped her hands, looking at her work with satisfaction.
Qi Zhenheng snapped out of his daze and looked down at his clothes.
It's a bit chubby, but very light and warm.
The soft, bouncy fabric felt like a baby's skin as I touched it.
"What do you think of this dress?" Shen Qing asked.
Qi Zhenheng thought for a moment and said, "It's very light, warm, and soft, making me feel very comfortable."
He used three words. Shen Qing thought for a moment and then asked, "You used the words 'light,' 'soft,' and 'warm' to describe it. If you were to choose the most outstanding quality from these three words, what would you choose?"
After a moment of reflection, Qi Zhenheng uttered a single word: "Warmth."
Shen Qing clapped excitedly.
The most basic function of a down vest—keeping warm—is highlighted here!
The remaining lightness and softness are merely icing on the cake.
She is now confident enough to take samples to meet clients.
No one can resist this dress!
We can go to Europe now!
Next step: prepare the boat tickets!
Thinking of this, Shen Qing told Qi Zhenheng how to wash and care for the down vest, and then prepared to say goodbye.
Remembering that she hadn't yet explained to him why she gave him this garment, she briefly mentioned, "Lord Qi, the lining of this vest was made from amber leather given to me by your friend. If it weren't for your help, I might not have been able to find the raw material yet."
She bowed deeply and sincerely, saying, "Thank you again!"
Qi Zhenheng quickly helped her up.
She looked at him and said, "I'm going to Europe in a few days and may not be back for a long time. I'll bring you some delicious food when I come back!"
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