Chapter 25: Establish a Private Relationship with Me
Faced with the accusatory gazes around her and Su Hexi's tough attitude, she dared not disobey. She took out the money tremblingly, wrote a letter of guarantee as Su Hexi requested, and pressed her fingerprints.
Su Hexi took the money and the letter of guarantee. She leaned forward slightly and smugly whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear: "Copying my stuff? Do you have the guts to claim it as your own? I'm telling you, if it's not yours, it's not yours forever. Whatever money you made from my design, you have to pay it back to me today, with interest. From now on, behave yourself!"
After she finished speaking, she straightened up, regained her graceful smile, and said to the customers around her, "I'm sorry, everyone, for this little incident. I've made you laugh. From now on, please look for the 'Xi' mark for guaranteed quality."
This farcical plagiarism scandal ended with Su Hexi's complete victory. Her reputation was not damaged at all, but instead became even more deeply rooted in people's hearts thanks to this clean and decisive counterattack and the small "Xi" mark.
The shop's business picked up again and was even more stable than before, because it attracted loyal customers who recognized her designs and quality.
Zhou Lin, who had been standing guard at the door and witnessed the whole process, looked at his wife's clear and calculated appearance, which eventually led to a great victory. There was no disappointment or shock in his eyes, but instead he was filled with incredible amazement and deep pride.
She was smart, decisive, and resourceful, knowing how to protect herself and fight back. That calmness and dominance were unlike anything he had ever seen in a woman before.
He even felt a ridiculous sense of relief: if her family hadn't collapsed and fallen on hard times, how could a poor worker like him have married such a dusty pearl? She wasn't a scourge, she was his lucky star!
Late at night, the shop was silent.
Su Hexi's bed curtains were slightly open.
Zhou Lin lay on the floor, staring at Su Hexi's bed, unable to sleep. As soon as he closed his eyes, the dazzling whiteness and breathtaking curves he had seen earlier emerged uncontrollably, causing his body to tense up and he turned over in irritation.
He tried to find something to say to break the suffocating silence and dispel the inappropriate thoughts in his mind.
"Xiaoxi...is asleep?" he asked in a hoarse voice.
Su Hexi's extremely impatient growl immediately came from behind the curtain: "Shut up! Go to sleep! Get out if you make any more noise!"
Zhou Lin immediately fell silent and dared not say another word.
There was no more movement behind the curtain, as if Su Hexi had fallen asleep soundly.
Zhou Lin kept looking at her bed. He didn't know how long he would have to wait before he could share a bed with her. She was beautiful and smart, and even though she was bound by marriage, he was worried that she would run away and leave him forever.
Early in the morning, Aunt Zhang came to pick up the clothes, and Su Hexi immediately handed the made clothes to Aunt Zhang with a smile.
Aunt Zhang looked at the clothes and was very satisfied. Suddenly, she thought of something, "Master Su, your craftsmanship is so good. You can go to the Autumn Canton Fair held by the Red Star Garment Factory this year. Maybe your design will be selected."
Canton Fair!
Su Hexi's eyes lit up instantly!
That is one of the most important windows for opening up to the outside world! If she can seize this opportunity, she will have a future with unlimited possibilities.
But she also knew how difficult it would be for a self-employed person with no background or education to compete with a large state-owned factory. Who would take her seriously, the experienced factory workers or academic designers? But she refused to believe it!
Her ambitions extend far beyond opening a small tailor shop. She longs for a bigger stage, for more people to see her designs. She wants to shine, and even if it's just the smallest opportunity, she'll do her utmost to seize it!
"I'll try!"
Zhou Lin, who was cleaning, paused and clenched his hand holding the broom slightly.
Su Hexi immediately poured all her energy into preparing designs for the Canton Fair. She pulled several all-nighters, creating three sets of clothing designs that she believed best represented her current state of the art, while also embodying the characteristics of the times and international aesthetics.
One is a unisex casual suit that combines elements of a Zhongshan suit with a modern silhouette, one is a silk dress that incorporates the artistic conception of Chinese ink painting, and the other is a neat and capable trouser suit for professional women.
She sent the design drawings to the Reform Office of the Red Star Garment Factory.
As a result, he was impatiently sent away by the security guard and office staff: "Go away, go away, you are a private tailor, what are you doing here?"
It is easy to see the King of Hell, but it is difficult to deal with little ghosts.
Su Hexi knew it was not wise to confront these opportunists head-on, so she said softly, "Please give me a chance and let me submit my manuscript. If I am selected, I will never forget your kindness!"
She said all the nice things she could, but the office staff refused to give her a chance to submit her manuscript.
Seeing that the submission deadline was about to pass, Su Hexi was getting anxious. Finally, she made up her mind and decided to take a big gamble.
She waited in advance at the intersection that the factory leaders had to pass through after get off work.
When she saw several factory leaders walking out while talking, she plucked up her courage, took her carefully prepared design drawings and a sample garment she made by herself that best reflected her craftsmanship, and rushed forward!
"Director! Leaders! Please give me a minute! Take a look at my design! Take a look at my workmanship! Give me a chance!" She spoke in a loud voice, with unquestionable confidence and eagerness, and almost raised the drawings and samples in front of the leaders.
Several leaders were startled by the young woman who suddenly rushed out, and instinctively frowned and wanted to scold her, but their eyes were quickly drawn to the object in her hand.
The sample was exquisitely crafted, with fine, even stitching and a crisp, three-dimensional shape. The design was particularly striking, neither as rigid as the factory's old styles nor as fanciful and unrealistic as some submitted designs. It cleverly balanced innovation and practicality.
The bespectacled factory director pushed his glasses and looked at Su Hexi, "You are..."
"My name is Su Hexi, and I run a private tailor shop. I earnestly request the leaders to take a look at my work! I believe my designs can bring orders to the factory!" Su Hexi spoke quickly but clearly.
Several leaders exchanged glances. Although the girl in front of them was a self-employed person, her things were indeed interesting.
"How about this," the factory director pondered for a moment, "Come back to the office with us and tell us about your design in detail."
Su Hexi was ecstatic, knowing that the opportunity had come!
The factory director's office is spacious and bright, exuding the majesty of a leader of a large state-owned factory.
"My name is Tang Yuelin, please sit down." Tang Yuelin invited Su Hexi to sit down, his attitude was polite and even respectful.
Tang Yuelin was in his early forties, wearing a neat suit, with his hair neatly combed. He had a serious face, and his eyes behind his glasses were like a bottomless pool.
Su Hexi did his best to explain his design inspiration, market positioning, requirements for craftsmanship and cost control.
Her vision and professionalism were recognized and appreciated by Tang Yuelin.
"Ms. Su, the Canton Fair is a great opportunity to take you and your designs to the next level."
He paused, observing Su Hexi's expression, and continued in a nearly rational tone, "But you have to know that there are many excellent masters in the factory, and the number of applications is limited. Many things are not as simple as they seem. Sometimes, success requires some extra help, or in other words, an exchange."
The smile on Su Hexi's face froze. She had a premonition of something, "What do you mean?"
Tang Yuelin lowered his voice, his face still serious and upright. "I admire you very much, not only your talent and courage, but also your youth and beauty. If you are willing to establish a close, personal relationship with me, then I can use all my resources and influence to ensure that your design will be the factory's key recommendation and shine at the Canton Fair. You will gain fame, and naturally, profit as well."
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