Chapter 19 Chapter 19 He still has her name tattooed on his lower back...
In a clothing company, the boss is responsible for business management, while the design director is responsible for style design. However, in reality, the design director also needs to pay close attention to market conditions and costs.
The greater the losses and the greater the financial pressure on a company, the more rigid its brand style design becomes. The only goal of the entire company, from the boss to the employees, is to make a profit in the short term.
Given Kelly's current situation, no matter how talented and unique the design director is, he can only maintain the current status quo. If drastic changes are to be made, only the boss can make the final decision.
Xin Tong told Ai Ling about her idea of learning from a well-known designer in the industry.
I thought she would think this idea was a waste of time and a fantasy, but unexpectedly, Ai Ling's eyes lit up instantly.
Former president He Xiangrong and several previous CEOs had little understanding of fashion design itself, focusing more on costs and returns. As a result, Ai Ling was stuck in the middle, unable to flourish.
If the new boss is professional, this will be an unprecedented big change.
Ai Ling helped contact Chen Wen, a well-known designer in the circle.
"We both studied abroad at the Royal College of Art in the UK, and Chen Wen was my senior back then, so we were kind of friends. She spent a few years as artistic director at Kim, and later directed the spring shows for several other major international brands. Last year, she started her own studio and brand."
"Oh, by the way, she must be quite busy lately. I heard she's collaborating with the popular up-and-coming actor Leong Lok Ming on a magazine shoot!"
"Liang Luoming, Mr. Xin, you know him, right? He's the actor who's been very popular recently."
Ai Ling is usually a drama fanatic. When talking about this topic, she started to talk about Xin Tong, praising Liang Luoming for his regular features, bright and smooth lines. From the perspective of a fashion designer, it is simply perfect from all angles. No wonder he is so popular now, with many magazine resources, and is simply the darling of the fashion industry.
"Ha ha."
"Look, Mr. Xin! This is the picture I saved yesterday. Isn't it handsome?"
"Ha ha."
"Boss Xin, if you run into Liang Luoming when you go to see Chen Wen, could you help me get a To signature?"
"Ha ha."
Ai Ling finally realized something was wrong. How did the boss become an AI? The next second, she saw the boss put away his fake smile, his lips stiff, and said "I'm going first" before disappearing like the wind.
Liang Luoming’s To sign?
Xin Tong stepped on the accelerator of the pink Rolls-Royce and thought quietly in her heart.
She has more than that.
The popular actor even has her name tattooed on his lower back.
…
Xin Tong took a half-year break from school during her sophomore year and traveled around the world. It was in London that she met the then-unknown Liang Luoming.
A rising actor, suppressed and blacklisted by his agency, dejectedly takes his entire savings and travels abroad to relax. The two meet at sunset in London, a classic romance unfolding. The innocent young man, unable to resist the seasoned lover Xin Tong, falls head over heels in love within two weeks, earnestly promising him a career in the entertainment industry.
After confirming their relationship, the two returned to China. Xin Tong couldn't change her nature and went to a nightclub to have fun, but was caught on the spot by Liang Luoming.
Xin Tong still remembers that scene. She was playing poker with the handsome guy mouth to mouth, and the next second she saw the little puppy standing at the door, with hurt and sad eyes, biting his lips not wanting her to see the tears in the corners of his eyes.
In his hand, he held a diamond ring that he had bought with all his savings.
She was the one who initiated the breakup. There was nothing I could do. She was already a jerk enough, so I shouldn't waste her time any longer. Liang Luoming left without a word and has been spending every day on the set ever since, working his way up from supporting roles to acting, single-mindedly pursuing his career. Last year, he won Best Actor for his film masterpiece, becoming the youngest winner of the Best Actor award. He has achieved both fame and fortune, and his stardom is bright.
Now when Xin Tong recalls these things, she no longer feels any emotion, at most a little guilty.
It's best not to provoke a heartless and lustful person like her. Never have any contact with her or meet her again is the best option.
*
Drove all the way to Chen Wen’s personal studio.
Chen Wen opened the door enthusiastically.
Xin Tong secretly looked around and didn't see anything related to her ex-boyfriend.
I breathed a sigh of relief and finally felt at ease.
Chen Wen's studio is filled with a wall of design awards. She's a rising star in the industry, particularly skilled in suit design. The more Xin Tong looks at her, the more she sees potential.
It doesn’t matter who you learn from?
Is it possible to only learn from the Jiang family?
When Xin Tong thought of Jiang Chongyan's cold eyes, her whole body tensed up like Pavlov's dog, and she unconsciously wanted to cover her butt.
But she immediately thought that this was just a dream she had because she was guilty. In fact, Jiang Chongyan had never done such a thing. Instead, he hated her so much that he would quickly retreat away when he saw her.
Even if they knew she had such a dream, they would become angry and scold her for being hopeless.
What's even more shocking is that in reality, she was the one who spanked Jiang Chongyan and pinched his head the first time they met.
...Then the car stalled instantly, and I could only put my hands down from my butt awkwardly.
The post on XHS titled "Spanking and pinching the heads of big shots" went viral, with hundreds of comments added every day. However, no one offered any advice. Instead, they were all waiting to follow up, like the ones taking a shit and no one handing her toilet paper.
Xin Tong thought angrily and desperately that this situation was truly hopeless.
Since the Jiang family's path is blocked, she should be allowed to find another way out.
…
She chatted with Chen Wen.
The other party didn't know her intentions, they only knew that she was the daughter of the Morikawa Group and that Junior Sister Ai Ling was acting as a go-between.
Any industry depends on money and relationships. For a company as large and powerful as the Morikawa Group, it is imperative to socialize and make friends.
Therefore, Chen Wen was extremely enthusiastic. The two sat on the sofa, added each other on WeChat, and had a very pleasant chat.
"This is how the industry works. There's no first place in literature, no second place in martial arts. Artistic things look the same to the layman; only the expert knows the ins and outs. It's easy to become a 60-point designer, but it's incredibly difficult to become a 90-point designer. Tailors used to value master-apprentice relationships and teaching by example, but today's designers emphasize work experience for major brands for precisely this reason."
Xin Tong originally thought she was talking about her previous experience as an art director at Kim.
But unexpectedly, Chen Wen shook his head.
“What helped me the most was the experience of learning the basics of the craft from my master.”
"Without him, I wouldn't be where I am today."
Your master?
Xin Tong's breathing suddenly stopped.
"Who is your master?"
The question was framed in a declarative tone. Xin Tong stared at Chen Wen's mouth and, along with her, mentally uttered the answer she had already guessed.
"Jiang's suit, Jiang Yuanbin."
Jiang Yuanbin can practically claim to have numerous students around the world. With a rich and extensive family heritage, he's already the foremost tailor in China, yet he maintains no airs of superiority. He never subscribes to the "teaching the apprentice to the death" mentality of hoarding knowledge, and he generously passes on his knowledge and influences. Many of his protégés have gone on to become influential figures in the fashion industry.
He was not after money and never charged a cent for teaching his apprentices. He did not even consider seniority. As long as someone was talented and willing to learn, he would be willing to teach even if they were an unknown newcomer.
He is a master and a leading figure.
When it comes to craftsmanship and basic skills, there is no one better than him.
…
Xin Tong couldn't help but think of the women's suit that He Chuan asked Jiang Yuanbin to customize for her when she was eighteen years old.
At eighteen, society’s definition of adulthood begins, and she is happily preparing to study in the United States.
At the age when she likes skirts, high heels and bows, she stood in Jiang's studio with red, green and yellow hair, wearing the first suit of her life.
The construction period was five months, with many trials and adjustments.
Exquisite workmanship, slim fit. One-of-a-kind, only one in the world.
Xin Tong stared blankly at herself in the mirror.
Sharp, chic, and lines.
She, whom I had never met before, gave me the only chance to be eighteen years old in my life.
There was a vague, unfamiliar smell in the air—the damp smell of a heavy iron being heated and used repeatedly.
There was an entire huge cabinet in the room, standing from floor to ceiling, neatly displayed with thousands of intricate patterns. In the window stood a straight mannequin, wearing an authentic British suit made by Jiang Yuanbin himself, a top hat on his head, a handkerchief neatly arranged on his chest, and spotless leather shoes.
Eighteen-year-old Xin Tong looked up, dazedly gazing at the glass display window at the entrance of Jiang's studio.
There was a line of words written there:
“Fashion passes, but style lasts forever.”
“——Coco Chanel”
…
Twenty-two-year-old Xin Tong sat on the sofa in Chen Wen’s personal studio.
His eyes passed through Chen Wen and looked at the display cabinet behind her.
The cabinets are filled with various design awards and social photos with various big names in the industry.
And right in the middle of everything, where it could be seen at a glance, there was an old photo placed upright.
It was a photo of Chen Wen and Jiang Yuanbin.
Cluttered background with a sewing machine and a mess of colorful fabrics on a table.
The girl was casually wearing a loose T-shirt and slippers. She looked young and innocent, smiling happily and making a scissors hand gesture.
The old man was wearing a British slim-fit khaki suit, which was neatly ironed and had no wrinkles.
Below the photo frame, the handwriting in black marker is old, vigorous and powerful, and every stroke expresses the earnest message to the favorite student.
——"As Heaven moves forward, a gentleman should constantly strive to improve himself."
Signed: Jiang.
…
Xin Tong's hands were shaking slightly.
She knew she could no longer convince herself to look for an alternative.
She doesn't know what beauty, spirit, or fashion are.
She didn't know what clothes represented, what style meant, or what role clothing played in the long history of human civilization.
She only knew that the surging emotions in her heart had been telling her one thing:
In the entire circle, there is no one better than Jiang Yuanbin.
If you want to learn, learn from the best.
*
Xin Tong silently made up her mind.
The two chatted for a while, and when Chen Wen was still asking Xin Tong if she wanted to have dinner together later, suddenly, the doorbell rang.
Chen Wen's face suddenly lit up with joy.
"Wow, what a coincidence today is!"
"My distinguished guest is here!"
Distinguished guest?
Xin Tong suddenly panicked.
It can’t be Leong Lok Ming!
Oh my god! Aaaaaaaah!
She immediately stood up and froze in place like a groundhog, her heart pounding like a drum. She wanted to escape but didn't know where to go, and her mind was blank.
——But she didn't expect that the next second the door opened and she was met with those familiar indifferent eyes.
“…”
People really do laugh when they are unlucky.
Xin Tong showed the same forced smile as Sa Beining.
Compared with this person, it would be Liang Luoming.
It’s a pity that the door has been opened, Schrödinger’s cat is dead, and there is no second possibility.
Jiang Chongyan walked in leisurely.
His coat was wet with rain and he felt slightly cold.
He shook the wet hair on his forehead, then tilted his head and looked at Xin Tong in front of him.
"It seems I came at an unfortunate time."
He spoke each word with a half-smile on his face.
Although he was talking to Chen Wen, his eyes were always fixed on Xin Tong.
"Otherwise, why is there someone in your family who keeps imitating Sa Beining, smiling with a fake smile."
Xin Tong quickly picked up her bag, put it on her arm, and walked towards the door. She smiled and made a lot of telephone receiver gestures to Chen Wen, pretending to be a company boss with a lot of things to do.
"I'm leaving first."
"No!" Chen Wen enthusiastically pulled Xin Tong back, pressing her shoulders as she sat on the sofa. "It's a good opportunity for us to get to know each other!"
"This is Ms. Xin Tong, the daughter of Chairman He Chuan of Morikawa Group and the president of Kelly Women's Wear."
"This is the grandson of my master, Mr. Jiang Yuanbin! We've known each other for many years. He used to be incredibly talented, and he could grasp things instantly. None of my master's disciples could compare to him. It's a pity that he wasn't interested in this anymore and went into other fields."
Jiang Chongyan was entrusted by his grandfather to bring some things to Chen Wen.
Chen Wen was delighted and tried his best to facilitate this turbulent conversation between the three of them. Xin Tong could only continue to sit there with a smile on her face, and for the eighth time, she picked up the teacup on the table and lowered her head to drink water.
She remained silent, but the two of them continued to chat in a relaxed atmosphere. Chen Wen did all the talking, with Jiang Chongyan occasionally responding lazily.
"How is Master's health lately?"
"Same old. Okay."
Xin Tong suddenly interrupted,
"The body is the capital of revolution. The elderly live a lonely life, so it's best for their children and grandchildren to visit them every week. The old saying is true. Go home often to visit. It is precious and beautiful. Let's encourage each other!"
There was a moment of silence.
Xin Tong felt Jiang Chongyan's scrutinizing gaze sweeping over her.
As if it had substance, it stayed on her for a moment, then gently moved away.
Chen asked, "Oh, by the way, I know Master is from Jinling, and I've always missed the flavors of home, so I bought some Jinling specialty salted duck. They said it's very good! I'll come visit you in a few days."
Xin Tong interrupted again,
"Yes, this duck must be delicious. Master Jiang had better go back this weekend and have dinner with the old man."
“…”
The blond man opposite stared at her for a moment, then suddenly sneered.
"No. I'm allergic to duck."
Chen Wen was surprised and a little regretful when he heard this, "Huh? When did it happen?"
But Xin Tong understood.
Thinking of their first meeting, she felt guilty and didn't dare to look at him again. She stammered and lowered her head.
She was very good at reading the air and stood up again.
"I'm really leaving this time."
Before Chen Wen could try to hold him back any longer, the doorbell rang again the next second.
This time, all three of them were slightly stunned.
Who else could it be?
Chen Wen walked to the door and was surprised to see the person on the surveillance screen.
"Hey, what's going on? Why are there so many distinguished guests today?"
"Why is the famous star Liang Luoming here too?"
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