Framed again
"Make...make school uniforms?!"
Ling Xiuqing's words stunned everyone present, including the experienced Uncle Lin.
In Shanghai in 1936, so-called "school uniforms" were still mostly simple: a Mao suit for boys and a blue cotton shirt and black skirt for girls. The styles were old, the fabrics were coarse, and the prices were extremely low, making them a marginal market with no profit and no interest.
Using the now-robust reputation of "Zhixiufang" in the high-end fashion world to engage in this thankless student business? This is seen by everyone as a huge "downgrade" and a waste.
"Miss Ah Xiu, this... this isn't appropriate, is it?" Uncle Lin advised worriedly. "Making school uniforms has such slim profits. And those schools are so stingy. I'm afraid we won't even be able to recoup our costs."
"Who said I want to make those outdated school uniforms?" Ling Xiuqing's eyes gleamed with a light that no one could understand, a light that belonged to the future. "I want to make a new era school uniform that has never been seen in Shanghai, or even in the whole of China."
What came to her mind were the British and Japanese-style school uniforms of later generations that were beautiful, comfortable, and a symbol of status.
She turned around and painted an unprecedented blueprint for the group of old craftsmen who were confused about the future:
"I will use 'herb dyeing' to dye these coarse cloths into the softest and most eye-friendly colors. Using natural herbs, I want every school uniform to have the ability to repel insects and mosquitoes, and calm the mind."
"I want to redesign the school uniforms! The boys' suits should be crisp and stylish, and the girls' pleated skirts should be lively and flexible. I want to use minimal embroidery to embroider each school's unique emblem on the collar and cuffs of the uniforms. I want the school uniform to no longer be a constraint for students, but a source of pride and a mobile calling card for the school!"
"I want all parents in Shanghai to believe that wearing Zhixiufang school uniforms for their children is not only for their looks, but also for their health and growth!"
Her words were full of passion and infectiousness.
The old masters were stunned. They had never imagined that an ordinary school uniform could have so many details and tricks!
Uncle Lin was trembling with excitement. He looked at the eloquent young woman before him, as if he saw the shadow of the eldest daughter of the Ling family, commanding the country. No, the Ah Xiu before him, even more than the eldest daughter of that time, possessed a boldness that could revolutionize the world and a foresight that could see into the future!
"Miss... No, Boss!" Uncle Lin excitedly bowed, "Just tell us what you want us to do. We old bones are leaving our lives in your hands today!"
"Yes! Boss, we all listen to you!"
People's hearts were quickly united.
In the days that followed, the entire factory was completely transformed. The old machines were cleared out, replaced by spacious, brightly lit workstations. Ling Xiuqing, along with Lin Bo and others, worked tirelessly day and night to research the restoration of the "Baicao Dyeing" process and began designing the first batch of new school uniforms.
However, the tree wants to be still but the wind does not stop.
Just when the transformation of "Zhi Xiu Fang" was in full swing, a new and more sinister frame-up was quietly approaching.
Although Han Shaoheng was imprisoned, Chuntao was released on bail temporarily after the Han family used some connections because she was "seriously injured" and there was "insufficient evidence" (she was not directly involved in hiring a killer).
Chun Tao, whose hand was broken, had reached a crazy peak of hatred for Ling Xiuqing.
She had lost her beauty, her wealth, and everything she had in high society. She blamed it all on Ah Xiu. She was like a venomous snake lurking in the gutter, lurking day and night, waiting for the chance to strike a fatal blow.
Soon, the opportunity came.
The news that Zhixiufang was going to launch the "Baicao Dye Healthy School Uniforms" spread like wildfire. Chuntao keenly grasped the two key words "healthy" and "herbal medicine".
By bribing a dismissed and disgruntled former employee of Han's Textile, she got a small sample of fabric dyed with "Baicao Dyeing", which was being experimentally performed at "Zhi Xiu Fang".
Then she found a notorious underground doctor in Shanghai who specialized in forging test reports.
Chuntao did not immediately release the report. She was waiting for a chance, a time when this "evidence" could have the greatest destructive effect.
And this opportunity was soon "given" to her by Ling Xiuqing herself.
In order to promote the concept of "Baicaoran Healthy School Uniforms", Ling Xiuqing made many efforts and, with the help of Murong Bai's connections in the cultural circle, successfully persuaded St. John's Girls' School, the most prestigious and health-conscious school in Shanghai, to agree to a small-scale "trial cooperation".
The content of the cooperation is that "Zhi Xiu Fang" provides 50 sets of the latest designed new school uniforms to a class in the junior high school department of St. John's Girls' School free of charge, conducts a week-long trial experience, and collects feedback.
This was supposed to be a perfect marketing pre-launch. The day the uniforms were distributed, the girls were overjoyed. The beautiful, fitted designs and soft, fresh colors immediately made them abandon their old, dull uniforms and become the most beautiful sight on campus.
However, after only three days of trying it on, disaster struck without warning.
In the class, a girl named Lily suddenly fainted in class, and large red rashes appeared on her arms!
The girl was rushed to the hospital. Almost immediately, Chuntao's meticulously prepared test report, claiming that "Zhixiufang fabrics contained the highly toxic Gelsemite," and a photo of Lily, "wearing a poisoned school uniform and fainting from the poisoning," appeared on the front pages of numerous Shanghai tabloids, seemingly orchestrated in advance.
"Ironclad Evidence: A Victim of the "Zhixiufang" Poisoned School Uniforms Has Finally Been Found: A Female Student from St. John's School Was Poisoned and Hospitalized!"
A mother's tearful complaint: Who will be responsible for my daughter's health?
The report included not only the "professional" lab report but also shocking photos of Lily lying in bed, her arms covered in rashes. The reporter also interviewed a "middle-aged woman" claiming to be Lily's mother. She wept heartbreakingly before the camera, accusing Zhixiufang of being so unscrupulous as to poison students for profit.
The appearance of a specific, real "victim" instantly triggered panic among all parents!
All the praise for the new uniforms turned into a deadly poison. St. John's Girls' School was immediately surrounded by angry parents. Under immense pressure, the school immediately sealed all uniforms and publicly distanced itself from Zhixiufang.
Immediately afterwards, the flames of anger spread from the school directly to "Zhi Xiu Fang".
For the first time, an angry crowd of protesters appeared at the entrance of Zhixiufang. They were no longer simply ordinary citizens, but parents of students who felt personally threatened. Holding banners reading "Give me back my child's health," they hurled eggs, rotten vegetable leaves, and even rocks at the golden sign.
The people's hearts and the thriving business that had just turned around were thrown into the abyss again overnight.
This crisis has become more deadly than any previous one because of the "witnesses" and "physical evidence".
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