Chapter 811 New Partner Bao Xiangxiang.
He immediately made a long-distance call back to the factory in Suicheng and found Bao Xiangxiang.
“Sister Xiangxiang, we’re about to set up shop in Haishi. We’ve got to handle design, production, and sales. We need someone to oversee everything, and you’re the first person I thought of. How about it? Are you interested in taking on this responsibility?” Lu Qingyang got straight to the point.
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, followed by the sound of soft breathing.
Bao Xiangxiang is now an absolute backbone in the garment factory. She is adept at everything from production to quality control, and she also handles interpersonal relationships well.
Going to the sea means starting from scratch, which is more challenging, but it also undoubtedly opens up a wider world.
"Director Lu, if you trust me, I'll go."
Bao Xiangxiang's voice came quickly, without any unnecessary words, and with her usual straightforward and responsible tone, "I will hand over the work here in Suicheng as soon as possible."
“Okay,” Lu Qingyang said with a slight smile.
"After you arrive, you'll have to put in a lot of effort in terms of designer decisions, store management, and dealing with various departments in the city. The situation here is more complicated than in Guangzhou, but it also offers more room for maneuver."
After hanging up the phone, Lu Qingyang felt much more at ease.
Bao Xiangxiang is capable, meticulous, and most importantly, she's family, so she's trustworthy.
With her in charge of the city, I can focus more energy on more distant goals.
Bao Xiangxiang had only been in Haishi for a few days when she followed Lu Qingyang to explore all the small tailor shops hidden in the alleys along the main commercial streets.
She has a keen eye for detail, not only looking at the style, but also paying attention to the stitching, overlocking, and lining.
On the side of an inconspicuous side street, there is a small storefront with a simple sign that reads "Skilled Tailors," and the glass is polished to a shine.
Through the glass, Bao Xiangxiang's gaze was drawn to a light lilac dress hanging inside.
The dress had a simple design with no extra decorations, except for a few inconspicuous pleats on the side of the waist, which immediately gave the whole dress a flowing sense of line.
She pushed open the door and went in; the bell jingled softly. The shop was small, and inside, a mother with gray hair and reading glasses was bending over, pedaling a sewing machine with a steady yet rapid rhythm.
A girl in her early twenties sat on a small stool nearby, her head down, carefully ironing the collar of a shirt with a tiny iron.
Upon seeing a guest arrive, the girl raised her head, revealing her delicate face and bright, calm eyes.
"Comrade, do you need clothes made or altered?"
Bao Xiangxiang didn't answer directly, but walked closer to the lilac-colored dress and gently touched the rolled hem of the skirt.
The stitches were fine and even, almost invisible, and the seams of the lining were also neatly finished. "Did you make this dress yourselves?"
“I drew this picture, and my mom and I made it together.” The girl put down the iron and stood up.
Her mother also stopped pedaling and looked over through her reading glasses, her eyes filled with the caution of a craftsman.
Bao Xiangxiang revealed her identity, saying she worked at a clothing factory and thought their craftsmanship was excellent. She wanted to invite them to work in the factory, specifically to be responsible for producing high-standard finished products and new designs.
After the girl listened, her mother and daughter exchanged a glance, then gently shook her head, her tone gentle yet firm: "Thank you for your kind words, comrade, but we're used to doing things on our own. We're running this little shop, and although we won't make a fortune, we're content with our freedom. Every piece of clothing, from design to production, can be made according to our own ideas. We don't want to be subject to too many constraints."
Her mother also spoke up, her voice hoarse from years of hard work: "Working for others has many rules and regulations, it's not as comfortable as being your own small business owner. My daughter and I are just trying to make a living and have some peace of mind."
Bao Xiangxiang didn't insist; she understood this dedication to craftsmanship and the importance she placed on herself.
She left a business card from the Jasmine brand store on the clean cutting table.
"It's alright, everyone has their own ambitions. It's just a pity that you have such good skills. If you change your mind in the future, or want to take some custom orders that our factory specifically requires, you can come to me at this address. The wages are negotiable, and the work is quite meticulous."
The mother and daughter glanced at the business card but did not immediately refuse.
The daughter carefully put it into the drawer.
As she emerged from the tailor shop, Lu Qingyang waited at the door. Seeing her calm expression, he knew the outcome.
Bao Xiangxiang glanced back at the bright glass window, where the mother and daughter had already buried themselves in their work again.
A few days later, Bao Xiangxiang received a phone call.
She had just finished checking the warehouse receipt for a new batch of fabrics when she heard a clear female voice, tinged with a hint of hesitation, coming through the receiver. She immediately sat up straight.
“Comrade Bao? I…I’m the skilled tailor, surnamed Lin, Lin Xiulan.”
The background noise on the other end of the phone was a bit loud, and you could vaguely hear the sound of a tram passing by. "I wonder... is your factory still short-staffed?"
Bao Xiangxiang held the receiver, her tone warm and firm: "We need a skilled master craftsman like your mother here, Comrade Lin."
The two arranged to meet in the reception room on the second floor of the Jasmine brand store.
The rain has stopped, and the wet streets reflect the sunlight.
Lin Xiulan was still wearing her plain clothes, but her brows were furrowed with barely concealed sorrow and weariness. Her mother had not come with her.
“I’m really sorry to bother you again. Our shop… the landlord wants to take the property back. The lease is up and he refuses to renew it. I’ve asked around the neighborhood, and the suitable shops are either several times more expensive or in too remote locations.”
She paused, then lowered her voice: "My mother is too old to handle all this trouble. Remembering what Comrade Bao said last time, I... I decided to try my luck."
Bao Xiangxiang listened quietly without interrupting.
Bao Xiangxiang said sincerely, "Comrade Lin, it's our Jasmine brand's good fortune that your mother is willing to come. Our factory is currently setting up a precision crafts team to be responsible for the key processes of high-end ready-to-wear garments. With your and your mother's skills, you're perfect for the job. As for the pay, it will be based on the standards of experienced craftsmen, with piecework plus a base salary. It won't be worse than if you opened your own shop. Moreover, the factory provides dormitories, which are simple but stable, saving you the trouble of finding a place to live."
As Lin Xiulan listened, her tense shoulders relaxed slightly. She raised her head, a glimmer of light appearing in her eyes: "Comrade Bao, is what you said true?"
Bao Xiangxiang smiled and said, "Of course, it's true. If it's convenient, I can bring your mother to see the environment and the shop tomorrow. If there's anything that needs help moving, I can ask two young assistants to lend a hand."
Lin Xiulan's eyes reddened slightly. She quickly lowered her head, and when she looked up again, her face showed a sense of relief: "Thank you, Comrade Bao. I'll tell Mom when I get back."
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