Shanghai in the Republican Era

Chapter 102 Exquisite Attire: The Truth of the Republican Era Gradually Emerges; Mysteries of the Wh

Splendid Costumes: Lin Fangfei and Gu Zixuan's Turbulent Republican Era

Tough Choices

The British businessman's words were like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, stirring up ripples in our hearts. I frowned, my fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of my cheongsam, the pale blue garment seemingly shrouded in gloom by the somber atmosphere.

Gu Zixuan's eyes showed hesitation. He looked at me, then at the British businessman. "Could you tell us your plan first? If this plan can really make our fashion show a sensation, then we'll consider your terms."

The British businessman smiled, sat down in a chair, crossed his legs, and tapped his walking stick lightly. “My plan is this: I know some well-known models and fashion figures in Europe, and I can invite them to your fashion show. Furthermore, I can contact some influential newspapers and magazines to give the show extensive coverage. This will greatly increase the visibility of your textile factory.”

A thought struck me; the plan sounded incredibly appealing. With European models and fashion figures involved, plus media coverage, our fashion show would definitely attract a lot of attention.

Shen Wanqing said from the side, "This is indeed a good opportunity, but if you increase your shareholding, it will be too risky for us."

The British businessman shrugged. "Risk and opportunity always go hand in hand. You're in a bad situation right now, and if you don't seize this opportunity, your textile mill may gradually decline."

I bit my lip, feeling conflicted. I knew he had a point, but I didn't want to give up more shares so easily.

After a moment of contemplation, Gu Zixuan said, "Could you give us some time to consider this? After all, this is no small matter."

The British businessman nodded. "Of course. However, you need to make a decision as soon as possible; time waits for no one."

After the British businessman left, Gu Zixuan, Shen Wanqing, and I fell into deep thought.

I looked at Gu Zixuan and said, "Zixuan, what do you think we should do? This opportunity is rare, but I really don't want to lose too much control."

Gu Zixuan sighed. "Fangfei, I'm conflicted too. We can try to discuss it with him again and see if we can reduce the percentage of shares he wants to increase."

Shen Wanqing also said, "Miss Lin, Mr. Gu, we can also find a way to hold a successful fashion show ourselves. Although it will be difficult, it is not entirely impossible."

Just as we were hesitating, the textile factory workers learned of our predicament and came to me one after another.

An older worker said, “Ms. Lin, we know the textile factory is facing difficulties right now. Although we may not be very skilled, we will work hard to make the fashion samples even better. We believe that as long as we work together, we will definitely be able to overcome this challenge.”

The other workers nodded in agreement.

Looking at these simple, honest workers, I was deeply moved. "Thank you all, your support is very important to us."

Encouraged by the workers, I made a decision.

I said to Gu Zixuan and Shen Wanqing, "Zixuan, Wanqing, I think we should try our best first. If it really doesn't work, then we can consider the British businessman's proposal."

Gu Zixuan and Shen Wanqing both agreed.

So, we began preparing for the fashion show in earnest. I was busy in the design studio every day, designing new fashion samples. Gu Zixuan was in charge of contacting venues and inviting guests. Shen Wanqing supervised the workers' production at the textile factory to ensure the quality of the fashion samples.

During the preparation process, we encountered many difficulties. For example, we lacked funds, and the rental cost of the venue was much higher than we had imagined.

"What are we going to do? We don't have enough money to cover the venue fees," I said, frowning.

Gu Zixuan thought for a moment and said, "I can borrow some money from the Gu family business to tide me over. However, this may cause some dissatisfaction within the Gu family."

I said with some concern, "Zixuan, won't this cause you trouble?"

Gu Zixuan smiled. "Fangfei, we're on the same side now. This little trouble is nothing for the sake of the textile factory."

Thanks to Gu Zixuan's efforts, we solved the funding problem.

As the date of the fashion show drew closer, we became increasingly nervous.

However, the day before the fashion show, something unexpected happened.

A batch of important fashion samples that we were preparing to showcase at the fashion show were maliciously vandalized.

"Who did this?" I stared angrily at the destroyed samples, tears welling up in my eyes.

Shen Wanqing was also very angry. "Someone must not want our fashion show to succeed."

Gu Zixuan clenched his fist. "No matter who it is, we can't be defeated like this. We still have time to prepare the samples again."

But with time so tight, can we make it in time? And who is behind this? Is it our competitors, or those forces that have opposed us before?

"Splendid Costumes: Lin Fangfei and Gu Zixuan's Turbulent Republican Era"

Counterattack from the brink of defeat

Looking at the destroyed fashion samples, my heart felt as if it had sunk into an endless abyss of darkness. I was wearing a beige work uniform, still covered in threads and dust from the repair work, which now drooped helplessly like a defeated flag. My hands were clenched into fists, my nails almost digging into my palms, anger and despair intertwined within me.

Gu Zixuan's face was also extremely grim, his eyes burning with anger. He paced back and forth in the sample room, each step filled with suppressed rage. "Fangfei, we can't just give up like this. Someone must be deliberately targeting us, trying to embarrass us at the fashion show and thus completely destroy our textile factory."

Shen Wanqing's eyes were red, and she tried hard not to let the tears fall. Her voice trembled slightly. "Miss Lin, Mr. Gu, what should we do now? Time is so tight, it's almost impossible to remake the sample."

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. "No, there's still a possibility. Let's gather all the workers in the factory and brainstorm together. We still have some spare fabric and materials; maybe we can piece together some new samples."

Gu Zixuan nodded, a glimmer of hope rekindling in his eyes. "Okay, let's get started now."

Soon, the workers gathered in the workshop. Their faces were filled with worry and concern.

I stood on a box and shouted, "Fellow workers, as you all saw, our samples were maliciously destroyed. But we can't be defeated like this. Tomorrow is the fashion show, a crucial opportunity for our textile factory. I know time is tight, but I believe that as long as we work together, we can definitely create a miracle."

The workers responded enthusiastically.

"Miss Lin, we'll listen to you and do our best!"

"That's right, we can't let those bad guys get away with it!"

So everyone got busy. Several designers and I quickly redesigned the sketches, adjusting them based on the available materials. Gu Zixuan also joined in; although he wasn't a designer, his aesthetic sense and understanding of fashion gave us a lot of inspiration.

Shen Wanqing was in the workshop directing the workers to cut and sew. She was like a commander on a battlefield, arranging the various tasks in an orderly manner.

With everyone's joint efforts, the new fashion samples gradually took shape.

However, just when we thought everything was going in a positive direction, new problems arose.

Gu Zixuan, who was in charge of contacting the guests, received news that some important guests who had originally agreed to attend the fashion show had suddenly changed their minds and would not be coming.

"What's going on?" I asked anxiously.

Gu Zixuan frowned and said, "I found out that someone is spreading rumors behind our backs, saying that our textile factory is on the verge of bankruptcy and that this fashion show is just a last-ditch effort, which is why those guests are unwilling to come."

I was trembling with anger. "These people are despicable. We must find a way to clarify these rumors."

Gu Zixuan said, "I've already sent people to investigate who's spreading the rumors. But right now, the most important thing is for us to find a way to invite new guests."

Just when we were at our wits' end, an unexpected person appeared.

It was Su Yao, the younger sister of the mysterious mechanic Su Ran. She was wearing a simple blue cloth dress, and her eyes shone with determination.

“Ms. Lin, Mr. Gu, I heard you’ve encountered some difficulties. Although my brother made a mistake, he has always admired you. I think I can help you invite some guests,” Su Yao said.

I asked, somewhat puzzled, "How can you help us? Do you know a lot of people?"

Su Yao smiled. "I have some friends in some arts and culture groups. Although they are not big celebrities, they still have a certain influence. Moreover, I can also contact some patriotic businessmen who have always been supportive of the development of local enterprises."

Gu Zixuan, Shen Wanqing, and I exchanged glances, realizing this was an opportunity.

"Thank you so much, Su Yao," I said.

Su Yao got busy and successfully contacted quite a few people. Although these people weren't as famous as the previous guests, they at least solved her immediate problem.

On the day of the fashion show, I arrived at the venue early. I wore a light purple cheongsam that I had designed myself, a cheongsam that incorporated my latest design concepts and symbolized my hope for the future of the textile factory. My hair was carefully styled, and I wore light makeup. Although I was nervous, I tried my best to remain calm.

Gu Zixuan was dressed in a black suit, looking handsome and dashing. He's always been by my side, giving me support and encouragement.

"Fangfei, don't be nervous. We've done our best, and we'll definitely succeed today," Gu Zixuan said gently.

The fashion show began, and models walked the runway wearing our newly created fashion samples. The audience initially didn't have high expectations, but as the models presented their designs, surprise and admiration gradually appeared in their eyes.

However, just as the fashion show was halfway through, a group of people suddenly burst into the venue. Leading them was a woman in a gorgeous cheongsam, followed by several burly men.

"What kind of fashion show is this? These clothes are all copied!" the woman shouted.

I was shocked; this was completely fabricated. "Who are you? What gives you the right to accuse us of plagiarism?"

The woman sneered. "Who I am is unimportant. You plagiarists shouldn't exist in Shanghai's fashion scene."

Her words caused a stir among the audience.

I said angrily, "You're slandering us! Our designs are all original, and every piece of clothing embodies the hard work of our designers and workers."

Gu Zixuan also stepped forward. "If you continue to slander us like this, we won't be polite."

The woman, however, remained unconvinced. "Hmph, you still dare to be stubborn. I'm here today to expose your ugly faces."

Who is this woman who suddenly appeared? Why is she slandering us? And how should we deal with this unexpected crisis?

"Splendid Costumes: Lin Fangfei and Gu Zixuan's Turbulent Republican Era"

The truth is gradually emerging

The woman's slander struck like a bolt from the blue, plunging the entire venue into chaos. I trembled with rage, my eyes fixed on her. The pale purple cheongsam I had specially worn today, meant to showcase the textile factory's hope and rebirth, now seemed stained by her malice.