“This order is from a big brand. The fabric and production dates are all strictly fixed. Don’t you know how rare this colored fabric is? With your design, there’s not even enough material.”
Factory Director Zhang slammed the design draft onto the table and glared at Cheng Zi.
“Do you have any professional competence at all? You don’t even understand this basic requirement. You might as well quit.”
Cheng Zi chuckled lightly, not angry at all. She stepped forward and picked up the design draft to take a look.
So they hadn’t even provided full fabric details?
She knew very well that arguing with him was useless. Without hesitation, she picked up the pen on Director Zhang’s desk and started marking up the design drawing.
The two of them just stared at her, not understanding what she meant.
“The brand wants a women’s blouse. The style can be adjusted slightly—make it a slightly fitted cut. The fabrics provided are black and rose-red. If we follow a standard loose blouse and try to patch polka dots, it won’t work.”
Cheng Zi thought briefly, her hand never stopping.
“Let’s do a color-block design instead. A black blouse, with the collar, inner placket, and cuffs in rose-red.”
In no time, she finished revising the design and handed it back.
This kind of design had never been seen in the early 1990s.
Director Zhang, after years in the textile industry, still had a sharp sense for fashion despite his age.
After thinking it through, he immediately realized the blouse had potential.
He glanced at Li Qianqian again and noticed her curious expression.
Being a cautious man, he didn’t show her the draft. Instead, he waved at Zhang Cuihua.
“Go, have someone make a sample.”
Zhang Cuihua was quick-witted when it came to pleasing superiors. After glancing at the draft, she immediately stopped causing trouble. “Alright, I’ll go right away.”
Cheng Zi stood straight, calm and composed, showing no trace of anger.
“You may go now,” Director Zhang said casually, waving his hand.
But at that moment, Li Qianqian spoke up.
“Wait a moment.”
Cheng Zi and Li Qianqian had clashed several times before, and every time Cheng Zi had suffered losses.
“What is it?” Cheng Zi asked.
Li Qianqian looked bright and harmless as she walked over, casually playing with the ring on her finger.
“I’m getting married in two weeks. If you’re free, come have a wedding drink.”
“Sure~”
She agreed without hesitation, which instead made Li Qianqian choke slightly.
Something felt off.
Li Qianqian studied her face.
She felt Cheng Zi was acting strange—calm, composed, and not reacting to any provocation at all.
“Didn’t Ah Chen invite you?” she asked.
Cheng Zi didn’t answer, only smiled faintly at her.
That silence felt worse than an answer.
A sudden wave of irritation surged in Li Qianqian’s chest.
“Ah Chen personally designed my Western-style wedding gown. He said it’s your favorite style.”
Cheng Zi’s peach-blossom eyes curved into a smile.
“He’s quite thoughtful.”
Again, Li Qianqian was left speechless.
That “thoughtful”—did it mean Gu Yechén was thoughtful toward her, or toward Cheng Zi?
“Cheng Zi!”
“Thank you for the invitation, Comrade Li. I’ll definitely attend. I still have something important to discuss with Ah Chen.”
She casually brushed her hair back.
“If there’s nothing else, I’ll get back to work. I still have a lot on my plate.”
She nodded to Director Zhang and walked away with a swaying, graceful step—so charming that even other women were momentarily stunned.
Li Qianqian clenched her fists so tightly her nails dug into her palms.
She hated Cheng Zi’s seductive beauty the most.
Li Qianqian had grown up in the countryside, suffered greatly, and only after returning to the city did she slowly improve her skin. It took her more than two years just to regain some fairness.
Compared to that, Cheng Zi’s exquisite features, alluring figure, and flawless skin were everything she despised.
She had doubted herself many times before, but always convinced herself: Ah Chen loved her personality, not her looks.
But the rumors she heard last night made her uneasy.
That was why she came early in the morning to the Tongcheng Garment Factory—she wanted to force Cheng Zi out, and also arrange for Gu Yechén to be placed there.
She knew very well what Gu Yechén wanted most: even after two years, he still longed to enter this factory. He had design talent and needed this platform.
“Director Zhang, I’ll head back now. I’ll leave this matter to you. My father said when he has time, he’ll invite you to our home for a meal.”
Director Zhang was still thinking about Cheng Zi’s revised design—color blocking…
He quickly stood up. “Alright, Comrade Xiao Li, take care.”
The design office at the factory was fairly spacious, shared by two designers.
The older designer, Sister Zheng, had a rather distant relationship with the original Cheng Zi. They barely spoke.
But today, Cheng Zi had set her sights on her.
Sister Zheng had a daughter who had graduated from high school, learned tailoring, and even studied fashion design for a year. But design jobs were limited—every position was already occupied.
Since Sister Zheng wasn’t old enough to retire, she couldn’t pass her job to her daughter. And the other position was held by the disliked Cheng Zi.
She had no solution.
“Good morning, Sister Zheng.”
Sister Zheng was working on a sample garment. Startled by Cheng Zi’s smile, she accidentally pricked her finger.
“Hiss—”
“Be careful,” Cheng Zi said lightly.
Sister Zheng glanced at her warily and only gave a brief “mm” before continuing her work.
Cheng Zi poured herself a cup of tea and leisurely flipped through design drafts.
“I’m planning to have a child.”
That sudden statement made Sister Zheng pause and look at her again.
“I’ve heard from the elders in the compound that sewing during pregnancy isn’t good. And designers strain their eyes too much—it’s harmful. I don’t even want to work anymore.”
Sister Zheng stopped completely, surprised.
“You mean…”
Cheng Zi sighed.
“We’ll see. There’s no one suitable in my family to take over my position. I guess I’m just destined to work myself to death.”
She left it at that and continued working without mentioning it again.
But Sister Zheng’s attitude subtly changed throughout the morning. She tried several times to test and question her, but Cheng Zi pretended not to understand.
After lunch, Cheng Zi was called again to the director’s office.
The revised blouse had already been turned into a finished sample.
Director Zhang was smiling so widely his eyes were nearly closed. He immediately ordered full production in the second workshop—200 pieces had already been made that morning.
His attitude toward Cheng Zi was completely different now.
“Xiao Cheng, come take a look.”
On his desk lay the finished garment based on her design.