Tan You: "It’s up to him. I’d have more peace and quiet if he didn’t come back."
"What kind of way is that to talk?" Tan Lin pushed the door open, a teasing smile on his face. "Am I bothering you by being back?"
Tan You looked at him. "Fine, just pretend I didn’t say anything. By the way, President Yang contacted me. When you head back later, we’ll go together. I need to pack up these clothes. President Yang is already waiting at the factory."
Cheng Wenhui came over to help pack the clothes. "You’re taking all of them? With so many styles, he’ll be spoiled for choice."
As she spoke, she proudly took out the woolen coat Tan You had made for her. "Tan You made this for me. Isn’t it beautiful?"
Tan You was a bit critical. "It would look better if it were made from a single piece of fabric. As it is now, it’s not quite perfect."
Cheng Wenhui treasured it. "It’s already wonderful. I’m noticing your standards are getting higher and higher."
"Having high standards is a good thing," Tan You said with a slight frown. "Let’s go. Grandpa is coming with us. Tan Yue, are you..."
"I’m going with my sister," Tan Yue stated, making it clear with her actions that she just loved being with Tan You.
Tan You genuinely didn’t mind. "Then let’s all go together."
Tan Deming had already backed out the motorized tricycle. "Let’s go. We’re running a little late today."
No one in the family paid any attention to Tan Desheng sitting in the living room. Cheng Wenhui carried a packed bag, Tan Lin sat in the back, and the small group of five left the countryside, heading for the clothing factory.
Tan Desheng looked at the suddenly empty room, then at Wang Hunv. "Where did they go?"
Wang Hunv knew the situation, of course, but she had no intention of telling Tan Desheng. When it came to keeping Tan You’s secrets, Wang Hunv was very tight-lipped.
"Tan You left something at her dorm. Her grandpa was worried about her going out alone, so he took her to go get it."
Tan Desheng didn’t feel comfortable staying under the same roof with Wang Hunv, and he did have things he wanted to discuss with someone else. So, as soon as Tan You and the others left, he ambled over to Tan Deji’s house.
As for what he said to Tan Deji and his wife, Tan You couldn’t have cared less.
Right now, she was busy counting money.
It was all because of President Yang. When he saw the sample clothes she brought, he wanted every single piece. He nearly went wild when he saw the purple alpaca coat.
"A coat with this kind of cut is just gorgeous." He practically caressed every inch of it, completely unwilling to let go.
Ding Lan, on the other hand, was staring blankly at the dress sets. ’As a pattern maker, how could she not see that the cut of these clothes was absolutely superior? Without decades of experience, how could anyone produce garments with such a perfect structure?’
Tan You looked at them, their eyes glued to the clothes, unable to look away. She wasn’t in a hurry to go back, either. ’Going back means seeing Tan Desheng, and I really, really don’t want to see a scumbag like him.’
President Yang finally had his fill of admiring the alpaca coat. He wiped away non-existent drool and said, "Ms. Tan..."
Cheng Wenhui raised an eyebrow. Tan You calmly accepted the title. "President Yang, just say what’s on your mind. There’s no need to be so... sycophantic. It doesn’t suit you."
"Heh heh," President Yang rubbed his hands together eagerly. "Ms. Tan, we really like all of these designs."
Tan You glanced at the re-hung clothes. "The factory is only so big. If you try to sell all of these designs, you’ll inevitably lose focus. My advice is to just pick a few to have a clearer emphasis."
President Yang was very receptive. "Then which sets do you think are more suitable as flagship products?"
Tan You sifted through the clothing rack, pulling out two dresses and three suits. "These ones. Personally, I feel they lean more towards mainstream tastes."
President Yang’s eyes were fixed on an off-the-shoulder top. "But this one is beautiful too."
Tan You said, "I know, but it’s not practical. Who wears an off-the-shoulder top to work? Wouldn’t she also need a special bra to go with it? For a professional woman, it’s just not worth the trouble."
"But if you were to change it a bit," Tan You took a blank notepad from nearby and drew a couple of quick strokes on it. "If you turned it into a dress like this, people might like it."
"Of course, this is just my suggestion." Tan You was democratic about it. After all, he was her client, in a way. The man was offering her money for her designs; there was no need for her to keep pushing him away.
Ding Lan pushed up her glasses. "Indeed. The clothes Ms. Tan picked out are all suitable for daily wear. The rest aren’t unattractive, but they are a bit unsuitable for wearing to work."
President Yang was someone who listened to advice. He immediately set the five sets aside. "Then this alpaca..."
Tan You was a little surprised. "The factory makes winter clothes, too?"
President Yang said, "I recently bought a batch of woolen fabric, actually. I was just worrying about not having any good designs for it."
Tan You’s eyes lit up. "Let me see. Can I have some of the fabric later?"
President Yang was very generous. "Just tell me which one you like. The fabric we brought in comes in all sorts of colors. But the bulk of it is black, because black looks the most profound and substantial, and it’s also elegant."
Tan You said, "I’ll take a look first. Actually, camel or apricot would also work."
After a walk around the warehouse, Tan You smiled. "This is great. I’m getting spoiled for choice again."
Besides all kinds of woolens, there was also various organza, mesh, polyester, nylon, and other fabrics, in every pattern and material. As Tan You looked at them, all sorts of design sketches popped into her head.
"You’re really letting me pick whatever I want?" Tan You looked back at President Yang. "I’m going to want quite a lot."
President Yang said, "Yes, really, pick whatever you want. Heh heh, the alpaca design you create..."
Tan You said, "Fine. When the finished product is ready, I’ll have my mom bring it to you."
That was the guarantee President Yang wanted. "Ms. Tan, you’re truly incredible. Which fabric do you want? I’ll help you cut it."
Don’t be fooled by the fact that he was the boss now; he used to work as a cutter. It was a piece of cake for him.
Tan You didn’t refuse. "I want this camel, pink, and red, and give me ten meters of the black as well. As for the taffeta, chiffon, and organza, give me a bit more of those."
Ding Lan and Cheng Wenhui were also busy in the warehouse. By the end, Tan Deming’s electric tricycle was almost completely piled high. Aside from a sewing machine, the rest was all sorts of fabrics and accessories.
Cheng Wenhui couldn’t help but be stunned looking at it all. "How long is this going to take to make?"
Tan You, however, was calm. "No rush. I’ll take my time."
It was a rare opportunity to see so much fabric right in front of her, and for a moment, she was overwhelmed by the choices. Besides, many fabrics have a long shelf life, so Tan You really wasn’t in a hurry.
Clutching the huge sum of money from President Yang and with the pile of fabric, the group parted ways in front of the clothing factory and headed home.
Tan Yue’s voice drifted faintly on the wind. "Sister, are you going to make clothes for me?"
Tan You: "Mhm, I’ll make you a few little dresses. We’ll be dressed up all pretty at school, too."