" Our Glamorous Time "
Episode 28
Senior, you are here too.
This event is organised by H Fashion Corporation.
Of course I need to come and support them.
Yes. Is this the Xue Yan Twill that you used in the...
- design competition last time? - Yes.
Actually, for Xue Yan Twill, it's not only about it's look.
Most importantly,
It's a specially crafted fabric available only in Linhai city.
This craft can be traced back to ancient times.
It's a very valuable fabric.
It was soaked in river mud and dyed with plants.
There will be cracks after dyeing.
Just like the cracks in porcelain.
It'll be nice if I can touch it with my own hands.
Director Li.
Director Ning, we meet again.
Yes.
Your Director Lin and I have both taken a liking to this robe.
Such a coincidence.
Of course I won't let go easily of the thing that my woman likes.
We shall see during the actual auction then.
Looks like there will be...
no peace between us.
Hello, Director Li.
I saw a lot of exhibits over there. Let's take a look.
Alright.
I'll be going first. Goodbye.
This is the Xue Yan Twill that you've been dreaming of, right?
A new kind of fabric is a very valuable treasure for a designer.
But, you need to act within your competence.
Don't nurse a grudge against Ning Wei Kai.
Don't worry. I know the score.
How did you know that they will come?
Of course, I've been waiting...
for Ai Da to take the bait.
Then how can you be so sure that...
Lin Qian will fall in love with that robe?
I know too clearly the thing that speaks to a designer.
Just like a painter with his paints...
and a soldier with the weapon he holds.
Lin Qian will be entranced with the Xue Yan Twill.
But Ai Da has limited funding right now.
If Li Zhi Cheng wants to have it,
it'll be suicidal.
Then what are your plans after Xin Bao Rui...
has gotten the Xue Yan Twill?
Linhai city looks more beautiful like this, right?
During that time, I just went into the army.
All of the buildings here...
are small and short houses. But look at them now.
The changes in the city is too drastic.
So are the people living in this city.
But the most miraculous thing is,
there are things that can last for a long time.
Just like Xue Yan Twill.
We plan to incorporate some...
valuable fabrics in the new season of Y Fancy.
The cost will increase, so,
compile the financial reports for the last season and send it to me.
I want to see how to distribute our budgets for the next season.
We need to keep some savings too.
If Ai Da wants to expand,
no matter it's about the products or market,
we need money for everything.
Although 520 is a great beginning,
now, Ai Da doesn't have a strong foundation yet.
So I'll be against a blind expansion.
The funds problem can be solved.
Last time, Grace told me...
there's a company that wants to invest in Y Fancy.
If this fabric is valuable for Ai Da,
then a capital increase is worth it.
And from the current observation,
Ning Wei Kai is keeping a close eye on the development of this fabric too.
Ning Wei Kai again.
But the fabric you are talking about,
is it Xue Yan Twill?
Ever since Lin Qian saw that robe in the competition,
she has been thinking about that Xue Yan Twill.
If she's thinking about it, then she'll get it.
I think you'll...
fulfil this dream of her sooner or later.
Hopefully.
There's a new restaurant downstairs. Let's eat together.
I haven't finish editing this draft yet.
You are just going to drink this milk? Is there any nutrition?
This is a meal replacement yogurt. It's nutritious.
And it can slim down the body.
By the way, sister, Director Ning from Xin Bao Rui is...
doing a photo shoot using our studio. Do you want to go say hello?
Alright.
That's right. Please take a full body shot for me.
- Alright. - That's right.
Come.
You have to personally supervise the photo shooting as well?
- Change to another outfit. - That's right.
My designs are going to be put in a magazine.
Of course I need to be more strict.
Too bad you are going back to Xin Bao Rui as a CEO again.
The designing world will lose a talented man again,
I think that's very regretful.
The reason I'm going back to Xin Bao Rui...
is to guide them back to the correct path.
But most importantly,
It's because of it.
Look, Xue Yan Twill.
It's a unique fabric from Linhai city.
It represents exquisite traditional craftsmanship of the Chinese nation.
If we can develop it using modern technology,
it'll have boundless possibilities.
It might even...
affect the clothing market of the whole wide world.
If I'm guessing correctly,
what you're about to say is the real point of this conversation, right?
The thing I'm about to say next...
is confidential.
I just want to discuss it with my partner.
The risk is too big and the cost is too high.
You need to be careful.
Actually, you are like me, right?
The bigger the risk,
the closer you'll go without fear.
I'm late, Director Li.
- Hello, Director Ding. - Hello.
- Come, sit down. - I've always heard...
Grace talking about you.
You are really young, talented and with guts.
Grace is busy with the preparation for the auction.
So, she can't make it.
Grace has informed that to me personally.
She's a busy girl right not.
It's not easy to want to meet up with her.
Come.
Grace asked me to bring this wine for you.
This is the wine from Grace's own winery in France, right?
This is great.
I trust Grace's judgement and taste.
Director Li, I think Grace has told you about...
my intention for coming here, right?
I'll get straight to the point then.
I feel that Y Fancy has great potential in the future.
And coincidently, I have some money to spare.
If you'll accept it, Director Li,
I want to help you expand Y Fancy.
That's great.
We are just thinking about bringing Y Fancy...
into the high-end market.
So, we are in need of some funds.
Grace didn't tell me about...
the change in the position.
Director Li, how about you discuss with Grace again?
We really value...
Y Fancy's position right now.
You can only make money if we popularised it.
I'm more of a realistic person.
And I don't like to talk in circles.
This is our first time cooperating with Director Li.
I hope that it'll be on something stable.
I understand what you mean, Director Ding.
But I still hope that we can work well together.
- Come. - Alright.
Since Xue Yan Twill is so outstanding on every aspect,
why did none ever develop it?
Actually, our ancestor had left us with so many good things.
But we never explore with it.
Let talk about Xue Yan Twill.
I've gone to Geng Xing Min's workshop for quite a few times.
Basically, it's in a semi-shut-down state.
She just has two apprentices and the rest is just there to do odd jobs.
Even her own daughter...
doesn't inherit such a valuable craftsmanship from her.
Maybe they think it can't bring much money to them.
Actually, for Xue Yan Twill, as China's traditional tribal crafts,
I don't see why it can't be combined with modern technology.
It was once popular during the period of Republic of China.
It was used to make wedding gowns and cheongsam.
It's the same function as modern fabric.
Does it have any flaws?
The current flaw it has is,
it's too dependent on handiwork.
So, the cost will be high and the work will be very complicated.
But it's fine.
We can develop it.
Improve it with modern technology.
We can simplify each of the processes.
So that we can increase the production rate without sacrificing the quality.
But if we want to do that,
we'll need a huge amount of funding.
So this is your reason for going back to Xin Bao Rui.
Zhu Corporation has a strong capital.
But I need more collaboration.
What is this?
You did you make no sound while walking? You scared me.
You are still reading about Xue Yan Twill?
Yes. I just realised that...
During the period of Republic of China,
Xue Yan Twill was a popular fabric used in wedding dress.
What is this?
I found this.
The wedding dress that was exhibited that day was...
worn by a lady in her wedding during the period of Republic of China.
That wedding dress was made of Xue Yan Twill.
Look, their wedding certificate was recorded on it too.
Today,
we'll happily tie a knot...
like a perfect pair.
I hope that we can be together until we are old and Gray...
like a lasting fragrance.
This is a good phrase.
The allusion is very beautiful, right?
I think we can use this phrase in our wedding.
That's right. Don't you want to?
How do you know I'll promise to marry you?
Do you think I'll let go of you easily?
I'll participate in the auction.
If I can get it, I'll put it in the company...
for further study.
Really?
Yes.
That's great.
Continue with your work.
I have to leave.
My fellow guests and friends, good evening.
Welcome on board to Soulmate...
and thank you for participating in today's charity auction. Welcome!
Let's start with our first item.
The engraved tiger and flowers.
It's an engraving art by blade.
Xin Bao Rui is quite calm today.
Usually, they are very high-key, right?
They are waiting for us to make a move.
What? You want to compete with...
your old-time opponent again?
My goal is not that simple this time.
Now, we'll start to auction our last collectibles for today.
This bridal robe...
was made by the Geng family during the period of Republic of China.
Although this robe is a modern imitation work,
it's craftsmanship and colours are still in good condition.
It was made using Xue Yan Twill.
It's the one-and-only in Linhai city.
Now, let us welcome the descendant of Geng family,
Mrs. Geng Xing Min to the stage...
to reveal this item to all of us.
Let us welcome her.
Alright, thank you.
Please take your seat.
We'll start the auction now.
The starting price is 1 million.
- 2 million. - 2 million.
Is there anyone who is willing to pay higher?
- 2.5 million. - 2.5 million.
Director Li from Ai Da is willing to pay 500,000 more.
Who has the capability to compete with Ai Da for this collectibles?
- 3 million. - 3 million.
This Xue Yan Twill bridal robe...
is at the bidding price of 3 million now.
As expected from the clothing giant in Linhai city, Xin Bao Rui.
- A price of 3 million. - This collectible is over our budget.
- 3 million. - Think carefully.
- 3.5 million. - 3.5 million.
3.5 million. Do I see any price higher than 3.5 million?
3.5 million once.
4 million. Looks like Director Ning from Xin Bao Rui...
is not going to give a chance to Director Li from Ai Da.
It's 4 million now.
4 million once.
4 million twice.
5 million.
It's 5 million now.
Director Li is not going to retreat.
Don't be rash. Just increase the price and let Li Zhi Cheng pay for it.
5 million once.
5 million twice.
6 million.
Thing has taken a new turn.
Director Ning from Xin Bao Rui is willing to pay 6 million.
The highest price for today's auction.
6 million once.
6 million twice.
Calm down.
Now is not the time to be emotional.
6 million thrice.
Sold!
Congratulation to Xin Bao Rui.
Today, Xin Bao Rui's spirit...
is ingrained in the memory of everybody here.
And thank you Xin Bao Rui for it's contribution in...
Linhai's handicraft.
Next, let us invite Director Ning from Xin Bao Rui...
to come on to the stage and give a few words. A round of applause.
Thank you to all of you for coming.
And thank you Grace...
for organising such a meaningful event.
You gave us entrepreneurs...
a chance to be involved in charity.
We, Xin Bao Rui is the leader of the clothing industry in Linhai city.
As a leader,
we have to march in front...
and guide the others.
Only then, we can fulfil the mission of Xin Bao Rui.
And only by doing so,
we can lay down a path for the later generation,
Thank you, everybody.
You did well just now.
Is that so? Losing is considered as doing well?
Actually, that bridal robe...
won't be much help to Ai Da.
This is for charity.
Just do what you can.
Lin Qian needs that robe to study about Xue Yan Twill.
Personal hobby...
doesn't dictate the strategies of the company.
If you want to develop Xue Yan Twill now,
you'll definitely drag the pace of Y Fancy's designing.
I think that might be unsuitable.
Is there nothing else in your heart except working?
For example?
Dreams, hobbies.
I'm sorry.
As one of the investors, the overall operation of Ai Da comes first.
After all, there are so many people depending on us.
So, for the things you said just now,
hobbies and dreams,
I think you should only think about that when you are strong enough.
Am I right?
As a boss, you need to have a sense of responsibility.
More importantly, a sense of crisis.
You've spent a few millions to buy a robe.
I thought Xin Bao Rui is quite stingy with their money, right?
If you thought of that robe as a display item only,
then it's quite a waste.
Suddenly, I'm curious.
Ever since you mentioned Xue Yan Twill in the competition,
I've been hearing this phrase often.
Coincidently, a collector...
donated it to H Corporation as a charity item for auction.
There is no such coincidence.
Don't tell me that you are the one who instructed...
that collector in secret?
Maybe all of these...
are just coincidences.
Then, I'll believe in...
the other possibility.
Is this publicity plan written by you?
Yes, any problem?
Any problem?
It's written here that this year's ads will be cut down drastically.
Don't you know the strength of Si Mei Qi?
Marketing and advertising. Are you new here?
Director Chen, don't be so angry.
Now, Si Mei Qi's sales are low.
And the budget given by marketing department is too little.
How are you going to pay for the advertisement?
We can't just use everybody's salaries to subsidise the company, right?
Who are you talking to?
Who are you, idiot?
Why did you scold me? Why vent your anger on me when...
you're the one who's bad in managing your business?
The workers had been doing what little they can to help Si Mei Qi.
What about you? You've been idle about.
What contribution did you make for the company?
And who will think that you, Director Chen,
has outstanding capabilities?
I'll go to the chairman now.
Let him be the judge. Let's see who's correct and who's wrong.
Fancy has some new personnel arrangements.
I have to discuss it with you.
Fancy is not satisfied with the current situation of Y Fancy?
That's not it. They are very satisfied with the sales in 520.
And they recognise Lin Qian's capability as well.
They just hope that they can incorporate some of...
Fancy's own characteristics in the new designs.
So, they'll send over a new design director from the head office.
She'll be completing the next season's designs together with Lin Qian.
Lin Qian is Ai Da's design director.
If Fancy send over a new design director suddenly,
it'll cause a misunderstanding.
Misunderstanding?
I don't think it will.
Y Fancy is a co-brand.
It's very normal for them to send over a design director.
I think you have overcomplicated this thing.
Y Fancy has always been Fancy's sub-line.
We've always been wanting to borrow Fancy's strength...
so that we can open up the market more easily.
Now, the head office has sent this request.
You can't say no, right?
Don't you think this is very unfair to Lin Qian?
Don't you think she'll feel bad?
I didn't think of that at all.
If you see it from another angle, a new design director...
might be a better help to Lin Qian...
to design those new products.
It might decrease Lin Qian's burden too.
Isn't that great?
I just want to make sure that Ai Da's employees...
can keep their passion and freedom.
I don't want the battle between the higher levels...
to burn them out.
Okay, let me repeat.
A company cannot have a single designer only.
And Y Fancy is not an original design studio owned by Lin Qian alone.
Now, the head office has decided to send over a design director.
If you are bent on rejecting, it might cause conflict between two companies.
If you really want to take this risk,
I won't stop you. I'll respect your opinion.
Father.
Father, I'm sorry. I...
It's fine.
It's normal for the workers to feel anxious...
when the company's capital turnover...
and cooperation resources...
face difficulties in all aspects.
Father.
After I returned to the company,
I've been working quite hard.
But I've seen the proposal.
Our advertisements have been cut down drastically.
I'm really anxious.
Isn't this supposed to be our trump-card?
That's right.
But sometimes, even a trump-card will fall.
This is the roller coaster life.
It's easy to build an empire.
But it's hard to hold it.
This is business.
We haven't come to a dead end.
Si Mei Qi has been established for so many years.
We've been through thick and thin.
Father, maybe you've been wound up too tight.
You have to relax.
Before this, I've always been venting out my anger on you.
Now, all of my suppressed anger...
couldn't be vented out.
We just have some unsold stocks.
We can still find a way to sell them.
After 520,
our warehouse was ruined right away.
Half of our market shares...
have been snatched away by Ai Da.
Those factories that have long cooperated with us...
have been finding faults with us frequently.
Some even turn their backs on us now...
and cooperate with Xin Bao Rui.
We are really blocked on both sides.
I really don't know...
how are we going to continue from now on.
Liu, Director Chen has already apologise to you.
We've never seen him so humble? Are you still going to leave?
I don't care what he says.
We are responsible for ourselves.
This company has no future.
Are you looking for me?
What is it? What happened?
That bridal robe has been taken away by Ning Wei Kai.
It's just a garment. It's fine.
I've seen the way you stare at that robe during the preview that day.
I really wanted to get it for you.
Besides,
it's a wedding gown?
What's so special about wedding gown?
Actually,
I more interested in the fabric of that robe.
I hope that I can incorporate Xue Yan Twill...
into the designs for the new season of Y Fancy.
It's alright. I can find another way to learn about Xue Yan Twill.
We can talk about it later.
There's another thing.
Fancy wants to send over a design director...
to design together with you for the next season.
Two designers of the same level?
Don has decided upon it.
I don't want to cause more conflicts.
So I can only cooperate.
Too many people will make things worse.
If that's the only way,
then I'll do my best to cooperate.
Qian.
No matter what,
I'll support you.
In anytime and anywhere.
I'll be backing you up.
I'll always support you too.
I'll be going back to my work then.
Let's meet up.
Director Ning is so rich now.
You even changed your office.
Just be straight-forward if you have anything to say.
No need for the formalities between us.
I asked you here this time...
because I want to talk to you about a collaboration.
Collaboration with me?
Before this, Xin Bao Rui...
has snatched away a few of our long-time factories. What do you want?
Those are just small profits.
If you need it,
I can return it to you right now.
How about that?
I've already shown my sincerity.
So, Director Chen,
why do you need to haggle over every penny?
Let's collaborate properly.
We've always been standing on the same battlefront.
But I don't want to struggle anymore.
I've been thinking for quite a while before this.
How to get rid of my opponent.
But truthfully,
it' better if I just go back to what I used to be.
Be in a relationship.
And maybe some self-marketing.
If the company is developing slowly,
so be it.
Why would I want to become the number one in Linhai city?
I don't want to compete anymore.
It's quite good being the third always.
You don't want to compete anymore?
Let me tell you.
If you don't compete now,
you can't even be the third.
The market is different now.
It's developing so quickly.
For a company, it's a game of life-or-death.
You want stability now.
Do you think Li Zhi Cheng will let you stop and take a breath?
Think carefully.
Your market resources have been taken over by Ai Da.
And your major factories have been taken away by me.
The capital chain of Si Mei Qi has started to break.
If you continue to do nothing,
among the three major clothing corporation,
Si Mei Qi will be the first to fall.
How do you want to play it?
Director Chen, look.
These matches...
are burning so brightly.
This is Ai Da's strength right now.
If I can separate each and every one...
of the matches,
how do you think it will be?
Long time no see.
You look quite energetic.
It's really different when you are nurtured with love.
Long time no see.
Looks like the abyss of misery in Wen Da has slimmed you down too.
The old man no longer goes to the office.
How's Wen Da's situation?
Wen Da is without leader now.
Currently, it's split into two parties.
Xue Ming Tao and Zhao Wen Zhung are the heads of each party.
They are in an ugly war right now.
So, the bleak situation of Wen Da...
is caused by serious internal conflict.
I'm the one who asked you to test out the waters anyway.
Since it's clear where the problem lies,
You need to secure the financial team...
and check the account in secret. Find out the specific problem,
You can only report to me.
I'm already thinking of a way.
I've read the last three seasons of the financial statements of Wen Da.
The profits of the factories themselves are fairly stable.
But it's still a major loss compared to before.
Investigate it.
Just a few old elders...
won't be able to cook up such a mess.
If the performance is bad,
no one will benefit from it.
This might take some time.
It's alright.
Another thing.
You need to prepare for the return of Ai Da to Wen Da.
Although Ai Da is it's subsidiary company,
I hope there won't be any conflict when they are fused back together.
So, for the organisational structure and staff deployment,
I'll leave those to you.
That should be an easy job for me.
Go ahead and do it.
Director Li.
You've asked me so many questions about work.
Why don't you ask about the old man's health?
Wen Da is in such a dire state...
because that old man's health is failing.
- So, during this time, - Enough.
I need you to do something else for me.
Lin Qian has been researching about Xue Yan Twill lately.
How about you go and borrow it?
Brother.
That robe costed 6 million.
It's not easy to borrow a 6 million item.
I think you can do it.
Amanda, welcome to Ai Da.
Director Li. Finally, we met.
She is Ai Da designer director, Lin Qian.
Hello.
I've heard Don mentioned about her.
I never thought that the designer of Y Fancy is so young.
I thought she's your secretary.
As Ai Da's designer,
Lin Qian's youth and talent has always spurred on jealousy from others.
Later, I'll asked Gu Yan Zhi to show you to your office.
- Alright? - Director Li.
I'm a very time-efficient person.
I think there's no need to waste time.
I'll just go with Director Lin to look at
the next season's designs for Y Fancy.
- Alright. - Alright.
I have other arrangements. Go ahead with your work.
This way please.
Amanda, what do you think of the design?
Well,
I think it's...
quite creative.
And it's a style too.
But all of these clothes do not meet the requirements.
We have to redesign.
Since you said that they are creative and have character,
why do we need to redesign?
Because there are too many Chinese elements in your design.
They are completely Chinese designs.
Isn't a diverse design much better for Y Fancy?
I knew you haven't done your homework well.
Y Fancy is just a subsidiary brand of Fancy.
It means that it's designs...
must be aligned with the main brand.
Is diversity what Fancy needs?
Is it what Don wants?
Since you have said it,
I think Fancy understands that...
they created a subsidiary brand...
because they want to march into the China's market.
If you want Y Fancy to sell in China,
it needs to conform to the Chinese aesthetic design.
Director Lin.
I think you know how many foreign brands are there in China.
I hope that the next design I saw...
will not be like this.
The soul of Fancy is Don, not you.
Don has never objected to any of my designs before.
I've been working many years with Don.
Nobody understands him more than me.
I'll report fully the situation here to Don and Director Li.
Please quickly begin to make some new designs.
Sister Qian.
How's the new design director from Fancy?
It's nothing.
We still need to warm up to each other.
- No, let me tell you. - I need to process it.
I've met her assistant.
I think this new design director is new in her position too.
She has to find fault with us...
to declare her presence.
The thing is, we have the same position.
And our design concept is world apart.
This will be a painful process of warming up.
Don has already approved of the designs for the first season.
She's just a new designer.
What new concept can she have?
She's just looking for troubles.
So, we need to aware of her.
Sit.
How is it going with Amanda?
Alright, I guess.
Our design concept is too different.
Amanda just reached here. She still doesn't understand the situation here.
You need to communicate with her more.
I'll try my best.
I feel like...
she's quite aggressive.
I don't hope that...
we have to go through confrontation to get to know each other.
I understand.
It's fine.
Although she has rejected all of my designs and asked me to redo,
I'll try my best to integrate her opinions objectively and redo for her.
I'll ask her.
What are you doing?