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[Our Glamorous Time]
[Episode 28]
Senior? You came, too!
I won't miss out on an H Group event.
So this is the fabric you used for the contest?
Snowy Smoke?
Yes. Snowy Smoke is not just pretty.
More importantly, you can only find it in Linhai.
The technique has a history that goes back for generations.
Very precious.
You soak it in river mud and dye it with herbal dyes.
After the dying, fine cracks develop on the surface
like crack patterns on chinaware.
I wish I would touch it.
- President Li. So we meet again. -President Ning.
Yes, we do.
So we both have our eyes on this dress. What are the odds.
Whatever my woman has her eyes on, I won't let go.
Then I'll see you at the auction.
It would seem these can never be peace between the two of us.
President Li.
More items on display over there. Shall we go and have a look?
Okay.
Excuse me.
This is Snowy Smoke you can't stop talking about?
A novelty fabric is hard to come by.
But you do what you can. Don't do it just to piss off Ning Weikai.
Don't worry. I got it.
How did you know they would be there?
Of course.
I've been waiting for Aida to bite the bait.
And you were sure Lin Qian would love that dress?
I know what matters most to a designer.
It is what colors are to a painter and what weapons are to a soldier.
Lin Qian won't be able to stop thinking about the silk.
Aida is short on cash.
If Li Zhicheng gets greedy,
it will be suicidal.
What's your plan if Xin Baorui acquires Snowy Smoke?
Linhai looks prettier from here, doesn't it?
Back when I just joined the army,
it was all low flats where these skyscrapers are now.
The city has been transformed way too fast.
So have its people.
But it's amazing how some things never go out of fashion.
Like Snowy Smoke.
We will add some rare fabrics to the new Y Fancy line.
I expect it will push up the cost. Get me the financial report for the last season when it's ready.
I'll figure out how to make the budget work for this season.
The old money man is running low on cash.
And Aida needs a lot of it for production and marketing
if it wants to grow.
5,20 was a good start, but Aida still needs a solid footing.
I don't think it's a good idea to rush into anything.
The money issue is manageable. Grace said there was a potential investor interested in Y Fancy.
If the new fabric adds value to Aida, then it's worth the spending.
Plus, Ning Weikai is chasing the technique as well.
Ning Weikai? Again?
Is the fabric by any chance Snowy Smoke?
Lin Qian hasn't been able to stop thinking of it
ever since the contest.
And it won't be for nothing.
I bet you will get her what she wants.
So I hope.
Sister, a new restaurant opened downstairs. Let's go try it out.
I haven't finished with these articles.
You are drinking this milk? What nutrition are you getting out of it?
This is meal replacement yogurt. It's healthy and helps you lose weight.
Okay. By the way, Mr. Ning of Xin Baorui is using our studio. You want to go and say hi?
Noted.
Yes. Try to get the whole body in the frame.
Okay.
Here.
You are personally supervising a photo shoot?
- Give me another posture. Great. - Yeah. My work is going on the magazine.
I have to make sure everything is right.
Shame you are going back to Xin Baorui as its president.
The designers community will lose a genius.
I feel terribly sorry.
When I
go back to Xin Baorui, I will not only bring it back on track.
The most important reason is that.
Snowy Smoke, the signature fabric of Linhai
and a testament to Chinese craftsmanship.
I see great potential if we tap it with modern technology.
Who knows.
Maybe this will bring changes to the global fashion market.
If I'm guessing right, you are only warming me up to your real point.
What Im about to say next will be business secrets.
I will only discuss it with my partner.
Too risky. Costs too much. Have to be very careful.
But aren't you just like me? The riskier something is
the more drawn to it?
Sorry, I'm late, President Li.
- Hi, President Ding! Please have a seat. - Grace talked about you a lot.
Now I see you are young and talented just like she said.
Grace is busy getting the auction ready, so she can't come.
She told me. She is busy indeed.
You won't easily get face time with her.
Grace asked me to bring you the wine.
Is it from her winery in France?
Great. I trust her judgement and her taste.
President Li, I think Grace told you why I'm here?
Let's go straight into it.
I like where Y Fancy is going.
And I happened to have some cash I'm look for a good place to park. If you like,
I can help fund the growth of Y Fancy.
That would be great! We are trying
to break into the high end market and we are in need of some cash.
Oh, that Grace never mentioned.
If you want a pivot for the brand, President Li,
you could talk to Grace.
We are interested in Y Fancy's current positioning in the market.
Low end is where the money is.
I'm a pragmatic man and I don't beat around the bush.
This would be our first cooperation.
And I would want it to be nice and safe.
I understand what you mean. I hope our cooperation will be a successful one.
- Please. - Thanks.
If Snowy Smoke silk is this great in every way,
how come no one ever thought to tap its potential?
Our ancestors left us so many good things.
We never took advantage of their legacy. This silk is just one example.
I've been to Geng Xingmin's workshop many times.
Barely a heart beat.
She has two apprentices. The rest of them just run errands.
She didn't even pass it down to her children.
Perhaps they think there is no money in it.
But I don't see why we can't bring modern technology
into Snowy Smoke, a traditional technique.
It got popular during the Republic period.
People made wedding gowns and qipao with it.
The same way they used modern fabrics.
Any flaws?
It is all handcrafted,
making it very expensive. And the process is very complicated.
But that's okay.
We will work on it.
Optimize the process with modern techniques. Make it easier and simpler.
That way we can produce more without compromising the quality.
But that would require a lot of money.
So this is why you came back to Xin Baorui?
Zhu's Group is swimming in cash.
But I need more hands involved.
What's this?
Don't sneak up on me like that!
Still reading about Snowy Smoke?
Yes. I've only just realized
that Snowy Smoke was a popular fabric
for wedding gowns in Linhai during the Republic period.
What's this?
Something I found.
The dress they are offering up for bid was actually a wedding dress made in the Republic period.
And it was made of Snowy Smoke silk.
See? This is their vows.
We are tying the knot today.
Making each other complete.
Hope we will grow old together
and have beautiful children.
Impressive.
Beautiful, isn't it?
We can use it on our wedding.
Yes. You don't want to?
How do you know I'll marry you?
You think I'll let you go?
I'm going to the auction.
It'll help the R&D if I can bring it back.
Really?
Really.
Awesome.
I'll let you get back to your work. See you later.
Dear guests! Good evening!
Welcome to the Zhiyin.
And welcome to this auction.
Welcome!
Coming up, our first item of the night.
"Stepping on the Tiger and Cutting the Flower," a sculpture.
Xin Baorui is pacing themselves tonight?
They are used to making noises wherever they go.
They are waiting for me to make a move.
So? Ready for another round
with your old rival?
The reason I'm here tonight is not that simple.
Now, our last item for tonight.
This embroidered silk dress was created in the Republic period
by artisans of the Geng family.
An homage to the Ming fashion style,
this dress is a masterpiece of craftsmanship and very well preserved.
The fabric, Snowy Smoke silk,
is the most celebrated cultural heritage of Linhai.
Now, we will have someone from the Geng Family,
Ms. Geng Xingmin, come up to unveil the dress!
Let's give it up to Ms. Geng.
Terrific! Thank you!
Please go back to your seat.
Now we are open for bid.
And we will start the bidding on this at 1 million.
2 million.
I have 2 million!
Do I see 2,5?
2,5 million.
2,5 million from President Li of Aida!
Do I see 3 million?
3 million!
3 million! Thank you!
We are going for 3 million now
for this silk dress!
3 million from Xin Baorui, the leader of the garment industry in Linhai!
It's gone above our budget.
Think twice before you make a move.
3,5 million!
I have 3,5 million now! Anyone else?
3,5 million! Going...
- 4 million! - President Ning of Xin Baorui
is not going to make it easy for President Li of Aida!
We have 4 million now! Going...
Going...
5 million!
I have 5 million now!
What a move from President Li!
Take it easy. Bid the price up
and let Li Zhicheng have it.
5 million going...
going...
6 million!
What an auction!
I have 6 million from President Ning!
And with that we have the record bid of the night!
At 6 million, going...
Going...
Be cool.
This is no time for a pissing war.
We are at 6 million and going...
Sold!
Congratulations to Xin Baorui!
The sheer boldness!
I believe none of us will forget tonight.
And I would like to thank Xin Baorui for its contribution
to Linhai's craft industry.
Now let's have President Ning of Xin Baorui up for a few words.
Please.
Thank you all for being here.
And thank you, Grace, for this wonderful auction.
What an opportunity for the business community to give back!
Xin Baorui as the market leader of Linhai
must be the first in charity as well
and be an inspiration for everyone.
This is the only way I know to complete our mission.
And this is the only way
to lead the way for those who follow.
Thanks.
I did well.
Yeah? I lost.
Buying that dress
doesn't help Aida very much.
When it comes to charity, you only do what you can.
Lin Qian needs it for her study of Snowy Smoke silk.
A personal hobby shouldn't affect company strategy.
If you study Snowy Smoke silk now,
it will hold back the design of Y Fancy lines.
That wouldn't be appropriate.
Is work all you can ever think of? Nothing else?
For example?
Dreams. Passions.
I'm sorry.
As one of your investors, I think about the overall operation of Aida.
Many people look up to us.
What you said about
passions and dreams
can wait until you are strong enough.
Don't you think?
A manager has responsibilities.
He should be aware of all the risks and threats.
Many millions for a dress.
I thought Xin Baorui held its purse tight.
If you see the dress as a piece of handcrafted work for the showcase and nothing more,
then it is a bit expensive indeed.
I'm just curious.
Ever since you mentioned Snowy Smoke at the contest,
I've kept hearing it wherever I go.
And a collector happened to give it way to H Group
for this charity auction.
What are the odds?
Could you be the man behind this collector?
Or maybe it is all just coincidence.
I would rather believe it's something else.
[Campaign Planning]
You wrote this?
Yes. Any problem?
Any problem?
It says we are cutting ads budget.
Do you know what Simeiqi is best at?
It's marketing and advertising. Are you new here?
Calm down, President Chen.
Our sales aren't doing so great.
And Marketing isn't giving me enough budget.
How do we pay for new ads?
You are not suggesting we do it with our salaries?
Who are you talking to? Who do you think you are? You fool?
Watch your mouth! You did a bad job.
Don't take it out on me. Everyone is giving their best.
And you are doing nothing.
What have you ever done for the company?
Name one person who thinks you are good at your job.
I'm taking this to the chairman
and ask him to be the judge on this.
There are some new human resources changes regarding Fancy I need to discuss with you.
Fancy isn't happy about Y Fancy?
No. They like what you've accomplished since 5,20.
And they appreciate what Lin Qian can do.
But they want to see more Fancy elements in new designs.
So they are sending a director of design over from the headquarters.
She will be working with Lin Qian on the next line.
But Lin Qian is Aida's director of design.
A new director from the headquarters
might cause misunderstandings.
Misunderstandings? Unlikely.
Y Fancy is a sub-brand
Having a director of design from your holding company is common practice.
I think you are overthinking it.
Y Fancy is a subsidiary to Fancy. We are supposed to benefit from Fancy's strength
and gain more market shares.
Now the headquarters have a request.
You can't say no.
Don't you think it will be unfair to Lin Qian?
She will be upset.
I never thought about that.
Look at it this way:
A new director of design could help her
come up with new products.
They could share the pressure, too.
Isn't that great?
I just want my employees
to keep their passion and freedom.
And I don't want to see them get in the crossfire of some in-fighting on the senior level.
Okay, one more time,
a company can't have just one designer.
Y Fancy isn't Lin Qian's private workshop.
The headquarters has made a decision.
Fighting it could bring two companies into a bad confrontation.
If you want to risk it,
I won't stop it. I will respect your decision.
Dad.
Dad. I'm sorry.
That's alright.
The company is having trouble with
liquidity
and partnership resources.
A dip in the morale is normal.
Dad. I've been working hard since I came back to work.
But I saw the ad plan
was cutting down on the number of ads to do.
I freaked.
Shouldn't it be our best strength?
True.
But sometimes your best strength isn't good enough.
All the ups and downs.
Building something up is easy. Keeping it from falling apart is hard.
And that's business.
We are not at the end of the road yet.
Simeiqi has been through everything these years.
You are stressed out, Dad.
Take a break.
I got mad at you a lot.
Now I hold it all in
and press it down.
It's just an inventory pileup.
We'll figure out how to sell it.
We had this massive pileup immediately after 520.
We lost half of our market share to Aida.
Plants that have been working with us
are now making it hard for us.
Many even walked away
to work for Xin Baorui.
We are under siege.
I don't know
what future holds for us.
Lao Liu, President Chen apologized to you.
He gave you enough face and we've never seen him do it before.
You are still leaving?
I don't care what he does. A man has to be responsible for himself.
This company does not have a future.
[Ning Weikai]
You wanted to see me?
What's up? Anything the matter?
Ning Weikai got the dress.
It's just a dress. That's alright.
I saw the way you looked at the dress at the preview.
And I wanted to get it for you.
And
it was a wedding dress.
So what?
I'm more interested in its fabric.
I want to use Snowy Smoke in the Y Fancy line for the new season.
That's alright. I can learn about it in other ways.
We'll see.
There is another thing.
Fancy is sending over a director of design. She'll be here for the next season, together with you.
Two designers? At the same level?
It was Dang's decision.
I don't want to cause a fight.
So I have to play along.
Too many cooks ruin the menu.
If this is a done deal,
I'll play along.
Qian.
I support you no matter what.
Any time, anywhere, I'm always with you.
And I'll always support you.
So I'll get back to work.
Come over and meet me here.
You are living the dream now!
A new fancy office?
Let's cut to the chase.
Yes, we can be honest with each other.
I invited you over to discuss some possible cooperation.
With me? Xin Baorui
poached our good factories. What's with that?
Small gains and losses, if anything at all.
I can give them back to you if you need.
What do you say? I have given my proof of good faith.
Why can't we let go of the past?
Let's work together for a change.
We have always fought on the same side.
I want no more drama.
I have been thinking
how to get back at my competitors.
In fact,
I was better off the way I was.
A little bit of dating. A little bit of self-marketing.
If the company is moving slowly, so be it.
Why do I have to be number one in Linhai?
I'm tired. A perpetual number three works for me just as well.
You are tired of it?
Tell you what, if you stop fighting, you won't be number three for every long.
The market is different now.
It's changing fast.
This is a game of life or death.
You want to be slacking?
You think Li Zhicheng will let you?
Think about it.
Aida has taken your market share.
And your factories have gone my way.
Your money supply is falling apart.
If you do nothing,
Simeiqi will be the first to fall
in this three-way contest.
So what do you propose?
Look, President Chen,
look how the matches burn nicely.
This is how Aida is doing today. But if I
take away the matches one by one,
what do you think is going to happen?
Long time not see. You look well.
Love life is treating you well.
Long time no see. I see Wenda's trouble is wearing you down.
The old man has stopped going to the office.
How are things at Wenda?
The company is an anarchic mess and they have split into two factions
with Xue Mingtao and Zhao Wenzhuang being their leaders. And there has been no lack of theatricality.
In-fighting is tearing down Wenda.
I sent you to get a handle on the situation. Since it's so obvious,
you should get hold of the finance department
and look into their finances. Any specific findings,
you come to me and no one else.
I'm already looking.
I read Wenda's financial reports for three quarters.
The contract manufacturers are making profits just fine.
But they are losing money compared to what they could do before.
Keep looking. A couple of senior managers
doesn't explain all this trouble. If revenue targets are not met, everybody loses.
It may take some time.
That's alright. And prepare for Aida to rejoin Wenda.
Aida is the subsidiary, but
I don't want to see any clashes in the process of merging.
So I will have you take care of
human resources and the restructuring.
This is an easy job for me.
Then get to it.
President Li,
you asked me so many questions about work
but you didn't ask a single question about your father?
Wenda is in serious trouble because my father is sick.
- So at this moment... - That's enough. There is another thing I need you to do.
Lin Qian is working on Snowy Smoke.
Can you borrow it?
Come on. That dress fetched 6 million at the auction.
How can you ask someone to loan you something worth 6 million?
i think you can do it.
Amanda, welcome to Aida.
President Li, it's good to finally meet you.
This is Lin Qian, Aida's director of design.
How are you?
Dang mentioned you, but you are younger than I expected.
I thought she was your secretary.
As Aida's designer, Lin Qian's age and talent are enviable.
Gu Yanzhi will show you to your office.
President Li, I like being efficient.
Let's not waste our time.
I like to have Director Lin show me your line for the new season.
- Okay. - Okay.
So I'll leave you to it. Excuse me.
This way, please.
What do you think, Amanda?
Well, I think...
...it's creative. And there is a style to it.
Unfortunately, none of these is meeting the requirement.
We will have to redo everything.
Why, if they are creative and stylish?
You put too many Chinese elements in your design.
This is a design completely by a Chinese.
Isn't it a good thing if we have diversity?
I knew you didn't do your homework.
Y Fancy is a sub-brand of Fancy.
Which means its design is to be aligned with its parent brand.
What you call diversity, is it what Fancy needs? Is it what Dom needs?
But I think Fancy understands
the point of having a sub-brand is to get into the Chinese market.
Y Fancy targets the Chinese market. It needs Chinese elements.
Director Lin, I bet you know how many Chinese brands would kill to be looking like a Western brand.
I look forward to seeing something different next time I come in here.
The soul of Fancy is Dom, not you.
Dom never said no to my designs.
I've worked with Dom for years. Nobody knows Dom better than I do.
I will report back to Dom and President Li about what I see here.
Please get started with a new design asap.
Sister Qian! How was the new director from Fancy?
She's okay.
- We will figure out a way to work together. It takes time. - No.
You know what? I ran into her assistant.
I guess this director of design is new to her job.
She can't appear important without giving us a hard time.
We are at the same level and we have completely different ideas.
It will be long and painful before we can find a way to work together.
Dom okayed the first quarter's design.
What different ideas will she have, a new designer coming out of nowhere?
Clearly she is provoking you.
We have to sleep with one eye open.
Please sit.
How was Amanda?
Okay. We disagreed on what our design should be like.
Amanda is new and has a lot to learn.
Make sure you can communicate with each other.
I'll do my best.
She was hostile.
I don't know to get to know someone while we size each other up.
I understand.
It's okay. Even though she rejected my design and told me to redo it,
I will consider her opinions and reflect them in my new design, no personal feelings.
I will go talk to her.
What are you going to say?
♫ I believe, if you still don't understand ♫
♫ Having you in my life is the best thing to ever touch my heart. ♫
♫ I believe no matter how many days will pass, ♫
♫ When I see you, I forget to ♫
♫ let my tears drop. ♫
♫ The sunset when you look back, when you smile into the camera ♫
♫ Don't know if I'm the glitter of a tear or the grin on a smiley face. ♫
♫ When you look at me, ♫
♫ The earth keeps on spinning. ♫
♫ Time is frozen. ♫
♫ I believe if you still don't understand ♫
♫ Having you in my life is the best thing to ever touch my heart. ♫
♫ I believe no matter how many years will pass ♫
♫ When I see you, I forget to... ♫
♫ Waiting for you, you and me. ♫
♫ Let's keep walking in the snow view. ♫
♫ Let the snow turn our heads white. ♫
♫ I believe, believe you will understand. ♫
♫ Having you in my life is the best thing to ever touch my heart. ♫
♫ I believe, for many many years to come. ♫