Chapter 29: Tingting 27

Master Hu: "I do have books on that subject, but you're currently studying women's pattern making and design. If you start learning men's suits now, will you... be able to handle it all?"

Tan You hesitated for a moment. "I can! At most, I'll just sleep a little less!"

Master Hu smiled and pulled open the bottom drawer. "I used to make suits; the craft I learned from my master was suit-making. To make a good suit, there are many intricacies involved..."

It was only because the factory's new designs had already been released that this master and apprentice could afford to be distracted. Ordinarily, would the Factory Director allow this?

But now, not only was he watching, but he was also standing by with a beaming smile, offering suggestions.

"Tingting, I think you need a model. How about I bring one for you tomorrow? Suits are all about bespoke tailoring; it won't work without a model."

"Master Hu's designs are quite old-fashioned, but you're different. I think young people will definitely prefer this style you've designed." Hard work pays off; Han Tingting's design drawings could now, barely, be understood by laypeople.

Han Tingting's eyes lit up. "A model? Who? Someone tall with good proportions."

Director Yang gave her his word: "Don't you worry, I guarantee someone tall with a great figure!"

Master Hu glanced at Director Yang and pursed his lips without saying a word. *Old fox, setting a trap for Han Tingting like that.* He wondered why his apprentice was so honest. An honest child like this might get sold out by someone in the future.

In all fairness, Master Hu also felt his suit designs were a bit old-fashioned. But that was what he had learned. As expected, young people had more agile minds; there were parts of her design that Master Hu found incredibly brilliant just by thinking about them.

Stripping away the exaggerated shoulder pads and the extremely low wide lapels, Master Hu couldn't help but marvel at the first prototype. With this, young people would definitely love it; it lacked none of the stuffiness of the old-style suits.

Tan You had her own little preferences; she had prepared everything, including white shirts and small vests. Seeing the complete set, every auntie's eyes were sparkling.

"Just imagine how good this would look when worn!"

"Is that even a question? I'd want to buy a set for my son. As for my husband, forget it—even if he wore imperial dragon robes, he wouldn't turn into a prince."

The allure of uniforms has an audience everywhere. At the very least, Tan You liked this aspect; she enjoyed seeing men in uniforms. Of course, she wasn't limited to just suits.

Yang Kun had followed his father into the garment factory quite reluctantly. He had been on vacation for less than two days—why was his father already assigning him work? Wasn't he supposed to spend his summer break playing to his heart's content at home?

"Dad, is this factory going bankrupt? It's early morning and no one is working; the workstations are all empty..." Yang Kun knew exactly how to pierce his father's heart. With one sentence, the young man expressed his current frustration.

Director Yang, however, wasn't unhappy at all. His small eyes widened, and he immediately hurried toward Master Hu's office. Just as he thought!

Master Hu looked at Director Yang. "Well? Does it look good?"

"Good, it looks incredibly good! I knew that when you two worked together, it would be exceptional!" Director Yang nodded repeatedly. Then, reaching back, he dragged the sulking young man over by the collar.

Master Hu knew it would be like this. He looked at Tan You, but she wasn't looking at Yang Kun at all; she was staring blankly at the suit. She had been like this ever since the prototype came out, lost in thought about something.

"Master Hu, I brought the model I promised today. Feel free to boss him around; the boy is tough and needs the practice!"

Master Hu nodded. "Alright, then go change into this first. Once you're changed, we'll see the effect."

Initially, Yang Kun was indeed unhappy, but after changing in the cubicle, his displeasure vanished instantly. If he walked out in this outfit, wouldn't everyone call him handsome?

When he pulled back the curtain and stepped out, there was indeed a chorus of admiration. Yang Kun puffed out his chest proudly. Master Hu also gave a slight nod. "It is indeed quite good."

"Tingting, what do you think?"

Tan You finally looked at Yang Kun. She circled him twice and then suddenly shook her head. "The tie won't do. It's too old-fashioned; it doesn't match at all."

Master Hu spread his hands. "These are the only things I learned. Can a tie be made into anything else?"

"Of course it can." Tan You finally caught the key point, and soon a brand-new tie appeared in her hands.

"Try this one instead." Tan You signaled with her eyes for Yang Kun to change the tie.

Yang Kun reached out bluntly. "I don't know how to tie a tie either. I just slipped it on earlier."

Director Yang chuckled. "I know how. I'll tie it for you."

Just by changing to a new tie, the entire impression changed. Tan You squinted her eyes, feeling very pleased. "Much better."

Director Yang was so happy he was nearly moved to tears. "You finally relented. It's rare to see you satisfied."

Stepping out of her working state, Tan You smiled. "Whatever you do, you must do it to the best of your ability."

Either don't do it, or do it perfectly—this was the principle Cheng Wenhui had always taught her. Now that she had come to this world, Tan You still practiced Cheng Wenhui's former teachings.

Master Hu was also happy. He was a serious and upright person, while his young apprentice seemed even more meticulous than he was. Of course, she wasn't like that with others; she simply held herself to a very high standard, wanting everything to be perfect.

There was nothing wrong with that. If one is serious about everything, the chance of making mistakes is smaller.

Previously, Yang Kun had been a hundred percent unwilling to work at the garment factory for his summer job, but after this day, he didn't even need Director Yang to urge him; he reported to the factory punctually every single day.

Director Yang was naturally delighted, assuming his son had developed an interest in the factory. But seeing him dive straight into Master Hu's office every time he arrived, Director Yang grew suspicious. "Are you... experiencing a budding romance? It's the middle of summer; spring is still a long way off!"

Yang Kun wasn't guilty at all. "Just tell me, is Han Tingting good or not?"

"Everyone knows that girl is excellent. What do you have to match her with?" Director Yang didn't indulge him. "Setting aside her grades—with those grades, she's a guaranteed candidate for a top-tier university."

"Our family has a bit of money, but an excellent girl won't have trouble finding a husband. If you think you can match her, you're being incredibly arrogant."

Yang Kun's mother, Cui He, also chimed in: "Your father is right; we all like that girl, Tingting. But she's only sixteen. It will be at least seven years until she graduates from university."

"Whether she'll come back after graduation is uncertain. We are in a small city; which young person isn't rushing toward the big cities these days? The more excellent she becomes, the more ways she will have to survive in this society."

"But what about you? Your father and I can't look after you for the rest of your life. You need to have your own ambitions."

"She's such an outstanding girl; won't you feel inadequate standing beside her?"