CHAPTER 236: CHAPTER 236: INVITING HER TO BE A DESIGNER

What?

Wang Chunmei hadn’t even seen Su Xiaoxiao’s design sketch yet, but upon hearing Director Dong’s words, her expression immediately changed.

Director Dong had never praised anyone’s design so unreservedly before, not even hers.

How could a salesperson from the countryside like Su Xiaoxiao design better clothes than her?

Unable to resist her curiosity, she glanced over, and saw the sketches of men’s and women’s clothing vividly on the paper.

In the sketches, the male model was wearing a blue suit, making him look tall and neat.

The female model wore a jacket similar to the men’s, with a waist-cinching design that highlighted her figure, and a matching pleated skirt that added a touch of playful elegance to the formal attire.

The drawings were lively, and the clothing designs were indeed impressive.

She tightly gripped the paper in her hand, her knuckles slightly white.

Su Xiaoxiao didn’t expect Director Dong to praise her design so highly and felt a bit embarrassed.

"Director Dong, you’re too kind. Just because you sponsored our department store’s clothing this time, I’d be glad to give this design to you."

"That won’t do, Comrade Su. Name your price, and I’ll take the sketch."

Director Dong beamed and pushed the sketch towards Wang Chunmei, "Xiao Wang, take a look. This is exactly the feeling I’m looking for. Isn’t Comrade Su’s design superb?"

Wang Chunmei forced a smile and said, "Yes, it’s quite good. Comrade Su, you have a lot of talent. Have you studied fashion design before?"

Su Xiaoxiao shook her head honestly, "I studied drawing, but I haven’t studied fashion design."

How could an outsider design clothes better than a professional designer like her?

It must be a stroke of luck, maybe she just copied a design she had seen before.

Wang Chunmei’s face turned as dark as the bottom of a pot.

"Comrade Su, not becoming a fashion designer with your talent would be a waste. Why not consider joining our factory as a fashion designer? I’ll pay you three times what the department store does."

Dong Guoqiang said with a cheerful smile.

Su Xiaoxiao was delighted to meet someone who appreciated her talent, but she had no desire to switch to designing.

Her unique skills could only bring more advantage in the department store, and being a fashion designer only offered a slightly higher salary without any other extra income.

Moreover, those design sketches weren’t entirely her own creations.

She immediately declined with a smile, "Director Dong, you’re kidding. How could I possibly qualify to be a fashion designer?"

Dong Guoqing felt a bit regretful, "If you ever change your mind, feel free to come and find me."

"Comrade Su, how about this? I’ll give you a hundred for the sketch. Would you sell it to me?"

Su Xiaoxiao hadn’t expected Dong Guoqiang to be so generous. A hundred yuan was more than many people earned in a year in those days.

"Director Dong, if you don’t mind, of course, it’s no problem."

"Great, it’s settled then."

Dong Guoqiang took out the money on the spot and handed it to Su Xiaoxiao, promising, "You can pick up the competition suit in three days."

Su Xiaoxiao reported the sizes of the five people she organized, then prepared to say goodbye and leave.

Dong Guoqiang, busy studying the sketches, said to Wang Chunmei, "Xiao Wang, help me see Comrade Su out."

Wang Chunmei reluctantly went to see her out, but just as she reached the door, someone bumped into her, scattering the sketches all over the ground.

"Sorry, Designer Wang, I have to rush to deliver something to the director. My apologies!"

With that, the person ran off.

Wang Chunmei felt like nothing was going right today. She angrily crouched down to pick up the sketches, but as she collected two sheets, a small fair hand reached out diagonally.

The hand handed her the sketches that had drifted away, "Comrade Wang, these are your sketches."

As Su Xiaoxiao spoke, she glanced at the sketches and couldn’t help but exclaim, "Comrade Wang, did you design all these? Amazing!"

Wang Chunmei hadn’t expected her to praise her so frankly, and she nodded with a cool and reserved expression, "Yes."

At least this girl had some discernment.

Her initial displeasure subsided considerably.

She organized the sketches in her hands and cleared her throat, "Your designs are also quite good, very talented."

Su Xiaoxiao immediately beamed brightly, "I’m merely standing on the shoulders of giants."

She was speaking the truth; without the current knowledge reserve, she wouldn’t have been able to design them.

Without modern experience, Wang Chunmei managed to design several styles that would be trendy in the coming years, which demonstrated her strong foundation.

Su Xiaoxiao was eager to associate with someone so talented.

The two chatted casually as they exited the factory gates, and Wang Chunmei’s opinion of Su Xiaoxiao improved significantly.

Su Xiaoxiao smiled and waved at her, "Comrade Wang, let’s meet again sometime."

With the matter settled, the day was coming to an end. Su Xiaoxiao rode her bicycle home, and just as she reached the village entrance, she saw Su Pan lurking suspiciously under the big tree, peering around.

At this time of day, the family usually had dinner. What was happening today?

Su Pan saw her from afar and hurriedly waved, "Cousin!"

"Why aren’t you going home for dinner? What are you doing here?"

Su Pan twisted her clothing nervously, "Cousin, I... I’m too scared to go back. My mom and my brother are at your house, and they’ve arranged a marriage for me."

"What?"

Su Xiaoxiao was furious. Su Pan was only fourteen, still a child, and they wanted to marry her off already? Her uncle and his wife were being so unreasonable!

Holding back her anger, Su Xiaoxiao asked her, "Which family?"

Su Pan glanced at her and whispered, "The youngest son of Sun Zhishu’s family..."

"Damn!"

Su Xiaoxiao felt like swearing. Sun Wenbing was already notorious, why couldn’t he just behave? Wasn’t it enough that he’d upset her before? Now he was targeting her cousin? Did he need to be hung out to dry to learn his lesson?

After pondering, Su Xiaoxiao took out her self-defense tool from her bag and handed it to Su Pan, "Pan, take this with you. If anyone tries to forcefully take you away, use this to shock them, got it?"

"Cousin, I’m scared."

Su Pan was almost in tears, but Su Xiaoxiao patted her shoulder, "Don’t be afraid, I’m here. It’s your own life decision, and you should take charge. If you don’t stand up for yourself, no one can help you."

Su Xiaoxiao explained how to use it, and the sisters headed home together.

As soon as they reached the gate, they heard Zhang Guifang’s loud voice shouting in the courtyard.

"Well, Liu Cuilan, Pan is my daughter. If I want her to marry, she will marry. What right does your family have to interfere?"

Upon hearing this, Su Pan immediately tried to hide behind Su Xiaoxiao.

Su Xiaoxiao pulled her from behind, "What are you scared of? Just do as I say later, and zap whoever you find annoying."