CHAPTER 173: CHAPTER 173 WANG YUAN’S DESIGNER DREAM

Gu Yi watched Ye Qian and Ye’s mother acting all cutesy.

Suddenly, she missed her mom.

It’s been months since she left home for the New Year.

Although they keep in touch over the phone, she still misses them dearly.

"Qianqian, will you and Dad be hauling the machines back then?"

Gu Yi had heard them mentioning it briefly, but hadn’t asked for details.

"Yes, once the store’s renovation is finished, Dad and I will head back."

Ye Qian said while looking at Gu Yi.

"Are you using a truck to transport them back?"

Gu Yi thought this was the most reliable way.

When Ye Qian bought these machines, the seller delivered them directly to her.

"Yes, we’ll find a truck to move them."

"Are you arranging the truck from here or getting someone back home to do it?"

Gu Yi was thinking that if Ye Qian decided to arrange it back home, she’d call her brother to help find a driver.

"Sun Ming has already found one; Dad and I will just ride with the truck back and then return with it."

Ye Qian explained.

"That’s great, who would’ve thought Sun Ming is quite capable—it looks like he’s really concerned about our Qianqian."

Gu Yi suddenly wanted to tease Ye Qian.

"Sister-in-law."

Ye Qian’s face turned completely red.

"If he wasn’t caring, I wouldn’t have let him take care of someone raised this well."

Ye’s mother chimed in.

"Mom, I’m not talking to you guys anymore."

Ye Qian quickly dashed back to her room.

Gu Yi and the others watched Ye Qian’s hurried retreating figure and burst into laughter.

That little banter finally lightened the atmosphere at home.

That night during self-study, Gu Yi was diligently sketching her designs. She was drawing a dress.

"Sister Yi Yi, if you make this outfit, I’d definitely buy it."

Wang Yuan suddenly commented.

Gu Yi glanced up at her.

"Hold on a minute, let me finish this bit and then we’ll chat."

Wang Yuan quietly watched Gu Yi complete the sketch.

Gu Yi handed the finished design to Wang Yuan.

"Do you like this dress?"

Gu Yi asked.

"I do! If this dress is made with light, flowy fabric, it’ll definitely be popular."

Gu Yi was surprised by Wang Yuan’s words.

She had intended to use chiffon fabric from future trends for this.

She didn’t expect Wang Yuan to have such fashion insight.

"Can you take a look at this design and see if anything needs modifying?"

Gu Yi handed Wang Yuan a pencil.

"Sister Yi Yi, I won’t hold back then."

Wang Yuan said with a smile as she took the pencil.

"Feel free. I genuinely want to know your thoughts."

"Your dress is elegantly simple, but the waistline and overall style lean towards youthful. I think the neckline is a bit plain. If we adjust it to resemble a cheongsam’s semi-collar and add two ribbons to tie at the front, it might look better."

After Wang Yuan’s suggestion, Gu Yi had to admit Wang Yuan’s design skills surpassed hers, and her ideas were more profound.

With such talent before her, Gu Yi knew she had to recruit for her future design team.

As she contemplated this, her gaze drifted towards Wang Yuan.

"Sister Yi Yi, why are you staring at me? I feel like a piece of juicy meat being ogled."

Wang Yuan laughed as she spoke.

Gu Yi thought, you’re not meat, you’re a little lamb—I must nurture you well.

"Yuanyuan, what do you want to do after graduation?"

Gu Yi started chatting with Wang Yuan.

"I aspire to be a fashion designer after graduation since that’s what we studied for. But my parents tell me there aren’t many jobs available, and it’s hard to find work. I might end up teaching art to elementary or middle school students."

Her parents had analyzed the current situation before she came to school.

But she was determined to study this, so she persisted.

"If you truly want to be a designer, a friend of mine is currently seeking design work; you could try sketching some pieces. If they’re turned into samples, you’ll get a portion of the compensation."

Gu Yi didn’t directly tell Wang Yuan she was the one who needed the designs.

As she only had the idea of starting a design company, she wasn’t sure if it would succeed or face other challenges.

She feared that if she told Wang Yuan now, she could end up disappointed.

"Really? That sounds great! When does your friend need the designs?"

Wang Yuan was excited, even if she couldn’t become a professional fashion designer.

The chance to see her designs made into actual clothes would be worth it, even without pay.

"No rush. Just sketch when you have free time. Once you have four or five designs, hand them to me, and I’ll pass them along."

"Okay, Sister Yi Yi, I was wondering if your friend is the owner of Jingying?"

Wang Yuan thought it was likely.

"Yes, that’s him. He wants to create his own brand, so he’s looking for more designs."

Aside from not including herself, Gu Yi was being truthful.

"Great, I’ll draw some over the next few days. Thank you, Sister Yi Yi, for this opportunity."

Though she didn’t know what the outcome might be, she was grateful for Gu Yi’s consideration.

In the following days, Wang Yuan spent all her time outside of class except for bathroom breaks sketching designs.

Even when she got home, she continued.

Xie Qingyi noticed Wang Yuan stopped watching TV, going straight to her room and closing the door.

She and Wang Yuan’s dad listened by the door but couldn’t hear anything inside.

It startled them quite a bit.

After dinner, Wang Yuan returned to her room.

Xie Qingyi specially prepared a plate of fruit and brought it in.

She saw Wang Yuan focused on her drawing.

When she approached, she realized it was a clothing design.

"Yuanyuan, what prompted you to draw this?"

Xie Qingyi felt at ease seeing this.

Wang Yuan was startled by her mom’s voice.

"Mom, why did you come in?"

"I knocked, you didn’t hear? What are you doing, drawing clothing designs?"

Xie Qingyi asked again.

"I saw Sister Yi Yi doing it the other day, and she mentioned a friend starting a brand and needing designs. I thought I’d draft some for fun. If chosen, there’s compensation too."

Wang Yuan explained everything to her mom.

"Oh, that’s a good opportunity. Eat some fruit and don’t overwork yourself."

Xie Qingyi patted Wang Yuan’s head.

Knowing her daughter’s passion for fashion design, they, as parents, would fully support this opportunity.

"Thanks, Mom. I’ve been brimming with ideas lately, though I’m unsure if they’ll be realized as actual clothes. If they are, I’d be the first to buy them."

Wang Yuan imagined the moment she’d wear clothes she designed, she’d surely swoon with happiness.

"And I’ll buy them too. I must support my daughter’s designs. Keep drawing; I’ll leave you to it."

Xie Qingyi remarked with a smile.

Wang Yuan waved her away and resumed sketching at the table.