Rebirth 1983: Building My Business Empire-Chapter 194 - 183 Jeans

Chapter 194: Chapter 183: Jeans

Chapter 194 -183: Jeans

Su Heyuan said, “I know of an Italian restaurant that’s not bad, want to try it? Jiaxin, you can dislike it, but you should be able to handle it. Otherwise, it’ll be awkward if you can’t join in when friends talk about Italian food.”

Lu Jiaxin knew he meant well, and besides, she had grown to accept Italian cuisine. If the chef’s cooking didn’t suit her taste, she could simply go home and cook some noodles.

She had thought the restaurant would be empty during work hours, but to her surprise, there were quite a few customers. The two of them needed to talk, so they chose a relatively secluded spot.

This time, Su Heyuan didn’t order, instead letting Lu Jiaxin do it, worried she might refuse, he even explained, “Ordering is also a skill you need to learn, so you won’t be looked down upon when dining out with friends in the future.”

How many times must this older brother have been mocked, she thought, he seems to have a shadow over him. Lu Jiaxin didn’t refuse. She took the menu from the server, browsed through it, and then told the server in English what she wanted.

Su Heyuan was very surprised. Once he had ordered his own meal and the server had left, he asked, “Have you been here before?”

Lu Jiaxin shook her head, “No, I just ordered what looked good. Big Brother Su, you really shouldn’t mind what others think. Only the incompetent would mock Mainland people as uncultured bumpkins. These people get their satisfaction by putting others down. Those who truly have quality and cultivation will respect anyone.”

Of course, whether they truly respect you in their hearts isn’t clear, but as long as they show politeness and respect, that’s enough.

Su Heyuan hadn’t expected to receive comfort, “Sometimes, I think you’re like an old person who has experienced the warmth and coldness of human nature, not like a sixteen-year-old child.”

A twitch formed at the corner of Lu Jiaxin’s mouth, but she still explained, “When my mom was alive, everyone praised me wherever we went; after she was gone, everyone called me pretentious, domineering, lazy, and gluttonous. Back in Ancient Capital, lying in the rain, I truly thought I was going to die. All I thought at that time was how shortchanged my life felt. Why should I be saddened by others’ words? Why did I angrily go back to my hometown alone? My life was just beginning! Later, by sheer luck, I survived, and that’s when I figured it out. Being happy is what’s most important.”

Su Heyuan apologized, “I’m sorry, I brought up painful memories.”

Lu Jiaxin waved her hand dismissively, “That woman has been put away. By the time she gets out, she’ll be old and no one will want her; Zhao Siyi was expelled from school and can only find work that’s both tough and poorly paid from now on. My dad, who cares so much about face, retired in disgrace. I’m not sad; I actually feel quite exhilarated when I think about it now.”

Su Heyuan hesitated, wanting to say more.

“If you have something to say, just say it. Don’t beat around the bush.”

Su Heyuan revealed that Zhao Siyi had already found a job, “Your dad made some calls and got her into the water bureau. It’s a temporary position but could become permanent if she does well.”

Lu Jiaxin was indifferent, “The salary for a temporary worker at the water bureau at most Seventy or Eighty Yuan; what’s that good for? It’s easy to slip from thrift to luxury, but hard the other way round. After coming to our house, Zhao Siyi’s clothes and effects were comparable to mine. Seventy or Eighty Yuan might just buy her a pair of shoes. She won’t last long in that job.”

After saying this, she remembered something and asked, “By the way, did the old man from my family divorce Ding Jing?”

Su Heyuan shook his head, “No. Now, many people say that Ding Jing has got hold of something on your dad, so he doesn’t dare to divorce her. Luckily, you came to Hong Kong, otherwise, you definitely would’ve been dragged down by him.”

Jiaxin spoke nonchalantly, “I was planning on going into business on the Mainland anyway. Even if he got arrested, it wouldn’t affect me. Enough about him, it sours the mood.”

Their ordered meal arrived soon after. Lu Jiaxin tasted the pasta—hmm, the flavor was good.

After the meal, Lu Jiaxin suddenly asked the driver to stop on the way home.

Su Heyuan was surprised, but still pulled the car over, “Did you forget something at the restaurant?”

Smiling, Lu Jiaxin said no, then took out a stack of drawing paper from her bag, “I got inspiration while shopping the other day, what do you think?”

During her last shopping trip, she noticed that many young men and women in Hong Kong wore denim jeans. In the Mainland, influenced by film and television, people also wore jeans, but it was still a niche trend that hadn’t become popular. Jeans would be popular throughout the twenty-first century, so making and selling them now would surely be profitable.

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In total, Lu Jiaxin had designed sixteen styles, eight for men and eight for women.

Having looked them over diligently, Su Heyuan said with a complex gaze, “When did you draw these designs?”

“It’s from the inspiration I got last time I was with you,” replied Lu Jiaxin. “As soon as I got home, I drew them up. Big Brother Su, like with the shoes, we start by finding a contract manufacturer, stockpile a certain amount, and then sell them. These styles are simple, stylish, and very easy to match with clothes; they’re sure to sell well.”

Su Heyuan took a deep breath, then said, “These designs are all very good, it’d be a pity to sell them only in the Mainland. Jiaxin, how about this, we handle the business ourselves in the Mainland, and find a partner for Hong Kong?”

Lu Jiaxin said with a smile, “The Mainland isn’t demanding in terms of branded styles right now, as long as it’s good-looking and durable. But standards are higher in Hong Kong, where brand consciousness is quite strong.”

Su Heyuan said ruefully, “We don’t have our own brand yet, so we can only take the mass market route. However, good quality and affordable, stylish clothing will still be liked by the youth, and if it sells well, we could even sell directly to Southeast Asia.”

Still smiling, Lu Jiaxin said, “We’re partners now. You’ll handle the company’s specific affairs going forward, and I will provide the designs. We can discuss big decisions together.”

Jokingly, Su Heyuan said, “We haven’t even signed a contract yet, and you’re already so trusting of me.”

If Su Hongying hadn’t persuaded him, he would not have agreed to Lu Jiaxin’s request, but now he was glad he had given in. A talented designer like Lu Jiaxin was more than enough to grow the company. And good management could be hired with enough money.

Lu Jiaxin said with a laugh, “If you were so short-sighted, at most I would lose a few design drafts, but you would lose a partner who could bring you a steady income.”

Extending his hand, Su Heyuan said earnestly, “Lu Jiaxin, it’s a pleasure to work with you.”

Lu Jiaxin shook his hand and smiled, “The pleasure is all mine. Once this deal is done, you can also leave Su Corporation and start preparing for our own company.”

Waving his hands, Su Heyuan said, “There’s no need to wait until the business is done, I’ll hand in my resignation tomorrow. I’ve had enough of those people’s faces.”

He had been swallowing his pride in the company for two reasons: one was to be praised by the old man in order to get more resources, and the other to understand the ins and outs of the business better. But now his thoughts had changed. Instead of languishing in Su family’s business, he might as well go out on his own sooner.

Lu Jiaxin actually admired his resilience, able to bow and stretch, “If you resign, wouldn’t your grandfather be dissatisfied? Starting your own company, you might run into trouble. Your grandfather has been in the industry for many years and must have considerable connections.”

Su Heyuan had been speaking in the heat of the moment, but now he had cooled down, “What you’re saying is right, resigning now would fall right into Su Hexu father and son’s wishes, and all the previous cold looks and jeers would have been for nothing. I need to find a way to infuriate Su Hexu, that way my grandfather won’t blame me when I leave.”