Chapter 1507 - 1496: Avenging My Sister
"Ye Qiu, have you planned your career after graduation?" Li Zhihua adjusted her emotions and asked with a caring-sister tone.
"I haven’t thought specifically about it yet." Ye Qiu shook her head, currently just focusing on studying well and learning more knowledge.
Li Zhihua smiled: "That’s not wrong, but since you’re already in college, you should consider long-term goals. Do you have a particular designer you admire? Or maybe you aspire to work for a specific brand or start your own studio in the future."
"I particularly like Teacher Jian Lifan’s style, and I hope that someday I can win Teacher Jian Lifan’s favor and become his assistant." Ye Qiu said, following her sister Zhan Yao’s preference, and sure enough, she saw Li Zhihua’s eyes flicker.
"Teacher Jian Lifan, he is indeed the light of Chinese design, even I aspire to work with him." Li Zhihua said along.
Li Si Yue hurriedly added, "You guys probably don’t know, Teacher Jian Lifan especially favors my sister. He has praised her Fenghua work and even said he hopes to have the chance to collaborate with her someday."
"Really?" Ye Qiu looked at Li Zhihua in surprise and then admired her, "Senior, you’re really impressive. This means you’ll soon be collaborating with Teacher Jian."
Li Zhihua said somewhat unnaturally, "I can only hope for Teacher Jian to give me some guidance. I’m just a newcomer in the fashion industry; how can I collaborate with Teacher Jian? What he said was just being polite."
"It’s not just polite talk, cousin, don’t be modest, we all know that." Li Si Yue said more proudly.
Ye Qiu also complimented, "Yeah, senior, even if it’s not collaboration, Teacher Jian praising you so much, maybe he could take you as a disciple, then you could attend all major fashion weeks as you wish, that’s truly enviable."
"That’s still far away." Li Zhihua glared at Li Si Yue and whispered, "Don’t say everything outside, if it gets to some people, they might gossip that I don’t know my place."
Li Si Yue said aggrievedly, "But cousin, you’re really excellent, well, I won’t mention it again then."
"I’m not scolding you, I just don’t want to be too prominent." Li Zhihua reassured, though she was actually insecure, knowing she wasn’t as brilliant as her cousin claimed, she couldn’t bear these empty titles.
As for Teacher Jian Lifan favoring her, it wasn’t her he favored, but the Fenghua work, which wasn’t hers. Later, she showed her own work to Teacher Jian, even adjusted by a teacher, but it only earned a nod from Teacher Jian, saying she had potential, yet never invited her to be his assistant.
Recently, she has been asking people to contact Teacher Jian, even having them speak well of her, but only received a response to discuss it when he returns.
No one knows how scared she is, scared that Teacher Jian might say she’s just a name and only a fleeting inspiration, fearing that the reputation she’s painstakingly built might fall apart.
No one knew how much she sacrificed for today, she lacked the courage to face skeptical gazes, didn’t dare let it be known she lacked significant talent.
So when her cousin mentioned her roommate was someone highly talented, Li Zhihua entertained the idea, could she restart and once again exploit someone else’s inspiration?
However, upon meeting Ye Qiu in person, Li Zhihua knew she couldn’t be fooled as easily as Zhan Yao, yet this girl admired her greatly, proving she still had a chance.
"You are still students, drawing and crafting at school must be inconvenient, right? I know A University’s dorms, barely enough for four models, and with more fabric it can become quite chaotic. Have you ever thought about finding a dedicated place for designing and creating?" Li Zhihua turned to Ye Qiu’s group after speaking to Li Si Yue.
Xia Meng quickly shook her head, embarrassedly saying, "I feel my learning isn’t at that level yet."
"And you, Ye Qiu? You’re very talented, you must really want a studio for your own creations, right?"
"That’s true." Ye Qiu honestly nodded, "But I’m just a poor student, can’t afford to rent another place."
"Didn’t a professor already buy one of your works?"
"That’s the professor, I wouldn’t dare ask for a high price, and what can just one piece accomplish? My mom’s been sick and needs medication every month. I don’t want to waste money; if times are tough, so be it, it’s no big deal." Ye Qiu said frankly, not hiding her family situation at all.
"I see." Li Zhihua noticed Ye Qiu’s outfit was well-matched but with ordinary materials, maybe it seemed high-end because the wearer was pretty, and having a poor background signified a need, stirring something within Li Zhihua.
"How about you visit my studio in your free time? It’s spacious, and has all kinds of new fabrics globally, maybe you could find some inspiration." Li Zhihua warmly invited.
Upon hearing this, Xia Meng and Yu You looked at Ye Qiu eagerly, ready to accept on her behalf.
Li Si Yue jealously said, "Sister, you never invited me to your studio for creation."
Li Zhihua tapped her forehead lightly, "You should learn the basics first, once you’ve mastered them you can come anytime."
Then she looked at Ye Qiu again, "So, what do you think, would you like to come?"
Ye Qiu’s face blushed slightly, unsure if out of excitement or embarrassment, "I don’t have the money to pay for your rental fee, so I shouldn’t, thank you for the kindness, Senior."
"There’s no need to be so polite, I have my plans too, seeing your talent we can exchange ideas, besides, aren’t you lacking money? I know several designers from major brands, not that I have collaborations, but if you have great ideas next time, I could help you contact them, earning more than selling to your professor." Li Zhihua persuaded kindly, appearing to do this for Ye Qiu.
"Really?" Ye Qiu showed surprise and joy as Li Zhihua wished, "Wouldn’t that be too much trouble for you, Senior?"
Seeing her interest, Li Zhihua’s smile deepened, "Not at all, someone as talented as you, I’m more than willing to help!"
"Thank you, Senior! Once I earn money, I’ll repay you double." Ye Qiu happily agreed, unable to hide her joy.
Li Zhihua was even happier, "No need to talk about repayment. If you become famous, just treat me to a nice meal."
"Okay, I’ll definitely treat you to a feast, Senior."
Xia Meng listened eagerly, unable to resist asking, "Senior, can I and Yu You also come visit you sometimes?"
Li Zhihua’s smile faded somewhat, "Once you create works like Ye Qiu’s, you’re welcome anytime."
This implied rejection, Yu You was fine as she had no expectations, Xia Meng felt somewhat disappointed and even jealousy glancing at Ye Qiu.