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Currently, the design department only had two people.
One was Old Liu, in his forties, who had been working in the factory since its founding. His designs still seemed stuck in the aesthetics of the 1960s.
The other was Xiao Zheng, a university graduate who joined two years ago.
Her designs imitated the Hong Kong fashion style, but not completely—it ended up looking awkward and unrefined. They had tried presenting them to clients a few times, but none were well-received.
Now that recruiting new designers was being discussed, Old Liu and Xiao Zheng looked at each other, neither speaking first.
Finally, Old Liu coughed lightly.
“Then let’s try recruiting newcomers. If their designs are accepted by clients, it benefits everyone. Otherwise, we’ll all end up laid off.”
Whether the factory transformed or closed down, the older employees would likely lose their jobs. Having worked half their lives, now being sent home just before retirement was hard to accept. If they could hang on a few more years until retirement, what happened after that wouldn’t matter to them.
Seeing Old Liu agree, Director Ge immediately made the decision:
“Alright, then it’s settled. We’ll recruit a few designers. Anyone who can present usable designs stays, and those who can’t will be let go.”
Just as he finished speaking, the phone rang. He picked it up, and the gatekeeper, Old Gao, spoke loudly on the other end:
“Director, there’s a young girl here applying for the designer position. Should I let her in or not?”
Speak of the devil.
“Let her in.”
Since they were recruiting designers anyway, this was the perfect chance to see her work.
Outside the factory, Cheng Yuanyue waited obediently while Old Gao shouted into the phone.
“Little girl, the director says you can go in. Head up to the third floor, Director’s office.”
“Thank you, sir.”
The first building was the office block, with production workshops and warehouses further inside.
She went up to the third floor and found the Director’s office, then knocked on the door.
“Come in,” a strong male voice answered.
She pushed the door open—only to be met with a dozen pairs of eyes staring at her.
So the director was in the middle of a meeting. Bad timing.
She quickly stepped back.
“Director, I see you’re in a meeting. I’ll come back later.”
“Come in,” Director Ge called again. “We’re just discussing hiring designers. Since you’re here, it’s a good time for us all to interview you.”
Hearing this, Cheng Yuanyue wasn’t sure whether to consider herself lucky or unlucky.
Lucky, because they were recruiting exactly what she came for.
Unlucky, because now she had to face more than a dozen “interviewers” at once.
She stepped inside, smiled politely at everyone, then introduced herself before handing over her sketches.
“These are some clothing designs I created. Please take a look.”
Director Ge’s eyes lit up at first glance. The designs were simple yet distinctive—perfect for young men and women in their twenties and thirties.
He passed the sketches to Old Liu and Xiao Zheng.
Old Liu’s eyes brightened instantly. Both the drawing technique and the expression of the designs were clean and clear.
Xiao Zheng, on the other hand, only glanced at them and thought they looked no better than hers. She didn’t see what was so impressive.
“Miss Cheng, which school did you graduate from?” Xiao Zheng asked casually.
After all, she herself was a graduate of Jiang University, and even her drafts hadn’t satisfied clients. This newcomer surely couldn’t do better.
The truth was, the original Cheng Yuanyue had only studied up to junior high—no high school, no university.
Faced with the choice between lying or telling the truth, she chose honesty.
“Sorry, everyone. My education background isn’t impressive. If you think my qualifications are too low to hire me, I can still sell you these drafts. As long as the price is fair, I’m willing to let them go.”
Damn it. In the modern world, jobs demanded degrees. Back in the 80s, people still asked first about education!
She silently swore that once she earned her first pot of gold, she would go back to school.
“No degree?” Xiao Zheng sneered. “Then where did these designs come from? You didn’t copy them from somewhere, did you? If they’re plagiarized, we can’t use them. If we mass-produce them and the real designer comes knocking, it’ll be trouble.”
“That’s right,” Old Liu added carefully. “Without formal education, how can you prove your drafts are original? We’d have no way of knowing.”
“You don’t have to worry about that,” Cheng Yuanyue said firmly. “I can guarantee they’re 100% original. If you’re doubtful, I can create something on the spot.”
“Alright then, draw something here and now. The style must be different from these, but not too avant-garde. Our clients are conservative. If it’s too forward-looking, they won’t accept it.”
“Alright.”
Cheng Yuanyue immediately took out paper and pencil and began sketching.
Within five minutes, a brand-new design appeared vividly on the page.
Her fluid technique and effortless ideas impressed even Old Liu.
If this young woman had achieved this level without formal training, it could only mean one thing—she was born for this line of work.
“This young lady’s skills are good,” Old Liu admitted. “Though she lacks a degree, at a time like this—when the factory’s survival is at stake—we can’t be too rigid. Director, I suggest we buy these designs. What price do you have in mind, Miss?”
Director Ge was eager to change the factory’s course. With fresh blood like this, he was willing to give it a try.
“But Director,” Xiao Zheng protested, “these look no different from mine. Clients didn’t like my drafts, so I doubt they’ll like hers either.”
“Xiao Zheng, just compare her drawing skills to yours and you’ll see the difference. You’re a Jiang University graduate, yet your work can’t match someone who’s never been to college. I think these are excellent. Director, when I meet our big client soon, I’ll bring these designs along,” said Manager Guan from the sales department, feeling newfound confidence.
“Young lady, name your price. If the client accepts your designs, next time we’ll officially hire you as a designer,” Director Ge offered.
Cheng Yuanyue thought about it.
If they failed to land the client, she didn’t mind giving the drafts for free. If they succeeded, she just wanted a share of the profits.
After a pause, she smiled lightly.
“How about this: take the designs to the client. If they don’t like them, I won’t charge anything. If they do, just give me a bonus or commission.”