Fang Tian didn't understand, "What do you mean?"
Quan Jiu walked to an easel and smiled at the audience, "Who among you is willing to..."
"Me, I will."
Before she could finish speaking, Jiang Guixiu, sitting in the front row, stood up and shouted. Before anyone could react, she hurried onto the stage, disregarding her status.
Once on stage, she tidied her clothes and looked at Quan Jiu with some excitement. The words that had been circling in her throat countless times were still difficult to ask.
Finally, she cautiously probed, "I am willing... can I?"
Quan Jiu smiled slightly, polite and courteous, "Thank you. You can tell me what kind of dress you want, and I will design a piece of clothing for you along with this senior Fang Tian. Senior Fang Tian, you don't have any objections, right?"
Fang Tian looked suspicious, "You?" Worthy?
She replied defiantly, "I am the apprentice of the previous director of the Embroidery Bureau. Who is your master?"
"My grandmother," Quan Jiu picked up the pen on the easel. "To prevent the audience from waiting too long, let's set a time limit of half an hour. For the renowned senior Fang Tian, this should not be a problem, right?"
Fang Tian laughed heartily, "You learned from the old lady for a few days and want to compete with me? Hmph, don't blame me if I win and you make excuses about being an amateur, or say I bullied the weak."
"Don't worry, in front of so many people here, I can make it clear beforehand: no matter the outcome, a bet is a bet."
Fang Tian was overjoyed. She had been a little worried that the master of Yunlan Pavilion might suddenly appear. She hadn't expected this little vixen to step forward to show off. With her attire and appearance, it was clear she had never even touched a needle, let alone designed trending national fashion.
With this little vixen as a contrast, she was sure to solidify Yunlan Pavilion's reputation this time.
Thinking this, she said aloud, "Since you are sincere, I won't dampen your youthful spirits. Half an hour is more than enough. Let's begin."
"Wait," Quan Jiu added, "Both Yunlan Pavilion and Fang Tian Embroidery House deal with embroidery. If that's the case, just designing is a bit monotonous. Half an hour for design, and half an hour for embroidery, to be displayed on-site. Senior, do you have any objections?"
This made Fang Tian burst out laughing. She couldn't say for sure about other things, but in terms of embroidery, she was the apprentice of the former director of the Embroidery Bureau, and she had some skill.
"Are you sure you want to compete in embroidery? I don't want to hear any talk about 'bullying the weak' or 'winning unfairly'."
Fang Tian scoffed outwardly, but inwardly she was extremely pleased: You, like this, dare to compete with me in embroidery? It's laughable.
Quan Jiu affirmed again, "I learned a thing or two from my grandmother. Regardless of the outcome, a bet is a bet."
Fang Tian immediately clapped her hands, "Very good. Young people have backbone. I will fulfill your wish."
"Photographers behind us, you can record the entire process," Quan Jiu said to a photographer holding a high-mounted camera.
The person quickly aimed his camera at the two drawing boards on the stage. Other reporters also found suitable positions and set up their equipment to film the entire event.
Yun Shu, watching Quan Jiu's calm demeanor throughout, recalled the previous incident at the banquet and reminded Fang Tian, "Are you confident? This woman seems to have a trump card."
Fang Tian replied confidently and proudly, "I can't say for sure about other things, but at least in embroidery, I am absolutely confident. At her age, would she even know embroidery? No one would believe it."
Yun Shu looked at Quan Jiu carefully again. She felt Fang Tian had a point. After all, that shrew looked like a temptress, and her skill in seducing people was unmatched, but embroidery? Who would learn such a thing nowadays?
"What about the design? Do you have any problems?" she asked again, still worried.
Fang Tian became even more smug, "Look at her. Does she look like she understands design? She's clearly a kept woman, a pretty vase. Don't worry, this time, Yunlan Pavilion will have no room to talk."
As long as the master of Yunlan Pavilion didn't show up, she could put on a solo performance. The entire stage was hers, and people would believe whatever she said.
Yun Shu's gaze fell on Quan Jiu's neck again. The necklace worth over six hundred million was a gift from Chu Rong. Although she wasn't short of money, she lacked someone to give her such a necklace.
Just looking at it made her stomach churn with jealousy.
"Then show your skills. I want to see that woman utterly humiliated," she urged.
Fang Tian had already picked up her brush, struck a pose, and looked at Quan Jiu provocatively.
Quan Jiu smiled, "This is Mrs. Jiang. I believe Senior knows her. I have met Mrs. Jiang a few times, and since Mrs. Jiang is willing to provide her ideas, I naturally have no reason to refuse."
Fang Tian, not wanting to offend Jiang Guixiu, smiled and said, "If Mrs. Jiang is willing to trouble herself, I have no objections."
Jiang Guixiu looked at Quan Jiu, a little nervous, "Then... what should I do now?"
"Then I'll trouble Mrs. Jiang to tell us what you do throughout the day. Also, everyone can turn on their timers. From now on, half an hour for design, and half an hour for embroidery," Quan Jiu smiled slightly.
The audience below checked their watches.
Jiang Guixiu's eyebrows moved, her expression becoming more excited. She looked at Quan Jiu as if she had discovered a new continent, her face full of anticipation.
After thinking for a moment, she said, "After I wake up, I usually do morning exercises, then eat breakfast, trim the flowers and plants at home. In the afternoon, I have afternoon tea by the balcony while reading, sometimes I play the guzheng for several hours. In the evening, I practice calligraphy or painting, and occasionally I dine with friends..."
Jiang Guixiu spoke for several minutes, detailing almost every aspect of her day. After she finished, she looked at Quan Jiu expectantly, "Is there anything else you want to ask?"
Quan Jiu smiled slightly, "That's enough, thank you." Then she turned and picked up her brush, beginning to create on the paper.
Seeing this, Fang Tian quietly cursed "Putting on an act," and then asked Jiang Guixiu about her ideas.
"Mrs. Jiang, what kind of dress do you want?"
Jiang Guixiu thought for a moment, her mind blank. After a moment of hesitation, she said, "I want something that looks ethereal, with a beautiful artistic conception, something that can showcase elegance, and makes people's eyes light up at first glance."
Fang Tian smiled and nodded, "Understood, Mrs. Jiang."
Jiang Guixiu looked skeptical, "Do you really understand? The feeling I want?"
Fang Tian picked up her brush and began to create, confidently saying, "Don't worry, I will definitely design an unattainable dress for you."
Jiang Guixiu's brow furrowed slightly, "It doesn't have to be unattainable. The most important thing is the temperament, a feeling of being detached from the mundane, very unique."
Fang Tian couldn't help but curse inwardly: Why don't you go write poetry? Ethereal, detached from the mundane? I think you should become a nun.
However, outwardly, she still appeared very patient, "Okay, Mrs. Jiang."
The audience stretched their necks. This kind of live design and live embroidery was a first for them. At this moment, everyone's attention was focused on the competition, not even carefully considering who the people on stage were or why they were there, only eagerly awaiting the result.
When Chu Rong entered the show venue, he saw Quan Jiu painting on stage, focused and serene, as beautiful as a plum blossom blooming in solitude.
At this moment, it was as if a spotlight appeared on the stage, illuminating the only person who caught his eye.