Chapter 99 – Transformed into a Top Embroiderer

Chapter 99 - Transformed into a Top Embroiderer

The winter winds howled overhead, sending hair flying and stinging cheeks, but they couldn't dampen the enthusiasm of the crowd gathered for the spectacle. The throngs at the Silk Thread Market only grew denser.

After the buzz on Weibo spread rapidly, locals living nearby were among the first to join the crowd, while more distant fans were still making their way there.

They soon packed the Silk Thread Market so tightly that not even a fly could squeeze through.

In the back rows, those eager to watch the competition stood on tiptoes, holding up their phones to peer through the gaps, with some standing on stools or tables. Even children climbed onto their parents' shoulders.

Windows on the second and third floors of the shops were thrown open, with heads poking out to catch a glimpse.

Seeing the situation, market managers hastily assembled a team to maintain order, fearing a potential stampede.

From a side room adjacent to the glass workstation, Tian Ningfang looked sternly at Lu Yan and Chen Ming. The implication was clear: a celebrity had challenged Wu Xia, and she had agreed; not only that, but she had also allowed him to be the referee? Was that reasonable? Absolutely not!

Chen Ming apologetically bowed his hands and said, "President Tian, it seems like the trouble was caused by me. My apologies."

Tian Ningfang maintained his stern expression for a while before bursting into laughter. "Hahaha! It's all for you! This is the first time our industry has received such widespread attention. Why didn't you bring a few more people like this before? You're late!"

"Indeed, this one has quite the audacity. Most wouldn't dare to make a fool of themselves," Chen Ming said, glancing at Tang Fei. A mix of annoyance and interest flickered in his eyes.

Upon learning that Tang Fei wasn't from the circle, Lu Yan fretted, "If Big Mao wins, she'll definitely leave. Sigh."

Gently placing his hand on his wife's shoulder, Chen Ming reassured her, "Yan, you can't stop the child from leaving. Even if someone else were to come, they wouldn't defeat Big Mao. Haven't you come to terms with it?"

"I would have wanted to keep her if there was any chance," Lu Yan replied, watching as Wu Xia had already chosen her threads and returned to her workstation. Thinking that this might be her disciple's last embroidery under her guidance, her eyes welled up with tears. "Speaking of gradient colors, Big Mao could do them since she was young but refused to use them. She probably saved it for this moment to showcase her strongest skills. If her opponent isn't up to par, she'll be greatly disappointed.

"Gold and silver threads are typically used for embroidery. The threads are dyed with metallic pigments. Only recently has the idea of blending colors been proposed, but the resulting hues still can't match the luster of gold and silver threads."

...

The knowledge and memories Tang Fei had acquired were slowly integrating with her own mind. In terms of selecting colors, Tang Fei lagged behind Wu Xia. By the time she finished choosing her threads, Wu Xia had already fixed a dozen threads in various shades like yellow, white, red, orange, brown, and so on. She had already started splitting the threads.

Silk threads had an advantage in luster compared to most other threads. Only silk threads could reproduce the metallic sheen.

The silver hues didn't offer as much variety as gold. The silk threads Tang Fei had brought back were limited to blue, gray, white, and black.

From the moment she chose silver, Wu Xia gained the upper hand in color coordination.

To triumph over Wu Xia, Tang Fei realized that conventional methods wouldn't suffice.

Tang Fei's vision was filled with the system interface. She tapped on her skill list, and within the embroidery category, her 100% proficiency in Splitting Threads and Color Coordination was her strongest asset.

In natural learning, it was difficult to master skills perfectly without exceptional talent. This was where she held a slight advantage over Wu Xia, and her chance to win through sheer technical superiority.

"256 threads," refers to the art of unraveling a single strand into the fineness of silk. Wu Xia has already mastered this supreme technique. To compensate for the disparity in color selection with skill, one would need to surpass the refinement of dividing it into 256 threads!

Silk is not the limit of this technique. Silk is composed of sericin glued together with silk fibroin. Theoretically, it can be further decomposed after being reduced back to its silk form!

Though no one had ever tried to shear keratin fibers this way, down to five or six microns, a tenth the diameter of a fine human hair.

Visible only through a blur, how could one's fingers manage to pry them apart?

Tang Fei closed her eyes and took a deep breath. The odds of winning were slim, but whether she would triumph through a breakthrough under the pressure of competition or fall just short, she wouldn't consider it a loss.

After all, the system had never punished her for failing a task. She could always just give up on being a court lady and stop completing tasks altogether.

System: Am I to blame for having a good temper?

Tang Fei opened her eyes, focusing all her attention on each individual thread. She studied their structure, composition, elasticity derived from chemical treatments, and their denier count...

Gently touching the silk thread, Tang Fei's fingers followed the grain of the fiber, smoothly dividing one thread into two with ease.

Tang Fei began the process of splitting the silk. From the selection of colors to this point, it was evident that she was indeed an expert in the field.

The science communicators and live streamers on Weibo, after a brief moment of astonishment, immediately changed their stance!

Was Tang Fei a celebrity?

No, no – she was one of them!

Through the glass, those who were just discussing whether Big Mao would be upset about winning, how to leverage Tang Fei's celebrity status in public opinion, or whether they should say something on Weibo to save face for her after such a humiliating defeat, fell silent.

Lu Yan and Tian Ningfang exchanged surprised glances. Tang Fei was genuinely skilled, with mature techniques – this was certainly not something she had learned at the last minute.

"Boldness stems from confidence."

"Well, at least Big Mao won't be exerting his full strength on thin air."

Chen Ming's astonishment surpassed that of his wife! He knew Tang Fei all too well. She was the type of person he associated with being idle and unproductive. A minor celebrity who excelled in acting dramatic and marketing herself, but could she really embroider? What a marvel in the world!

He watched as threads gracefully separated under Tang Fei's skilled fingers, her speed only marginally slower than Wu Xia's.

No, not just a bit slower. Upon closer inspection, Tang Fei was accelerating!

Already so fast, and yet she sped up? !

Was this a race?

It seemed as if she had been away from embroidery for a while and was initially a bit rusty. But then, her speed picked up, becoming more and more fluent!

Now, Tang Fei's thread-splitting speed had even surpassed Wu Xia's!

Faster than Wu Xia?!

Tian, Lu, and Chen all furrowed their brows, craning their necks to see more clearly. Could it be that they were seeing things?

The live text commentary on Weibo had become unbearable.

Tang Fei actually possessed the skills of a top-tier embroidery master!

"Hello everyone, let me make a prediction. I believe this round of gold versus silver isn't just about color! It's a showdown between two exceptional talents at the pinnacle of their craft!

There are too many outstanding individuals hiding in plain sight, masters among the masses. I was too hasty with my judgment! As expected, someone who dares to challenge Wu Xia wouldn't be without remarkable skills. I've misunderstood celebrities far too much!

Tang Fei's speed in splitting threads has surpassed Wu Xia's! Perhaps it's not obvious from the video, but by comparing the number of threads evenly split and the time taken, we can see that Wu Xia, who was initially ahead, now has the same count as Tang Fei!

This competition is a clash of titans, a battle for the throne of the young generation's embroidery king, which will be decided today."

As the mood of the live streamers shifted from discomfort to enthusiastic praise, a wave of fervor swept through the Sugarcane fans on Weibo!

"Hand-lovers' paradise!!"

"What slender fingers! Ah, those hands are so fair, long and well-proportioned. I want to see the young lady play the piano!"

"Nosebleed! Beautiful hands!"

"How can it feel so enchanting with threads wrapped around them? It's like adding juice to milk."

"Foodie upstairs! You're making me crave milk tea now."

"What graceful movements! Her fingers dance as she works."

Amidst the embroidery enthusiasts, who were watching her meticulous explanation and video taken amidst the crowd, fans were swooning, expressing their confusion with emojis.

Why are you guys focusing on that?

Hey, guys and gals, pay attention to the technique! This is important, folks!

Truly, fans have unique perspectives.

As for those netizens who previously mocked Tang Fei as trash at 'King of Glory', they quietly deleted their comments, burying their heads in the sand like ostriches.

Tang Fei's speed increased, and she was the first to finish the 256th piece!

Speed doesn't matter here! The crucial point is that Tang Fei is also among the 256 recipients!

This is the pinnacle of domestic excellence!

Tang Fei possesses the top tier of domestic talent!

Friends, she's an actress, a celebrity! If her acting isn't top-notch, how can her embroidery be? Has her main career and side gig switched roles?

When Tang Fei, an embroidery master at the pinnacle of the domestic scene, replaced the previous top trending topic, it immediately caught the attention of a group of spectators eager for gossip.

"My goodness, witnessing a miracle! A celebrity who knows embroidery, and at the top level too!"

"This celebrity is so fascinating. How did their family nurture such skills? With this level of expertise, why bother with showbiz?"

"She must truly love acting."

"Maybe top embroidery artists don't earn as much as a low-tier celebrity?"

"Traditional culture is such a pitiful child. Spending years in rigorous practice to reach the pinnacle of the industry, yet they might earn only a million or two for a couple of embroidery pieces, while a minor celebrity could make more from just one advertisement."

"In the embroidery world, many work out of passion."

"Let's pay more attention to traditional crafts; they really go through a lot."

"No one masters this skill without their fingers being pricked like a sieve. The effort hardly matches the reward, and the industry is dwindling. If you have spare cash, consider buying a piece to support them."

...

Zheng Haisheng had arranged for a car, which was already waiting at the back entrance of the shop. He Zhou got in, accompanied by Ning Xiaodou and his agent.

He Zhou's face was cold, while Ning Xiaodou kept her head down, engrossed in a mobile game, showing no reaction at all.

The agent tried to diffuse the tension with a smile, "Brother He, after our apology, we'll leave and seek forgiveness."

He Zhou acknowledged with a mere hum. He felt that Ning Xiaodou's attitude wasn't sincere in apologizing, but since it was arranged by Boss Zhou, he couldn't intervene.

Focusing on Weibo updates, when He Zhou saw his cousin ascend to the ranks of top domestic embroidery artists, a strange sensation washed over him.

Did he have a problem with his memory?

My cousin learned embroidery, but I just can't recall it?

We grew up together since childhood. Did she learn it without me? Was I too dull to grasp it?

She must have learned it. It's not something one can pick up on the spot.

Singing and composing music can be attributed to talent, but this kind of skill is purely honed through practice!

Did my sister secretly study many talents while I was asleep? Like those who play wildly with you during the day and then study hard behind your back at night?

We agreed to be couch potatoes together, yet you stealthily excelled.

He Zhou looked at his dazzling cousin on Weibo with wistfulness, blinding everyone with her brilliance.

Boss Zhou must have gone to President Tian's backstage to watch the live performance, leaving me here to babysit these rascals!

Hmph, I won't speak well of you next time when I'm with my cousin!