Chapter 113

Chapter 113

When Jiang Yiwei first started designing and making clothes for others, she never imagined she could design costumes for a theater production.

Designing theatrical costumes? Maybe she could handle it.

But she knew that if she agreed, it would come with great responsibility.

Stage costumes, especially for a production this big, demanded extreme precision. Jiang Yiwei would likely have to study specialized texts.

"Yi Wei, what’s on your mind?"

Fang Wenyu noticed Jiang Yiwei had been silent, lost in thought.

No telling what she was thinking.

Back in competition days, Jiang Yiwei had never second-guessed herself like this.

If it were Fang Wenyu in her shoes, she would’ve jumped at the chance—even if the costumes flopped, she wouldn’t regret it.

To her, this was a fresh challenge—a shot at something big.

No way she’d hem and haw like Jiang Yiwei.

Jiang Yiwei glanced at Fang Wenyu before slowly turning her gaze to Teacher Yu and Shen Linyue.

Her gaze hardened with determination.

"Teacher Yu, Ms. Shen, I’ll do it. I’ll make costumes you’ll love."

Jiang Yiwei took the job for the *Zhou Yuanqing* production.

Teacher Yu and the others broke into relieved smiles.

"Ms. Jiang, you’ve got this. I know you’ll nail the *Zhou Yuanqing* costumes," Teacher Yu encouraged her.

"I will."

Jiang Yiwei’s voice was steady and sure.

The moment she signed on, Jiang Yiwei hit the ground running.

She got the basics down about *Zhou Yuanqing*’s historical setting, hashing out details with Teacher Yu—marathon sessions that stretched for days.

In the following weeks, she camped out in libraries, devouring texts on period attire.

Back at her shop, she and Zhou Hongmin dug into the designs side by side.

Fortunately, *Zhou Yuanqing* wasn’t shooting for four more months.

Three thousand pieces.

Jiang Yiwei figured they could pull it off.

"Yi Wei, how’s this sketch look?"

Here's the improved translation incorporating the expert suggestions:

Jiang Yiwei glanced over.

"This looks great, Hong Min. Keep it up."

Jiang Yiwei specialized in main character designs, while secondary characters fell to Zhou Hongmin.

That day, Jiang Yiwei told Zhou Hongmin about landing a gig to design costumes for a film crew and asked for her help with the sketches.

At that moment, Zhou Hongmin was completely floored.

Designing costumes for a film crew—Zhou Hongmin wondered if she was dreaming or hadn't woken up yet.

But the look in Jiang Yiwei's eyes told her it was all real, not some fantasy.

She'd really landed the job.

Like Jiang Yiwei, Zhou Hongmin had never worked on stage costumes before, let alone historical drama costumes. She questioned whether she could pull it off.

Jiang Yiwei confessed she shared the same worries.

But Jiang Yiwei wanted to rise to the challenge.

This was also an amazing opportunity.

Since graduation, Zhou Hongmin had stuck with Jiang Yiwei.

If Jiang Yiwei was determined to try costume design, Zhou Hongmin wanted to as well.

So, from sketching drafts to selecting suitable fabrics, and eventually creating a few costumes, Jiang Yiwei and Zhou Hongmin tackled everything together.

"Yi Wei, will these be enough? Should we make a couple more?"

Zhou Hongmin thought making a few extra would be better.

Jiang Yiwei shook her head.

"No, these are enough. If we make more and Teacher Yu and the others aren't satisfied, it'll just be a waste."

"Getting their feedback early allows for timely revisions if there are any issues."

Initially, Jiang Yiwei had agreed with Teacher Yu that they would first produce a few costumes and numerous design drafts for Teacher Yu and Shen Linyue to review. If they didn't meet expectations, we could make changes, or even bring in a whole new team.

Jiang Yiwei put Huang Yunxiang in charge of the shop, going over key points with her.

Meanwhile, she and Zhou Hongmin went to meet Teacher Yu and Shen Linyue.

Since Jiang Yiwei had informed them in advance that she would bring the costume design drafts and a few completed pieces for review that day, they were expected to come.

Jiang Yiwei and Zhou Hongmin arrived at a courtyard, where they happened to meet a guy at the gate who seemed to be waiting for someone.

When the young man saw them, his face brightened. Jiang Yiwei spoke up first to explain they were there to see Teacher Yu and Shen Linyue.

Perhaps Teacher Yu and Shen Linyue had given instructions, as the guy asked for Jiang Yiwei's name.

"You must be Miss Jiang Yiwei?"

"I am Jiang Yiwei."

The young man’s face lit up with a smile. "Please follow me."

Jiang Yiwei and Zhou Hongmin followed him into a room furnished with vintage decor.

She noticed that aside from Teacher Yu and Shen Linyue, there were two other men in the room.

The four of them were gathered around a table, engrossed in such a heated discussion that they didn’t even notice them enter, still deep in conversation.

Jiang Yiwei could just make out that they were discussing the plot.

Noticing they were distracted, the boy quickly stepped forward and called out, "Teacher Yu, Teacher Shen."

"Ms. Jiang Yiwei has arrived."

The group, who had been deep in discussion, immediately turned their gaze toward them.

Teacher Yu and Shen Linyue, still holding their pens, hurried over to Jiang Yiwei and Zhou Hongmin.

"Ms. Jiang, Ms. Zhou, you’re here."

Teacher Yu spoke, but her eyes were fixed on the design drafts they carried.

Jiang Yiwei noticed and gave a small smile. "We brought the design drafts, and we also made some sample costumes for you to review."

"Since it’s our first time making costumes, we’re not sure if they’re right."

"We hope you can share your thoughts."

They placed a stack of design drafts on the table. The moment they were placed, Teacher Yu and the others began examining them one by one.

Jiang Yiwei and Zhou Hongmin felt a sudden wave of nerves.

For *Zhou Yuanqing*’s designs, they’d pored over historical records from different dynasties, even visiting libraries. They’d never worked this hard, even for past competitions.

And they had to design so many costumes.

Jiang Yiwei was confident, but she still worried her designs might not meet the crew’s requirements.

Teacher Yu and Shen Linyue examined each draft, growing increasingly impressed. They spent nearly half an hour reviewing them.

"Ms. Jiang, I knew you could do it." Teacher Yu’s gaze toward them grew even warmer.

Today’s drafts proved she and Shen Linyue had been right to approach Jiang Yiwei.

Her words confirmed the designs were viable.

Jiang Yiwei’s heart swelled with joy.

She’d actually pulled it off.

She hadn’t expected her costumes would be exactly what the crew wanted.

"Teacher Yu, I can’t take all the credit—Hongmin contributed too."

The drafts weren’t just her work; Zhou Hongmin had also drawn some.

With a laugh, Teacher Yu patted Zhou Hongmin’s shoulder, leaving her thrilled.

"Your designs are even better than those from the design firms we tried before."

Here's the edited translation incorporating the expert suggestions:

Shen Linyue recalled that compared to the costume design drafts from their previous design unit, those created by Jiang Yiwei and her team were clearly superior.

"Teacher Yu, look at this smoke-blue lotus-and-butterfly embroidered gown. If it's made and worn, how gorgeous it would look, especially under the lights."

The thought of this costume appearing in her future shots made Shen Linyue feel indescribably excited and proud.

Jiang Yiwei and Zhou Hongmin shared a knowing smile.

"I'll create this dress so you can see it."

Jiang Yiwei and Zhou Hongmin carefully unveiled the smoke-blue lotus-and-butterfly embroidered gown.

When the costume appeared before them, their eyes lit up with unmistakable joy and awe.

"Absolutely breathtaking."

The smoke-blue lotus-and-butterfly embroidered gown took their breath away.

Shen Linyue murmured in admiration.

Teacher Yu nodded in agreement.

The others gathered around the gown, heaping praise on it.

Some remarked on how stunning the lead actress would look wearing this on camera.

"When this drama airs, your design will surely win awards," the art director said, gazing at the dress.

After studying the designs, he was certain the drama would win awards.

"That wasn't my intention."

She'd designed this dress specifically for the female lead's first appearance.

What surprised Jiang Yiwei even more was that she'd actually created the costume.

Regardless, she'd risen to the challenge.

Teacher Yu took Jiang Yiwei's hand. "Yi Wei, thank you from the bottom of my heart."

Teacher Yu was profoundly grateful to Jiang Yiwei.

"Teacher Yu, I was paid for this."

Their relationship was a straightforward business arrangement.

"You deserve payment—it's the result of your hard work."

There was nothing wrong with Jiang Yiwei being compensated for her designs.

"I want to thank you because you've given our production an incredible gift."

Truthfully, before approaching Jiang Yiwei, Teacher Yu had serious doubts. She and Shen Linyue had gone back and forth for days about the costume designer before finally choosing Jiang Yiwei.

Teacher Yu's gamble paid off—Jiang Yiwei had more than delivered.

Now that it was confirmed *Zhou Yuanqing* would use the designs by Jiang Yiwei and Zhou Hongmin, with the production start date approaching...

Jiang Yiwei had to oversee the costume team hired by the crew, ensuring everything was made to her and Zhou Hongmin’s designs—leaving her little time for her own shop.

Even during filming, Jiang Yiwei was often on set at the request of Teacher Yu and the others.

After several months, the production wrapped successfully.

Jiang Yiwei could finally devote herself fully to her own store.