Rebirth: The Ascent of a Socialite-Chapter 575 - 232: Secondhand Deal
Thank you for Ranyu’s pink support. When you have time, think about any spin-off stories you’d like to see. September officially enters the final month.
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In a private rehabilitation facility in New York Suburb, the Christmas atmosphere was suppressed by the white bedsheets and the smell of disinfectant. Pu Wangda, a once great fashion master, like all patients, wore a monotonous blue-and-white striped hospital gown. Suffering from esophageal cancer, he was losing weight every day. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦
As Su Ziceng and Lin Ying walked into the ward, the master was drawing a picture, completely engrossed in his work. Even when a nurse entered and greeted him quietly, he did not hear. The old generation of designers had solid sketching fundamentals, which was different from the current generation. Despite his withered hands looking like chicken claws, the vitality in his drawings remained unabated.
It was a lifelike cedar, a Christmas cedar, adorned with bells and colorful balls, drawn with light gray lines.
Only when the final stroke of the cedar was completed did Lin Ying call out to him. Pu Wangda’s leaden eyes moved, and upon seeing Lin Ying, he showed a smile, "My God, I thought I would never see anything beautiful again."
After hearing his words, Lin Ying’s face flushed, and she couldn’t move her gaze from the man who was utterly disfigured by the disease. Lin Ying, having received numerous praises behind the catwalk, considered some more exaggerated than what Pu Wangda had just said. Yet today, she was moved by such a simple compliment.
Pu Wangda also noticed Su Ziceng standing behind Lin Ying. The look in his eyes was very spirited, in stark contrast to his frail body.
"Master Pu Wangda," Su Ziceng didn’t know how to start with the purpose of their visit. After a pause, she took out the clothes designed by Sister Mu they’d brought with them.
Sister Mu’s latest works had taken a new direction - her style had changed abruptly. Most of the clothes Su Ziceng presented were simple, predominately in black and white, featuring pencil pants, batwing tops, and several suits that even office ladies could wear normally. It has to be said that Sister Mu was not incapable of designing, she simply had previously refused to change.
"These are New’s works, aren’t they?" Pu Wangda recognized the clothes Su Ziceng had brought out with just one look.
"Yes, Master, how could you tell?" Lin Ying prided herself as a faithful fan of New, but she couldn’t recognize Sister Mu’s designs after the change in style.
"She left traces in the designs," explained Pu Wangda as he flipped through the clothes Su Ziceng had brought out. From cufflinks to several zipper pulls, each detail utilized similar styled roses, "You must be Miss Su and the currently popular Lin Ying that New mentioned over the phone? I fully support your reform of Espr."
Master Pu Wangda didn’t wait for Su Ziceng to ask before giving them good news. Both Lin Ying and Su Ziceng were surprised, as things were going too smoothly.
"However," Master Pu Wangda saw their happiness and continued, "I have a demand. I am as stubborn as New, and I no longer have the Heart Power to make any changes to my creations. If you want to take over Espr, then you must accept my old works. I hope that after my death, those old pieces will still remain in the public eye."
What seemed like a light statement had completely dashed Su Ziceng and Lin Ying’s joy. This old man, with his owl-like eyes, had thrown them a rather difficult problem.
Every designer, especially those who have shined, wishes their creations to be forever popular, and Pu Wangda is no exception.
"Master," Lin Ying gathered her courage, "You are a senior figure in the fashion world, and you must know, there are no eternal classics in fashion, your demand is asking too much."
Forcing consumers to accept an outmoded fashion was inherently impossible. Lin Ying, standing on the T-stage, saw batch after batch of people being picked and eliminated each year. Not many retired gracefully like New did.
"Charming Miss," began Pu Wangda as he shook his head, "I see doubt in your eyes. As a model, you must believe that fashion is timeless. Or rather, you must make yourself into a classic; otherwise, you will never stand on the highest peak of the stage."
