The staff in the design department of Fu’s Jewelry have fixed salaries, but they also receive a commission for every set of private customization they design. Moreover, end-of-year bonuses are even more generous. Tang Xi received two private customization invitations in one night. She mentioned it to Jiang Wangyue, who was slightly tipsy at the time, and upon hearing this, Jiang Wangyue patted the back of her hand, "Don’t pay attention to Qin Mo’s unreasonable nuisance. She can’t secure her own clients with her lack of ability, unwilling to change her style, always looking for shortcuts. It’s normal for Mrs. Liang to choose other designers."
Jiang Wangyue continued, "I am acquainted with Mrs. Liang. She’s actually quite amiable and easy to get along with. If your design style catches her eye, you can rely on her to break into the upper-class custom-made market, as she has a small circle. Once you enter her circle, your end-of-year bonus this year will definitely be substantial."
Tang Xi was not underestimating herself or lacking in confidence, yet she still shared her concerns with Jiang Wangyue.
Jiang Wangyue shook her head. "Do you know why Mrs. Liang didn’t choose Qin Mo? I’ve seen Qin Mo’s pearl design work before, because I also designed a similar piece for Mrs. An, who is one of my clients. Qin Mo latched onto Mrs. An at a socialite’s birthday party a few days ago. Mrs. An is very generous and is an important client for our jewelry department at Fu’s, having spent close to two hundred million on jewelry from Fu’s last year. Qin Mo, well, she’s too keen on taking shortcuts. Although these wealthy ladies like to hear pleasing words, a design that merely caters to their tastes is, in their eyes, only a satisfactory product not particularly attention-grabbing, something they could take or leave."
"You need to gain her recognition for your work, not your flattery for her preferences."
Tang Xi looked at her.
And seemed to vaguely understand.
Just like how she herself liked bean paste-colored lipstick a lot, but she already had many and would not buy more. No matter how much she liked it, she would not purchase it again. As for lipsticks of other colors, as long as they were pretty and touched her heart, she would buy them as needed.
Seeing Jiang Wangyue slightly inebriated, Tang Xi took a glass of lemon water from a passing waiter and handed it to Jiang Wangyue.
Jiang Wangyue didn’t elaborate in her advice, but she patted Tang Xi on the shoulder. "To strive in our profession, besides having a baseline in design standards, one needs to always seek out the new, never confining oneself to their comfort zone. ’Inspiration’ is quite an abstract term after all, something elusive, but excessively researching the preferences of some wealthy lady, leaning towards the comfort of what they like, will bore them sooner or later. Once she’s bored, she’ll leave an opportunity for others to take."
She was very happy to have met a director like Jiang Wangyue, who was always willing to guide her.
"Director Jiang, thank you."
"What’s there to thank for? As your superior, and since you saved my mother’s life, it’s only right for me to help you."
When Tang Xi got home, she took a bath and then sat down at her desk to start designing the preliminary draft for Mrs. Liang, which was due the next day.
She did some online research on Mrs. Liang, and although not much useful information was available, it still led her to some valuable insights.
Qin Mo had used pearls in her design, but Tang Xi did not plan to repeat the use of pearls in her concept.
The next morning, Tang Xi sent a few images to Liang Wen Yue’s WeChat.
Then she went to work at the company.
It seemed that Fu Tingzhou was due to return today.
Why ’seemed’? Because she didn’t know the exact time of Fu Tingzhou’s return. Fang Yuan was the one who gossiped about it. The office area was a hotbed for gossip. Tang Xi didn’t engage in gossip actively, but Fang Yuan would share all the gossip he heard with her.
Liang Wen Yue replied with a message, "How long will it take to produce the final piece? My daughter will need it in two weeks."
Tang Xi restrained her excitement, "Mrs. Liang, does this mean you are satisfied with my work? Don’t you want to confirm the price with me?"
"The things I, Liang Wen Yue, set my eyes on are not bound by price; I can afford them," said Mrs. Liang.
Liang Wen Yue added, "You can also come to my daughter’s birthday party. I will send you the address."
Tang Xi was somewhat surprised by the invitation. She quickly replied.
After informing Jiang Wangyue, Tang Xi contacted the factory, sent the sketches over, confirmed the production schedule, and emphasized that the piece must be ready within ten days.