Xingyao Clothing Store, compared to the first time she visited last year, had changed inside and out.
The shop’s decor was more minimalist and sophisticated, exuding a discreet luxury. Upon entering, many customers could be seen trying on clothes, making the store feel very comfortable.
Qin Anyu took Tang Yue upstairs to the studio and showed her the previous account books, seriously discussing which set of clothes was the most profitable.
Tang Yue carefully flipped through them.
Qin Anyu said, "Xiao Yue, each design is limited to only ten pieces, isn’t that too few?"
"Not too few," Tang Yue firmly stated. Star Bright aims for high-end, and mass production like other clothes isn’t feasible yet.
"An Yu, if the clothes sell exceptionally well, we could slightly increase the numbers," Tang Yue suggested, as the limited edition strategy targets a sense of rarity.
"But each piece sells out as soon as it arrives," Qin Anyu lamented, hands propped against her head.
After thinking it over, Tang Yue asked, "Sister An Yu, there are just two stores in Jing City now, right?"
"Yes," Qin Anyu confirmed, adding, "If there were another one, I would definitely tell you."
Tang Yue thought for a moment and then said, "Sister An Yu, actually, there’s another solution."
Qin Anyu immediately perked up, all ears.
Tang Yue explained, suggesting franchising, perhaps starting with one Star Bright store in each major provincial capital. Of course, each store would share the same decor style, so each outfit wouldn’t really be limited to just ten.
That means only ten pieces in this city, and if you want to buy, you would need to visit another city.
Star Bright, aspiring to be a high-end clothing brand, will inevitably need stores in various locations.
"Xiao Yue, there’s no problem with the funding; it’s just that I’m worried your design output might not keep up," Qin Anyu expressed her concerns. "Rourou and Sister Zhiqing have been wanting to partner with me, but this store is already partnered with you, and we can’t include them now. If we open more stores, we could definitely bring them in, but there’s just not enough clothes to sell."
Qin Anyu looked pitifully at Tang Yue and said, "Xiao Yue, look, there are only so few clothes downstairs."
The clothes at Xingyao Clothing Store are, even now, considered expensive, yet they always sell out quickly.
During her senior year, she had already tried hard to produce more design drafts, but as one person, she often genuinely didn’t have enough time.
"Xiao Yue, to help you focus more on creating designs, I’ve prepared a gift for you," Qin Anyu said mysteriously after lunch, leading Tang Yue out.
"An Yu, where are we?" Tang Yue followed Qin Anyu to an alley.
Qin Anyu pushed open a door, entering a small Siheyuan. It wasn’t the multi-section kind but a simple one, small but nicely located. In the central courtyard, there was a large tree, quite comfortable for sitting under in the summer.
"Xiao Yue, come look at this room," Qin Anyu ushered Tang Yue into a room on the left.
Pushing the door open, the room inside was spacious, with large windows filling the space with bright light.
Seeing the place, Tang Yue instantly knew its purpose. "Is this a studio?"
Originally, Qin Anyu wanted to set up a studio for her in Wangjiang County, but she had refused.
Unexpectedly, Qin Anyu had set up such a studio for her.
"That’s correct," Qin Anyu cheerfully explained. "I rented this place, and I rented it for five years at once, so you don’t have to worry about the rent. I purposely made the studio larger and hired several experienced tailors to ensure it’s ideally suited for your work."
Qin Anyu showed her around the studio, which was fully equipped, whether for storage, cutting, or worktables, all quite expansive. If Tang Yue wanted, she could easily work on the clothes here because the studio had everything.
"And here, there are four rooms prepared, and you can also stay here. Of course, this room is mine," Qin Anyu quickly claimed a room. "Besides my room, you can pick any other room, but I think you’ll one."
Qin Anyu had put a lot of effort into preparing this Siheyuan.
Seeing the room Qin Anyu had prepared for her, Tang Yue couldn’t help asking, "An Yu, this must have cost quite a bit?"
Not to mention the studio, even the furniture Qin Anyu had chosen was of high quality.
"Cough, I spent some, and my grandfather also chipped in," Qin Anyu laughed. "My grandfather said as long as I run the clothing store well, he will support me."
Tang Yue liked the Siheyuan but felt it was too much to accept it even if Qin Anyu offered it freely.
"Xiao Yue, you don’t need to feel burdened; this is also part of the investment," Qin Anyu explained. "Having a good work environment allows you to produce more designs. Moreover, just across the street is the main gate of Jinghua University."
Qin Anyu took Tang Yue’s hand and said, "Xiao Yue, now I’m really relying on you. You won’t let me down, will you?"
This business-like attitude from Qin Anyu made Tang Yue much more relaxed. If it counted as an investment, she could accept it. She replied, "Sister An Yu, I love this studio. You can discuss opening the branches with Sister Rou and Sister Zhiqing."
"Really?" Upon hearing this, Qin Anyu jumped for joy and immediately went to share the good news with Zhao Rou.
That evening, after Tang Yue returned to the vehicle fleet, she discussed with Mo Siyu her plan to move into the studio. Given Mo Siyu had taken a long leave from his regiment and had abruptly returned to a slew of tasks, he likely wouldn’t have time for Tang Yue over the next few days. Mo Siyu instructed, "Xiao Yue, please be careful there, and An Yu will be with you, right?"
"Yes," Tang Yue nodded affirmatively.
Suddenly, Mo Siyu handed her a set of keys, saying, "Our house is on the third floor of that new building, the second unit. You can arrange it however you like."
Mo Siyu then ran back, grabbed a passbook, and presented it, saying, "Xiao Yue, I definitely won’t be going elsewhere for the next few years, so that house, we can get married there in the future."
Holding the keys and the passbook, it dawned on Tang Yue only after Mo Siyu left: was Mo Siyu suggesting she arrange their bridal home?
Coughing, although marriage wasn’t imminent, that house would likely be their marital home.