Chapter 114: People Climb Higher, Water Flows Lower

Jiang Ran's initiative has always been astonishing.

After receiving Su Ruan's orders, he rushed out of the shop like a gust of wind, heading straight for Master Chen's workshop piled with old materials.

Master Chen, wearing reading glasses, was carefully mending an aged knitted vest in the light streaming through the window.

Hearing Jiang Ran explain his purpose in a flustered tone, he leisurely set aside his work, glanced at him.

"What's the hurry? The sky isn't going to collapse." Master Chen hummed, stood up, and walked toward the stack of tall camphor wood boxes in the corner, "Xiangyun Gauze has only become fashionable again in recent years. If you want a particularly special texture, you need something old."

He opened a box, and a scent mixed with camphor wood wafted out.

Inside were neatly stacked bolts of cloth, the colors not vivid, even somewhat dull.

Yet on close inspection, the weave was delicately unique, with a warm, restrained luster.

"Here, this is a luo woven by senior masters from the SuHang area in earlier years—more breathable and flowing than Xiangyun Gauze, and its weaving is more complex; few can make it now."

Master Chen pulled out a moon‑white piece of material; it felt cool and silky, and under the light one could see fine rhombic patterns.

"And this is called Langchou, dyed with potato vine. The color is deep, but the more you wash it, the richer its flavor, carrying an ancient rustic charm."

Although Jiang Ran is not a fabric expert, having followed Su Ruan for a long time his eye has become sharp.

He touched it, and his eyes lit up.

These old materials may not have the fame of imported Xiangyun Gauze, but their unique texture and the handcraft traces they bear indeed possess a special charm.

They even better match the scarcity and story value Su Ruan mentioned.

"Master Chen, these fabrics…"

Jiang Ran's voice was filled with excitement.

"The stock is limited, only a few bolts each, originally kept for my own research or for repairing old items for long‑time clients."

Master Chen closed the box, brushed the dust off his hands,.

"If you two can make good use of them, take them. The price follows the old rules—not cheaper than those foreign goods, but certainly more worthwhile than scrambling for the overpriced, unsellable Xiangyun Gauze, and it gives you more confidence."

"Yes! We'll take them all!"

Jiang Ran did not hesitate.

He knew Su Ruan could bring out the full charm of these fabrics.

Having secured the material, Jiang Ran hurried off to find the senior masters who had been poached by Yuerong with high salaries.

He didn't confront them directly; instead he chose to meet them by chance at the park pavilion where they often drank tea.

The senior masters, upon seeing Jiang Ran, wore slightly embarrassed smiles.

After working at Chongsu for quite a while, Jiang Ran and Su Ruan have always respected them, and never delayed payment.

"Boss Jiang…"

The leading Master Wang opened his mouth a bit sheepishly.

"Master Wang, Master Li, Master Zhang,"

Jiang Ran showed no displeasure; rather, he smiled and offered the masters cigarettes.

"Don't be nervous, I'm not here to accuse you."

"People strive upward, water flows downward; Yuerong offers high pay, I can understand why you'd want to go."

His attitude made the masters feel even more guilty.

Master Li sighed, "Boss Jiang, to be honest, working for you is comfortable."

"The things designed by Boss Su are also novel; we have momentum when we make them."

"It's just… over at Yuerong, the price they pay is really… our kids at home are waiting for money to buy houses and get married; we have no choice."

"I understand." Jiang Ran nodded, then shifted tone, "But masters, can Yuerong keep offering high prices forever, not just for a moment?"

"Their model burns money—how long can it last? When the hype fades or cheaper substitutes appear, will your craftsmanship still be worth this much?"

He paused, looking at the masters' thoughtful expressions, and continued, "We at Chongsu are different."

"We earn our living through design and reputation, a steady flow."

"Not to hide anything, Su Ruan already has a new design direction, using materials even more special than Xiangyun Gauze, requiring exquisite craftsmanship like yours to realize their value."

"When this wind passes, it's uncertain whether Yuerong will still have so many high‑end custom orders for you."

Jiang Ran did not directly demand their return; he presented facts, reasoned, and clarified pros and cons.

He concluded, "You masters are wise people, I'll say no more."

"Our doors are always open to those with true skill who wish to develop together for the long term. When you've thought it through, you're always welcome back."

Having said that, he politely greeted them and turned away, leaving the masters standing in silence, their faces complex.

Jiang Ran's blend of soft and hard words quickly spread through the small circle.

Some masters who had been wavering heard this and felt their hearts stir.

Indeed, high salaries are tempting, but stability and long‑term development matter more.

Yuerong's nouveau‑rich style never seems reliable.

Meanwhile, while Jiang Ran was running around, Su Ruan was not idle in the shop.

She took out the several backup design drafts she and Jiang Ran had previously conceived.

Those designs were originally prepared for inspiration droughts or market shifts.

Their style was bolder and avant‑garde, with higher demands on craftsmanship and fabric; at first they were shelved because the market might need cultivation.

Now, facing Yuerong's relentless pressure, these designs have become the weapon to break the deadlock.

She hunched over the desk, pencil rustling on paper as she swiftly revised and deepened the original designs.

Since the rival wants to imitate and hijack their style, she decided to leap out of that framework and lead a new trend.

She perfectly blended the characteristics of the old materials Jiang Ran brought into the designs.

Using the moon‑white luo, she designed a layered, gradient‑dyed, national‑style Dress, the hem spreading like ink on paper.

She conceived a deconstructed suit jacket with a very strong structural feel using dark brown silk, paired with wide‑leg trousers of the same material, steady yet unrestrained.

She also dug out some extremely exaggerated, futuristic accessory Sketches that Jiang Ran had drawn before, and decided to make a small number of them as the finishing touch.

Design alone isn't enough; a presentation that truly catches the eye is also needed.

"Douzi," Su Ruan called the little one who was wiping the counter, "go find the Shen Jizhe from the newspaper we worked with before, ask if she's interested, and have her come to our shop for an exclusive interview sometime later."

"Yaya, please keep these patterns safe for me, and show them to Jiang Ran when he returns."

Having arranged everything, Su Ruan let out a soft sigh and rubbed her slightly swollen temples.

Pregnancy brings fatigue, but this pressure, forcing her to confront it, actually sharpens her focus.

In the evening, Jiang Ran returned to the shop carrying several prized fabrics he had scavenged from Master Chen, and also told Su Ruan about his conversations with the senior masters.

"Daughter‑in‑law, you didn't see how the senior masters' expressions were absolutely brilliant!"

Jiang Ran lifted his chin a bit, looking rather smug.

"I think once the fresh momentum over at Joyful Look fades, or they realize they can't imitate our essence, they'll definitely come back!"