"I'm not saying this to discourage you, but to help you understand the difference between a career and a hobby. They are two different things."
"If you want to surpass the Splendid Workshop, you need to let the data speak, and data is built upon the quality of your work and sales."
"Think carefully and clarify what you truly want. While having good ideas is important, you must also consider practical factors. Otherwise, forgive me for being blunt, but you would be just dreaming."
"I haven't signed the contract yet, and until you have thought this through, the contract won't take effect. It's getting late now, so I won't disturb your rest."
Lu Nianzhi explained earnestly and clearly, glancing at her wristwatch. Rong Dai took her notebook and stood up, acknowledging the instructions.
After seeing Lu Nianzhi off, Rong Dai sat on the sofa and stared into space for a long time.
Lu Nianzhi's words kept echoing in her mind.
Indeed, she had overlooked practical factors.
Her desire was for everyone to wear the clothes she designed, showcasing the essence of the East and the charm of embroidery.
But she had neglected her own abilities.
This was not the ancient court where everyone focused solely on the royal family.
Works, sales, and popularity.
These were the data that determined the height of her career.
She couldn't ignore this aspect.
Rong Dai couldn't help but feel lost, wondering if her past expectations were too idealistic.
She felt perplexed, conflicted, and a little unwilling.
Glancing at the time, she realized Huo Shao Ting was still working. She couldn't constantly disturb his work.
Considering Lu Nianzhi's words, she searched the internet for a few internationally renowned brands.
Apart from high-end custom-made garments, there were very few works that were entirely handcrafted.
Handcrafted pieces were either high-end custom-made or limited editions.
Due to the high cost of labor, they were not in line with the demands of this era.
Instant gratification.
That was one of the buzzwords of this era.
This was an era of high-end commercial development and efficient scientific application.
She had overlooked this point.
Outside, the sky quickly darkened. The city lights came to life, illuminating numerous households. Rong Dai stood by the French window, embracing herself, and struggled internally.
The dichotomy between handcrafting and machinery waged a battle in her mind, causing her a headache. She had to open a bottle of red wine and take a few sips.
She continued silently browsing the internet, pondering over Lu Nianzhi's words, and reviewing the operating model of the Splendid Workshop.
Sighing, she realized that her ideas were indeed too naive and absurd.
Even top international brands didn't dare to operate in such a manner. Even if there were such brands, they kept a low profile.
Exposure and sales could never match those of top international brands, which also contradicted her original intention.
She was unwilling to let her craftsmanship be buried like this.
She genuinely loved the art of embroidery. Any beautiful pattern, as long as it was visible, could be intricately embroidered stitch by stitch onto soft fabric, showcasing its unique beauty.
In the evening, Huo Mei Shu brought her dinner.
"Sister-in-law, why don't you turn on the lights?"
Huo Meishu walked into the room and, seeing it was dark, instinctively turned on the lights and asked Rong Dai a question.
Rong Dai let out a long sigh and said, "I've encountered some troubling matters."
"What happened? Is it work-related?" Huo Meishu quickly inquired.
She had been preoccupied with her own happiness today and hadn't paid much attention to her sister-in-law's affairs.
Rong Dai hesitated for a moment, sat down at the dining table, and looked at her younger sister-in-law as she took out the nutritious meal from the insulated box. She then shared with Huo Meishu what Lu Nianzhi had told her and her own thoughts.
Huo Meishu listened attentively, sitting across from her, and pondered for a while before speaking.
"Sister-in-law, to be honest, Nianzhi's perspective is not wrong."
"Your ideas are not wrong either, but they do overlook certain practical factors."
Huo Meishu analyzed the situation earnestly.
"If it were just ten or twenty people, it would be manageable. But what if it were a hundred people? And what if the orders required completion within a month?"
"Sister-in-law, although I don't understand embroidery, I do know that most people don't have the time or inclination to wait, unless it's something they absolutely can't do without."
"Besides, there are too many alternative options available now."
"If you want to make it a trend and compete with those top-notch brands, Nianzhi's plan is more rational and reasonable."
"Sister-in-law, your vision is a bit too idealistic."
Huo Meishu was already speaking quite politely. Handmade items not only require manpower but also consume the consumers' time, which can make them lose patience.
"In fact, sister-in-law, there's no need to be discouraged. You're so talented, and your aim is to allow more people to appreciate the essence and charm of our Chinese culture. And that doesn't necessarily have to be achieved solely through handmade products."
"I actually think accepting the traditional business model is not a bad thing. What matters most is the brand's concept and the excellence of the works."
"Whether it's clothing, food, housing, or transportation, comfort and satisfaction are the most important factors."
"If I really love a particular piece, I can wait for two or three months, or even half a year. But if it requires one or two years of waiting, that's too long. By then, the sense of anticipation in my heart would have long been extinguished."
"Ultimately, what's important is the quality of the work. Traditional-style garments have their own heritage, but as Nianzhi said, practical considerations must be taken into account."
Huo Meishu patiently expressed her viewpoint.
Rong Dai listened attentively while eating her meal.
"Sister-in-law, your embroidery skills are exquisite, but you can't guarantee that every embroiderer will be as skilled as you. Moreover, with so many people worldwide, if everyone wanted a handmade item, it would probably be impossible even if the universe were to collapse."
"So, in that regard, I agree with Nianzhi. Unless you're treating this as a hobby, there's no issue."
Huo Meishu paused for a moment and added a few more words.
Rong Dai nodded, understanding her younger sister-in-law's implication. She was just a little unwilling to accept it.
"Well then, sister-in-law, rest early. I'll head back now."
Rong Dai nodded and tidied up the dishes and chopsticks after finishing her meal.
Just as she was about to call Huo Shao Ting, the phone rang. It was him.
"Shao Ting..." she spoke, her voice trailing off with a hint of melancholy.
"Feeling down? Did something happen during the shoot?" Huo Shao Ting, knowing her well, worriedly inquired upon hearing her voice.
Rong Dai let out a gentle sigh and proceeded to tell him about the discussion she had with Lu Nianzhi today.
"Shao Ting, I just can't help but feel a bit unwilling. Those embroideries are truly beautiful, and I hope more people can experience the charm of embroidery."
She ended with a somewhat resentful sigh.
