The assistant’s eyes darted as he heard Alice speak. Flattery flowed from his lips like a practiced speech, "These clothes truly do look stunning, but compared to your creations, they fall a bit short.
Her designs are too revealing, giving off a street-girl vibe. Unlike you, who radiates elegance amidst maturity, each of your pieces is designed for royalty, exuding unparalleled nobility!"
As his words faded, a calm yet stern reprimand reached their ears, "Speaking ill of others on their own turf, is this what you call nobility and elegance?"
Alice followed the sound and her face flushed crimson upon seeing Chen Lishu's profound gaze. Badmouthing someone behind their back was indeed a profoundly disrespectful act!
However, as a designer who had been pampered, she couldn't tolerate someone speaking ill of her. Even knowing she was in the wrong, Alice still arrogantly lifted her head, retorting stubbornly, "We weren't speaking ill of you, merely stating facts. Have you forgotten the major crisis your company faced a few months ago?
A girl wearing your designs was then ruined and jumped to her death. A young maiden died because of your clothes! Don't you feel even a shred of guilt? And you’re even grateful for designing such revealing attire!"
In reality, the clothes weren't particularly revealing, only the popular off-the-shoulder and crop-top styles of the time. Styles like theirs…
"Theft?" Chen Lishu chuckled as if hearing a joke, covering her mouth with her hand. "You believe someone with such extraordinary talent could emerge from my small village? If such a person could exist there, why couldn't I be that person?
Back then, we struggled to even get enough food. We had to rack our brains to survive. I used to sell small accessories to gradually expand my clothing store. This journey was far from easy, as you might imagine. So, what is the purpose of your visit? You didn't just come here to chat about everyday matters, did you?"
When Alice heard Chen Lishu mention struggling to get enough food and having to rack her brains to survive, she was reminded of her own life in the slums of Country M. Their experiences seemed not so different. They were quite compatible, in fact.
If it weren't for the upcoming fashion competition, making them rivals, she would have genuinely liked to sit down and discuss design experiences with Chen Lishu. So, she said, "That's right, I came to chat about everyday matters. Now that I've said what I needed to say, I should be going!
I heard your family has been facing quite a few issues lately. I hope it won't affect your mindset for the competition. I truly wish to compete with you honorably. One lives and learns, and my intuition tells me that I can learn a great deal of knowledge I've never encountered from you!"
After saying these words, Alice turned with her assistant and left Shu Se Group without a backward glance.
Su Nian watched their retreating figures, her brow furrowed. "Madam, I feel that this Alice is rather strange. Our designs aren't that common in Country M. After seeing your design style today, will she engage in plagiarism? Should I send someone to follow them, and report to you immediately if anything seems amiss?"
Chen Lishu shook her head, refusing. "No need. Alice is a friend from Country M. There are people from Huaxia and Country M assigned to protect her at the hotel. If our people are discovered, it will be difficult to explain."