Shanghai in the Republican Era

Chapter 21 Lin Fangfei and Gu Zixuan: Struggle and Love in Republican-Era Shanghai: Negotiations wit

Chapter 21: Lin Fangfei and Gu Zixuan: Struggle and Love in Republican-Era Shanghai: Negotiations with Foreign Businessmen

Looking at the bustling streets outside, I was filled with worry. The situation in Shanghai has become increasingly unstable lately; prices are soaring, and raw materials for fabrics are becoming increasingly scarce. I, Lin Fangfei, have finally managed to establish myself in this textile factory, becoming a representative and also a designer, thanks to the knowledge I gained at business school. But now, all of this faces enormous challenges.

I haven't heard from Gu Zixuan for several days. He's my lover and also my business ally. His family business, the Gu family enterprise, is also being impacted by this turbulent situation. I stroked the plain-colored cheongsam I was wearing, the fabric of which was a small surplus I had managed to secure from a foreign businessman. My brow furrowed; I didn't know what to do next. Just then, there was a knock on the office door.

"Come in," I said.

The person who came in was Uncle Li, an old worker from the factory. He looked worried and said, "Miss Lin, something bad has happened. Several more machines in the factory have broken down, and we can't find the parts to repair them." My heart sank. This was undoubtedly adding insult to injury.

Business difficulties and romantic anxieties

I followed Uncle Li to the workshop and looked at the several machines that had stopped working, feeling helpless. I squatted down and carefully examined the damage to the machines, thinking that under normal circumstances, replacing a part wouldn't be difficult, but in this chaos, where could I find a part?

Just as I was worrying, a commotion suddenly broke out outside. I stood up and quickly walked out of the workshop, only to see several men in black suits standing at the factory gate, who looked like they had come with ill intentions.

"Who goes there?" I asked as I stepped forward.

One of the men sneered and said, "Miss Lin, we work for Boss Qian. Your textile factory owes our boss money for goods. When are you going to pay it back?"

My heart skipped a beat. Boss Qian's payment had indeed been delayed for a while, but there was nothing I could do about it. I tried to keep my voice calm: "Gentlemen, our textile factory has indeed encountered difficulties recently. Please grant us some more time."

"Grace period? Miss Lin, our boss doesn't have that kind of patience. If we don't get the money today, we'll have to take these machines away to pay off the debt." The man's words caused a stir among the workers behind me.

I gritted my teeth and said, "If this machine is moved, our textile factory will be completely finished. I, Lin Fangfei, promise you that I will repay the money as soon as possible."

The men exchanged glances, seemingly considering my words. Just then, I heard a familiar voice: "What's going on?"

I turned around and saw Gu Zixuan walking towards us. He was still as tall and handsome as ever, wearing a smart suit, but there was a hint of fatigue on his face. Seeing him, I suddenly felt a sense of peace.

Gu Zixuan walked to my side, took my hand and said, "Fangfei, don't be afraid, I'm here." Then he looked at the men and said, "Gentlemen, I will discuss the payment with your boss. You can go back now."

The men seemed to know Gu Zixuan; after hesitating for a moment, they left.

I looked at Gu Zixuan, my eyes welling up with tears: "Zixuan, where did you go? I was so worried about you."

Gu Zixuan gently wiped away the tears from the corners of my eyes and said, "Fangfei, the Gu family's business hasn't been doing well lately. I've been trying to find a solution to some problems. But right now, we need to take care of the textile factory first."

Back in the office, I explained the current situation at the textile factory to Gu Zixuan in detail. He frowned as he listened.

"Fangfei, given the current situation, we need new ideas if we want to continue developing," Gu Zixuan said.

"A new idea? Do you have any thoughts?" I asked.

“I think we can try to cooperate with some foreign companies and introduce new technologies and equipment. Maybe this will allow our textile factory to have a place in this chaotic world.” Gu Zixuan’s eyes gleamed.

After hearing his words, I hesitated: "But what risks are there in cooperating with foreign companies? And the attitude towards foreign companies in China is quite complicated right now."

Gu Zixuan nodded and said, "That is indeed a problem. But we can do some investigation and research first, and then make a decision."

Just as we were discussing, my good friend, Xiao Su, who was also the designer's assistant at the textile factory, came in. She was holding some design drawings and had an excited expression on her face.

“Fangfei, Zixuan, take a look at these designs. I think we can add some new elements to traditional textile techniques, such as Western patterns and color combinations. This might make our products more competitive,” Xiao Su said.

I took the drawings and examined them carefully. I must say, Xiao Su's design was very creative. I smiled and said, "Xiao Su, your idea is excellent."

Gu Zixuan also looked at the drawings and said, "Xiao Su, if your design can be realized, it will indeed be a refreshing change for our products. However, it may be a bit difficult in terms of manufacturing process."

Xiao Su said confidently, "Brother Zixuan, I've already discussed it with the experienced craftsmen at the factory. They said that as long as we have the right materials, we can try making it."

I looked at Xiao Su, my heart filled with emotion. I felt so lucky to have such a friend supporting me during this difficult time. I said, "Xiao Su, thank you. With you here, I believe we can definitely get through this."

We began preparing new designs and seeking foreign partners. However, things didn't go so smoothly. First, we encountered difficulties in finding suitable foreign companies. Many foreign companies were taking a wait-and-see approach to the Chinese market, especially given the volatile situation.

Moreover, when our new design was implemented in the factory, it was met with opposition from some veteran workers. They believed it went against tradition and worried that it would affect the quality of the products.

One day, I got into an argument with Uncle Wang, an old worker, in the workshop.

“Miss Lin, we’ve always followed the traditional methods of textile making. We can’t do your new design,” Uncle Wang said, frowning.

I patiently explained, “Uncle Wang, I know this is different from the traditional way. But if we don’t innovate, our textile factory will be eliminated. Market demands are changing, and we need to keep up with the times.”

"Keep pace with the times? I think that's just pointless tinkering." Uncle Wang still disagreed.

Gu Zixuan also came over to persuade him: "Uncle Wang, we're not completely abandoning tradition. This new design is just an improvement on the traditional one, so that our products can sell better and everyone's income will increase."

Uncle Wang snorted and said, "You young people just do whatever comes to mind. I don't care, I won't do it."

Just as we were at an impasse, news suddenly arrived that the Gu family business had run into problems with a foreign company and was being falsely accused of smuggling. Gu Zixuan's face turned pale.

"Fangfei, someone is deliberately framing us. I have to go back and deal with it," Gu Zixuan said.

I said worriedly, "Zixuan, you must be careful."

After Gu Zixuan left, I faced the textile factory's problems alone. The new design couldn't be implemented, and the cooperation with foreign companies was nowhere to be found. I felt like I was about to collapse.

That evening, I went alone to a small wonton stall on the street. I sat at the simple table, looking at the steaming bowl of wontons, and felt a mix of emotions. These wontons were my favorite food when I was a child; whenever I encountered difficulties, eating a bowl of wontons would make me feel better.

I slowly ate my wontons, my thoughts drifting away. Suddenly, I heard people next to me talking about a foreign businessman.

"I heard that the foreign businessman is very interested in China's textile industry, and he is quite open-minded and willing to cooperate with Chinese companies."

A thought struck me, and I immediately inquired about the foreign businessman. After obtaining some clues, I felt a renewed sense of hope.

I returned to the textile factory and began searching for the foreign businessman based on the clues. However, in the process, I discovered that some mysterious people seemed to be watching his movements as well. Who were they? What were their purposes? Did they want to cooperate like us, or were they plotting something else? I cautiously investigated while worrying about Gu Zixuan's situation. Our love, our careers, were all adrift in the turbulent 30s Shanghai of the Republic of China. What the future held, no one knew.

Standing before the somewhat dilapidated factory buildings of the textile mill, my heart was filled with both anticipation and unease about the future. The autumn wind rustled, lifting my simple, plain clothes. I wrapped my shawl tighter around myself; it was a design I had made myself. Although the fabric wasn't the finest, the pattern was meticulously drawn, possessing the delicate charm of the Jiangnan water towns. Gu Zixuan was coming today; he said he had something important to discuss with me.

Watching the workers busily at work, I was already conceiving the fashion samples for the next season. Our textile factory wasn't large, but every corner reflected my hard work. "Ms. Lin, you're here," a young female worker approached. "Ms. Lin, everyone loves your new designs; they all say they're sure to sell well." I smiled. "Thank you for your trust, but we still need to work even harder."

A short while later, Gu Zixuan's black sedan slowly pulled up. He got out, his posture upright, his dark gray suit perfectly tailored, his hair neatly combed. His handsome appearance made my heart beat faster. "Fangfei," he said with a smile as he walked towards me, his eyes full of tenderness.

"Zixuan, you look very energetic today," I said.

"Of course I have to dress up carefully to see you," he joked.

We entered my office, a small but cozy room. My design sketches hung on the walls, and the desk was piled high with fabric samples. "Fangfei, I've received word that a batch of low-priced imported fabrics has recently flooded the market, which will have a significant impact on our textile factory," Gu Zixuan said, frowning with a worried expression.

My heart sank. This was not good news. "What should we do? Our costs are already high. If foreign fabrics take over the market, our orders will be in danger." I paced anxiously around the room.

Gu Zixuan looked at me, thought for a moment, and said, "I think we can focus on the design, create unique styles, and then hold a grand launch event to attract more businesses."

My eyes lit up. "That's a great idea, but holding a press conference requires a lot of money, and our current financial situation is not optimistic."

"I'll figure out the funding. You just need to focus on designing the most amazing piece." Gu Zixuan held my hand, his eyes resolute.

A warm feeling welled up inside me; with him by my side, I felt as if I had boundless strength. "Okay, then I'll start designing now."

In the days that followed, I practically locked myself in my studio, designing samples day and night. Gu Zixuan was also busy raising funds.

One day, my good friend Su Yao came to visit me. She was wearing a light blue cheongsam, her hair was styled in an elegant updo, and she was carrying a box of pastries. "Fangfei, I heard you've been incredibly busy lately, so I brought you some pastries from Xinghualou," Su Yao said with a smile.

I looked up from the design drawing and was pleasantly surprised to see her arrive. "Su Yao, you're such a lifesaver!" I eagerly opened the pastry box, and the delicate cakes emitted an enticing aroma. I picked up a piece and put it in my mouth. The sweet but not cloying flavor spread across my taste buds. "Mmm, so delicious."