Chapter 73 — Threads and Schemes
"Next week." Wen Bai sung's voice was steady, almost businesslike, as if scheduling a meeting and scheduling an inspection were the same thing. He rubbed his temple once and looked at his daughter. "The village chief said he'll call the family meeting for next week. He wanted to give us time to prepare—and to hear our side. You'll know the exact day by the end of today."
Bai Xia let that land. Relief and a small, cold satisfaction slid through her. Next week. Enough time to finish the entrance mock exams, to stabilize XB for a few more days, and to make sure the Bai family could no longer scramble to drag their lives into hers.
"That's perfect," she said softly, closing the call with a single nod. She told her father she'd handle things, then left the hallway and walked back toward the Fashion Department with a new, purposeful step.
By the time she reached the fashion floor, Bai Xuan was already waiting at the design table—arms folded, a stack of sketches arranged neatly like a soldier's parade. The designers fell silent as the sisters entered; Stella caught Bai Xia's eye with a quick thumbs-up. There was work to be done and the clock was ticking.
"Bring out the gowns," Bai Xia said, voice even. "I want every sketch we'll consider for the launch."
Hands moved. Rolls of paper unrolled. Eight sketches were laid across the table, each one immediately commanding attention—classical silhouettes sharpened with a modern edge, fabrics that seemed to flow and armor at once. Bai Xia studied them slowly, delight sharpening into a quiet grin.
Moon-Thread Qipao Gown — A high-collared qipao cut in cling silk with a mermaid flare. Traditional embroidery traced cloud-flowers in metallic silver thread, but the back featured a detachable translucent panel with faint fiber-optic lines that caught light and pulsed like moonlight. Sleeves were sheer, with an inner lining of thin satin; the overall look was both reverent and futuristic.
River-Glass Ballgown — Full skirt of layered organza with a subtle iridescent sheen that changed with movement. The bodice was structured like carved porcelain with narrow, geometric seams; inlayed glass beads along the neckline gave the impression of water droplets frozen in motion. When in candlelight, the skirt shimmered like a slow river.
Crane-Wing Cape Dress — A soft ivory gown with a broad, detachable cape that opened like wings. The cape's underside was reinforced with pleated panels to hold shape—at a distance it resembled a crane in flight. The gown's waist had a minimalist silver belt and a faint asymmetry hem, a whisper of avant-garde.
Lantern-Silk Column — A clean, column silhouette in lantern-red silk. Vertical seams contained thin metallic piping that reflected light. On closer inspection, the piping concealed tiny pockets for small accessories—an innovative nod to practical luxury.
Orchid-Neck Draped Gown — Off-shoulder drape in pale lilac, with layered folds over the chest and a cascading side train. Small mother-of-pearl chips were embroidered sparingly to catch the eye. It was romantic but with architectural folds that felt modern.
Imperial Jade Wrap — A crossover wrap gown in deep green, cut to emphasize the shoulder and collarbone; the waist fastened with a carved jade clasp. The fabric had a slight sheen as if wet—luxurious, stately, and quietly daring for a formal evening piece.
Midnight Glass Asymmetry — A black satin dress with an asymmetric neckline and a thigh-high slit. The left shoulder bore a sculpted glass-like shoulder piece that looked heavy but was actually resin—an accent piece that spoke of strength and art.
Starlight Sheath — A slim metallic-thread sheath dress with vertical filament embroidery that shimmered like a night sky. Under softer lights the dress soothed into a warm bronze; under harsh lights it flashed silvery streaks.
After the eight, two additional designs were unrolled—classics reinvented with quiet elegance.
Pearl-Stream Evening Dress — Simple A-line with layered pearl tulle at the hem and a carved mother-of-pearl clasp at the nape. Timeless, unshakeable.
Tea-House Wrap Cocktail — A shorter sheath with delicate mandarin-button details down the front, pocketed discreetly, crafted for movement and refined daytime events.
Bai Xia ran her fingertips over the pencil lines of the sketches, smiling at the balance—1995 sensibility with threads of something ahead of its time. They would cause a storm.
"Now the accessories," she said.
The jewelry board was crowded, dozens of sketches pinned in careful groups. Two designs, though, made her stop.
Jewel A — The Red Seraph Bangle: A slender jade bangle with an inner band of red spinel beads threaded intermittently—at first glance a classic jade bangle, but on closer look the clasp was a thin gold filigree phoenix wing that could open to reveal a tiny carved ruby seed. The concept mixed tradition with an interactive, almost secret charm.
Jewel B — The Whisper Locket: A collar-style necklace, two intertwined bands—one of white gold, one of oxidized silver—holding a small teardrop locket. The locket's face was a tiny, translucent sheet of polished quartz; it could be engraved or filled with a miniature painted scene. Elegant and slightly subversive.
She tapped each sketch and felt the decision settle within her.
"Good work," Bai Xia said, handing the papers back. "These are strong. They will make people argue in shop windows."
At that moment she turned and called, "Ruby—come forward."
Ruby stepped to the front like a reed in wind—nervous and raw and impossibly present. Bai Xia walked to her and placed a steady hand on her shoulder.
"This is Ruby. She will be XB's new face for our spring campaign." Her voice carried, and the department paused. Applause broke out—some genuine, some forced. A few designers looked Ruby up and down with a faint, appraising stare; a couple of older hands in the room mouthed what-if and exchanged thin smiles. Others showed thinly veiled envy—this newcomer, this fresh face, standing where many had hoped to be.
Ruby's cheeks flushed. She nodded, voice small but respectful. "Thank you. I— I won't disappoint you."
Bai Xia smiled and lifted a single, authoritative nod. "You won't. Stella will work with you on posture and presentation. Don't be nervous—this is a beginning."
She led Ruby back to her office. Once inside, she called Stella in.
"Make a public announcement," Bai Xia ordered, leaning on the desk. "XB is officially opening a model recruitment drive. Young, experienced or not—we want talent. Advertise it—two weeks from now. Have applicants come to the company in person."
Stella scribbled, already moving.
"And," Bai Xia added, voice sharpening into business detail, "find a building. Big enough to house fifty to a hundred rooms—short-term apartments for models and staff. Secure the lease or buy if possible; proximity to XB is a must. Arrange immediate accommodation for Ruby—something near the office. Two bedrooms, fully furnished. Make it discreet."
"Yes, ma'am," Stella said, fingers flying over the tablet.
When Stella left, the office felt suddenly quieter. Bai Xia sat back, fingers steepled, the city noise a distant hum below the glass. She imagined the models arriving—young faces, eager hands, new energy stitched into her brand's fabric. The plan was set to be both an opportunity and a fortress.
Her eyes narrowed—cold and deliberate.
Thoughts of the Bai family rose like a stone in a still pond. They had come calling; the village chief had summoned them. Next week would be loud, and loudness could be dangerous if left unchecked. She would not let their greed stain the life she had built for her mother, for her siblings, for XB, she called Stella and said a few words.
She took a slow breath and let the scheming begin—small, surgical moves that would sever the Bai family's reach without leaving blood on her hands. Contracts to tighten, press pieces to feed, histories to expose at the right moment. She would dismantle their leverage until there was nothing left to bargain with.
Outside, on the street, the city moved on—vendors arranging awnings, delivery carts rattling. Inside, Bai Xia folded the sketches back into the portfolio and closed it with a quiet, decisive snap.
Next week, the village would speak. But by then, she resolved, the Bai family would have nothing left to say.