Opening an antique shop and getting rich through all the worlds

Chapter 101

The Suzhou embroidery added to both sides of the collar served as the finishing touch.

The design of the handbag had also required considerable thought, with pendants made of the finest quality jadeite.

“Didn’t you say previously that only one garment could be made?” Shen You asked with delight.

“That was our estimate.” Hua Yun replied with enthusiasm while discussing the production process. “This fabric is a priceless treasure. Master spent a long time considering how to cut it, first testing with ordinary fabric to ensure accuracy before proceeding. There was still a small piece remaining, and rather than waste it, we decided to make it into a handbag.”

“I designed this bag’s style.” Hua Yun said softly, covering her face with her hand. “What do you think?”

“It’s beautiful! Absolutely divine design.” Shen You smiled, holding it in her hands. “What about this pendant?”

“It’s a gift from our studio to you, for your first exhibition.” Fu Xicheng added.

“You’ve been so thoughtful. The pendant matches the bag perfectly, and only with Master Jiang’s personal craftsmanship could that piece of fabric be utilized so beautifully.”

Shen You wasn’t merely being polite. She was genuinely impressed.

“The legendary fire resistant cloth! Oh my god, I’m actually seeing the real thing!” Yu Xiaosu was so excited she nearly jumped up.

“Seeing it in this moment, I finally understand why it shocked the collecting world. It’s absolutely beautiful!”

Even layman Gu Shaoyu was stunned speechless.

Shen You sent a message on her phone thanking Master Jiang, then looked curiously at Fu Xicheng and the others. “How is the research on the fire resistant cloth progressing?”

When this topic arose, Fu Xicheng sighed deeply. “We’re still comparing and searching for the weaving materials. We’ve selected several plants and started from collecting fibers, but everything we’ve produced doesn’t quite match. That’s why Master couldn’t come to Jiang City.”

Shen You nodded. “Why don’t you rest first? At noon, we can all have lunch together. The few of us will go to the studio first.”

“Alright, we’ll come over later.” Fu Xicheng nodded.

They indeed hadn’t rested much the previous night, arriving at the hotel at two in the morning.

After Fu Xicheng and Hua Yun left the room, Shen You replaced her outer brocade jacket with the newly delivered fire resistant cloth garment.

Having been specifically delivered this morning, there was nothing that could better command respect than a garment personally crafted by Master Jiang using fire resistant cloth.

She would definitely not leave it unused.

More than ten minutes later, the four from Shen You’s group arrived at Xi Garden. The weather had turned cooler these past few days, and the maple leaves in the courtyard had also become a scenic feature.

Security was arranged through a company Gu Shaoyu had contacted. His family and auction houses had collaborated with them before, and their professional capabilities were excellent.

The reception staff were recommended by Jiang He. They understood antique jewelry, had high emotional intelligence, and could recognize distinguished guests.

What Shen You hadn’t expected was that Jiang He had come so early in the morning herself.

Her explanation was: “Knowing that many industry leaders would be here to support you, I couldn’t miss the opportunity to help.”

Since she stated this so frankly, Shen You couldn’t refuse her goodwill, and indeed, she was quite capable.

She assisted Gu Shaoyu in arranging everything inside and out with composed confidence, without any confusion whatsoever.

Shen You took out the mortise-and-tenon structured lacquered wooden boxes purchased during her shopping spree in Great Qi and packed the cloisonné brooches she had rushed to complete with Yu Xiaosu and Cheng Liang.

They had been able to finish so quickly mainly because the designs replicated palace-exclusive hairpins from Great Qi, with some simplifications.

These were intended for distinguished guests, adorned with genuinely fine jade.

Regular visitors would receive simpler bookmarks, but these also used real gold and traditional craftsmanship.

She needed to clearly explain to Miss He, who was responsible for reception, which gifts should be given to which people.

Around eight o’clock, Professor Li and Xu Jiayan arrived.

They had originally intended to come early to see if there was anything they could help with, but upon arrival, they discovered that the preparations were proceeding systematically and were nearly complete.

“I was worried you wouldn’t be able to manage everything, but I didn’t expect you to do so well.” Professor Li said, his face filled with the pride of ‘this is my student’.

“Everyone helped together. If it were just me alone, I definitely couldn’t have managed.” Shen You led them to the tea room first. “Have you had breakfast?”

“We have.” Professor Li said with a cheerful smile. “Go busy yourself, don’t worry about us. Formalities isn’t needed between family.”

Shen You smiled with pursed lips. “Understood. I have several types of tea here, please choose for yourself.”

Yu Xiaosu and Cheng Liang followed to greet them.

“Good morning, Professor Li.”

“Good morning to you both.” Professor Li nodded with satisfaction, then turned to Shen You. “How are they doing here with you?”

“Quite well. They helped me make these items.” Shen You showed Professor Li the pieces.

“Very well done, all the details are so authentically reproduced.”

Professor Li never engaged in empty flattery. When he said something was good, it truly was.

Yu Xiaosu and Cheng Liang waved their hands honestly, insisting they had only assisted and that the work was primarily Shen You’s.

Gu Shaoyu noticed Xu Jiayan, whose eyes had been fixed on Shen You since entering, and asked quietly, “Why didn’t you come with Grandfather Xu?”

“The old man’s place is far, so he’ll come later.” Xu Jiayan replied.

He had returned to Jiang City the day before yesterday, and knowing that Professor Li would definitely come early this morning, he had called to offer to drive together.

Soon it was nine o’clock. The exhibition space was to the left of the tea room, and everyone was in position. Naturally, the guests wouldn’t arrive so punctually.

Shen You wasn’t anxious and first took Professor Li to view the exhibition.

“Repoussé and chasing techniques? This half-finished piece you’ve made truly employs the same techniques as the artifacts. Those old fellows at the museum will need to take a good look! They’ll be delighted to cooperate with our studio.”

As an advisor hired by the studio, Professor Li had every right to say “our studio”.

Half an hour later, people began arriving at the studio.

Several familiar members of the collectors’ association and antique street shop owners entered. They were first attracted by Xi Garden’s elegant scenery, then by the fire resistant cloth Shen You was wearing.

The weather happened to be lovely today, with red maple leaves filtering through the decorative windows and several rays of pale golden sunlight slanting down.

The subtly flowing luster of Shen You’s garment became even more beautiful. Combined with her elegant and graceful makeup, standing in the sunlight, she seemed enveloped in an ethereal aura.

“Boss Shen, is this the fire resistant cloth?” Boss Huo looked at it with continuous amazement.

The restrained yet magnificent beauty of Chinese style was truly difficult to surpass. Luxury brands relying on brand premiums were far inferior.

The bag in her hands was truly one-of-a-kind, at least until the Silk Museum and Master Jiang could replicate the same fabric.

“Boss Shen is powerful to be able to possess such a rare treasure. Our eyes have really been opened today.”

Even if Master Jiang’s side successfully replicated the fabric, it might not be possible to purchase a piece for collection.

Having a large piece of fabric like Shen You’s, made into clothing for collection, was beyond imagination.

After viewing the fire resistant cloth, everyone suddenly felt that their cherished antique clothing collections were no longer appealing.

Moreover, the industry consensus was that the materials for making fire resistant cloth were extinct, making replication uncertain.

Even if successful reproduction occurred, achieving the same quality as the original would be extremely difficult.