"Internationally renowned luxury brand EL is moving back to China!"
Ye Erlan looked at the news push on his phone and shook his head with a somewhat indescribable expression. He had been back in China for almost a week, and news about EL had been on the top headlines for a whole week. "I didn't receive this much attention even when I won the runner - up in the international designer competition a few years ago."
"You were just a nobody back then. Even though you suddenly emerged from the finals, hardly anyone knew you. It was only during the final that you caused a stir in the international designer circle," said Ning Qian, a gorgeous woman with waist - length hair.
Ye Erlan turned off his phone and recalled these years. From leaving the country at 17 to returning at 22, it seemed like he had experienced half a lifetime. Back then, he had to tighten his belt to buy a simple sandwich. Now, he was a successful man, and even his return to China had caused such a big stir.
In the summer of his 19th year, he participated in the 28th International Designer Competition. Meeting a benefactor prevented his works from being buried in the preliminary round. Instead, he became famous overnight and won the runner - up title. Although the runner - up was always one step below the champion, Ye Erlan was the first person to achieve such a result at such a young age.
However, Ye Erlan used the alias "L" in the competition and wore a mask when he went on stage. Almost no one had seen his appearance except for the people from the competition organizing committee. When his background information was dug out, it showed that he was just an ordinary worker.
At that time, almost no one was optimistic about him. He had no background and no fame like the champion. People thought he would probably just be a flash in the pan in the designer circle.
Unexpectedly, a few months later, a brand called EL founded by him was officially established. At the same time, it was announced that the wedding dress for the engagement ceremony of the Irish princess would be designed by EL. Everything started because of the extremely romantic engagement ceremony and the Irish royal family's high praise for the dress.
Since then, the EL brand has become more and more well - known. Ye Erlan, as the chief designer and the behind - the - scenes boss, is also known as a new - generation genius designer and has always enjoyed a high reputation internationally. Ye Erlan has been fully promoting EL to follow the luxury brand route. The customers it serves are almost all royal families and nobles from various countries. Even though its production volume is not high, it has firmly stood at the top of the pyramid without falling.
"I'm going out. I may be back late," Ye Erlan said as he got up and picked up a gift - box - like bag beside him. "There's nothing else to do today. You should go back and rest early."
Ning Qian glanced at the bag. Naturally, she knew what Ye Erlan was going to do with it. She said to him with a smile, "Brother Ye, could you ask Sister Yu Nian for a few autographed photos of my oppa?"
Ye Erlan got goosebumps when he heard that. This girl would call him brother sweetly every time she asked him for something, but as soon as the matter was over, her attitude would be as arrogant as a landlord. While putting on his shoes, he said, "If you want Zhou Chengyun's autographed photos, you can tell Sister Nian directly. You always ask me to pass on the message."
"Hey, Sister Yu Nian has such a strong aura. I'm so scared," Ning Qian said as she casually picked up a pair of sunglasses for him. "Put these on. It's different in China from Ireland. If the big sun hurts your eyes, it will be terrible." Ye Erlan smiled softly, responded, and then went out.
It was because of staying up late to draw designs and personally following up on the selection of materials in the early years. The long - term fatigue had caused his eyes to go blind for a while. The doctor had warned him to take good care of his eyes, or he might go blind one day without knowing. No wonder Ning Qian was always so careful. The sun in Ireland was indeed gentler than that in China, and he had just returned to China not long ago, so he needed an adaptation period.
When Ye Erlan arrived at Yu's Entertainment, Yu Nian was already waiting in her office. "My great designer, you're finally here."
"Sister Nian, this is the ready - made clothes you asked for," Ye Erlan said as he handed the bag in his hand to Yu Nian. "I wanted to come and see you a few days ago, but there were too many things to do at EL, so I kept delaying it. I just finished making this dress this morning, so I came to see you this afternoon under this pretext."
"I heard you say you were going to return to China some time ago. I thought you were just on a whim, but in a blink of an eye, you're already back in the country. If you can't handle all the things at EL, you can come to me. I'll try my best to help you," Yu Nian said as she took the bag and took out the clothes. Sure enough, it was exquisitely made, worthy of Ye Erlan's personal work.
"However, who is this set of clothes for? I don't think Xiaobai, Big Brother, or even Uncle Yu would fit this size," Ye Erlan said. He had been a bit confused when he received Yu Nian's call. She had specifically asked for a leaf pattern to be embroidered on the collar of the clothes. The leaf pattern looked familiar, but he couldn't remember where he had seen it for a moment.
Yu Nian smiled faintly, turned around, and put the clothes back into the bag. "This dress is for a star under my company. You told me last time that after EL returns to China, it will gradually develop some customers for the轻奢 line. I thought that since there's a film festival tomorrow and we're very likely to win the Best Actor award, it's a good opportunity to show off your works. After all, EL didn't develop in China originally, and it has always followed the top - level custom - made route. Most people in China probably think it's out of reach. This can be a start for EL to explore the轻奢 route."
"You're really good at doing business, Sister Nian. The entertainment circle has a wide audience, so it can really make EL seem more approachable," Ye Erlan said. He didn't want to ask who the man who could wear his clothes was. He was really not interested in the domestic entertainment circle. He only knew a thing or two about Zhou Chengyun because Ning Qian talked about him all the time.
"After I came back this time, except for Ning Qian and Aifor, I've selected all new - designer teams. They lack experience, but fortunately, they have creativity and ideas. Fresh blood will make the whole EL more vibrant.
Moreover, my current intention is to add Chinese cultural elements to EL's works, instead of blindly following the Western European style like before. In this way, it can also promote Chinese culture."
Yu Nian nodded and leaned half on the table behind her. "Your idea is good. Moreover, with EL's current reputation, even if it transforms to focus on the Chinese style, it won't be affected too much..."
Before she could finish her sentence, the sound of the door opening interrupted her. "Good for you, Ye Erlan. You returned to China without telling me." The person who came was Xiao Mubai. He glanced at Yu Nian and coughed lightly. "Sister - in - law."
Yu Nian responded. Knowing that the two of them had something to say, she turned around and walked towards her desk to deal with her own work. Ye Erlan here glanced at Xiao Mubai who was walking towards him, pulled him, and walked outside. "Sister Nian, we're leaving first. We won't bother you at work."
After they got out of the company, Ye Erlan slowly said to Xiao Mubai, "I did tell you. I called you a few days before I returned to China, but your phone was always off. Later, I asked Sister Nian and found out where you had been these days." After saying that, he couldn't help but look at Xiao Mubai again. "You seem to be a bit darker."
Xiao Mubai got in the car with him. "Who knows what my old man was thinking? He actually dragged me to Big Brother's military unit for a month of training. He just tied me up and took me there without any warning. You don't know what kind of suffering I endured there. Fortunately, I've been working out since I was a kid, so my physical condition is pretty good. I was released after being locked up for a month.
I called you, but you didn't answer. It was Ning Qian who told me you were here, so I came looking for you."
Didn't answer the phone? Ye Erlan was a bit puzzled. He took out his phone and found that it was out of power and turned off. "The phone is out of power and turned off." He casually connected his phone to the car's USB port to charge it. "Let's go for dinner first. I'm a bit hungry. You can just find a good restaurant."
Xiao Mubai rolled his eyes at him. This guy was still the same as before. No matter what, he wouldn't forget to let him treat. "By the way, I heard you came to give Sister - in - law clothes. I'm really envious of my brother. Sister - in - law even prepares clothes for him. Look at me. Asking you for a piece of clothing is like climbing to the sky."
"I can't entertain people like you who come to me for clothes every other day. My brain is not suitable for designing for you," Ye Erlan said. Just thinking about this made him speechless. He didn't know if this guy had never worn good clothes or was just deliberately trying to mess with him. He asked him to design a set of clothes every other day. Even if he had inspiration, he couldn't use it like this.
After a pause, he continued, "The clothes are not for Brother Yubai. Sister Nian said they were prepared for a star under her company. I didn't ask who it was specifically."
Xiao Mubai snorted. "It's that pretty boy again."
"Oh? You know who it is? Even though he's in the entertainment circle, you shouldn't talk about him like that. From what Sister Nian said, he should be a quite capable person," Ye Erlan said. He was a bit puzzled when he heard Xiao Mubai's snort. Although Xiao Mubai was childish and had the demeanor of a playboy, he rarely saw him speak to someone in such a tone.
"You don't need to hear about these messy things. It'll just make you angry. I don't know what Sister - in - law is thinking. She actually promotes such a man," Xiao Mubai's tone was still unfriendly, but it had improved a bit. "Let's not talk about these things. You just need to remember that he's not a good person. By the way, I heard from Ning Qian that you're really going to open a physical store?"
"Yes, it's already in preparation and will open within this month.
Different from before, the physical store will mainly sell 轻奢 custom - made clothing. For now, we still won't mass - produce too much. The quantity of each product will be controlled within 10 pieces, mainly targeting stars and some socialite wives.
Of course, our main business is still to take orders from top - level nobles. Exploring the 轻奢 route is just to better lead the way for the new Chinese - style designs."
Xiao Mubai knew that Ye Erlan had always had the idea of doing Chinese - style designs, but because of the general trend in the design industry in Europe and the fact that his customers were all royal families and nobles, he had always followed the Western European luxury route. Moving back to China this time, he was probably determined to gradually transform to do Chinese - style designs, or rather, to make the two styles co - exist equally in EL.
The two of them chatted casually. By the time they finished dinner, it was almost completely dark. Considering that Ye Erlan had work the next day, they didn't drink any alcohol. Xiao Mubai just sent him back directly.