trct_53

Chapter 53: Competition

The Olympic Theatre was the largest, earliest-built, and most lavishly and fashionably decorated cinema theater in central Shanghai.

It was said to seat a thousand people at once for film viewing, and was specially equipped with private boxes, a café, a waiting lounge, and other facilities.

This grand three-story building stood right on Jing'an Temple Road. Ji Qingzhou actually passed by it often, but he had little interest in the black-and-white silent films of this era, so he had never once gone inside.

He hadn't expected that his first time entering a Republican-era cinema theater would be for the sake of doing business.

Following the neatly dressed Assistant Du up to the third floor, they pushed open the heavy office door in the southeast corner. Ji Qingzhou looked inside and saw a room floored in dark brown, bathed in soft sunlight, where a foreign gentleman who looked to be in his thirties, with thinning hair and round cheeks, sat behind a broad solid wood desk.

Judging by the expensive-looking grey Western suit he wore, this had to be the film industry magnate, Mr. Ramos.

And aside from this foreign boss, on the opposite side of the desk, sitting with his back to the door, was a black-haired man with short hair, dressed in a cream-white shirt and brownish-red Western trousers.

Hearing the door open, the man turned his head, revealing an utterly unremarkable face with a short mustache.

When he caught sight of Ji Qingzhou, he tugged the corners of his mouth into a polite smile, but there was a trace of scrutiny and wariness in his eyes, as if he were far from pleased by this arrival.

"Mr. Ji, welcome, please, have a seat." Ramos greeted him with an easy smile, raising a hand to gesture toward the other leather chair across the desk.

"Assistant Du, pour Mr. Ji a cup of tea."

He spoke fluent local Chinese with a heavy southern accent, which sounded a little like the way Huang Youshu talked.

Ji Qingzhou took the seat nearer the venetian blinds, and thanked Assistant Du as he was handed his tea.

Ramos's eyesight was actually not very good, he was somewhat nearsighted but disliked wearing glasses.

A moment ago, when Ji Qingzhou had come in through the door, all Ramos had seen was a blurred white figure. Only once the man had sat down across from him did he look closely, and he realized this young man possessed an especially outstanding, handsome face—all the more so set against the plain-looking man beside him, as if they didn't even belong in the same frame.

This face would suit the movies very well… his professional habits kicked in, and that thought crossed his mind first.

He then chuckled and said, "Mr. Ji, I wonder if you're acquainted with the gentleman beside you, Mr. Lai Sanqing. He's in the same trade as you, and also runs a Western-style tailor shop."

"Oh, is that so?" Ji Qingzhou now more or less understood why the man had looked less than welcoming a moment ago. He turned to give his fellow tailor a faint smile. "I haven't been in Shanghai long. The only well-known Western tailor shop I know is Boss Yan's Yuxiang. I'm afraid I'm rather uninformed, my apologies."

Lai Sanqing nodded, still wearing that same smile that didn't quite reach his eyes—polished enough that no fault could be found with it, yet somehow unpleasant to look at.

"So, Mr. Ramos, you've invited us here because you need custom-made clothing for someone, correct? Could you tell us more about it in detail?" Ji Qingzhou took a small sip of tea and began to press things along.

"It's very simple," said Ramos, his ruddy face leaning back against the brownish-red leather sofa chair, his manner unhurried as he regarded Ji Qingzhou. "We're collaborating with Dengli Film Company to produce a film, "Grafting Flowers onto a Tree". I wonder if you've heard of it. It was originally an English novel, translated and adapted into Chinese for publication last year.

"In my view, if you want to make a film that sells well, the actors' costumes are of the utmost importance. We worked with Mr. Lai once before on a previous production, and the experience was a good one, so this time we've invited him back again. As for you, Mr. Ji, you were recommended to me by Ms. Chen, Ms. Chen Yanzhu. A few days ago I attended Miss Lu's coming-of-age ceremony, and her outfit that day was exceptionally beautiful, so I'd like to ask you to design several costumes for our leading actress."

Ji Qingzhou nodded in understanding, then said, "Might I ask who the leading actress will be?"

"That, I can't tell you, because the leading actress is still being selected." Ramos spread his hands in a gesture of regret.

"Then what about the deadline and the pricing? Or is it that, for now, you've simply called me here to convey your intent to collaborate, and once you've chosen the actress, you'll give me the script and tell me which costumes you need made, with the details to be discussed then?"

"It's like this. Although Ms. Chen recommended you to me most highly, we have, after all, never worked together before. From what I've gathered, Mr. Ji, you've only been in this trade for three months, and I can't help but have some reservations. So I'd like to ask whether you could first give me a few costume design sketches.

"Three weeks—no, two weeks... give me three sketches by the middle of this month. If our production team looks them over and unanimously approves, then we'll hire you as the leading actress's dedicated costume designer.

"You needn't worry about your effort going to waste. Even if you aren't chosen, I'll still pay you fifty yuan for your trouble. I'll give you half the deposit now."

That's easy money to earn... Ji Qingzhou thought to himself, and said in a light, easy tone, "All right, I accept."

"Mr. Ramos, if I may say something," seeing how pleasantly the two of them were chatting, Lai Sanqing could no longer hold back his displeasure and cut in, "our shop is also very experienced in making ladies' Western-style clothing. Why would you rather trust a newcomer who's only just entered the trade, instead of placing your confidence in your old friend?"

Though he was Japanese, Lai Sanqing had lived in Shanghai for nearly twenty years and had run his Western-style tailor shop for over a decade, so his Chinese was quite fluent as well.

"Mr. Lai, please don't be upset. My continued collaboration with you is proof enough that I hold your exquisite skill in Western-style tailoring in very high regard."

Ramos spoke unhurriedly. "But if I may be frank, in the film I'm financing, the leading actress cannot wear the sort of ordinary dresses one sees everywhere, however finely made they might be. What I want is innovation, fashionable clothing capable of starting a new trend. And in that regard, you've rarely given me any surprises."

"I can certainly attempt something innovative. Please, give me one chance." Lai Sanqing fixed him with a steady gaze.

"...Very well, then, since you insist." Ramos stroked his chin, and after a moment's consideration, agreed after all.

"Then, for fairness's sake, you'll do the same as Mr. Ji. In two weeks' time, that is, on July fifteenth, bring me three sketches. We'll hold a fair vote to choose between them. But whatever the outcome afterward, I hope you'll be able to accept it with a calm and level mind."

"Naturally. I'm not the type who can't accept losing." Lai Sanqing nodded, then turned and made a point of asking Ji Qingzhou, "Mr. Ji, you don't mind having a rival, do you?"

Although Ji Qingzhou found this competition rather sudden, the tailoring trade had always been full of rivalry, and everyone had the right to strive for their own advantage—he had no real complaints about it.

"No problem at all," he replied, his tone light and easy.

"Well then, gentlemen, in two weeks, we'll meet here again." Ramos said this with a real sense of ceremony, then rose to bid the two of them farewell.

After stepping out of the office, Lai Sanqing left first, while Assistant Du held Ji Qingzhou back for a moment.

Du Suijing, following his boss's instructions, went to fetch a deposit of twenty-five silver dollars, placed it in an envelope, and handed it to him. At the same time, he leaned in slightly and lowered his voice: "Mr. Ji, this is the first time our boss has seen what a Chinese costume designer is capable of. Everyone attaches great importance to this film, so I hope you'll be able to give it your very best."

"Thank you." Ji Qingzhou reached out and took the somewhat heavy envelope, nodding and smiling to express his gratitude.

.

That evening, after work, Ji Qingzhou made a special trip to a bookstore and bought a copy of "Grafting Flowers onto a Tree*" to take home.

*t/n; 移花接木 / yíhuājiēmù; Chinese idiom, literally refers to grafting the branch or bud of one plant onto another. It metaphorically means to secretly replace something by underhanded means.

Since the book had only been published the previous year and was quite popular in the market, he had no trouble finding this adapted novel at the very first bookstore he walked into.

At night, the lights were bright in the study on the second floor of the east wing, and Ji Qingzhou leaned back in Jie Yu'an's armchair, flipping through the book.

He had read only a few pages when he heard the door open softly. Turning his head, he saw Jie Yu'an, dressed in silk pajamas and holding his cane, walk in with an expressionless face, while Huang Youshu closed the door behind him from outside.

"Finished your bath?" Ji Qingzhou glanced at him and then turned his gaze back to the book, saying in a warm, easy tone as he read, "Thank you for the surprise, by the way. I was really happy to get it."

"What surprise?" Jie Yu'an first walked instinctively toward his own armchair, waited two seconds, and hearing no sound of the other man getting up, continued forward instead, taking a seat in the chair across from the desk.

"The electric fan." Ji Qingzhou replied.

"That counts?" Jie Yu'an's tone was flat. "I just happened to order one extra."

"Whether it counts as a surprise is for me to decide."

Jie Yu'an didn't seem to mind this and changed the subject, asking, "When are we going to look at furniture?"

"Furniture, right..."

Ji Qingzhou pulled his thoughts away from the novel's storyline. He had been about to say, "No rush, let's wait a bit longer," when it suddenly occurred to him that today was the first of July, the studio rent was due.

Now that the rent was paid, he couldn't keep putting off the renovation forever; he'd have to make time to see to it. So he ran back through his recent work plans in his head, and then replied, "Tomorrow afternoon, then. I'll go take a look at some furniture shops."

As it happened, Shi Xuanman's qipao dress had also been finished today. Tomorrow morning he'd make a trip to the Shi household to deliver the garment, after which he could swing by the studio on the way—make a list of the furniture he needed to buy, take some measurements, and so on.

In the afternoon, he'd visit several more furniture shops and settle on the larger pieces first—sofa, table and chairs, cabinets, curtains, and the like—as well as clothes racks, display shelves, mannequins and models of various sizes, and other special equipment the studio would need. He might as well get all of it custom-ordered in one go, so he wouldn't have to make as many trips afterward.

Jie Yu'an waited a moment, and once he was certain that he hadn't been included in these plans, he asked, "You're going alone?"

"Why not? It wouldn't do you much good going along, you can't even see."

"I'm the one paying for it."

"I know. Once I've picked things out, I'll put it on your account." Ji Qingzhou answered without a second thought.

"...Suit yourself, then." Jie Yu'an replied coolly, leaning back in his chair and falling silent.

Ji Qingzhou caught the odd note in his tone and poked his head out from behind the book to glance at him.

Seeing the corners of Jie Yu'an's mouth turned slightly downward, looking every bit like he was sulking, Ji Qingzhou thought it over and changed his answer: "Actually, I don't really know much about furniture prices. Why don't we go together after all, you can help me judge the prices."

After a deliberate pause of silence, Jie Yu'an gave an affectedly indifferent "Mm."

Hearing this, Ji Qingzhou went back to his book, reassured.

Jie Yu'an, listening to the occasional sound of pages turning, felt it didn't sound like the kind of noise that came from working on sketches, so he asked, "Reading a book?"

"Yeah," Ji Qingzhou answered lazily, explaining unhurriedly, "A film production company approached me today, wanting me to make custom costumes for the leading actress. It's a big job, so of course I want to take it, but the trouble is, there's a Japanese Western-style tailor shop competing for the commission at the same time.

"What's even more troublesome is that they haven't even chosen the leading actress for this film yet. Without seeing the person, I honestly have no idea where to even start."

At this, Ji Qingzhou couldn't help but sigh. "Still, at least I know the film is adapted from this novel. I'm reading it right now, so once I have a good enough understanding of the female lead, I'll be able to soundly beat my competitor."

Hearing this, Jie Yu'an's lips curved up slightly. "Then work hard at it."

"Well, that's rare of you, actually saying something encouraging." Ji Qingzhou smiled a little and went back to his book.

The novel wasn't very long, and Ji Qingzhou finished reading it in under two hours.

The story roughly told a tale of a real and a fake heiress. The female lead, Xiu Die, was a tailor's apprentice—not only had she grown up poor, but she was also constantly scolded and beaten by her parents. One day, by chance, she saw on the street a wealthy young lady, Li Yunlin, out with her family, and discovered that the two of them had exactly the same face.

But while the wealthy young lady was decked out in gold and silver, dressed brilliantly and beautifully, she herself was shabbily dressed and never had enough to eat.

Driven by an overwhelming sense of injustice, dark thoughts arose in her, and she stole fabric from the tailor shop, spending an entire night making a dress identical to the real young lady's.

The next day, she arranged a scheme to take Li Yunlin's place, becoming the young lady herself, riding off in a luxury car to live in the family mansion.

A series of plot developments followed. On one side was the fake heiress's daily life pretending to be the real one—learning piano and oil painting every day, and falling in love with a fiancé of suitable social standing.

On the other side, the real heiress was taken back by the fake parents to their cramped home. Although she desperately denied her identity, she was beaten and cursed by Xiu Die's parents, and later, after trying to run out to seek help, she was declared insane and locked up in the house.

In the end, through a twist of fate, Xiu Die's deception was discovered, and Li Yunlin, through persistent effort digging a tunnel, managed to escape and was rescued by kind-hearted people.

Just as Ji Qingzhou expected the story to deliver its comeuppance, one final truth was revealed—it turned out both girls were real heiresses.

They were twins; the younger sister had been kidnapped by a trafficker when she was still small and sold to Xiu Die's parents.

In the end, both the trafficker and Xiu Die's parents were thrown in prison, and the twin sisters went on to live happily ever after.

All in all, it was a story with not much logic to it—melodramatic and overwrought.

Ji Qingzhou closed the book. Unsurprisingly, the leading actress's centerpiece costume should be the dress Xiu Die made overnight in order to replace the real heiress.

Aside from that, there were probably the beautiful Western-style dresses Xiu Die wore during the period when she was impersonating the young lady.

Ji Qingzhou picked up his sketchbook and pencil, flipped to a blank page, and sat there for a good while with no ideas.

The novel was too short, and since it was a translated foreign story, some of the plot, in order to be made to make sense, came across as somewhat unrealistic, and the characterization was rather shallow—reading it felt almost the same as not having read it. He still had no clear direction.

If only he could meet the actress once she was chosen, it would help, Ji Qingzhou thought, tilting his head back to look at the ceiling and closing his eyes to let his mind wander.

The clothes Miss Li wore when she made her entrance needed to be striking enough at a glance to make it clear she was a wealthy young lady, while also being able to carry the dramatic weight of the later "switching heaven for earth" centerpiece scene.

What kind of outfit would it need to be...

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