[POV Hu Qiang]
As the show reached its end, the venue turned alive from the thunderous applause of the people present.
We had a successful 'Runway'.
A major part of which is contributed by my wife, Bai Chang.
I feel like a proud family member showing off his family's treasure.
For this Runway, I know that all major decisions were taken by her. She convinced the people around her to follow her plans. The dresses that she designed are under the company's label rather than the designer's name tag.
This will bring more profits to the company and in future, we would not be dependent on Donna's or Master Shi's designs alone.
Now the Hu Company had its own label designs in the clothing line.
She removed our company's weakness, and this reaffirmed our position within the clothing brand.
From the moment she interacted with me and the company, she made sure to bring more profits and remove the holes in the company's foundation.
From the get-go, she started strengthening our foundations.
I am aware that we are going to face-off with more powerful authorities in future, but then I will just let my underground forces loose.
I was angry when I saw Donna trying to turn her into a socialite. She doesn't need to become one. She is already a Queen.
Way beyond their reach and thinking capability.
I took her hands and looked her in her eyes.
I mouthed, 'Thank You'.
She understood my underlying meaning and just pressed my hands a little hard and walked beside me.
We arranged for an 'After Party' at the hotel's rooftop.
The grand view of the city night-time skyline crater's to the vanity of higher official dignitaries according to Bai Chang. It gives them the feeling that they are different from others, better than the rest and far beyond the reach of the general population.
Looking around, it seems that she is right.
Again.
I look around the party and see most of these high societies' people flaunting their statuses, subtly or blatantly.
"Mr Hu, what a show you put together! I couldn't peel my eyes from it."
"Hello, Mr Li, Thank you for your praise."
He turned to Bai Chang, "Hello Mrs Hu, it's an absolute pleasure to finally meet the hidden figure behind Mr Hu's success."
"You are too kind Mr Li. We each strive for our own success," Bai Chang replied.
"Mr Hu, with this show you can aim for next year's international runway." Another pot-bellied man made his way towards us.
"Mr Shen, you appreciate us too highly. Let us take one step at a time." I replied.
"Mrs Hu, it's an absolute honour for us to meet you. After meeting you in person, I finally realise why Mr Hu here was reluctant to introduce you to us. He is very possessive of you. If such a charming and beautiful wife was mine, even I would hide her away from peoples prying eyes."
"Mr Shen, you flatter me." Bai Chang replied with a polite smile.
"Mr and Mrs Hu please do join us for a glass of wine later in the evening."
"So kind of you Mr Li, Mr Shen, we will join you shortly after we greet all our guest, hope you do not mind." Bai Chang replied politely still flashing her charming business smile.
After these two people moved on, many people turned up to congratulate us for the successful runway.
"Darling Hu, you look like a charming prince in that suit of yours, tell me from where you got it?"
A tall European man about six feet seven inches tall, his hairs brushed neatly to the back of his head. Clean shaved man with purple colour eyes approached us.
Looking at him I smiled genuinely. This man is D. Piero.
He is passionate about fashion and possesses keen eyes from them.
"Hi Piero, how are you? Didn't expect to see you here?"
"I got a tip from Donna, she said, this would be an epic runway. After watching the show I admit, this runway created history like none others. It was simply a pleasure to see this runway, but the highlight of this runway was those last four pieces from your own label.
I completely lost myself in the well thought out design and execution. I am aware that those are designed by someone else.
Even the pieces you and Mrs Hu are wearing now are from the same designer.
They are beautiful."
"As expected after all these years your eyes are still the sharpest to spot designs," I replied.
"They are?" Piero questioned me silently.
I knew what he wanted to know?
"They are from the upcoming collection from our new series of the clothing line. The 'Bespoke' series. They would be limited in production and absolutely customised to the consumer."
"That is an ambitious project that you have got there. From the designs, I see in front of me I am already convinced."
He still wanted to ask something, I knew, what he wanted to know? But I won't give it away easily, he needs to ask personally.
"Hey Qiang, is it possible to meet the designer behind all these?"
"Do you really want to?" I asked him instead of replying to him.
"Yes"
This man, he really is passionate about anything related to fashion. This very dedication and cynicism of his got him where he stands today.
"She is right in front of you," I replied.
Piero seemed surprised by it. So I explained to him.
"Piero, meet Bai Chang, the brains behind today's event as well as the designer you are looking for." I turned to Bai Chang and introduced Piero to her.
"Bai Chang, meet Mr D. Piero, he is the man behind the leading fashion house in the European market, 'Bellezza'."
"Hello Mr Piero, it is a pleasure to meet you."
"Signora, Bai Chang, pardon me to overlook you in presence of the dress you wear. It is simply breath-taking."
"Signore Piero, grazie per il tuo apprezzamento."
(Sir, Piero, thank you for your appreciation.)
Piero seemed elated as if he met a kindred soul.
"Signora, you speak Italian."
"Yes Signore, I find the language very passionate one."
"Great. Great, Mr Hu, if you don't mind may I borrow your wife to talk about design and fashion?"
I see Piero being overwhelmed with Bai Chang, looking at him, if I don't allow him I would be doggedly shadowed by him for the rest of the night.
"Okay, you may. But I will tag along as most of the people are not aware of this fact that she is the designer."
He totally ignored me after getting the green signal. Piero was totally immersed in his conversation with Bai Chang. They mostly conversed in Italian.
I realised, tonight I discovered another of my wife's talent.
It seems she is fluent in foreign languages.
Suddenly Piero spoke up, "Bai Chang, these flowers on the sheer fabric, who stitched them?"
"Piero, I finally realise why Qiang said you have the sharpest eyes in the industry. They are stitched by our son Xiao Wei."
Piero seemed stunned.
"Bai Chang, I think fashion runs in your blood and little Wei picked it up."
"Thank you, Piero."
I am amused by how engrossed they were... If I do not interrupt them now, we would be spending the night here on this rooftop with Piero.
"Piero, how about you come to visit us later this week? We invite you to our place for Lunch."
"You do!!"
Piero's eyes shined so brightly as if I just bought him his favourite fabric.
"Yes," I replied to Piero.
We said our goodbyes for the night and moved on to other guests.
As the party is far from ending yet.