Chapter 10: School Uniform

“Auntie, Uncle, please don’t worry. My parents also said that since we’ve given our advice, we must see it through to the end. Otherwise, if things go poorly and there’s a loss, they might end up blaming us instead.”

“So their opinion is that we should help all the way. They want me to assist with the business, so if anything comes up, I can consult them right away.”

Liu Qian had prepared these words in advance, and they sent Zhang Caixia’s already delighted mood soaring to new heights.

“Just look at this! Wu Ya is so lucky to have such a good classmate, and we’re so fortunate to benefit from your family’s help. It must be a blessing from his previous life!”

Her praise was heartfelt.

A blessing from a previous life.

In fact, those words hit the mark.

Wu Ya’s past life had been bleak and desolate, filled with hardship and loneliness. He had endured countless trials and setbacks, yet he always maintained his optimism. He never blamed the heavens or others, nor did he lament the unfairness of fate. Perhaps it was this very attitude that moved the heavens to grant him a second chance—to let him be reborn, to make up for regrets, and perhaps to change everyone’s fate.

“Liu Qian, you must thank your parents for us! To receive their guidance is the greatest kindness we could ever hope for!”

Just then, Wu Wanli came out carrying a plate of fruit, his face equally radiant with excitement.

Liu Qian’s parents? They were the renowned business traders! That such people would lower themselves to advise them on their little business—what an enormous favor! Never mind how much effort it would cost, it might even be a thankless endeavor in the end. When it comes to business, if someone gives you advice that helps you make money—and does it for free—that’s a rare blessing indeed. Why should they do it?

“Heh, Mom, Dad, don’t get too excited yet. I still need your help with something,” Wu Ya interjected with an awkward laugh, trying to change the subject as he saw his parents’ gratitude toward Liu Qian. Their humility made him feel guilty. After all, this was his idea, his plan, yet his parents were the ones receiving credit for the favor. He couldn’t bear it.

“What do you need help with?” The couple’s attention was immediately drawn away. Their son had just taken over the tailor shop; it wasn’t time for them to let go entirely. They might not be involved in daily management anymore, but there was still work to be done. After all, their son was young and inexperienced.

“Can you help me estimate how long it would take to alter our current Zhongshan suits into these?” As he spoke, Wu Ya handed them a sketch.

The reason they opened the tailor shop was because Zhang Caixia had real skill—her tailoring was famous in the area. Whenever there were holidays or weddings, she would work tirelessly to help support the family. After both of them were laid off, they decided to open the shop—not just to take custom orders, but to produce ready-made clothes to sell wholesale for greater profit.

But, though they had skill, they lacked business sense. They didn’t understand the market. When they saw Zhongshan suits everywhere, they rushed to produce over a hundred sets, working day and night. The result? They got stuck in a rut.

Sell them off? They’d lose money.

Don’t sell? The stock piled up.

In the end, they barely managed to pay their workers, then shut the doors.

“What’s this…” Zhang Caixia frowned as she studied the sketch. What was this?

“Aren’t these student uniforms? Son, this is ridiculous!” Wu Wanli was more direct. He recognized the style at a glance and immediately began to scold. Outrageous. They might not have much business sense, but they at least knew to follow trends. Even if they were lagging behind, at least they were making modern clothes that people wanted. But their son? He wanted to turn Zhongshan suits into student uniforms? Madness!

Student uniforms were the standard attire for students in the country in the 1940s and 1950s. Such an outdated style—how could he expect to sell it now? Either he’d lost his mind, or he was getting carried away with the excitement of running the shop.

“Exactly, son, you’re being reckless! Even if we have to sell off the Zhongshan suits, we could recover some of our costs. But if we turn them into such an old-fashioned style, we risk losing everything!” Zhang Caixia shook her head, speaking earnestly. Her son was still too young and already showing his inexperience.

Seeing his parents’ attitude, Wu Ya smiled faintly and said nothing.

You object? Of course you do.

But as for explaining? There was no point.

With a glance—

“Auntie, Uncle, the idea to alter the Zhongshan suits into student uniforms came from my parents,” Liu Qian immediately interjected, wielding her trump card—her parents, the celebrated business traders, were the ones who suggested this change.

What did this mean? Maybe this style was about to become popular again?

Zhang Caixia and Wu Wanli looked at each other, each seeing the glimmer of a gamble in the other’s eyes. If it was Liu Qian’s parents’ idea, there must be a reason. They had no grudge with their family—their son and Liu Qian were close classmates. They had no reason to harm them. And with all their experience and knowledge, surely their vision was far beyond their own.

“Alright! If it’s Liu Qian’s parents’ idea, then we’ll go with it. Ya, the student uniform is quite similar to the Zhongshan suit—you just need to change the collar and remove the lower pockets. With our three sewing machines, we can alter all one hundred sets in five days!”

Zhang Caixia turned back and gave Wu Ya a definite timeline.

“That’s great! Five days—just right!” Wu Ya was thrilled. According to his memory, student uniforms would become all the rage in the country in late July and early August, sweeping through the youth almost overnight. When people woke up, the streets would be filled with black and gray student uniforms everywhere.

And today was July 28th. Five days—just in time for the start of the month. A hundred student uniforms would be enough for him to break into the market and set sail.

But for Wu Ya, if he was going to do this, he wanted to do it big. Why else had he been given a second chance at life? He wanted to make his fortune and ensure his parents lived in comfort. That remaining fifteen thousand yuan—he had to spend it all within these five days!