Chapter 296 - 110: 10% Commission Per Piece, Cheongsam and Cloak

After playing for nearly an hour and a half, Jiang Li not only won back the money Jing Shiyun lost, but also won over five thousand more.

Jiang Manshu couldn’t help but sigh, "I guess I really can’t play mahjong with you next time. You’re just too good."

Jiang Li chuckled. "You were all clearly going easy on me. It’s not that I’m any good."

With that, she transferred the full 5,000 to Jing Shiyun.

Seeing Jiang Li’s transfer, Jing Shiyun furrowed her brow and asked, "What’s this? Didn’t we say that if you won, it was yours, and if you lost, it was mine?"

Jiang Li shrugged. "I told you I was playing for you, so naturally, the wins and losses are both yours."

Shen Yanzhi chimed in as well. "Yeah, Mom, just take it."

He had originally planned on looking after Shen Shiyu, but Jing Shiyun hadn’t allowed it. The child had ended up being lulled back to sleep anyway, so this money was what Jing Shiyun deserved.

Jing Shiyun didn’t refuse again. After all, 5,000 yuan wasn’t a huge amount, and since the kids insisted, she might as well accept.

Since Jiang Li was inexperienced with babies, Jiang Manshu and Jing Shiyun moved right into the house to help, leaving Shen Yugang and Jiang Bowen as empty nesters.

Jiang Li could focus on her design sketches, not having to worry about the baby at all.

Two weeks later, the cheongsam designed for Zhao Xia was finished.

The moment she held the finished garment, Zhao Xia’s eyes filled with shock. "Oh my god, Xiao Li, your craftsmanship is incredible!"

Jiang Li smiled. "Sister Xia, go ahead and try it on. See if it fits."

’As a designer, she naturally loved being praised.’

Zhao Xia took the cheongsam out of its box. "Alright, I’ll go try it on right now!"

A short while later, Zhao Xia emerged in the new outfit.

She was wearing a light purple cloud-brocade cheongsam that reached her knees, with a long, white cloak featuring a fur collar over it.

Jiang Li’s eyes lit up. "You look absolutely perfect in a cheongsam," she said sincerely.

She clicked her tongue in appreciation. "Nope, this won’t do. I have to design a few more for you so you’ll have a rotation."

Zhao Xia seemed a little insecure. "Does it really look okay?"

Jiang Li nodded emphatically. "Of course! It’s gorgeous!"

Worried that Zhao Xia might not know how to care for it and accidentally ruin the outfit, she quickly added, "The cheongsam is made of cloud brocade, so it has to be dry-cleaned. The cloak is double-faced cashmere; you can either dry-clean it or wash it gently by hand."

The moment she heard "cloud brocade" and "double-faced cashmere," Zhao Xia’s eyes went wide. "My goodness, how much would a set like this cost?!"

’No wonder it’s so comfortable,’ she thought. ’It must have cost a fortune.’

Jiang Li waved her hand dismissively. "Hey, don’t mention money between us sisters. It just makes things awkward."

She added with a light laugh, "If you feel bad, just help me spread the word."

"That goes without saying! Of course I’ll promote it for you!"

She didn’t even need to be told.

She had Jiang Li take a series of photos for her and posted them to her social media without a second thought.

The post had barely been up when one of her close friends called.

The friend was calling to ask where she had bought the cheongsam and cloak she was wearing.

"Oh, this? You can’t buy it, even with money. A dear friend of mine made it especially for me."

’Was it just her imagination, or did Zhao Xia sound a little smug?’

She took several more calls, one after another. Finally, Zhao Xia couldn’t help but turn to Jiang Li and ask, "This set I’m wearing... do you have any more of them?"

Jiang Li shook her head. "It was designed just for you. It’s the only one in the world."

Zhao Xia suggested tentatively, "How about you produce more of them to sell?"

Jiang Li was firm in her principles. "I can’t do that. Custom-made is custom-made. There will never be an identical piece."

’If I made duplicates, it wouldn’t be custom-made anymore.’

’Unless some fool with a death wish tries to make a knockoff.’

’And if they do, they’ll only lose money.’

’After all, she registered the copyright for every single design she drew.’

Zhao Xia felt both helpless and touched. "Oh, you..."

Since Jiang Li was unwilling to mass-produce, Zhao Xia had to drop the idea. Thinking of her friend’s request, she asked, "I have a friend who really loves mamian skirts. Can you design those?"

’Asking a designer if she *can* design something... what an insult!’

Jiang Li asked, "Does she have any requirements for the fabric or pattern?"

Zhao Xia scratched her head. She had actually forgotten to ask.

She asked a bit sheepishly, "Why don’t I give her your contact info and have her add you?"

"That works."

Once they were connected, Jiang Li took the initiative and started a video call.

"Sister He? This is Jiang Li. I just heard from Sister Xia that you like mamian skirts, so I’m calling to ask if you have any preferences regarding the material."