Chapter 3 — Global Livestream, Her Dress Shows My Name

The distance of each needle is precisely controlled to 0.3 millimeters. Now, Ha Mat wears it on her body. Smiling and happily chatting with the judges.

“Actually, the inspiration for this collection comes from the wax dyeing technique that my grandmother taught me when I was a child.”

“She is an artisan in a Miao village.”

"Since I was a child, I watched my grandmother draw patterns on fabric. Later, I incorporated those memories into modern designs."

In the group of judges, there was an old lady with white hair. She has been researching traditional textiles for more than forty years. My name is Chung Ngoc Hoa. She gently stroked the collar of her dress and glanced at Ha Mat.

“This type of embroidered pattern is very rare.”

“Not like machine embroidery.”

“On the contrary, it is similar to the manual thread pulling technique.”

“What did your grandmother teach you?”

Ha Mat's fingers gently tightened the hem of her skirt. The smile remains unchanged.

“It's because I figured it out myself.”

“Try over and over again to succeed.”

Chung Ngoc Hoa did not ask further. Her eyes left the dress. Accidentally passed me. That look was very short. So short that no one else noticed. But I understand. There was no contempt in her eyes. No curiosity either. It's an emotion that's hard to put a name to. Like an old tailor admiring a garment. Then suddenly discovered a secret sign that only people in the profession would recognize. The elevator door opens. I leaned over to let them in first. Chu Minh Vien went last. As he passed me, he stopped walking.

“Ha Tinh, I heard you rented a small room outside?”

“What happened between you and Luc Ngan?”

“To the point of divorce?”

“Young people should not be too impulsive.”

In the elevator, Ha Mat blinked at me. The corners of the lips curl up. That expression only appeared for less than a second. But I see it very clearly. In my previous life, I had never seen that expression. Because after the hearing, I was completely devastated. I don't even have the courage to step foot into the Association building again.

"The matter between me and Luc Ngan doesn't need to worry you."

Chu Minh Vien coldly snorted and then stepped into the elevator. Before the door closed, I heard Ha Mat's voice say:

"Teacher, when will the fabric samples for the international voting round be sent? I want to try a color scheme first."

Chu Minh Vien replied:

“No rush.”

“Let the teacher arrange the ingredients.”

“At that time, ask Luc Ngan to help me work with the supplier.”

The elevator door closed. I stood in the hallway, watching the floor numbers jump up step by step. Luc Ngan is in charge of connecting suppliers for Ha Mat. Previous life was also this stage. Luc Ngan's family sells textile materials. He himself has no outstanding talents. But he holds many relationships in his hands. The day before pursuing me, the sentence that touched me the most was:

“You understand the material, I understand the design.”

“We were born to be perfect partners.”

I didn't know until much later. The real purpose of that statement was to access the material formula book in my office. He secretly took pictures of the entire notebook. Then transferred to Ha Mat. Thanks to those formulas, in just two short years, Ha Mat went from a person who did not even understand basic dyeing techniques to "a genius mastering the art of traditional National style textile dyeing". But there is one The page she couldn't get. That is the formula for submerged pattern dyes that will show color when exposed to liquid. Because of that page, I have never written it in a recipe book before. It only exists in my head. I stood in the hallway for a while then took out my phone and reopened the message Tan Lang sent three days ago. Still no reply. But I saved his number in my contacts. The note is: Returning to the motel room, I pulled down a cloth bag from the top of the closet. Inside is the last batch of fabric samples that I dyed myself. I picked out three pieces. Soak in clean water for ten minutes. Then use a cotton swab to absorb a little medical alcohol and gently dab it on the corner of a piece of cloth. A few seconds later. At the position where the alcohol was just dipped, a faint pattern slowly appeared. It's like growing from the bones of the fabric. Clear lines. Patterns are soft and fluid. It's a camellia flower pattern designed by me. I held that piece of cloth under the light and looked at it for a long time. The concentration still needs further adjustment. Color rendering speed also needs to be a bit faster. But the direction is absolutely correct. The remaining time is enough. Half a month later. The direction of public opinion in the world has completely changed. All articles, award-winning achievements, and interview videos related to me have been removed. My name was removed from the Designers Yearbook. Instead, there are photos and an introduction by Ha Mat. In the introduction it is written:

"A student of the master National Style designer Chu Minh Vien. From a young age, he was taught traditional wax dyeing techniques by his grandmother in Miao village. He is the most promising young National Style designer of the new generation."

I sat on the floor of the motel room and read the entire introduction and then put the phone down. The doorbell rang. Luc Ngan's mother. Ms. Luc wore a camel-colored cashmere coat. Standing in front of my rented room, which is less than twelve square meters wide. The criticism on his face was almost clearly visible. Her eyes swept around the room. A folding bed. A square table serves as both a dining table and a working desk. An old sewing machine. On the ground were several rolls of cloth.

“Ha Tinh, I didn't come to argue with you today.”

She took out a file from her bag.

"You have already signed the divorce papers. But the division of assets is taking forever."

"Luc Ngan said she refused to accept his money, nor did she transfer the office name to him."

“That office was my private property before marriage.”

"I know."

Mrs. Luc sat down on the only chair in the room, crossing her legs.

“So I didn't come to ask for your office.”

“I came to ask you something for Mat Mat.”

She called Ha Mat Mat Mat. In her previous life, Mrs. Luc also liked Ha Mat very much. Ha Mat speaks well. Every time I go to Luc's house, I bring cinnamon flower cakes that Mrs. Luc likes. Also help her choose clothes and coordinate jewelry. The first time she met Ha Mat, Mrs. Luc once said to Luc Ngan:

“Your friend has better manners than your wife.”

“What?”

“Mat Mat's competition costume needs final shaping.”

“Using a special fabric shaping technique.”

“Professor Chu said there are only three people in the whole country who know how to do it.”

“A retired person.”

“A person is abroad.”

“The third person is you.”

I picked up the glass of water on the table and took a sip.