Returning wealthy individuals develop their hometowns and become rich in the 1980s

Zhang Yi and Elena stared in stunned silence at the wedding dress that the old woman Cao Xiu'e had shown them. Zhang Yi carefully touched the embroidery, her heart filled with indescribable shock.

The smallest of the figures was no bigger than a fingernail, yet their features were clearly defined, and their clothing had smooth folds. Upon closer inspection, it was revealed that they were embroidered layer by layer with extremely fine silk threads, creating a strong three-dimensional effect, as if they were about to step out of the fabric.

Such craftsmanship and such patience would make it a top-tier work of art in any era.

"Auntie," Zhang Yi looked up, her eyes earnest, "this dress is simply a work of art! Its value cannot be measured in money. I would like to invite you and Yuzhu to our company to pass on this craft!"

"It's not just about making money; it's about letting future generations know what wonderful things the embroiderers of Tuocheng can create!"

The old woman, Cao Xiu'e, looked Zhang Yi over carefully again, and smiled. This smile was different from her previous aloofness; it carried a hint of relief and contentment.

"Child, I love to hear you say that," Cao Xiu'e patted Zhang Yi's hand. "Yuzhu can go with you. As for me, with my old bones, I won't bother with the journey!"

"But every month, I can stay at your factory for a few days, draw sketches for you, and teach some skills to the children who want to learn embroidery. As long as you don't mind this old woman's nagging, that's fine!"

Seeing Cao Xiue say this, Zhang Yi nodded vigorously and said, "Auntie, we can't wait for you to come to our company. We wouldn't find you annoying there. Don't worry, as long as you want to come, I will definitely send a car to pick you up and arrange the best room for you. You can stay as long as you want!"

"Then I'll entrust Yuzhu to you!"

Hearing her grandmother say this, Lü Yuzhu knew she was about to part with her beloved grandmother, and her eyes immediately welled up with tears. Zhang Yi stepped forward and hugged Lü Yuzhu, gently comforting her, "Silly girl, why are you crying? Your grandmother can come anytime she wants. Come with me, let's go to Nanshan County and make something of ourselves!"

Elena couldn't understand the conversation between Zhang Yi and Lü Yuzhu. Zhang Yi was busy comforting Lü Yuzhu and didn't translate for her. Elena thought Cao Xiu'e was unwilling to come to Angel Company, so she hurriedly said to Zhang Yi, "Moni, this Ms. Cao, we at Angel Company must hire her as our technical advisor!"

"Her skills would be considered a national treasure in Europe; she is a national treasure-level embroidery master!"

Zhang Yi knew what Elena was thinking, so he nodded to her to indicate that he understood, which also meant that Cao Xiu'e and her granddaughter Lü Yuzhu had agreed.

As she left the tailor shop, it was already close to dusk. Because she had come in a hurry, Lü Yuzhu still had to finish some embroidery pieces that others had ordered. It might be another ten days or so before she could go to Nanshan with Zhang Yi and the others.

Smoke began to rise from the chimneys on the old street. Most of the families living nearby used honeycomb stoves to cook rice and dishes. Groups of children played and laughed as they passed by, curiously watching the Mercedes-Benz 450 parked on the street.

Lu Yuzhu saw Zhang Yi and the others out of the shop, watching the Mercedes drive out of the old street. The old lady leaned against the doorframe, watching her granddaughter walk in. The old man from the tailor shop said to Cao Xiu'e, "Why didn't you go with them?"

"When people get old, they have to accept it and let the younger generation take over. If I leave, Yuzhu won't be valued anymore," Cao Xiue said to her granddaughter who came to help her in. "Yuzhu, this General Manager Zhang is a person with a grand vision. You won't go wrong following her!"

The Mercedes-Benz slowly drove out of the old street. Inside the car, Xiao Huiyi had already woken up and was waving her little hands in Chen Lianxiang's arms. Elena was excitedly discussing future design ideas with Zhang Yi, who was driving.

"Eileen, calm down, let me say a few words," Zhang Yi said, focusing on driving. "I know you're excited, but hold on, I have a plan that can help us better manage the 'Angel' brand!"

"What plan is it?"

"Help us promote the reputation of Ms. Cao Xiu'e, our chief embroidery master at 'Angel,' and tell the story of our 'Angel' brand!"

Elena, sitting in the back seat, was startled for a moment, then beamed with joy. She leaned forward, cupped Zhang Yi's head, and gave her a big kiss, causing Zhang Yi to yell, "Elena, I'm driving!"

"Moni, you're a business genius, you know that, hehe!" Elena ignored Zhang Yi's complaints. She was an outgoing person who liked to express herself, and when she heard Zhang Yi's great plan, her excitement was palpable.

Zhang Yi was a little exasperated by Elena's kiss. She tilted her head slightly, "Elena, take it easy, there's a baby in the car!"

Elena was now completely intrigued by Zhang Yi's actions. Clinging to the front seat, her eyes sparkling, she urged Zhang Yi, "Moni, tell me your plan! How do you intend to tell Ms. Cao's story, how do you plan to tell the story of the 'angel'?"

To prevent Elena from going crazy again, Zhang Yi had to slow down the car and said slowly, "Actually, it's very simple. China's economy is sluggish right now, and there hasn't been much promotion for local artisans."

"But look at those top luxury brands in Europe, which one doesn't have its own story, which one doesn't package itself as full of history and heritage!"

"LV tells the story of travel trunks, Chanel tells the story of Coco Chanel, Hermès tells the story of starting out with equestrian equipment, and our 'angel' story is about Chaozhou embroidery, about old embroiderers like Ms. Cao Xiu'e, and about young people like Yuzhu who have been practicing their skills since childhood."

Elena nodded as if she understood. "You mean, make Ms. Cao a living advertisement for our brand?"

"It's not just about her being a living advertisement," Zhang Yi shook her head, "it's about shaping her into the spiritual symbol of our brand! Think about it, a seventy-year-old embroiderer who has never traveled far in her life, running a small tailor shop, using needle and thread to create works of art that can amaze Milanese designers!"

"A story like this, if it were released, who wouldn't be moved?"

Elena finally understood what Zhang Yi meant. "Moni, you mean that every high-end embroidered garment produced by our 'Angel' can be said to have been supervised or directed by Ms. Cao, and can even bear her name!"

"Yes," Zhang Yi smiled approvingly, "but that's not all. We can also invite reporters to interview Ms. Cao, take pictures of her embroidered works, and publish them in newspapers and fashion magazines. When our clothes are sold abroad in the future, these stories will be the best publicity."

Elena grew increasingly excited as she listened, clapping her hands. "Brilliant! European fashion media love these kinds of legendary stories with an Eastern flair!"

"An elderly Chinese embroiderer, who had lived a life of obscurity, was suddenly discovered, and her work amazed the Western fashion world—this is absolutely fantastic news material!"