"Mr. Gustave, please tell me your request?"
The tailor shop owner had made up his mind to win Gustave as a customer, determination gleaming in his eyes as he leaned forward attentively.
"Then boss, please remember this carefully and see if you can make it," Gustave said.
"No problem at all! Just tell me everything and I'll write it down meticulously."
After saying this, the boss gestured for someone to bring paper and pen. He planned to write down Gustave's requirements in detail and then draw a precise sketch based on them, treating this commission with the utmost seriousness.
"You can use Qiu Sheng's base pattern as a foundation, but change the primary color to light blue..." Gustave began, his voice carrying the authority of someone who understood fashion deeply.
As Gustave described each element with careful precision, the boss diligently wrote down every requirement, his pen moving swiftly across the paper.
The outfit that Gustave was describing was actually inspired by the second male lead's ensemble from the movie "The Gentlemen": a crisp light blue dress shirt paired with an elegant suit vest, topped with a sophisticated Balmacaan windbreaker, and completed with Marine blue trousers that would create a striking silhouette.
The boss certainly didn't have a Balmacaan windbreaker in his shop, and he definitely couldn't craft one from scratch, but Gustave already possessed one. It had been a thoughtful gift that Yang Chan had presented to Gustave not long ago when they were in Kasukabe, and it would complete the look perfectly.
After the boss finished noting Gustave's detailed request, he closed his eyes briefly to visualize the matching effect in his mind. When he opened them again, he couldn't help but give Gustave an enthusiastic thumbs up.
"Mr. Gustave's taste is absolutely impeccable! This combination will be truly magnificent!"
"Then boss, can you handle this level of craftsmanship here?" Gustave asked with a confident smile, though his tone carried just a hint of challenge.
"Absolutely no problem! I can definitely do it!" the boss agreed immediately, his voice brimming with professional pride.
The fabrics needed for the outfit that Gustave had described were readily available during this Republic of China period. The most significant difference was that the suits popular during this era were traditionally cut quite loose, featuring wide trousers and broad collars that made people look graceful and flowing when they walked. However, the outfit that Gustave had specified was designed to be much more slim-fitting and form-hugging, with extremely high requirements for body shape and physique. People with a less than ideal figure would never be able to pull off such a demanding silhouette.
However, Gustave didn't have any of these concerns whatsoever, because he possessed the ideal proportions: a well-proportioned head, impressively broad shoulders, and clearly defined muscles throughout his frame. He was quite literally a natural clothes hanger who could make any style of clothing look absolutely stunning.
"Then please come over here, Mr. Gustave. I will personally take your measurements with the utmost care!" the boss said, gesturing toward a more private area of the shop.
"No problem at all."
Gustave followed the boss to the measuring area, moving with the fluid grace that came naturally to him.
"Mr. Gustave, no wonder you want such a sophisticated combination and require such a slim fit. Without a physique like yours, it would be absolutely impossible to carry off this look!" the boss exclaimed admiringly.
When the boss was taking Gustave's measurements, he could feel the well-developed muscles beneath the fabric and couldn't help but voice his genuine praise for such an impressive build.
"Haha, thank you for the kind compliment, boss," Gustave replied with a warm chuckle.
"Master Gustave!"
Just as Gustave was in the middle of having his measurements taken, a pleasantly surprised voice rang out from the shop's entrance.
"Miss Ren? What a delightful surprise! Why are you here?" Gustave asked, recognizing the familiar voice immediately.
He turned around to see that it was indeed Ren Tingting, looking as elegant as ever in her fashionable dress.
"I'm here to pick up some clothes I ordered. Are you here to commission new garments?" Ren Tingting asked, her voice filled with genuine joy at this unexpected encounter.
Her entire demeanor had brightened considerably upon seeing Gustave, and her tone carried a musical quality that hadn't been there moments before.
"Yes, I came here with Taoist Yimei and the others to have clothes made," Gustave nodded, gesturing toward his friends.
"But the main purpose of this visit is actually to commission clothes for Taoist Yimei and his two disciples. My own order is merely an additional request while we're here."
Gustave pointed toward Master Lin Jiu and his two disciples who were standing nearby, examining fabric samples with varying degrees of interest.
"Hello there, Miss Ren," Lin Jiu said politely, offering a respectful bow.
"Hello, Uncle Jiu!" Ren Tingting responded graciously, turning slightly to bow in proper greeting, her movements fluid and refined.
"Qiu Sheng, Wen Cai, come over here and properly meet Miss Ren!" Lin Jiu called out with gentle authority.
"Hello there, Miss Ren!" Qiu Sheng responded enthusiastically.
He had initially assumed that any friend of his master would be rather plain, but he certainly hadn't expected her to be so strikingly beautiful. Qiu Sheng quickly straightened his clothes and approached Ren Tingting with his most charming smile, clearly trying to make a favorable impression.
"Hello," Ren Tingting replied formally, maintaining her composed demeanor.
After Qiu Sheng had offered his greeting, Lin Jiu waited expectantly but didn't hear Wen Cai's voice for what felt like an uncomfortably long time. Growing concerned, he noticed Ren Tingting glancing back with an expression of increasing irritation. Lin Jiu turned around to investigate and discovered Wen Cai standing there with a completely vacant expression, staring directly at Ren Tingting's chest with a foolish, perverted smile plastered across his face.
The moment Ren Tingting had entered the shop, Wen Cai had fallen head over heels for this beautiful young woman at first sight. Then, as his gaze wandered downward, he noticed that Ren Tingting was wearing a fashionably low-cut dress that revealed just a hint of her cleavage.
Wen Cai had never encountered such a sight in his entire sheltered life. From the moment he glimpsed that tantalizing view, he hadn't been able to tear his eyes away, becoming completely mesmerized and lost in his own inappropriate fantasies.
"This absolute fool!" Lin Jiu cursed silently, feeling mortified that Wen Cai was bringing such shame upon him in front of respectable company.
He walked up behind his wayward disciple and delivered a sharp, discrete poke to his back.
"Ow! Master, what was that for?" Wen Cai yelped in surprise and pain, finally snapping out of his lustful trance.
"Wen Cai, why don't you hurry up and say hello to Miss Ren properly!" Lin Jiu hissed through gritted teeth, his voice barely containing his embarrassment and anger.
"Oh, oh, oh! Hello Miss Ren, hello Miss Ren!" Wen Cai stammered awkwardly, offering an exaggerated bow while bobbing his head up and down like a pecking chicken, his smile becoming increasingly obsequious and uncomfortable to witness.
"Humph!" Ren Tingting responded with an icy snort of disdain.
She naturally wouldn't give even the slightest acknowledgment to Wen Cai—a man who appeared unkempt, wore such a lecherous expression on his face, and had been so obviously staring at her chest. Her face had turned decidedly cold, and her previous warm mood had completely evaporated.
When Qiu Sheng observed Ren Tingting's disgusted expression and witnessed Wen Cai's thoroughly embarrassing behavior, he realized that his own position was now significantly more secure. Wen Cai had essentially eliminated himself from any potential competition—what a complete gift!
"Boss, please bring me the clothes I ordered several days ago!" Ren Tingting demanded angrily, her voice sharp with irritation.
She collected her garments and left the shop immediately without even saying goodbye to Gustave, her departure swift and decisive. It was abundantly clear that she was genuinely furious about the entire uncomfortable encounter.
"Boss, when exactly will our clothes be ready for pickup?" Gustave inquired once his measurements had been completed.
"Uncle Jiu and his two disciples can come collect their garments tomorrow evening, but Mr. Gustave's outfit will require several additional days to complete properly," the boss explained apologetically.
The clothing styles that Lin Jiu and his two disciples had ordered were all existing patterns from his regular inventory, so they could be produced quite quickly—within a day and a half at most. However, Gustave's clothes represented an entirely new style with very specific and demanding requirements, including precise waistline adjustments and custom fitting details, which naturally required significantly more time and attention.
"How much will the total cost be?" Gustave continued his inquiries.
"The complete total comes to 70 yuan. Uncle Jiu and his two disciples' garments will be 44 yuan, while Mr. Gustave's custom piece will be 26 yuan."
"I'll need you to pay half as a deposit today, and you can settle the remaining when you collect the finished clothes," the boss explained with a professional smile.
"Oh my goodness, that's incredibly expensive!" Wen Cai exclaimed in shocked dismay after hearing the boss's pricing.
"The materials we use for your clothes are all absolutely top-quality fabrics, and several components are made from expensive Western materials that must be imported, so they're naturally much more costly than ordinary, locally-made garments," the boss explained patiently, his smile remaining warm despite Wen Cai's outburst.
Gustave nodded in complete agreement with the boss's detailed explanation. Custom-made suits were indeed expensive investments, and he understood this perfectly well. The truly dangerous suits weren't those with obvious designer brand names prominently displayed, but rather those that appeared impeccably well-fitted yet bore no visible logos whatsoever. Such garments were typically high-end, bespoke creations that cost significantly more than even the most famous branded alternatives.
After paying the required deposit without any hesitation, Gustave and his friends prepared to leave the shop, their business concluded satisfactorily.
On the appointed day when Old Master Ren's grave was scheduled to be relocated, the hilltop location was bustling with extraordinary activity, crowded with a large gathering of people who had come to witness or participate in this significant event.
Gustave and his team had already arrived at the site where Old Master Ren was buried, positioning themselves strategically while they waited for Ren Fa and his entourage to make their appearance.
However, Gustave and his friends who had arrived early were maintaining a considerable distance from Wen Cai, behaving as if they were complete strangers who had never met this peculiar individual in their entire lives.
But why were they acting in such an unusual manner?
It all traced back to the events of that morning when they had first awakened. After collecting his custom-made suit from the tailor, Wen Cai had become absolutely obsessed with his new garment, unable to put it down or stop admiring himself. When they were all preparing to depart for the grave relocation ceremony, Wen Cai had insisted that the others go ahead first while he would follow behind them shortly.
The rest of the group hadn't suspected anything unusual about this request—they had simply provided him with a few basic instructions about the meeting location and timing before departing as planned.
But when they encountered Wen Cai again at the burial site, he had completely transformed his appearance in the most ridiculous way imaginable. He was now wearing a formal black tuxedo complete with a tall top hat perched on his head, and he was carrying an elegant walking cane in his hand with theatrical flair.
Those who knew him personally understood that Wen Cai was present to participate in a solemn grave relocation ceremony, but anyone unfamiliar with the situation would naturally assume he was dressed to attend some kind of fancy evening banquet or high-society gala.
The combination of Wen Cai's distinctive round face, his unfortunate bowl-cut hairstyle, and this completely inappropriate formal attire created such a bizarre and comical appearance that it was almost impossible to take seriously.
Lin Jiu had immediately demanded that Wen Cai return home and change into more suitable clothing, but Wen Cai had protested that the scheduled time for the grave relocation was rapidly approaching and there simply wasn't enough time for him to make the journey back and forth. Left with no viable alternatives, Lin Jiu had been forced to maintain as much distance as possible from his embarrassing disciple. Gustave and the others had adopted exactly the same strategy—absolutely no one wanted to be seen standing anywhere near Wen Cai, as the association was far too mortifying to endure.
Gustave had always known that Wen Cai possessed truly extraordinary talents in the art of making spectacularly poor decisions, but he had never imagined that the man could reach such unprecedented heights of social obliviousness. This situation represented a complete miscalculation on his part—he had seriously underestimated just how magnificently Wen Cai could embarrass himself and everyone around him.