No one could have imagined that such a small squint contained so much mystery and even racial discrimination.
Of course, they weren't entirely convinced by Huang He's words. What if he had just made it up? After all, Huang He was said to have written screenplays, so speaking eloquently wasn't surprising.
"Dean Chen, you are learned in both Eastern and Western cultures and spent twenty years in America in your early years. You are extremely familiar with their popular culture. You must know about the 'Mandarin,' right?" Huang He asked with a smile.
This Dean Chen was naturally the dean of Qingmei. He was also the oldest and most respected person present, so everyone naturally believed what he said.
"Of course, I know!" Dean Chen actually didn't want to answer. While he knew, he didn't really care about the 'Mandarin' or the squinty eyes. Wasn't it normal for Americans to discriminate against Chinese people? We Chinese weren't as sensitive as black people, so why get so angry over such a small matter?
China was a great civilized nation and should be more magnanimous. There was no need to be angry over such trivialities!
Well, everyone shouldn't be angry. Dean Chen wasn't a public intellectual; he was very patriotic, otherwise, he wouldn't have returned to China.
It was just that in his generation, it was already taken for granted that America was stronger than China, and discrimination was also assumed. Therefore, he instinctively felt it didn't matter.
He originally didn't intend to agree, because if this matter spread, Qingmei's reputation would also be affected. He wanted to play down the issue.
But since Huang He had asked him directly, he couldn't pretend to be deaf and mute, nor could he lie, otherwise, he would have truly offended Huang He.
So Dean Chen nodded and said, "That's right, that's how it is. When we were young and in America, we were quite angry, but as we've gotten older, we've seen these things more clearly!"
Hearing Dean Chen say this, everyone completely believed Huang He's words.
At the same time, they understood why Huang He was so angry about the squinty eyes, as Huang He was famously a wealthy hothead.
Damn it, a hothead could still be so rich and become China's richest man. He was truly a peculiar specimen among peculiar specimens!
Everyone muttered to themselves, but their good impression of the squinty eyes completely vanished.
"Alas, Dean Chen, what you said is wrong. Such matters cannot be handled casually or dismissed as unimportant. On the contrary, our entire nation must take it seriously and promote the true image and spirit of the Chinese people to foreigners. Otherwise, if our Chinese enterprises and culture go abroad and are constantly restricted by discrimination like the 'Mandarin,' and all foreigners treat us Chinese as monsters, won't that create trouble for our future? We must not stand idly by and let such a situation occur!" Huang He said with a serious and earnest expression.
"This..." Dean Chen was silent for a moment. He was a seasoned elder and naturally knew that Huang He's words were not unreasonable. He also felt that he had perhaps oversimplified things before, so he asked, "What does Mr. Huang plan to do about this?"
"I propose that starting with the graduates of our Qingmei fashion design department from now on, unless the models are born with squinty eyes, no elements related to the 'Mandarin' will be allowed to appear in any fashion designs. Upon discovery, there will be a first warning, a second demerit, and a third offense will result in expulsion."
"At the same time, all teachers will give their first lesson of the semester to students, educating them about these stereotypes that allegedly discriminate against the image of the Chinese people!" Huang He stated.
"This action might be too drastic..." Dean Chen hesitated slightly. "And to be honest, many foreign brands, when promoting in China, specifically request images with squinty eyes. If our students refuse, other designers will accept. This will affect their future development!"
"That's simple. If any designer dares to take on such work, I guarantee they won't be able to stay in China! Our entire China Electronics Technology Industry Development Alliance will collectively blacklist them. In the future, I also plan to convene all colleagues in China's business circles to jointly blacklist such scum!" Huang He said calmly.
"That's right, Mr. Huang is correct. Count us at SL in!"
"We at JLB also respond to Mr. Huang!"
As soon as many bosses heard this, they immediately spoke up, one after another responding to Huang He.
Firstly, they were genuinely displeased with such discrimination against Chinese people. Secondly, it was a way to gain favor with Boss Huang. After all, blacklisting someone wouldn't cause any loss to their businesses, so why not earn some goodwill!
As expected, Huang He smilingly stated that he would invite the bosses who responded to a private gathering that evening to discuss business. Instantly, almost all members of the Dairy Association present declared their support.
"Mr. Huang, you... forget it. For the honor of our country, our Academy of Fine Arts will spare no effort!" At this point, Dean Chen had no choice but to agree.
If nothing else, the blacklisting by the thousands of members of the China Technology and Electronics Industry Development Alliance under Huang He's control was enough to ruin the future of countless designers. They dared not truly offend the entire alliance.
The graduates present were all dumbfounded. They hadn't expected that a graduation show would ultimately turn into an industry-wide blacklist. It was too...
The bosses present only felt that Huang He was rich, but the designers present felt their blood almost boiling.
Opening 300 specialty stores nationwide for CBD would be the kind of exposure only the most top-tier luxury brands could boast. They never expected Qu Wei and Jiangnan Group to have such grand plans. If they could become designers for this new brand, even designing just one piece of clothing, they would likely become industry giants.
Furthermore, they could make a substantial profit.
Then, they heard Qu Wei continue, "Caiwei company will receive support from almost all of our future resource points. The designers for this brand must be people I cultivate myself."
"Therefore, I plan to select one outstanding newcomer as my personal disciple. I will teach her myself while also letting her directly take on the position of chief designer for Caiwei. In the future, all of Caiwei's seasonal flagship new designs will be the responsibility of this chief designer!"
"Gulp!" All the newcomers present swallowed their saliva, then wore expressions of ecstatic joy.
Qu Wei actually planned to take on a disciple! This was practically a top-tier event in the industry. Moreover, this disciple would directly be appointed as the chief designer for the Caiwei brand. This was a direct path to the heavens!
And since she was taking on a disciple, established or even somewhat renowned designers would not be suitable. Such individuals would be unwilling to be disciples, and Qu Wei also wouldn't want to accept them. After all, someone who already had their own works was like a blank canvas; it would be difficult for Qu Wei to paint on this canvas according to her own intentions.
Therefore, Qu Wei would only choose from newly debuted, penniless, and pure designers. And they, the university graduates, were the best choice, weren't they?
Could it be that Qu Wei intended to select a disciple directly from among them this time!
Thinking of this, these people were almost going crazy... Some were happy to the point of madness because they had performed very well and hadn't done anything like the squinty eyes.
While others were dejected to the point of madness, hating the squinty eyes intensely.
"Little Qu, who have you taken a liking to? Just tell your Uncle-Master, and I'll arrange it for you!" Dean Chen also said with a smile. He greatly admired Qu Wei, as Qu Wei was his senior sister's disciple, making her his grand-disciple.
"Uncle-Master, no need to trouble you. Actually, I plan to take my time selecting this time to find a truly good prospect. Therefore, I plan to hold a large-scale talent show. There will be no restrictions across China; any designer with outstanding design ability can register for this selection!" Qu Wei said with a smile.
"A talent show? Such a grand scale!" Dean Chen was taken aback. It was just selecting a disciple, yet it required a talent show.
"Yes, we are already in communication with television stations, planning to promote through them and broadcast on television. This way, talent from all over the country will know the news and it will be easier to find more talent!" Huang He added with a smile.