Trafford's Trading Club

Old Feng looked at the steel plates in the lift. It was smooth enough for seeing one’s figure on it, like a mirror.

He tidied himself many times before leaving his home, but he still tried to check if something didn’t look good through the steel plate surface.

He had never been so nervous.

When the lift arrived at the floor, Old Feng breathed deeply, putting on a mask and adjusted his glasses, before walking to a door and pressing the doorbell.

It was as if he could hear his heartbeat. He clenched his hands, then loosened them, repeating the actions. Soon, his hands turned wet.

He felt time passed slowly---until the moment the door was opened.

"Oh, Mr. Zhou, come in please!" Zhou Zihao opened the door, "Why are you wearing a mask?"

Old Feng said in a hoarse voice, "I got cold. But don’t worry."

"Zihao, is Mr. Zhou coming?" Tao Xiaman came to Zhou Zihao, looking at the old tailor with a smile; she tilted her head, feeling something that was hard to express.

"Come in and take a seat." Zhou Zihao said.

Tao Xiaman nodded, "Mr. Zhou, take a seat, let me pour a cup of tea for you."

"No, thanks." Old Fend said quietly, "I’ve got sour throat, I cannot drink today... I’m just here take measurements."

Tao Xiaman didn’t say anything but lead him to the living room. Zhou Zihao pushed her from the back, "It’s very hard to find this experienced tailor, Xiaman, be nice."

Tao Xiaman rolled her eyes.

She looked back to this old tailor and found he was gazing at herself. When they saw each other, the tailor moved his gaze away and started to prepare the tools.

"I’ve not seen these old tools for many years." Tao Xiaman was dragged back to her memory.

"They sure have an antiqued feel." Zhou Zihao smiled, "There are many other tools in his house. I was attracted by them. They’re all so old-fashioned."

"Really? I want to go have a look if it’s OK." Tao Xiaman showed a smile.

But Old Feng coughed at this point, he came to them with a measuring tape, "Let’s get started. Turn around, the height first."

Tao Xiaman turned around.

Old Feng squatted down, and put down one side of the tape. He was very careful, gazing at the scale of it, and focusing on the number.

He wrote down each number with strength.

"Open your arms, now let me measure the length of sleeves."

Tao Xiaman followed his order, and looked at her fiancé, "You know, it’s a great feeling... Oh, Mr. Zhou, is there enough time to make a phoenix-pattern dress before the wedding?"

"Don’t worry, you can get the dress."

"Thank you." Tao Xiaman said with appreciation... She was aware of the time needed to make a phoenix-pattern dress.

In Tao Xiaman’s view, his answer was like a declaration instead of a promise.

It was a weird feeling, but she thought she had felt that before.

Soon after.

"I’ve got all the measurements, and will make it as soon as possible. Then, I will bring it to you for a try and see if there are some places that need to be amended." Old Fend said while turning around and gathering his tools.

Watching his back, Tao Xiaman asked, "Mr. Zhou... have we met somewhere?"

Old Feng’s hands turned stiff suddenly, but became natural once again soon.

"Probably, because it’s common to meet someone in this small city."

"Right." Tao Xiaman smiled and realized she asked a stupid question.

But another one was blurted out from her mouth... "Mr. Zhou, how many years have you been a tailor?"

"Dozens of years."

"Do you know a tailor, his surname is Feng and specializes in making cheongsams?" Tao Xiaman paused, "It’s been years."

"No, I don’t." Old Fend didn’t look back, "Since you know another old tailor, then why did you come to me?"

Tao Xiaman hurried to wave her hands, "Sir, I didn’t mean that. I’m just ask... I like your sketch very much, really! Really! Besides, I thought that Mr. Feng might have given up tailoring work long ago."

"I’ll make it soon and notify you in advance."

Old Feng left with his toolbox and didn’t look back.

He seemed to feel that the way back was extremely long, just like when he came.

...

"What’s wrong? Feeling uncomfortable?"

Watching Xiaman overlooking the whole city, Zhou Zihao gave her a hug from behind.

"Nothing, just thinking about something." Tao Xiaman said softly.

"Is it about that Mr. Zhou?"

"Probably... I don’t know if the product will be good."

"Are you nervous before the wedding, as the former designer said?" Zhou Zihao held Tao Xiaman’s shoulder, "You look distracted these days."

"You are the one that’s distracted." Tao Xiaman shook her head, suddenly saying, "Zihao... If I hid something from you, what will you think of it?"

"Well..." Zhou Zihao thought for a while, "Oh, what else are you hiding from me? What’s that? You even told me you’re taken in and brought up by Uncle Tao."

"But you don’t know matters before that."

"I’m not interested in that." Zhou Zihao gave her such an answer, "Or I can say, that I’m not interested in what you didn’t tell me. Because..."

He turned Tao Xiaman back, saying softly, "I know I like the Xiaman who is standing before me. That’s it."

"Sugared words." Tao Xiaman shook her head, lowered it and leaned it against his chest, "Give me some time..."

...

...

"Oh, he’s quite good at making clothes."

The servant girl was now going around and looking at the clothes in the tailor’s old house.

Luo Qiu knew You Ye’s character... she was very particular about food. In her long life, she saw too many perfect things; therefore, not many objects would meet her eye as time passed.

"Then have a try." Boss Luo suddenly said.

The servant girl turned around and looked at her master curiously.

Luo Qiu smiled, "It’s OK, he won’t be back soon."

You Ye picked up a pure white Cheong-Sam.

Luo Qiu started to turn over everything here, those clothes, scripts, the scissors, sewing machine... and even those scratches at corner.

The club boss closed his eyes gradually.

He could hear the laughter from her childhood. He came to the wall, watching those photos on it.

It was probably Old Feng’s habit, that stuck the photos of every customer which tried new clothes.

Those photos were yellowed but had also been wiped again... Actually the room looked very clean.

While watching them, Luo Qiu took one photo down.

He heard the pull of curtains. You Ye had finish changing... she must be very beautiful.

However, Boss Luo didn’t turn back; he just looked at the photo in his hand, showing a gentle smile.

"Master, what’s this?" The servant girl found the lady in the photo had a nice smile.

She was a gentle lady.

"It’s my mum."

Luo Qiu softly explained, "She’s been here before. This is the dress she wore when she married my father. There are still old photos of them in my old house... It turns out she came here to customize the wedding dress."