“Do clothing stores need to advertise like this now?”

Just two years ago, opening a small shop in Beijing had to be done discreetly, as private business owners feared policies could change at any moment. Street vendors selling clothes weren’t uncommon these past two years, and when business was good, they naturally moved from street stalls into storefronts. Bit by bit, small private clothing stores began appearing throughout the streets.

The quality couldn’t match department store clothing, but the styles were good and prices low. Young fashion-conscious women like Zhou Yi would frequent such shops.

Most women never complained about having too many clothes.

At Zhou Yi’s age, unmarried, with parents who didn’t need her support and instead supported her, who didn’t love shopping and spending money on looking good?

A perm today, a skirt tomorrow, add a pair of leather shoes – money disappeared without notice.

Ultimately, it was because material conditions were improving, industrial capacity was rising, fabric wasn’t scarce anymore, and clothes could be bought without ‘fabric coupons.’ From limited supply to open availability, the changing environment encouraged Zhou Yi and others to join the shopping army.

“Let’s go check it out then. Miss Zhou can certainly afford it.”

Though Tong Lili’s words weren’t wrong, her sarcastic tone made people uncomfortable.

Zhou Yi was furious. She and Tong Lili used to be close friends, or she wouldn’t have helped Tong Lili repeatedly. Setting up small traps, causing trouble for Xia Xiaolan… As it turned out, Zhou Yi’s current tears came from her past foolishness.

Tong Lili’s schemes failed, yet she blamed Zhou Yi.

Zhou Yi was caught in the middle, feeling angry too.

If Tong Lili had the ability, she should compete with Xia Xiaolan directly – why take it out on her? Zhou Yi couldn’t exactly clean up and gift-wrap her cousin for Tong Lili!

“Go if you want. I won’t attend any more gatherings with you – the space is yours!”

Zhou Yi grabbed her bag and left without even drinking her water.

Her departure took several others with her.

The once-harmonious small group instantly split into two factions, with two people hesitating. After Tong Lili’s sharp words, they followed Zhou Yi too – with equal friendships at stake, the group’s breakup became about choosing sides.

Choose Zhou Yi or Tong Lili.

Most chose Zhou Yi, not just because the Zhou family was more influential than Tong Lili’s, but more importantly because Tong Lili’s vengeful nature made some friends uncomfortable.

But Tong Lili saw it differently – she felt others looked down on her!

After years of unrequited love for Zhou Cheng, becoming a laughingstock – was that her fate?

If Zhou Yi hadn’t encouraged her, would she have fallen so deep?

Losing to Xia Xiaolan, Tong Lili couldn’t accept it.

She didn’t care that Zhou Cheng chose Xia Xiaolan, but the Zhou family had acknowledged Xia Xiaolan. Last time, Guan Hui’e brought Xia Xiaolan to the social gathering – Tong Lili saw it herself. How could she compete now?

Dating wasn’t going well either. The Tong family wanted to connect with the Shao family. Shao Guangrong was known for being a playboy – everyone knew he’d gone through over ten girlfriends. Tong Lili agreed to her family’s arrangement because she thought his usually attentive attitude meant she could control him… She also harbored a secret desire for revenge. Shao Guangrong and Zhou Cheng were close friends – if she and Shao Guangrong became a couple, Zhou Cheng couldn’t easily shake her off. They’d have chances to cross paths!

But Shao Guangrong rejected the family arrangement with what Tong Lili considered a terrible excuse – saying he was too young and wanted to study for two more years before considering marriage!

Shao Guangrong had been working for years – what studying was there to do?

After driving Zhou Yi away, Tong Lili smashed her soda bottle and started tearing up the flyer.

Her girlfriends held her back, “Don’t get angry! Even teeth sometimes bite tongues. You and Zhou Yi have been friends for years – isn’t fighting normal? Is a man worth all this?”

Yes, that man was Zhou Cheng, first-rate attractive in their circle.

Handsome, maintaining composure no matter how many girls showed interest, naturally carrying a hint of bad-boy charm – his overall qualities could drive people crazy.

People used to say Zhou Cheng was clueless, that he didn’t take any girl seriously. Tong Lili was captivated by his bad-boy coolness, thinking his disinterest in women was a virtue.

When Xia Xiaolan appeared, everyone was stunned.

It wasn’t disinterested in women – the women just weren’t enough. Meeting a little vixen, Zhou Cheng acted just like other men!

The facts were clear now. Zhou Cheng chose his partner, and the Zhou family didn’t mind her modest background. They publicly acknowledged Xia Xiaolan’s status – what was left for Tong Lili to fight for? Falling out with good friends over this wasn’t worth it.

Tong Lili stayed silent as her friend snatched the flyer from her hands:

“You haven’t been treating Zhou Yi well lately. This is a perfect chance to make up! I’ll invite Zhou Yi to shopping tomorrow, clear things up, and it’ll be fine. Where should we go? Both Xiushui Street and Xi Street have stores.”

Tong Lili touched her hair, “Not interested in shopping. I want to get a perm in Xidan.”

Stubborn as ever – she just wanted to go to that store in Xidan.

Her friend pocketed the flyer, “Then it’s settled – tomorrow we’ll go to Xidan… What’s it called? Blue Phoenix? Grand opening special, 10% off storewide from the 17th to the 20th. This store seems interesting.”

…

Similar scenes played out elsewhere.

Before opening in Shangdu, Blue Phoenix had operated as a street stall for a long time, building a reputation. Few street vendors dared charge such high prices. When the clothing store opened in the city center, new customers were curious, old customers brought others, and the ribbon-cutting ceremony attracted passersby.

In Beijing, neither Xidan nor Xiushui Street was considered the city center – Beijing was much bigger than Shangdu!

Xia Xiaolan chose to bombard with flyers. Attention could create economic value, making the promotional costs worthwhile.

In the current simple environment, advertising lacked creativity – colorful flyers stood out. The professional photographer and calendar model weren’t hired in vain. If not for several bold black lines of text ruining the overall effect, some might have mistaken it for a fashion magazine page.

“What kind of layout is this!”

Editor Cui held a flyer, torn between laughing and crying as she complained to Director Wang.

Director Wang looked carefully, “It’s just like a movie poster, highlighting the theme. Their goal is attracting clothes shoppers – nothing wrong with some big text.”

Editor Cui had no right to complain. Director Wang didn’t mention that when Xia Xiaolan contacted him, he thought she’d changed her mind, but she just wanted a photographer recommendation!

That was fine – he’d thought Student Xia would take photos herself.

Xia Xiaolan had the photographer find a well-built calendar model… Director Wang’s heart had risen and fallen, now tempered by experience, completely unfazed by Editor Cui’s complaints.

Editor Cui didn’t understand. Xia Xiaolan and Chen Xiliang always talked about creating China’s local clothing brand, but the flyer didn’t mention Luna, only ‘Blue Phoenix.’ Editor Cui couldn’t grasp Xia Xiaolan’s strategy.

Driven by curiosity, Editor Cui decided to see for herself.

In all of Beijing, there were quite a few people as curious as Editor Cui. Whatever their motivations, the flyer campaign’s effect was fermenting rapidly!