Zhuo Na’s reasoning had a flaw.

While it was true that Asia Department Store cost several million yuan to build, making 200 yuan per card seem insignificant in comparison, if Asia truly couldn’t continue operating, the owner might try to collect one last batch of shopping card deposits before running away… In 1988, people were still too naive, actually being convinced by Zhuo Na’s words!

Looking at this magnificent department store, it did seem unlikely that it was built just to scam people into buying shopping cards.

Setting aside concerns about the owner running away, using the shopping card itself raised questions. Could money really be loaded onto the card without errors? After one use, if money remained unspent, how much would be left? Could such a small card really keep track of the balance?

As a police officer, Zhuo Weiping understood ordinary citizens’ concerns well. Since people had doubts, why not test it on the spot to address their worries?

“Come on, let’s try using this card and see how shopping and payment work.”

Zhuo Weiping led her sister away from the card office and into the store, followed by a crowd of customers waiting to verify the results. Zhuo Na, laughing and chatting, browsed all the floors before finally selecting a wallet and buying herself a silk scarf… This girl loved shopping too much, showing little consideration for the group of uncles and aunties following them.

Zhuo Weiping warned her sister with a look to show some restraint. Zhuo Na linked arms with her sister:

“Alright, I’ve got the receipts, let’s go pay!”

The sisters’ trail of following customers had already caught Asia’s attention.

Song Minglan even consulted Xia Xiaolan:

“Manager Xia, should we intervene?”

Seeing that Police Officer Zhuo, whom she knew, had caused such a commotion, Xia Xiaolan smiled:

“No need to intervene. This is perfect – they’re trustworthy people. It’s more natural and authentic than if we had arranged our own people to guide customers.”

Indeed, if the Zhuo sisters hadn’t appeared, Xia Xiaolan had planned to have Song Minglan arrange for plants in the crowd.

Without anyone brave enough to try first, everyone was just watching, afraid to make the first move.

Song Minglan felt relieved hearing these were trustworthy people.

While Asia was planning to use plants, the state-owned department stores might send people to cause trouble, so Song Minglan had to stay vigilant.

Without interference, the Zhuo sisters took their receipted items to the cashier.

For customer convenience, there were cashier stations on each floor. The original counters had been modified, leaving some for cash payments while others were equipped with what Xia Xiaolan considered bulky host computers, displays, and card readers installed by Xu Jing… Having used tablet computers before, Xia Xiaolan naturally found 1980s computers clunky, but these were actually the best personal computers available at the time. To ordinary citizens, those bulky monitors emanated an aura of high technology.

These machines were expensive for common people.

Even if they could afford them, they were afraid to touch them.

What if they broke something just by touching it!

Asia’s checkout counters had certainly become unique with this setup.

A beautiful saleswoman guided the Zhuo sisters – these were the first customers using a shopping card for payment today. With so many eyes watching, they needed to demonstrate the complete process.

“Hello, will you be paying with cash or shopping card?”

“Shopping card!”

“Please come this way, this is the dedicated shopping card payment lane.”

The sisters were led to the computer-equipped counter where a young female cashier stood. The customers fell silent, and the cashier felt nervous.

Although she had been trained before starting work, and only quick learners and smart employees were assigned to shopping card payment counters… nervousness was unavoidable with so many eyes watching, afraid of making mistakes that might negatively impact the store.

Xu Jing, as technical supervisor, had been in Shangdu during this period and now stood beside the female cashier.

“Follow the standard procedures from training.”

Seeing Xu Jing, the cashier became calmer.

Everyone called Xu Jing Director Xu – with Director Xu present, even if she made a mistake, it could be fixed.

“Hello, please present your shopping card and receipts.”

Zhuo Weiping handed over the wallet and scarf receipts along with the shopping card. The cashier’s fingers tapped on the keyboard.

“Your purchase total is 22.8 yuan. Confirm payment by card?”

The price of the two items was easy to calculate – not just Zhuo Weiping, but all the following customers had already worked it out to be 22.8 yuan. However, in the TV advertisement, it was a mechanical voice announcing the amount, while here the cashier was calculating it – that was different.

“Confirm card payment.”

Zhuo Weiping was here to test the card, so of course she confirmed.

The female cashier inserted Zhuo Weiping’s shopping card into the reader, pressed a few keys, and this time the customers weren’t disappointed – they heard the electronic female voice from the advertisement:

“Your purchase total is 22.8 yuan, remaining balance 327.2 yuan. Have a pleasant shopping experience at Asia!”

The cashier returned the shopping card to Zhuo Weiping along with a receipt.

The air fell silent for several seconds.

Then everyone started discussing:

“Ha, it’s really true!”

“The machine announced the amount? There’s really 327.2 yuan left!”

“Of course it announced it. She bought a 200-yuan card, and Asia gave 150 yuan extra, so the card had 350 yuan total.”

The crowd became excited.

Deposit 200 yuan and get 150 yuan free – this was confirmed real now, with the card balance as proof.

No matter how good the advertising was, nothing was more convincing than witnessing it personally. The crowd around the Zhuo sisters was at least three layers deep, with over a hundred people!

Some quick-thinking individuals had already quietly slipped away from the crowd. Since the shopping card deposit and cashback were real, they needed to hurry and buy cards.

If they were too slow, what if the cards sold out?

Although Asia hadn’t mentioned any limit on numbers or time for the promotion, people wanted to secure their cards first to feel at ease.

Those still surrounding the Zhuo sisters had remaining doubts. The first card payment was successful, but they weren’t sure if the balance would be correct for a second purchase.

Zhuo Weiping felt helpless.

“Then let’s buy something else.”

What?

Another purchase?

Zhuo Na pouted – her sister was too kind-hearted. On her day off, she was spending her own money to help Xia Xiaolan advertise and attract business for Asia.

However, considering the 200 yuan deposit plus 150 yuan bonus offer, shopping at Asia with the card was indeed a great deal. They could choose anything in the store, and a woman’s shopping desire knows no bounds. Zhuo Na happily rushed upstairs to shop… This was her first time buying things freely without being nagged – nothing could be better!

After Zhuo Na bought several more items and swiped her card again under public observation, hearing the mechanical female voice announce her remaining balance of “19.3 yuan,” all the spectators around the sisters rushed away.

Ah, at this moment, whoever tried to stop them from getting cards would be their enemy!