Liu Yong, though currently posing as a mason, had previously worked in smuggling, but he did actually have experience as a mason. Plastering walls, laying tiles, and even installing ceilings weren’t challenging for him.

Xia Xiaolan preferred trusting her uncle rather than hiring and communicating with other workers. Since nobody had much renovation experience these days, it was easier to explain things to her uncle than to deal with other workers.

Liu Yong looked confused, but with Xia Xiaolan patiently explaining beside him, he gradually understood what needed to be done.

Xia Xiaolan’s “design plan” clearly showed the entire store’s layout, including wall hooks, mounting poles, and the arrangement of clothes hangers and racks. Due to budget constraints, many ideas couldn’t be implemented. In Xia Xiaolan’s memory, fashion stores never had wooden doors – how could you attract passersby without full glass windows to showcase new arrivals?

High-end fashion stores maintained constant temperatures year-round, ensuring customers wouldn’t feel sticky with sweat in summer or cold after removing coats in winter. The dressing room mirrors and lighting were specially designed to enhance both complexion and figure, making customers eager to purchase the clothes they tried on.

Xia Xiaolan couldn’t obtain such lighting or professional designers. She could only do her best to achieve the best possible results within her limited renovation budget.

“I estimate it’ll cost at least a few thousand yuan, even without replacing the store door,” she said.

“How much money do you have left? You just paid 2,000 yuan for rent.”

Previously, she had 9,000 yuan. After purchasing 5,000 yuan worth of inventory and paying yesterday’s rent, she should have had only 2,000 yuan left. However, she had sold half of her inventory in the past three or four days. The most expensive items were men’s wool coats priced at 140 yuan, and the other goods had brought in over 4,000 yuan in profits.

This meant Xia Xiaolan now had over 6,000 yuan on hand.

She and Liu Yong estimated that this amount might be just enough to achieve the desired renovation results.

After careful consideration, Liu Yong said, “We can modify the discarded counters from the State Cotton Mill. The wood is good quality – nowadays, hiring a carpenter to make a three-door wardrobe costs at least 150 yuan… We can save some money there.”

Currently, three-door wardrobes are popular for weddings, with painted finishes, carved patterns, and diamond-shaped glass inlays.

Xia Xiaolan found it tacky, though it was the current trend. She wouldn’t use such cabinets in her store but could repurpose the display cases left by the State Cotton Mill.

The money she had would be enough for renovations. The store would take at least a month to complete, during which time Xia Xiaolan would continue selling at her stall, constantly generating more capital to accumulate wealth. By the time the store renovation was complete, she should have enough money for new inventory. The store couldn’t just make money without spending it, and since it was a partnership, Xia Xiaolan couldn’t freely use the capital. Daily expenses were covered by Liu Fen’s earnings – selling fried pork rinds once a day provided more than enough for mother and daughter’s daily needs.

Xia Xiaolan’s short-term goal was to distribute dividends before the New Year. While other stores would close for the holiday, her new store would likely be busiest during that time.

After lengthy discussions with Liu Yong, they started by spending 2,000 yuan on materials and found his old mason acquaintances to help begin the store renovation.

Xia Xiaolan received a telegram from Zhou Cheng:

“…Xiaolan, I received the clothes, dates, and tea. Wearing the down jacket you bought in the cold wind warms not just my body but my heart. The dates are sweet, and thinking of your thoughtfulness, I don’t want to share them with others. However, there was too much tea that might spoil, so I gave some to others… Regarding Bai Zhenzhu from Yangcheng, she’s the sister of my colleague Bai Zhiyong. I once helped him and trusted his character. Given their family values, you can trust Bai Zhenzhu, but remain cautious and continue evaluating her… I miss you constantly and look forward to seeing you again.”

Telegrams were meant to be read by others, unlike private letters. Perhaps this was why Zhou Cheng tried to maintain a formal tone, though anyone could tell this was a telegram to a lover – his passionate feelings overflowed from between the lines.

This passion affected Xia Xiaolan; love made one feel young, and she felt particularly energetic now.

Though Liu Yong was in charge of renovations, Xia Xiaolan couldn’t completely ignore it – she needed to monitor the progress to ensure the desired results. The renovation would cost several thousand or even over ten thousand yuan, spent gradually, fortunately giving Xia Xiaolan time to maneuver.

She needed to find a way to sell the men’s wool coats. The quality and style were good – there was no reason they shouldn’t sell. Xia Xiaolan felt she just hadn’t found the right location. Where were the wealthy people in Shangdu? Among female workers, the State Cotton Mill employees had money, which was why she opened her store on Erqi Road, close to several cotton mills where purchasing power was concentrated.

For wealthy male workers, it had to be the Railway Bureau.

Xia Xiaolan decided to change her stall location. The area where Liu Yong rented was near the Railway Bureau dormitories. As Shangdu was a central plains railway hub, the Railway Bureau was prosperous, and their employee housing was impressive. Compared to the housing shortage for the tens of thousands of Cotton Mill workers, the Railway Bureau’s housing conditions were relatively spacious… at least some people had rooms available to rent.

When Xia Xiaolan suggested changing locations, Li Fengmei hesitated.

She now lived in the staff quarters, claiming to be a relative of the original owner, and neighbors knew she was self-employed. Though people didn’t say it, they looked down on the self-employed. While the self-employed worked in all weather conditions, Railway Bureau workers had iron rice bowls. Li Fengmei and Liu Yong didn’t mind losing face, but she worried other children in the compound would look down on Liu Zitao.

Liu Zitao had just transferred to a city school and was reshaping his worldview. Children were particularly sensitive, and while Li Fengmei wouldn’t spend money on expensive down jackets for herself, she never skimped on her son’s clothing and food. Though the boy still spoke with an Anqing accent, he looked no different from local Shangdu children when silent.

Xia Xiaolan hadn’t considered this aspect. With her village girl identity masking a corporate executive’s soul, how could she understand the sensitivity and cautiousness of rural people newly arrived in the city?

Only when Xia Xiaolan mentioned it to her mother that evening, and Liu Fen hesitantly shared her thoughts, did she have a sudden revelation.

She knew to show Liu Fen the world but hadn’t realized Aunt Li Fengmei was in a similar situation. She shouldn’t have assumed Li Fengmei didn’t have concerns just because she was more outgoing than Liu Fen.

The next day, Xia Xiaolan proposed a different approach:

“Aunt, I notice these goods are selling slowly. Why don’t we split the stall in two? I’ll focus on selling men’s coats, and you can sell the remaining items.”

Li Fengmei relaxed after hearing this.

“I don’t know if I can do it. Don’t think your aunt is stupid; I’ll learn slowly.”