How should one handle working for a classmate?
Yang Yonghong was now open about being the poorest student in Room 307.
The poverty was material, not spiritual.
Yang Yonghong’s spiritual world was rich—a confidence that came from entering Huaqing with the top score in her county and maintaining the ability to earn first-class scholarships at a university full of academic stars.
She never took advantage of others, and as dorm head, her fairness earned everyone’s respect.
If she worked at Xia Xiaolan’s clothing store, she wasn’t sure she could maintain an equal relationship with Xia Xiaolan.
Thinking about how she’d already sent 200 yuan of her scholarship money home, Yang Yonghong put aside Xia Xiaolan’s proposal.
“Xiaolan, I’d better not. Thank you for the offer.”
Xia Xiaolan hugged her, “It’s okay, just know the part-time position will always be here for you. If weekends don’t work, how about considering summer break?”
This made Yang Yonghong smile.
Why feel lost? Everyone around her was supportive, and Yang Yonghong knew that if she truly faced financial difficulties, Xia Xiaolan wouldn’t ignore her.
After talking with Yang Yonghong, Xia Xiaolan worried about the stores’ situation today.
She had previously talked about completely separating Luna and Blue Phoenix’s management, but now she was eating her words. Being Monday, Xia Xiaolan couldn’t go to the store and had to temporarily transfer a clerk from Luna to help. Even if they only did half of yesterday’s business, the staff still needed time to practice what Xia Xiaolan had taught them.
Yesterday’s successful Blue Phoenix opening boosted business for nearby stores.
People who came to Xidan would naturally shop around after buying clothes.
Getting a perm, having lunch, or browsing other stores.
During their wandering, some discovered the Luna store.
Some who didn’t like Blue Phoenix’s clothes preferred Luna’s style, with its flattering cuts and eye-catching designs!
Luna’s Xidan store had made less than 700 yuan on the 16th, but yesterday it doubled to over 1,500 yuan.
Though not matching Blue Phoenix, this excited Luna’s three clerks and even Chen Xiliang in Guangzhou was pleased. Guangzhou’s store sales were also increasing, though not as much as Xidan’s, rising from just over 500 to more than 800 yuan… Chen Xiliang was probably most happy that the designs he created with two designers were being recognized.
Without promotion or advertising, even with a quiet opening, customers were still buying.
But this joy was brief—if Editor Cui’s advertisement didn’t come soon, Luna’s spring collection worth 200,000 yuan would be stuck with Chen Xiliang and Xia Xiaolan.
Guangzhou’s spring was particularly short; the Luna store there needed to stock summer clothes before May to avoid missing the season.
Due to climate differences, the Beijing stores could last until May.
If the spring collection didn’t generate returns by May, continuing the brand would require additional investment from him and Xia Xiaolan. While a wholesale business could provide Chen Xiliang with several thousand in working capital, Xia Xiaolan had clearly stated she would only invest more for promotional purposes.
If clothes weren’t selling, Xia Xiaolan was willing to pay for advertising.
But if promotion didn’t work, it meant the market didn’t accept Luna, indicating problems with Chen Xiliang’s designs. Xia Xiaolan wouldn’t foolishly throw money at the problem without identifying the issue!
When would Luna’s advertisement finally appear?
Chen Xiliang waited anxiously; if Editor Cui didn’t respond soon, he might fly to Beijing to personally hurry things along.
On Blue Phoenix’s second day, the Xidan store earned 5,900 yuan, while Xiushui Street made 4,400 yuan.
Being Monday, with people at work, there weren’t as many shoppers as on weekends, so Xia Xiaolan understood this decline.
What surprised her was the Xiushui store—dropping from 5,500 to 4,400 yuan, half the decline rate of the Xidan store. She planned to personally check on the Xiushui store on the 19th.
She arrived at the store after seven in the evening. Liu Fen wasn’t there, but she saw Guan Hui’e.
Guan Hui’e was acting as interpreter for two foreign women shopping for clothes, as Blue Phoenix’s staff couldn’t handle it—no training could teach the staff a new language in less than a month.
“You’re here, perfect, your English is good.”
Guan Hui’e spoke decent Russian but wasn’t proficient in English.
The Xiushui Street location near the embassy district and diplomatic apartments made foreign customers common, and English served as the universal language.
It turned out these ladies wanted to buy silk products after purchasing clothes.
Guan Hui’e knew “Silk” but couldn’t explain the differences in English, especially regarding daily use versus professional textile design terminology.
Embroidered or plain? Did they want silk pajamas, quilts, or scarves?
Xia Xiaolan’s store didn’t stock these items.
She could only promise to add such products later, inviting them to return.
“Your Xiaolan’s spoken English is good enough for the Foreign Ministry after graduation.”
Zhan Aiqun was also present, along with another auntie Xia Xiaolan had met at the social gathering, both friends of Guan Hui’e.
Guan Hui’e had brought friends to shop yesterday and new people today, truly helping Xia Xiaolan’s business. When Xia Xiaolan asked why she didn’t visit Xidan, Guan Hui’e found it strange:
“It’s quieter here. At our age, why squeeze in with young girls?”
Xiushui Street was indeed peaceful.
Not that it lacked customers, but rather young people. Many foreigners frequented Xiushui Street, and Guan Hui’e felt comfortable shopping here. Xia Xiaolan pondered this thoughtfully.
Grandmother Yu had mentioned this issue—the two stores attracted different age groups.
Xia Xiaolan observed that some styles needed to be exchanged between the stores.
…
Xia Ziyu kept waiting.
Waiting for Du Zhaohui to seek her out.
Ten days had passed since news of the Soviet leadership change, and with Du Zhaohui still not contacting her, Xia Dajun’s telegram arrived.
Du Zhaohui had indeed helped find Uncle’s family, but the day after their return, they supposedly ran into Liu Fen on a Guangzhou street, got into a conflict, and were taken to the police station, where they found no introduction letter… Even Cheng Rong Group’s guarantee wasn’t enough—Xia Dajun needed to return home to get a proper introduction letter.
Xia Hongbing’s family of three remained in detention.
Xia Ziyu’s expression darkened as she held the telegram.
What was Du Zhaohui’s intention, helping only halfway?
Xia Ziyu didn’t believe the young Master Du could secure the release of three people. Conflict with Liu Fen? She didn’t believe a word. She’d dealt with high-ranking families before—the Zhou family managing Xia Xiaolan was fine, but standing up for Liu Fen would be strange.
Xia Ziyu suspected Du Zhaohui wasn’t fully committed, possibly using this to manipulate her. The conflict with Liu Fen was just an excuse!
Xia Ziyu didn’t care if Uncle’s family was detained, but Du Zhaohui’s testing annoyed her. Ignoring it wouldn’t fit her usual image, so she had to ask her father:
“Second Uncle has gone back to Anqing to get an introduction letter. Dad, hurry and buy tickets to go back with him and work on those relationships!”