Chapter 313 The Orphanage's Lies: The Handsome Flower Boy 13

Expressing one's emotions reasonably and legally, and refuting them in a civilized manner, is not a shameful thing. People naturally feel angry when they are threatened.

Just like animals know to breathe when they sense danger.

However, many people have been domesticated for too long. Societal domestication has made many people afraid to express their anger when threatened, and they even have to reflect on whether it is their own problem.

Give everyone the right to be angry.

Shen Ci retorted without hesitation. The department store was quite noisy, but her voice was still very clear.

"What my son wears is none of your business! You're looking down on me! Do you own this department store?"

Customers come to look at the products, not to be given the cold shoulder by you!

Her shout was so loud that it drew the attention of passing customers.

These days, being a sales clerk is a secure job, and sales clerks in places like Wangfujing feel superior, so their attitudes are generally not good, or even rude.

But there aren't many customers like Shen Ci who would directly and firmly retort.

Although things have opened up considerably in the last two years, most people have become accustomed to this way of interacting between salespeople and customers, and can only swallow their anger in order to buy things.

But there's always a lack of the first person to do it. Chinese people have always been the ones who know best not to be the first to stick their neck out, but they'll still follow suit.

Join the group buy as soon as it starts.

An older woman carrying a basket nearby immediately chimed in.

"That's right! This comrade is right! We came in to buy things, not to be mistreated! What kind of attitude is this, young lady?"

A middle-aged man wearing glasses and looking like a cadre shook his head.

"The service industry is all about serving the people. How can you talk to customers like that? Especially to children."

"Look at her, her nostrils are practically pointing to the sky!" another young woman whispered to her companion.

Once the first person starts talking, more people will follow, and there will be a lot of discussion.

The saleswoman's face flushed red and then turned pale. Being pointed at and talked about by so many people in public made her feel embarrassed.

But the haughty salesperson would never apologize; it would be too embarrassing for her. So she kept putting on a brave face.

"What happened to me?"

I'm doing this to protect state property! This fabric is precious; what if I damage it or get it dirty? You'll have to pay for it! Can you afford to?!

Shen Ci sneered, "How could I break it if I haven't even touched it yet? This salesperson is deliberately trying to steer the conversation toward breaking it."

"Listen up, comrades! Let me ask you, is your department store a socialist store? Is it serving the people?"

Are the clothes displayed on the counter for the general public to see? Can they touch the fabric? Can they try them on?

Ten years or so ago, salespeople were treated like gods, and customers like slaves; this attitude has not been completely reversed yet.

But now it's 1979, and serving the people is always the right slogan. At this time, although goods are still not plentiful, the work and status of sales clerks remain high.

However, the concept of "the customer is king" has begun to take root, and new ideas are constantly emerging.

Especially in large shopping malls like this one, in a place like Beijing, they wouldn't openly advertise that you can't look at or touch things. Everything here is at the forefront of the country.

The sales clerk was speechless, stammering and unsure how to answer. There were so many people watching, and she wondered what they were doing, having nothing better to do than watch the spectacle.

"Look, of course you can look, and touch, that's fine too, but be gentle!"

"Try it on! No way! There's no such rule!"

Even in the late 1970s and early 1980s, it was generally not allowed to try on clothes in department stores, especially in high-end stores, mainly for fear of getting them dirty or damaged.

How do you know if the size is right?

That depends on your eyesight and experience. If the salesperson is nice, they will hold it up to you and observe it with their eyes.

"Okay! As long as you say it can be seen and touched, that's fine!"

That's exactly what Shen Ci wanted to hear.

She pointed to the clothes in the counter and spoke to Lu Jinnian in a gentle voice.

"Little New Year, don't be afraid. Let's take a closer look today, and feel it properly."

Comrade, could you please bring down this light blue polyester shirt so we can see the material? Yes, that's the one.

And that white one next to it, that army green polyester trousers, and that navy blue jacket hanging next to it—I want those too.

Some children might feel embarrassed in this situation, with so many people watching, but this is clearly a way for them to regain their dignity.

Shen Ci did not resort to violence like a shrew, but instead argued her case rationally.

Lu Jinnian was also a smart kid. He knew that Shen Ci wanted him to have dignity, not to have to bow his head or fawn over others, and to dare to fight back against unfair discrimination.

This requires immense courage, and now, Shen Ci is giving him that courage.

Shen Ci kept pointing to the clothes, all of which looked to be of good quality and new in style in the display case.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, even if one is furious, one dares not vent. The sales clerk, holding back her anger, dares not refuse to take the item, and even brings up socialism and serving the people.

If she doesn't let me see or touch her, she'll definitely be accused of something serious soon.

The sales clerk, with a stern face, carefully took each item off and placed them on the counter.

Shen Ci picked it up, touched the fabric of the clothes, and found the workmanship to be quite good and solid. She then held it up against Lu Jinnian a few times.

"Xiao Nian, what do you think of this? Do you like the color? Is the fabric comfortable?"

Lu Jinnian nodded in agreement. Although he was not used to being watched by so many people, emotions are contagious.

Shen Ci's emotions were stable and calm, which calmed his mind as well, allowing him to carefully select clothes.

The mother and son leisurely looked through the seven or eight pieces of clothing they had taken down. They had plenty of time, so they decided to teach this kind of person a lesson.

"There seems to be something wrong with the workmanship of this neckline?"

"Is this polyester liner thick enough? Will it last through the winter?"

Not only do they watch, but they also keep asking questions to test the salesperson's professionalism. In such an important scene, there are naturally many onlookers. The salesperson is sweating profusely, trying to avoid making a big fuss.

Regardless of whether you're right or wrong, you'll still get a scolding from your superiors. These customers these days are really not as honest as they used to be.

After admiring all the clothes, the sales clerk assumed they would buy at least one or two items, and that today was a successful day. She forced a smile and prepared to issue the receipt.

"Which ones do you want? I'll wrap them up for you."

Shen Ci gently placed the last piece of clothing back on the counter, without intentionally damaging it, clapped her hands, and gave Lu Jinnian a gentle smile.

"Yes, I've looked at all of these. The materials are so-so, and the styles are just average."

"Come on, son, Mom will take you to the counter across the street. The clothes over there look even better."