After lunch and a short rest, they headed towards the department store.
Department stores in the 1970s were completely different from the bustling and modern shopping malls of later generations. Not only were there fewer people, but most of the people who came to the malls were fashionable employees or civil servants who came from well-off families.
The exterior wall of the department store is a simple concrete structure with three floors, occasionally dotted with a few faded billboards, as if telling of the past glory, exuding a unique retro charm.
Upon entering the mall, the first thing that catches your eye is the spacious, slightly dim lobby. Several old-fashioned chandeliers cast a soft, dim glow, illuminating the staircases and corridors leading to each floor. The air is filled with a unique aroma of old books, fabrics, and candy, transporting you back to a simpler, more innocent time.
"Let's go buy the three-turn and one-ring first. After we have everything, we'll ask the master to send it back." When they arrived at the mall, Yu Yang pulled Zhang Wenmin straight to the home appliance area on the second floor.
In this era, "three turns and one ring" is a symbol of a wealthy family and a standard for urban people to get married.
Although the electrical appliance area on the second floor is not large, the "three-turn and one-ring" products of various brands are neatly arranged. Each one shines with the metallic luster unique to that era, as if showing its value and charm to passing customers.
Yu Yang and Zhang Wenmin shuttled between various commodities, carefully comparing different brands and models of "three turns and one ring" and comparing prices.
After some selection, they finally chose the products they liked. Zhang Wenmin chose a black Forever brand bicycle with smooth lines and bright paint, which looked very handsome.
Yu Yang bought a Butterfly brand sewing machine.
Yu Yang also picked out a simple and elegant Shanghai brand watch, while Zhang Wenmin bought a small and exquisite radio to put in the bedroom so that he could listen to the news and music at night.
After everything was ready, they found a mover at the mall and asked him to deliver the large items to their home. The mover readily agreed and said he would deliver the items to their designated address later that afternoon.
After buying the three-turn and one-ring items, they went to the area on the third floor that sold ready-made clothes, fabrics, and shoes and socks.
The atmosphere on the third floor is more relaxed and lively than that on the second floor. All kinds of clothes are hung all over the floor, ranging from traditional Mao suits to novel bell-bottom pants, showing the fashion trends of this era.
"Third sister-in-law, these bell-bottom pants look great and suit you. Paired with this Lenin jacket, it's perfect." Zhang Qiurui quickly picked out a matching outfit.
Yu Yang walked over, picked up the bell-bottom pants, and carefully looked at the exaggerated yet fashionable bell-shaped trouser legs. He then picked up the Lenin jacket next to it and compared it with his body shape.
"Let's try it." Zhang Wenmin said to Yu Yang with a smile.
"Okay, I'll try it." Yu Yang nodded.
While Yu Yang went to the dressing room to change clothes, she picked out a set of grass green military uniforms and work pants for her parents, found their sizes, and asked them to go to the dressing room to try on clothes.
The colors of clothes in this era are monotonous and dark, with green, blue, gray and black being the mainstream.
The grass green military uniform chosen by Zhang Qiurui, although simple in color, reveals an indescribable classicism and solemnity. It is a unique mark of this era, and people can feel the unique atmosphere of that era at a glance. She also particularly likes this style.
After a while, Yu Yang walked out of the dressing room. The combination of bell-bottom pants and Lenin suit looked particularly harmonious on her, retaining the retro charm while maintaining a modern feel.
Zhang Wenmin's eyes flashed with amazement when he saw this, and he praised repeatedly: "It's really beautiful, Yangyang, you look like a heroine from an old movie."
"Third sister-in-law, match it with these little leather shoes. It will be perfect." Zhang Qiurui said as he took out a pair of black patent leather shoes from the shoe rack beside him and asked Yu Yang to put them on.
The little leather shoes were polished to a shine, giving off an alluring luster under the light, complementing the flared pants and Lenin suit, adding a touch of retro elegance.
Yu Yang stood in front of the mirror, turned around twice, and looked at her outfit carefully, with surprise and satisfaction in her eyes.
"Are you missing something? Try this on." After Yu Yang turned around twice in front of the mirror, she still felt that she was missing some embellishment. Zhang Qiurui saw a red scarf. Its delicate texture and bright color made it look even more gorgeous under the light.
She picked up the scarf and walked behind Yu Yang, wrapped it around her neck and tied a knot cleverly.
"Wow, this is the finishing touch!" Zhang Wenmin applauded and gave Zhang Qiurui a thumbs up.
"Buy this set." Zhang Wenmin said immediately.
"Okay!" Yu Yang said with satisfaction.
At the same time, Zhang Ercheng and Zhou Guihua also came out of the locker room. They were wearing grass-green military uniforms and looked energetic, as if they had suddenly become several years younger.
Zhou Guihua gently stroked the military uniform on her body, her eyes full of nostalgia and emotion: "This green military uniform really reminds me of my youth."
Zhang Ercheng also smiled and nodded, as if putting on this military uniform brought him back to those passionate years.
"Mom and Dad, this military uniform suits you so well. You look young and energetic. Pair it with these Liberation shoes." Zhang Qiurui praised sincerely.
"Okay, I'll buy them all." Zhang Wenmin agreed cheerfully, and then told the clerk to pack up all the selected clothes.
"Qiurui, you have good taste. You picked out two sets of clothes for my parents." Yu Yang said to Zhang Qiurui with a smile, his tone full of trust.
Zhang Qiurui gladly accepted the task. Her eyes moved among the dazzling array of clothes in the store, looking for the best match for Yu's father and mother.
Both Yu's father and mother were employees with small positions. They were respectable people and did not need to work in the fields for a living. Naturally, they had to dress elegantly, so that their clothes would be in line with their status and show their calm temperament.
"Uncle, take a look at this dark blue Zhongshan suit. How about it?" Zhang Qiurui took a dark blue Zhongshan suit from the hanger and tried it on Yu's father.
After Yu's father put it on, he looked steady and elegant.
Zhang Qiurui also picked out a pair of dark trousers and a pair of black cloth shoes for him. The overall combination is suitable for his age and fashionable.
"Auntie, look at this floral top. It will look great with these black straight pants." Zhang Qiurui turned to Yu's mother, holding a pastel-colored floral top in her hand.
After Yu's mother tried it on, she looked gentle and elegant, as if she was ten years younger.
Zhang Qiurui also matched her with a pair of comfortable sneakers, which are suitable for daily wear and still energetic.
Yu Yang watched from the side and praised Zhang Qiurui's taste. "Qiurui, you are really amazing. The clothes you choose are so suitable."
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