Chapter 72 New Store Opening (Completed)
Since He Changyi returned to Vladimir, he has organized a team to start preparations for the new department store.
The new store is located in the city center business district, covering an area of 500 square meters. A custom-made sign hangs above the entrance, which reads "Friendship Department Store" in both Chinese and Emei.
Thanks to Andrei, the preparations for the new store went extremely smoothly, and not even a petty bureaucrat came to solicit bribes upon hearing the news.
Local authorities treated the shop as Andrei's private property, and the apparent owner was just a convenient front. They didn't want to clash with this rising political star, especially since his father was a close friend of the president.
However, Mr. Andre's lover was very sensible and took the initiative to present a generous gift to the person in charge of the relevant department. As a result, everyone's slight resentment melted away like ice and snow, and they felt extremely pleased.
Before returning to China, He Changyi had already placed an order with the cooperating manufacturer. When she returned to Oros, the goods arrived together and were moved into the newly renovated warehouse, which was very secure. Even mice couldn't get in without the key.
The goods are all ready, but we still need people.
The new store is not something that Geng Zhi, Zheng Xiaowei, and Yelena can manage on their own. Even if the customers who come in are not thieves with no money to spare, it won't work. What's more, there will definitely be people who like to buy things for free.
He Changyi did not publicly advertise, but instead privately leaked the recruitment information to some reliable regular customers.
They are all from Virginia, with social connections like a complex spider web. They have jobs and families in the city, are 100% law-abiding citizens, and there's no need to worry about them getting involved in petty theft.
These regular customers would then pass on the news of the store's recruitment to their relatives and friends, and soon people would come to recommend themselves. He Changyi would select the best candidates, choosing those who were clean-cut, quick-witted, and had clear eyes, so as not to bring thieves into the store.
Before the new store opened, He Changyi provided pre-job training for these new sales staff.
Compared to the numerous requirements of the service industry in later generations, she only had two requirements for sales clerks: first, they must not beat or scold customers; second, they must not steal from their own premises. That was all.
It's not that He Changyi didn't want to give the Russians the ultimate service experience like Haimianlao or Pangxilai, but these days, anyone who can communicate with customers in a friendly and approachable manner is considered a top-notch salesperson.
Customers don't even care about the attitude of the sales staff. As long as the shelves are full of goods and they are all within their expiration date, it's considered one of the best stores in the city.
Customer supremacy is too much of a luxury for Oros right now; let's wait until resources are no longer scarce before bringing it up again.
With the cooperation of all parties, the preparations for the new store proceeded as smoothly as gears with lubrication.
He Changyi now has plenty of manpower and can handle things with ease.
While the straightforward Zheng Xiaowei was busy preparing for the store's opening, Chen Yue and Zhang Jin were in charge of purchasing scrap steel. He Changyi hadn't expected that Yan Zhengchuan's childhood friend would order 30,000 tons of scrap steel in one go. Although it was to be delivered and paid for in batches, it was still quite a generous move.
The newly appointed bodyguards are still getting to know each other.
Xie Xuejun and his comrades couldn't communicate with the veterans from Emei, so they could only communicate through gestures.
Fortunately, everyone was a soldier, so the lively banter made it quite fun. I'd do a set of military boxing, you'd do a set of Systema; I'd carry a Type 56 semi-automatic rifle, you'd carry an AK-47, so we could always find common ground.
After drinking Erguotou mixed with vodka and singing Katyusha, the two people who were cold and indifferent when they entered the room were now affectionately arm in arm when they left.
However, when scheduling the shifts, Xie Xuejun insisted that at least one of the bodyguards accompanying He Changyi each day must be from China, because no matter what, the boss could not be completely handed over to the Chinese.
He Changyi didn't interfere with the bodyguards' affairs, but only requested that bodyguards be stationed at both the store and the scrap metal yard, so that their homes wouldn't be robbed later.
So when Chen Yue went to the bank to withdraw cash again, he was accompanied by two bodyguards on his left and right sides, protecting him in the middle and blocking all the restless eyes from the outside.
As Chen Yue carried the money box, he felt an unprecedented sense of security and happiness.
Before, when he carried money with him, his biggest fear wasn't losing the money, but rather that the other party would try to kill him after stealing it—couldn't he just take the money and leave? Ever since that incident with the van, he's never dared to treat money like his life again!
As long as you don't stab him or shoot him, anything else is fine, even offering your chrysanthemum is acceptable!
As long as I'm alive, I'll be able to get back to normal someday.
Now, Sister He has not only provided herself with bodyguards, but also provided him with one. He was truly moved to tears.
Sister He, he's definitely going to stick with me!
I spent the whole summer busy and fulfilling.
Autumn arrives earlier in Oros, which is located at a high latitude. After August, a slight chill appears in the air.
Preparations for Friendship Department Store are progressing steadily, and the scheduled opening date is drawing ever closer.
He Changyi ordered a batch of special goods from China to attract customers on opening day. Upon receiving notification of the goods' arrival, she immediately took her team to pick them up.
It was the same military jeep, but the driver had been changed to a bodyguard from Emei, and Xie Xuejun was in the passenger seat. He had applied for an international driver's license and was waiting for it to be issued.
He Changyi sat in the back seat of the driver's seat, with Zheng Xiaowei next to him. He had come along to inspect the goods, as Geng Zhi from the store couldn't leave.
He Changyi leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes to rest. For a moment, the only sound in the car was the news broadcast from the radio.
No matter how busy she is, she always makes sure to set aside time each day to stay informed about current events.
Sometimes it's at the breakfast table, sometimes in the office, and sometimes, like now, on the way to the next destination.
Xie Xuejun is still in the beginner stage of learning Emei language. He learns swear words and drinking toasts the fastest. As for news broadcast in Emei language, he is not completely ignorant of it, but he is completely clueless about it.
He looked out the window at the street scene, memorizing the route and observing the terrain, pondering that if the small tavern at the T-junction were turned into a machine gun emplacement, it could at least block enemy attacks from three directions.
Zheng Xiaowei looked bored. He would rather look at the pretty girls that might appear on the street than listen to the news, especially in Emei language.
Unaware of what the news report was about, He Changyi suddenly opened her eyes, frowned, and listened intently.
Zheng Xiaowei even held his breath.
He only hurriedly asked after the radio played the ending music:
"Boss, what happened?"
Please, please don't let the authorities prevent Chinese people from doing business in Russia!
Xie Xuejun also looked over with concern in the rearview mirror.
He Changyi was somewhat displeased, but this displeasure was not directed at the people in the car.
"The Americans forced our cargo ship to stop on the high seas, saying that it was carrying raw materials for chemical weapons and that they wanted to send people on board to inspect it. The two sides have been deadlocked for ten days now, and the ship's supplies are almost gone."
Zheng Xiaowei was puzzled: "Then let them inspect it, and let our boat go after they've done the inspection, right?"
Before He Changyi could speak, Xie Xuejun cursed, "You son of a bitch, you American!" Then he said to Zheng Xiaowei:
"That's our ship! Why should those Americans come and go as they please? Chemical weapons? They're just looking for trouble! How could they possibly let us go after an inspection? You're too naive!"
Zheng Xiaowei was startled and muttered timidly, "Go tell that to the Americans. What's the use of yelling at me? It's not like I'm stopping the ship from leaving..."
Seeing that he still didn't understand, He Changyi explained:
"The ship is on the high seas and flying the Chinese flag, so it is Chinese territory. If the United States tries to board the ship forcibly, it is tantamount to invading a country. Do you think we can just let them board the ship for inspection?"
Zheng Xiaowei then realized the seriousness of the situation and shouted indignantly, "American imperialism will never give up its desire to destroy us!"
He was at the age when he was most indignant, and after finding out the situation, he immediately cursed the United States. When he got back, he told Geng Zhi about it.
So every day after finishing their work, the two young people would get together to curse the Americans. They even borrowed the Emei language version of the international newspaper that He Changyi had subscribed to, looked up words one by one in the dictionary, and kept track of the latest developments.
They weren't very familiar with Xie Xuejun and other veterans before, but through this cargo ship incident, they quickly became acquainted. Often, Geng Zhi would translate the news from the newspaper, Zheng Xiaowei would help look it up in the dictionary, and the veterans would listen and curse at the same time.
"Damn it, I knew there wasn't a single good person in America!"
"Why did I have to leave the army? If I were still in the military, I would have immediately written a petition in blood to volunteer for battle and lead the fight against the American army!"
"Who wouldn't want to fight them? The key question is, can we win? Look at those Middle Eastern countries, they're so rich, they can just sit back and sell oil, but they're still getting beaten up by the US and crying for their mothers. Even their presidents are being arrested!"
"That's because they're useless! A bunch of pampered soldiers! My grandfather even fought in the Korean War, and he beat the Americans with millet and rifles!"
The Chinese bodyguards were indignant. The Eguo bodyguard was initially puzzled, but after understanding the situation, he cursed, "It's those Americans again! They're as annoying as cockroaches in wallpaper! Cockroaches haven't gone extinct, and neither have the Americans!"
Most of the residential buildings in Oros were built during the Union era. They are old, crowded, and have accumulated stains over the years, as well as cockroach families that have been passed down for generations.
Cockroaches roam in drainpipes, radiator cracks, and burrow into rotting wallpaper, making rustling noises in the dead of night.
If you slap the wall, the cockroach will burst through the wallpaper, leaving a disgusting, sticky mark on the wall.
More cockroaches frantically fled, making an even louder rustling sound that sent chills down your spine.
He Changyi has always been quite particular about the hygiene of rented apartments. Several Chinese people have never seen cockroaches in wallpaper before, but you can tell from the literal meaning that it's not a compliment.
As countries that have both suffered from the poison of the United States, we sat down together for a drink and cursed the Americans, and our brotherhood quickly warmed up.
Xie Xuejun also taught them to sing "The Big Sword Slashes Down on the Heads of the Japanese Devils." He Changyi heard it once; the non-standard Chinese pronunciation was paired with the off-key melody.
...That's great. Who says American devils can't be considered devils?
The first thing everyone in the shop said to each other every day changed from "Have you eaten?" to "Has our ship left yet?" After receiving a negative answer, they would start cursing the United States, saying that after ruining the alliance, it was now ruining Old Zhong. Why doesn't a meteorite fall from the sky and hit the White House?
With the store's preparations nearly complete, He Changyi bought a Chinese almanac and picked an auspicious day for opening. After spreading the news of Zhongguo Department Store's opening throughout Vladimir City, the store officially opened to welcome guests.
On the morning of the opening day, Zheng Xiaowei somehow got hold of firecrackers and double-bang firecrackers, excitedly wanting to make a grand opening.
Just as he was about to light the fuse with his cigarette, He Changyi happened to see it. Startled, she didn't even have time to say anything. She immediately unscrewed the lid of the thermos and splashed all the iced cola in the thermos over him.
Zheng Xiaowei was soaked from head to toe, completely bewildered, and cried out in grievance, "Boss, what are you doing—"
He Changyi threw a handkerchief in his face and said irritably, "I think you're trying to scare all the customers away!"
Once these firecrackers go off, it's uncertain whether the God of Wealth will come on a business trip abroad, but it will definitely scare away the people of Eka. That very evening, the local tabloids will have to publish news such as "A store in Eka was suspected of being shot at during its opening, possibly related to the rush to buy limited-edition items."
For the local population, who have suffered under the influence of gangs, it's better to find cover than to try to distinguish between gunshots and firecrackers.
What, you're saying that's the sound of firecrackers? Then why aren't you moving away?
Then may God bless you, you confused and lost sheep.
As for snapping up discounted items?
What's with the panic buying? We're risking our lives!
Zheng Xiaowei hadn't expected his attempt to flatter had backfired. With a long face, he asked, "So my cannon purchase was for nothing?"
Those were 10,000-shot firecrackers that he specially bought from China at a high price!
He secretly hid under the bed, without even his roommate Geng Zhi knowing, waiting to surprise his boss today.
He Changyi comforted him with pity, "Next time a thief comes, just throw a lit firecracker at him."
Zheng Xiaowei asked expectantly, "Will it work?"
He Changyi pondered: "At least it will give him a scare."
Zheng Xiaowei held the firecrackers, filled with grief and indignation.
...It's all the Russians' fault for being cowardly!
When the auspicious hour arrived, the sound of gongs and drums suddenly rang out, and amidst the crowd's attention, the dragon dance team and the lion dance team made a dazzling appearance.
The performers were international students from Moscow. When they learned that He Changyi was going to open a department store, they volunteered to perform the opening act. They not only made their own costumes and props, but also brought in a drum and gong team. Although it was not as professional as the performances in China, it was enough to fool foreigners.
There were ten people performing the dragon dance, all of them novices, and they were all in a flustered state.
Thick cloth covered their heads, making it pitch black and impossible to see anything. They held the dragon dance poles in their hands and stepped haphazardly. Every now and then, they couldn't stop in time, and the people behind them would crash into them. From the outside, it looked like a section of the dragon's body suddenly and strangely arched up.
At this point, the dragon's body was in complete chaos.
"Hey, hey, don't push! Don't push! Everyone move back a bit!"
Who stepped on my shoe?
"Don't speak, or the people outside will hear us!"
Fortunately, the drum team was experienced. The drummers and cymbals quickly put their hands together, not caring whether the sudden increase in volume was abrupt or not, just to get through this hurdle first!
The audience, who had formed a circle around the perimeter, were completely oblivious and even applauded more enthusiastically.
Look, that dragon is twisting and turning, and it's twisting so vividly!
The lion dance team is relatively less chaotic, since there are only three members: the lion's head, body, and rear end. As long as you follow the person in front, you can't go wrong.
Inside the arena, there was also a performer holding a large embroidered ball, waving it like a cat toy, and turning it back and forth between the two lion dancers.
The lion heads controlled the direction, striking a pose as if chasing and vying for the embroidered ball. Although their movements were clumsy, they could still be described as simple and adorable.
The cheers from the audience grew louder and louder, and the lion head's movements became more and more lively, shaking its head and opening and closing its big mouth.
Not to be outdone, Lion Tail, taking advantage of being hidden in the props and unable to see its face, disregarded all propriety and shame, and frantically shook its buttocks.
Only the Sphinx remained, caught between connecting the preceding and following sections, so busy he was at a loss, wishing he could shout, "Stop causing trouble!"
The lion's head rushed in front of the audience and performed a spectacular sudden stop, with the lion's body crashing into his back. At the same time, his foot was also heavily stepped on by the lion's tail.
To make matters worse, he heard a little girl's questioning voice in the audience.
"Mom, does this lion have epilepsy? Why is its head and tail constantly swaying?"
The little girl's mother said uncertainly, "Perhaps this is a performance style?"
The little girl said, "I still think they should see a doctor and at least get a rabies shot."
She paused, then added, "I meant the performers."
Sphinx: ...Help!
Overall, the performance was very successful, especially since the locals had never seen Jong-guk's dragon and lion dances before.
...Although they might raise some minor doubts when they see a real professional performance in the future.
"What? Why don't your dragons wag around?"
"Wait a minute, why isn't this lion wagging its tail? This isn't authentic!"
cough.
Exotic music filled the city center of Vladimir, attracting curious passersby who stopped to watch. Even those who didn't know the Jong-guk store was opening today couldn't resist following the crowd into the store to make a quick purchase.
It's not just because all items are on sale, but also because there are unique and special products here.
No one cared whether a smiling mayor appeared at the opening ceremony, nor did anyone notice a team of police officers temporarily acting as security, and no one paid attention to the local gangsters peeking around in the distance. In the end, no one dared to ask where their protection money was.
The moment the store doors opened, a flood of customers rushed to the counter, eagerly reaching out their hands to the sales clerks.
"Give me one! No matter how expensive, just give me one!"
"I've been queuing since before dawn!"
"Please save one for me! My children haven't seen it yet!"
“That’s no excuse! Your child hasn’t seen it, but neither has my grandmother!”
The sales clerk shouted at the top of her lungs, completely forgetting her previous training in speaking softly and politely to customers.
"Get in line, everyone! If anyone dares to climb onto the counter again, I'll have them dragged out!"
She slapped away a pair of eager hands reaching for the limited-edition items, and roared in fury:
"Take your hand back, or next time I'll use an iron rod!"
The customers' enthusiasm was not dampened in the slightest by the salesperson's rudeness; their eyes lit up as they looked at the merchandise on the shelves behind the counter.
This was the first time they had ever seen it in real life, and for some, it was the first time they had ever heard of it.
Look at those unfamiliar words on the label—
mango!
Pineapple!
banana!
litchi!
pitaya!
This is fresh! Picked directly from the vine! Not canned! Tropical fruit!
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Author's note: ...I couldn't fall asleep, lol
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