Chapter 77 A New Wen Xiaoxiao
clothing store.
Once the thought arose, it grew wildly like a vine, tightly binding her thoughts.
How do I open it?
Where will it be located?
What kind of clothes do we sell?
How much capital is needed?
Where do the guests come from?
One question after another popped up, with no answers, yet strangely, it didn't make her anxious. Instead, it gave her a long-lost excitement, like the first time she went to the market alone as a teenager.
I barely closed my eyes before the sky began to lighten.
She had just finished washing up when Zheng Shangyu knocked on the door.
"Didn't sleep well last night?" Zheng Shangyu noticed the faint dark circles under her eyes and smiled knowingly. "Come on, let me show you where I actually work."
It was a small studio located in a semi-new office building, but it was clearly divided into sections.
Near the window were two large tables placed together, piled high with design sketches, fabric swatches, and several semi-finished sample garments.
On the other side were several desks, where two young men were busy at their computers, their keyboards clattering loudly.
Large market trend analysis charts and photos of fashion shows are displayed on the wall, and several mannequins dressed in ready-to-wear clothing stand in the corner.
"These are Xiao Wang and Xiao Li, who are responsible for liaising with the factory and monitoring production progress and quality," Zheng Shangyu introduced. "This is a colleague from the marketing department, who is analyzing last month's sales data and several competitors' new models."
He then pointed to the charts on the wall, saying, "These are our regular assignments to understand what's trending, what consumers like, and what our competitors are doing."
Wen Xiaoxiao followed behind Zheng Shangyu, listening to those completely unfamiliar words and looking at this well-organized little space. The impact on her heart was even greater than yesterday at the wholesale market.
She never imagined that making and selling clothes involved such a complex set of knowledge.
Her world used to be the small space in the tailor shop, with rulers, scissors, and sewing machines. Customers would bring fabric and patterns, and she would be responsible for turning them into well-fitting clothes.
Now, Zheng Shangyu is showing her a broader, more systematic, and more challenging world.
After the tour, Zheng Shangyu poured her a glass of water, and the two sat down on the sofa in the reception area.
Wen Xiaoxiao held the water glass, her fingertips were a little cold, but her eyes were warm.
She took a deep breath and spoke her thoughts, which had been lingering all night: "Mr. Zheng, I... I want to open a clothing store when I go back."
Zheng Shangyu wasn't surprised at all; instead, he nodded approvingly: "That's a great idea. With your eye for talent and skills, opening a clothing store is the perfect starting point."
He leaned forward slightly, his tone becoming more serious, "But Xiaoxiao, opening a clothing store isn't as simple as renting a shop, stocking up on goods, and hanging them up to sell. You need to figure out your positioning first—who are you selling to? What style and price range of clothes do you sell? What are your advantages? Is it the newest styles, the lowest prices, or the best service?"
Seeing that Wen Xiaoxiao was listening attentively, he continued, "I suggest you start with a retail store, manage it diligently, understand the local market's preferences and spending power, and build a customer base and reputation. Once you've established yourself and gained a deeper understanding of how the clothing industry works, then if you want to expand, for example, by doing wholesale, or even..."
He paused, looking at her, "It's not impossible to find factories to cooperate with and create your own brand. I have some good connections with clothing factories, and I can introduce you to them later."
Create your own brand?
Wen Xiaoxiao was so shocked by this even bigger idea that her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly shook her head: "Um... how could I dare to think that far ahead."
"It's all about human effort," Zheng Shangyu said with a smile. "Think long-term and take things one step at a time. What you need most right now is courage and a clear plan."
It was already evening when we returned to the guesthouse.
The fire in Wen Xiaoxiao's heart burned even brighter. She couldn't wait to share it with Zhao Fei and hear his opinion, as if only with his approval could this crazy idea truly take root.
She dialed Zhao Fei's number.
The signal was weak, and amidst the crackling static, Zhao Fei's voice sounded somewhat distant.
"Xiaoxiao, are you done with your work?" he asked.
"Yes, I'm done with work. Zhao Fei, let me tell you..." Wen Xiaoxiao held the receiver, her voice a little trembling with excitement. She poured out her observations from the market, Zheng Shangyu's advice, and her idea of opening a clothing store.
She spoke a little fast and incoherently.
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone.
Amidst the noise, only Zhao Fei's steady breathing could be heard.
"Open a clothing store?" Zhao Fei's voice finally came through, his tone unreadable. "This... can't be explained in a few words over the phone. Come back first, and we'll discuss it slowly, okay?"
There was neither the expected support nor opposition, only a flat, emotionless "We'll talk about it when we get back."
Wen Xiaoxiao's enthusiasm seemed to have hit a soft wall, bouncing back with a sullen sound.
She pursed her lips: "...Okay. I'll buy a train ticket for tomorrow."
After hanging up the phone, Zhao Fei sat in the pig farm office for a long time.
He felt a slight unease.
He was naturally happy for Wen Xiaoxiao's change and proud of the renewed sparkle in her eyes.
Is it possible to open a clothing store?
That means she will have to invest a lot of time and energy, and she may no longer just be "Zhao Fei's wife" or "the children's mother." She will become a busy "Boss Wen" with her own career and world.
To be honest, deep down he harbored a selfish thought that even he himself found somewhat selfish.
He has worked hard for so many years and has accumulated some wealth. He just wants Wen Xiaoxiao and the children to live a good life and no longer have to worry about making a living.
He wanted her to stay at home, relax, be a good wife and mother, and occasionally go shopping or develop some trivial hobbies.
He didn't want her to suffer the same hardships as before, and he didn't want her to be battered by the storms of the outside world.
But he was extremely conflicted.
It was clearly him who fell in love first with Wen Xiaoxiao, who remained resilient even in adversity;
It was clearly him who truly felt her beauty, as if she had been reborn from her cocoon.
Is it right to keep her confined at home, making her a pampered canary that may lose its luster?
He rubbed his temples in frustration.
This matter really needs to be discussed properly when she returns, face to face.
On the train back, Wen Xiaoxiao leaned against the window, her mood quite different from when she arrived.
I arrived full of novelty and excitement, but on the way back, it felt like a restless seed had been planted in my heart.
I got home in the evening.
Zhao Yidi was playing in the living room with Yizhen and Yibao when they saw her enter. The three children cheered and rushed over to her.
After Zhao Fei and Wen Xiaoxiao got married, Zhao Yidi naturally changed how she addressed her mother. Now, she affectionately took her arm and said, "Mom, you're finally back! Are you tired?"
Yizhen and Yibao looked up, mimicking their older sister, and asked, "Is Mommy tired?"
The two little girls are now in first grade and are becoming more sensible and articulate.
Only Wen Xiaogai was still the king of the kindergarten. Because he was too lively, active and energetic, Wen Xiaoxiao and Zhao Fei decided to let him stay in the senior class for another year to temper his temperament.
She took out the gifts she had brought back from the south, and gave Yidi a stylish denim overall dress.
Each of the two children received the same style of hair clips but in different colors, along with a small backpack.
What Wen Xiaogai received was a model of an engineering vehicle that could be assembled and disassembled.
Zhou Lanying and Liu Shuhua were given silk scarves and several packets of southern specialty pastries.
The children cheered with joy, and Zhou Lanying and Liu Shuhua couldn't stop smiling, saying that she had spent too much money.
After the excitement subsided, Wen Xiaoxiao returned to the tailor shop and changed into casual clothes.
But I can't calm my mind.
She looked at her now quiet tailor shop.
She stroked the smooth countertop, but her gaze involuntarily drifted to the bustling street outside the window.
To open a clothing store... you first need a storefront.
She began to consider in her mind: Although the location of the tailor shop had many regular customers, the street was not wide enough and the shop was small, so it was not suitable for clothing retail.
We need to find a good location, preferably near a commercial street.
The rent can't be too expensive; in the beginning, we need to carefully calculate our capital...
She took out paper and pen and began to write and draw on the paper.
How much money is needed to get started?
What styles should we order for the first batch?
Approximately how much will you take in?
How should the store be decorated?
How do I apply for a business license?
One specific problem after another emerged, waiting for her to solve.
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