Ning Yuan could tell that at least two-thirds of these foreigners were not teachers or exchange students from her school.
It seems that a foreign teacher from Fudan University who came here for coffee before invited his friends and relatives over, and the word spread quickly.
This is great news!
Ning Yuan was in a great mood. With foreigners, no, foreign friends, helping her, her shop would only become more lively!
A number of nearby residents had already gathered at the entrance, having heard that the goods were from Hong Kong and had returned from Guangzhou.
People in Shanghai, who are always at the forefront of domestic trends, are eager to see what this new thing is.
Manhua had already changed into a stylish woolen coat and trousers, standing proudly in the store; after all, she was a shop assistant.
Hua Zi, who had also changed into a loose denim jacket, stood nervously at the door, waiting for the glass door to open.
Ning Yuan glanced at the time, clapped her hands, and raised her voice: "We're open for business! Epoch Heart Boutique Fashion Store!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Manhua immediately pressed the button on the Sharp tape recorder.
Instantly, a melodious and gentle female voice emanated from the deep bass speaker—
"Sweetie, your smile is so sweet, like flowers blooming in the spring breeze~"
"Blooming in the spring breeze, I've seen you somewhere before, your smile is so familiar..."
This kind of music is completely different from the powerful and resounding songs that were popular in mainland China in the 1970s and 80s, which celebrated struggle and sentiment.
Soft, delicate, and sweet, it's like a spring breeze blowing in your face, dispelling the cold wind and making your heart melt.
Yet it was so catchy that everyone couldn't help but gasp in surprise.
"It's so beautiful... What song is this?"
"I don't know, the lyrics are so simple."
Hua Zi had already opened the glass door, and a large group of people rushed to look into the store.
Even among the foreigners drinking coffee nearby, quite a few couldn't resist going through the coffee shop's door into the boutique next door.
The walls were still covered with colorful paintings, but now they depicted a vibrant spring and summer grassland.
Above were several four-bladed wooden rotating fans with orchid-shaped lamps imported from the Soviet Union.
On the left side of the wall hung several wool coats of different styles for men and women, while on the right side hung seven or eight short jackets for men and women.
And jeans, skirts, shirts...
Four mannequins, dressed as two men and two women, were placed by the glass window.
The wooden mannequins for men are all dressed in suits, wool coats, and denim jackets.
The women's mannequins displayed wool coats, long wool skirts with wide flared hems, and wooden mannequins with the latest silk scarves around their necks.
Another outfit included a denim skirt, a batwing top, a scarf, a fake large pearl ribbon necklace, exaggerated metal earrings, and oh, sunglasses.
It couldn't be more stylish and fashionable, far surpassing the fashion trends in Shanghai.
On the high shelf sat a Sharp 777 large radio cassette player, from which Teresa Teng's "Tian Mi Mi" (Sweet Honey) kept playing, attracting the attention of everyone around.
Even the sales clerks from the neighboring store stopped tending to their shops and, together with their colleagues, ran to the store entrance to see what was going on.
"Teresa Teng's songs... It seems Guangzhou is so close to the Hong Kong government; their openness is truly impressive!"
Ying Gang couldn't help but say with some surprise.
He also brought several local police officers from the police station to maintain order and join in the fun.
Ever since Ning Yuan infiltrated their ranks and caught Tang Jun, this big fish...
The police station staff remembered her as a good citizen who "acted bravely and righteously," and Ying Gang, who was her friend, was happy to help her out.
Rong Zhaonan stood with them, arms crossed, raising an eyebrow: "You know Teresa Teng too?"
"Of course I know. Starting last year, a lot of her tapes were smuggled over from across the border and the Hong Kong government. But I haven't heard this song before. Is it new? It's pretty good."
Ying Gang hummed along to the song.
Rong Zhaonan's attention was entirely focused on the shop; his little shrewd merchant was haggling over prices!
"How much is this red wool coat? What? Two hundred and twenty yuan is too expensive! A wool coat at the No. 1 Department Store is only ninety yuan?!" someone asked.
Ning Yuan smiled and said, "Comrade, this is the latest Hong Kong government version of wool coat. Look at the style, it's the only one of its kind in Shanghai. It's worn by foreign celebrities. I only got three of each size!"
Upon hearing this, the woman, as was her habit, tried to negotiate the price: "But..."
A young woman next to me, with permed hair and lipstick, immediately brightened up: "I want it! Do you have a medium?!"
Ning Yuan smiled even sweeter: "Of course, beautiful sister, this one suits your sweet temperament perfectly. Wait, I'll pack it up for you!"
She recognized her; she was a saleswoman from the hardware store next door, the vice principal's niece, from a well-off family who were not short of money!
The woman immediately became agitated: "I clearly saw it first!"
Ning Yuan looked her up and down calmly: "Sister, although I still have your size in this style, but..."
"What's wrong with me!" the woman, around forty years old, said sternly.
She suddenly took her older sister's hand, smiling as she pointed to another navy blue coat hanging on the wall—
"That one can't quite capture your elegant and graceful temperament. I think this one makes you look more like Zhou Yun, the female lead who returned from abroad in the movie 'Romance on Lushan Mountain.' It's also priced at 220 yuan! And there's only one of each size available!"
The movie "Romance on Lushan Mountain" became a huge hit this year, and the female lead is stylish and elegant.
The older woman couldn't suppress her smile and patted her on the shoulder: "Oh dear, there's only one style? Then please wrap it up for me!"
They're not even going to haggle over the price!
Five minutes, and 440 yuan is in my pocket! Those two coats only cost 170 yuan to produce!
While greeting the guests, Manhua was also amazed by the sight!
She had been in the business of selling mountain products for quite some time and quickly grasped some of the characteristics of Ning Yuan's sales pitch.
Manhua followed suit and greeted the customers, which actually helped her close several deals quickly.
At first, some people were just interested in the fashionable style and asked about the price.
But once someone pays, plus the fact that Manhua and Ningyuan both speak with an air of—
They said it was the only one left, sold out, and they didn't know when they would get another one.
The atmosphere was instantly hyped up, and business was booming—the women completely forgot about haggling.
The men, who were not good at bargaining, squeezed in without hesitation and tried on clothes in front of the dressing mirror on the wall.
If it's suitable, I'll grit my teeth and take it!
Ning Yuan would also enthusiastically ask them to bring back some trendy trinkets, bags, scarves, earrings, and the like from Guangzhou and Hong Kong for their wives and daughters.
Even some foreigners couldn't resist coming over and buying a pair of sunglasses.
Ying Gang was getting itchy to buy something and couldn't help but laugh: "Tsk, really, it's making me want to go in and buy something."
Rong Zhaonan watched with a faint smile as Ning Yuan, brimming with energy, happily receiving money and working hard to earn more.
What a money-grubber...
But he liked her energetic and lively nature.
What was that word again? The little money-grubber said it was called—it looks very "healing".
...
When the Heart of the Era became a booming business.
Chu Hongyu also walked to the door arm in arm with a tall, handsome young man in a Zhongshan suit.
He looked with great interest at the throng of people at the shop entrance: "Is this the place?"
A rare gentle and affectionate smile appeared on Chu Hongyu's usually cold and aloof face: "Yes, this is my roommate's shop."
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