Back to the 1970s: Building My Fortune Through Time Trading

Chapter 172: Zhang Dongmei in the Limelight

"These youngsters nowadays just like to brag. I’ve been working as the store director for so many years and wouldn’t dare to boast like that. They’re really not afraid of spraining their backs with big talk."

Yang Baoguo chimed in sarcastically from the side.

Manager Wang glared at him: "Old Yang, if I remember correctly, your current position should be a janitor, so why don’t you hurry up and clean up the place?"

"Pah, all of you are just kicking a man when he’s down!"

Yang Baoguo mumbled curses as he walked off with the mop.

Manager Wang eagerly turned to Su Xiaoxiao: "Comrade Su, do you have any good suggestions? Just say it, as long as you help me sell these clothes, I will definitely request a bonus for you with the higher-ups."

"There’s no need for a bonus; just give me two sets of clothes when the time comes. I think these clothes look pretty good."

Manager Wang felt like he’d found a kindred spirit: "Sure, just two sets of clothes, I can make that call. You know, over in Hong Kong, they’d all be wearing this. Who would have thought that no one here recognizes good stuff?"

"Fine wine needs no bush; sooner or later someone will appreciate these. Manager Wang, I’ll go open the door first; I’ll come find you when I’m not busy."

"Alright, Comrade Su, I’ll be counting on you to help me with these clothes."

As Su Xiaoxiao went to open the door, she happened to catch Zhang Dongmei bragging about her gold bracelet again.

"The styles from Hong Kong do look good."

"Exactly, look at this craftsmanship; we don’t have it here."

"That bracelet must have cost quite a bit, right?"

Zhang Dongmei, surrounded and admired by everyone, enjoyed their praises with a face full of pride: "If you want any, I can ask my partner to bring some from Hong Kong. He’s going back there in a few days."

"Is there a discount price?"

"I want a gold ring. Dongmei, could you ask around for prices?"

"My wife has always wanted a pair of gold earrings. Mr. Zhang, do you think you could help inquire?"

A group of people surrounded Zhang Dongmei, their eyes gleaming with anticipation.

Zhang Dongmei looked up and saw Su Xiaoxiao coming over. She raised her eyebrow and deliberately said loudly, "Xiaoxiao, your birthday is coming soon, right? I wonder what Captain Zhou sent you as a gift?"

"Zhang Dongmei, don’t talk nonsense. I have nothing to do with Comrade Zhou. Why would he send me anything?"

Su Xiaoxiao glanced at the time; it was almost opening time, and she was in a hurry to open the door.

Since Manager Xu assigned her such an important task, she couldn’t afford any delays.

But some people just wouldn’t let her have it easy.

"Su Xiaoxiao, who are you pretending for? I should thank you for snatching Zhou Cheng back then, otherwise, I wouldn’t have found someone even better."

As soon as Zhang Dongmei finished, everyone around looked at Su Xiaoxiao with different eyes.

"I never thought Comrade Su was that kind of person, snatching someone’s partner."

"I heard her father wasn’t any good either. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree."

At this point, someone said, "I don’t think Comrade Su is like that; she even refused Director Song’s son when he pursued her. How could she possibly take a liking to Mr. Zhang’s partner?"

But this statement was quickly drowned out in the hubbub, and no one paid attention.

"Zhang Dongmei, it’s work hours. If you want to chat about personal matters, please wait until after hours. Of course, if you don’t want to work, you can continue."

With that one sentence, everyone fell silent.

Zhang Dongmei clenched her back teeth and angrily returned to her counter.

It’s just an acting store director, what’s so great about it anyway?

Dashan promised her that after they got married, he’d take her to Hong Kong. By then she’d be the boss of a jewelry company, on a completely different level from Su Xiaoxiao.

Thinking about this cheered her up considerably.

Seeing the onlookers return to their counters, Su Xiaoxiao opened the department store’s main doors, officially starting the day’s business.

Among all the counters, the groceries counter remained the most popular.

Constant streams of people came to buy things.

By the time Su Xiaoxiao finished her tasks, it was already mid-morning.

Remembering her promise to Manager Wang, she hurriedly said to Qin Shuang and Zhang Yulan beside her, "Sister Zhang, Shuangshuang, could you please cover for me for a moment? I’ll be back soon."

"No problem, you go ahead."

Both of them agreed simultaneously.

Su Xiaoxiao hurried upstairs to find Manager Wang.

Just as she got there, she overheard some middle-aged women browsing the clothing section, discussing a row of jeans and waist-length floral shirts.

"Why are these pants made like this? The hems drag on the floor, they’ll just get dirty when you walk."

"Exactly, so cumbersome, and so inconvenient for work."

"And this floral shirt, it’s pretty but way too short; wearing it reveals the waist, truly immoral."

After looking around the new items section, they shook their heads and left.

Manager Wang came by to check on the sales of the new styles, and seeing this scene, couldn’t help but sigh.

He looked up and his eyes lit up upon seeing Su Xiaoxiao: "Comrade Su, you’re finally here. Please help me think of a solution. These new styles have been here for a week and not a single one has been sold. Yesterday, I finally sold one shirt, but it just got returned."

Manager Wang was so worried about this that he’d started losing hair in clumps these past few days.

"Manager Wang, don’t worry, I have a solution."

Su Xiaoxiao glanced over at a few salesclerks as she spoke, "I just need a few sales clerk sisters to cooperate with me."

"Whatever it takes to sell the clothes, we’ll cooperate."

"The method is simple: have these sisters act as temporary models, wear our clothes, and show them off. When people see how they look on someone, they’ll surely notice the clothes’ advantages."

Manager Wang hesitated upon hearing this: "Really, will this work?"

These clothes have been sitting here for a week without any inquiries, will just having people wear them really sell them?

"Of course, Manager Wang, if you believe me, let’s get started."

Manager Wang gritted his teeth: "Alright."

Su Xiaoxiao pulled out some discounted cosmetics and false eyelashes she had ordered from her bag: "Sisters, if you change into our new clothes and pair them with exquisite makeup, you’ll definitely amaze everyone. By then, these clothes will surely become very popular."

After all, these are the future fashion trends, and Su Xiaoxiao was quite confident about it.

Right now, people just need a chance to accept it.

Manager Wang called over a few salesclerks while no customers were around and explained the situation.

A few of the slightly older salesclerks immediately spoke up in opposition.

"Manager Wang, I don’t want to wear these clothes; they show the waist, it’s so immoral. If my husband finds out, he’d break my legs."

"Manager Wang, I’m not wearing them either; these pants are too long. At my height, they’ll drag on the ground, too unsanitary."

"I’m not wearing them either; these colors are too bright. Wearing them would definitely make me look dark."