The Stunningly Beautiful and Delicate Darling in the 1980s Military Compound - Chapter 87

Things progressed exceptionally well. Song Mingyue had originally worried that no one would come to shop, but by morning, her anxieties proved to be unnecessary.

Her previous publicity stunts had been highly effective. The gimmick of “buy clothes, get a TV” was enough to draw a massive crowd. Clothing was relatively cheap, while a television was a luxury; when faced with such a choice, people didn’t hesitate to aim for the TV. Before the grand opening ceremony even began, the entrance was packed with onlookers, including many who had traveled from the surrounding suburbs just to see the spectacle.

“I heard there’s a clothing store in the city giving away a TV if you buy clothes!”

“Which shop is that foolish? There aren’t many families in our entire village who own a TV, but everyone needs clothes.”

When they arrived together and found that the rumors were true, they were eager to watch. Song Mingyue welcomed everyone, handing out candies every half hour to keep the crowd engaged.

People from Pei Xiaoyu’s home village, the Pei Village, also came by. When they saw a girl resembling Pei Xiaoyu handing out candy, they squeezed to the front for a better look. To their surprise, the young woman dressed so beautifully in the crowd was indeed the daughter the Pei family had cast aside. The village rumor mill claimed that she and her mother were living in abject poverty, staying with distant relatives and struggling to survive. Villagers often cursed Pei Xiaoyu’s father for his heartlessness, but since it was a private family matter, they usually only dared to gossip behind his back.

Now, seeing Pei Xiaoyu in a light-colored dress that made her look like a fresh lotus flower—radiant and elegant—they were stunned. Auntie Wang, a neighbor from the village, couldn’t believe her eyes. “Xiaoyu?”

Pei Xiaoyu recognized her; Auntie Wang hadn’t been unkind and had been close with her mother. “Auntie Wang,” she replied.

“Are you working here to earn money?”

Pei Xiaoyu nodded and, seeing that she had a granddaughter with her, handed them a few pieces of candy.

Auntie Wang began to chat. “Who opened this shop? They must have money to burn to be giving away a TV. Xiaoyu, how do you make money working here?”

Just then, Zhang Jingjing walked over. Hearing the question, she instinctively felt that the woman was trying to give Xiaoyu a hard time on behalf of her father. She stepped in, “Xiaoyu isn’t just an employee—she’s our shop’s owner. Let me introduce you: this is our boss, Pei Xiaoyu.”

The people from Pei Village were shocked. The rumor quickly spread that Pei Xiaoyu must have struck it rich somehow. Seeing her run a store, the onlookers were even more stirred up. Pei Xiaoyu knew Zhang Jingjing was sticking up for her and, not being an ungrateful person, she simply remained silent, tacitly accepting the status. It wasn’t technically wrong; as a partner, she held a share, though she had insisted on a smaller one to keep her own conscience clear.

At 8:30 AM, Song Mingyue lit a long string of firecrackers at the entrance. The popping sound resonated throughout the urban district of Moshi, signaling celebration. Song Mingyue swung the doors open and called out, “Welcome! Our clothes are imported from Shanghai—you won’t find these styles anywhere else in Moshi. Everything is clearly priced. If you like something, buy it! Plus, the top three spenders today will win grand prizes!”

She had Zhang Jingjing calculate the totals at the register and announce the top three spenders in real-time, updating the rankings as needed. Simultaneously, she urged everyone to shop rationally and not to overspend just for the sake of the prize.

While the renovation was simple, Song Mingyue had poured her heart into every brick and tile. She had grown accustomed to it, but the first-time customers were visibly impressed. She had chosen a retro style that captured the essence of the 1980s, yet compared to the dated state-run department stores, this shop felt modern, fashionable, and sophisticated in its attention to detail.

The villagers were hesitant to approach, but the fashionable young women in the city absolutely loved the style. The clothing was displayed in rows, making every piece look distinct and appealing. After browsing, several stylish women even went back to bring their friends—a major boost to her customer base. Many others came strictly for the chance to win a television. With Sunday being a day off for factory workers, the enthusiasm for shopping was at an all-time high.

Outside, the atmosphere was just as lively. Song Mingyue had borrowed equipment from an arts troupe and hired two people to sing passionate, upbeat songs. Before long, her shop became the center of attention in the entire city district. Even if only ten percent of the customers bought something, it would be a significant revenue. By midday, they had already recouped their startup costs.

The three of them were too busy to even calculate the figures. With so many customers, it was a struggle for the three of them to handle the sales and bookkeeping.

Auntie Shen, a middle-class resident, was also there. Her husband and son worked in state-owned factories. Her son had been on several blind dates, none of which had worked out. Another meeting was set for the next day, and Auntie Shen was worried that the girl, who was quite pretty, might find her son unappealing. She had heard about this new, fashionable clothing store and decided to go, hoping that “people rely on clothes as horses rely on saddles.”

Although her son complained that shopping was “women’s work” and refused to come, Auntie Shen went with several neighbor friends. She was immediately impressed by the polite, welcoming attitude of the staff—a stark contrast to the indifferent and haughty service at state-run department stores.

Inside, she found the styles were indeed unique, but as she only had a son, she couldn’t buy any of the beautiful dresses. She approached Song Mingyue, “Do you have any men’s clothing? I’d like to buy something for my son.”

Song Mingyue, who was responsible for the clothing selection, led her to the small men’s section. They only had five or six outfits, and throughout the morning, no one had even looked at them. Song Mingyue knew that while capturing the female market was crucial, appealing to men’s aesthetics—keeping it simple and sharp—was equally important.

She picked out a black-and-white jacket. “These were imported from Shanghai. If he’s going on a blind date, dressing a bit more formally will definitely make a better impression. It looks very dashing.”

The piece was a blend of a suit jacket and a casual coat—dignified but not stiff. Auntie Shen liked it immediately. “I’ll take it! How much?”

At 30 yuan, it was quite expensive—half a month’s wages for some—but Auntie Shen paid readily. “Young lady, if this date is a success, your clothes will deserve a lot of the credit! I’ll come back to thank you personally.”

“You’re very welcome! Just make sure to tell your future daughter-in-law to come shop here too,” Song Mingyue joked, leaving the woman beaming.

Watching Song Mingyue suggest outfits and style customers, it was clear that she possessed a rare talent for fashion. In the 1980s, where commercial business was just beginning to emerge, this level of service was revolutionary. She didn’t just sell clothes; she imbued them with soul and offered personalized styling based on the customer’s build and features.

Her earlier worries and extensive preparations had turned out to be more than enough. Even without the marketing gimmicks, the customers were already giving the shop rave reviews. Still, Song Mingyue didn’t regret the effort; being over-prepared was never a mistake.