In the last life, during the 1990s, numerous state-owned enterprises closed down, yet the City Department Store’s business prospered as if nothing had happened. Many private clothing markets could not outperform it. Originally, it was thought that the Department Store had deep foundations, but it turned out they had such a leader.
The woolen coat was indeed nice, 100% cashmere fabric, soft and comfortable to the touch, with a straight and proper cut.
“Please write up the bill for me.”
Lin Chuxia then looked toward another lady’s woolen coat nearby, likely from the same batch of goods, in burgundy.
Pointed at it, “This one as well, together.”
Manager Zhao’s eyes lit up as he gestured to the sales clerk
to come over and write up the bill.
Beside them, Tang Lili’s eyes were almost popping out.
These two woolen coats were the best clothes that had come in this time, and also the best in the entire Department Store. Especially that lady’s woolen coat, she had set her eyes on it the moment it arrived.
And the two woolen coats cost just over two hundred yuan; ordinary workers, saving meticulously for a year, wouldn’t be able to save that much money. And this woman is saying she wants them just like that, as if it’s nothing?
Seeing that Lin Chuxia had finished writing up the bill but wasn’t in a hurry to pay, and was looking at other clothes, she couldn’t help but speak out, “Manager Zhao, do you think we should have her pay for the two coats first? Otherwise, if after all this billing, she doesn’t have the money, it will have been a waste of effort for nothing.”
Lin Chuxia stopped in her tracks and looked toward Manager Zhao, her face calm, “Is it necessary?”
Manager Zhao didn’t even glance at Tang Lili, “No need, take your time choosing. This sales clerk is here to serve you specifically. Whenever you’re ready, you can pay all at once.”
Lin Chuxia revealed a smile, “As expected from a leader with a broad vision, thank you, Manager Zhao.”
Someone was serving her specifically, so Lin Chuxia picked out three cashmere sweaters, two for men and one for women, a women’s trench coat, and several pairs of pants.
Seeing the shirts, one white, one black, one grey, she got one of each. Qin Yang, with his detached and cold nature, would suit these cool tones.
Altogether, the total had already exceeded 400 yuan. At this point, not just Tang Lili, even Yang Rui beside her was clicking his tongue in astonishment.
Manager Zhao was even less in a hurry to leave.
The woman in front of him was indeed beautiful, but beauty can’t be used as currency. Of course, there was one possibility that could be an exception. But judging by the woman’s attire and her demeanor, she didn’t seem to be that type of person.
There was a sense of ease and confidence in her eyes. A woman like that, if put on the business field…
Manager Zhao snapped back to reality and laughed quietly to himself.
The woman in front of him was at most just over twenty years old. Why would he think that she could do business? It must be because of the recent competition with the store across the way that was driving him crazy.
In the end, Lin Chuxia also bought a few yards of fabric. She didn’t know Mr. Qin’s and Mrs. Qin’s clothing sizes, so this fabric was for them, which they could tailor into coats as winter was approaching, or even cotton-padded clothes.
Passing through the children’s clothing section, she saw cute little military uniforms with matching tiny caps, and immediately thought of the plump Zhuangzhuang, without hesitation she asked to have them billed.
When it came to paying, the sales clerk, with a stack of invoices and an abacus, was trembling slightly as he calculated, and the final total was 467 yuan and 30 cents.
Lin Chuxia, after hearing the total, took out a stack of money from her bag and began to count.
That was the inconvenience of this era; the largest denomination was just ten yuan, so counting over four hundred required some time.
She counted out 470 yuan and handed it to the sales clerk, who gulped and was just about to take it when Manager Zhao stepped over.
“You can charge this comrade 460. Additionally, this is my business card. The next time you come to the Department Store for shopping, use my card when you check out for a discount.”
Lin Chuxia took the business card from Manager Zhao and looked at it, her almond eyes narrowing slightly as she looked at him. “Is Manager Zhao trying to use his authority for personal gain?”
Manager Zhao’s face immediately darkened, and Yang Rui, standing beside him, helped explain, “This is an exclusive discount policy of the Department Store. It’s not just for you; any major customer who shops at our Department Store will receive Manager Zhao’s business card. With this card, they can enjoy the discounts provided by the building.”
Lin Chuxia let out an “Oh” and smiled, “It appears I misunderstood. However, Manager Zhao’s approach is indeed prone to causing misunderstandings. Wouldn’t it be better to create a special card exclusive to the City Department Store to replace the personal business card? This way, it can also serve as a promotion to attract and retain major and potential customers of the Department Store, right?”
Lin Chuxia ended the conversation there and, with her arms full of large and small bags, she turned and left the department store.
A glint of light flashed in Manager Zhao’s eyes as he heard this.
Tang Lili looked puzzled and scoffed disdainfully, “Putting on airs. Who knows whose old man’s bed she crawled into. Showing off so ostentatiously… mmph…”
Her words were cut off as Yang Rui covered her mouth.
Meeting Manager Zhao’s gaze, he offered a sheepish smile, “She’s talking nonsense, just nonsense.”
Manager Zhao gave the two of them a heavy look, then his gaze settled on Tang Lili and the other two sales assistants.
“You three will not receive your bonuses this month, and Tang Lili will have an additional ten yuan deducted from her salary. If this happens again, pack your things and get out. I’m not running a charity for spoiled princesses here.”
Hearing that her bonus was gone and ten yuan would be deducted from her salary, Tang Lili stomped her feet in frustration, but there was nothing she could say with Yang Rui’s hand over her mouth.
After Manager Zhao left, Yang Rui pulled Tang Lili into his office.
The other two sales assistants watched the pulling and tugging, then thought of their lost bonuses, their faces turning sour.
“I told you, she has a backer, we don’t. We can’t afford to back Tang Lili up next time.”
If they hadn’t known about her affair with Director Yang and wanted to do her a favor, they wouldn’t have carelessly lost their bonuses.
On the other side, upon entering the office, Tang Lili immediately started cursing. Yang Rui quickly coaxed her, “My dear little lady, could you please keep your voice down? Do you really think I, Yang Rui, can do whatever I want in the Department Store?”
“Who would have thought today would be so unlucky to run into Manager Zhao? Didn’t you say Manager Zhao wouldn’t interfere with us?” Tang Lili was visibly indignant.
She only earned thirty-six yuan a month, and losing ten yuan meant she wouldn’t make ends meet.
“Just because he doesn’t interfere doesn’t mean you can slack off at work.”
“It was clearly that woman’s fault…”
Thinking of that wool coat made Tang Lili’s heart bleed, and she moved forward to hug Yang Rui’s arm and act coquettishly, “I want a wool coat too. You promised to buy me one.”
The soft touch made Yang Rui’s heart soften, and he turned to see her pouting lips, leaning down to give her a kiss, “Don’t worry, next time I go down south to stock up, I’ll get you one, even better than that one.”
Now Tang Lili was delighted, and she hugged the man’s neck tightly, “You promised, you’ll buy it for me next time. Don’t use that pregnant wife of yours as an excuse again.”
“Don’t worry, baby, when have I ever lied to you.”
“And once she’s given birth, you’ll divorce her and marry me.”
“I know, I know…”
The man embraced the woman and pressed her directly onto the office desk…
Lin Chuxia left the Department Store, looking for a secluded spot to transfer her purchases into her space.
She had just entered a quiet, narrow alley when she heard the sound of disordered footsteps coming from behind.