Although Chen Xuan lived a secluded life in her previous life and was completely unaware of some national events, she was still in the countryside when the Japanese invaders came. As soon as she heard that the Japanese invaders were coming, everyone in the village packed up and fled. Chen Xuan had experienced escaping, so although she didn't know about national events, she didn't have a good impression of the Japanese invaders.
When Chen Xuan heard that Mr. Ouyang's wife was Japanese, she was not very happy about Brother Nian going to Mr. Ouyang for help.
Wei Nian didn't quite understand what Chen Xuan said, so he smiled and said, "What's wrong with the Japanese? There are still Japanese merchant ships coming to Tianjin Port from time to time to do business, but there are fewer Japanese in Beijing."
"The Japanese are not good." Chen Xuan's face was stern, and she looked at Wei Nian with disgust. "Anyway, I don't like the Japanese. Brother Nian, don't go to Mr. Ouyang to ask about the university. Go to Professor Chu. We know Professor Chu."
"I'm not very familiar with Professor Chu."
"Professor Chu is a very nice person. Ayin and I asked him out. Ayin studied art and French. It was Professor Chu's suggestion." In order to prevent Wei Nian from associating with Mr. Ouyang, who has a Japanese wife, Chen Xuan strongly recommended Professor Chu.
Seeing Chen Xuan being so serious, Wei Nian was willing to listen to some of Chen Xuan's suggestions, especially since Professor Chu was directly employed at the university, and was indeed a better candidate than Mr. Ouyang. However, Wei Nian and Professor Chu were just nodding acquaintances, but Wei Nian still said, "That's fine, let's give it a try first."
Chen Xuan ironed the clothes neatly and hung them in the closet, repeatedly reminding Wei Nian, "In the future, have less contact with Mr. Ouyang."
Wei Nian smiled, "Don't let your imagination run wild just because you read some newspapers. The war with Japan happened during the Qing Dynasty, and there is no war now. Besides, the Qing Dynasty ended long ago."
Chen Xuan has indeed gained a lot of knowledge since he started reading newspapers last year. However, he doesn't know much about the Qing Dynasty. However, Chen Xuan personally experienced the Japanese invaders coming to the countryside to make trouble. Chen Xuan said seriously, "We have fought wars before, and we may fight wars in the future. Anyway, the Japanese are not good people, brother Nian, we don't associate with them. There are many capable people in the world, why do we have to deal with these Japanese?"
Wei Nian could see that Chen Xuan was influenced by some trend of thought, but she had no good feelings towards the Japanese. Wei Nian was always quick-witted, and since Chen Xuan insisted, Wei Nian said, "Okay, then don't pick the strawberries tomorrow, and make an appointment with Professor Chu first."
Seeing that Wei Nian was no longer looking for Mr. Ouyang, who had a Japanese wife, Chen Xuan was very happy. She put away the iron, said a few bad words about the Japanese, and then continued reading.
The next day, on the way to the hat shop with Wei Yin, Chen Xuan mentioned this to Wei Yin. Wei Yin said, "I have an art class tomorrow. Professor Chu has an office at Peking University. I will go and ask if Professor Chu is free. Where is the appointment? Did my second brother tell me?"
Wei Nian didn't mention this, but Chen Xuan had been to Shanghai and felt that she was a knowledgeable person. Chen Xuan said, "Let's meet at the Six Nations Hotel, it's upscale and looks prestigious."
Wei Yin nodded.
The two of them went to the hat shop. When the shopkeepers Sun Yan and Xiao Li saw the two bosses coming, they happily went out to greet them. As the weather was getting hotter, Sun Yan brought out sour plum soup to cool them down. Talking about the business in the store these days, Xiao Li said, "Business is pretty good. After five days of discounts at Daxingsheng, there are no more discounts. Now domestic brands of cosmetics have raised their prices uniformly, and we have also raised our prices. After all, the price we get is also higher. However, our discount coupons are still used in real terms. In addition, the hats and small jewelry here have been restocked. There are also customers who came to order a few clothes, which have to be tailored by the second boss himself. A Yan and I don't understand this." Wei Yin is the sister-in-law, so Wei Yin is the second boss in the store, and Chen Xuan is the sister-in-law and the big boss.
Sun Yan wrote down the customer's order, style, and size, and showed it to Wei Yin. Wei Yin looked at the size of the style and knew what he wanted. "We have the material here. Yan, take out the material first, and I'll go home and cut it."
Sun Yan said, "Everything is ready."
Wei Yin was planning how to make these clothes. Thinking about the art class he had to go to tomorrow to paint, he saw Sun Yan beside him. He was moved and closed his notebook and said to Sun Yan, "Yan'er, I think we still have a clothing business here. Sometimes I am too busy with sewing. Your mother used to help me with sewing. She is very good at it. My second sister-in-law and I discussed hiring someone who is good at sewing to help when the work is busy. We will pay by the piece. What do you think?"
Sun Yan's eyes lit up and she smiled, "That's great. No need to ask, my mother will definitely agree. I'll take the job for her."
Chen Xuan also said, "This is a good idea. Aunt Sun is very good at sewing."
Everyone talked about the business in the store. Chen Xuan and Wei Yin did not come empty-handed. Although the consigned goods had not arrived yet, the two brought a large bag of various candies bought in Shanghai, as well as a large roll of cellophane that Wei Yin bought from Shanghai. This was Wei Yin's idea. In Beijing, candies are sold by kilogram. Wei Yin thought that they also bought a lot of rare and delicious high-end candies in Shanghai. These candies are also sold in Beijing, but such high-end candies are not sold by kilogram, but by can. They are all those tin cans with beautiful prints on the outside. A can costs several yuan, and ordinary people can't afford it. They bought them from Shanghai, but it was not cheap. However, Wei Yin and Chen Xuan had discussed that they would not sell them by kilogram or can. They would pick a piece of various candies, and there were five or six pieces. They would be wrapped in cellophane and tied with a bow. They were not expensive, and each package cost ten cents.
Wei Yin bought a lot of this colorful cellophane, planning to save it for wrapping paper in the future. Sun Yan said, "I've only heard of Shanghai, but I've never been there. It's Shanghai after all, there are so many rare things. I've never seen such transparent paper before."
Chen Xuan said, "In fact, there are foreign candies wrapped in cellophane, but they are relatively rare." The chocolate balls Wei Nian gave her were wrapped in cellophane. Every time Chen Xuan ate chocolate, she would sandwich the cellophane neatly between the pages of a book.
Wei Yin drank some sour plum soup. "Those are imported Western candies. They are very valuable. Second sister-in-law, do you still remember the round cabinet we saw in the Shanghai Department Store?"
"Of course I remember."
"Our store is small, and a round cabinet may not be able to sell much. I think we can have a cabinet worth one cent to sell small items, including these bags of candy. We won't sell them expensively, just one cent."
"Okay, that's a good idea."
After discussing the business of the store, Wei Yin wanted to go to Daxingsheng to take a look, but Chen Xuan was calm and said, "It's embarrassing, don't go."
"Let's see what's going on. Daxingsheng has been open for so long. I heard that it was very lively when it opened."
Shopkeeper Li said, "Now Daxingsheng has a lot of business, but it's not as good as when it first opened. Especially since domestic cosmetics have collectively increased their prices, foreign products have not moved, but many people have gone to buy foreign products. Some customers said that originally a tube of lipstick was only three or two yuan different, and they bought domestic products for the sake of cheapness. As a result, with the price increase, it's better to save money and buy foreign products. After all, foreign products are of better quality. However, some customers feel that even if the price of domestic products increases, they are still more cost-effective. Daxingsheng has a good location and good decoration, which looks high-end, so many people go there."
Shopkeeper Xiao Li told her that Chen Xuan also wanted to go and take a look. Chen Xuan never delayed anything, so she handed the cellophane and candy to Shopkeeper Xiao Li and Sun Yan. After drinking the sour plum soup in her cup, Chen Xuan said to Wei Yin, "A Yin, let's go and take a look now."
Wei Yin smiled, "My second sister-in-law is more anxious than me."
Chen Xuan said seriously, "Ms. Chen is a very knowledgeable person. Let's go over and take a look. If there is anything we can learn, we should learn from her." Things like discount coupons were learned from Ms. Chen.
When they arrived at Daxingsheng, they found that their sister-in-law and her husband were not stingy with the discount coupons learned from Ms. Chen, and Ms. Chen was not stingy with the free eyebrow trimming and nail polish. As soon as they entered Daxingsheng, they saw a round sign at the door that read: Anyone who spends more than three yuan can enjoy a free eyebrow trimming or nail polish.
The mood of the aunt and sister-in-law at that time was very complicated.
The salespeople inside were all young girls, and they were very attentive when greeting customers. Even though the two sisters-in-law didn't like Ms. Chen very much, they had to say that Ms. Chen was indeed a famous lady in Shanghai. The large glass panels around the shop were not ordinary, and glass was so expensive. There were also counters displaying domestic brand cosmetics one by one, all of which were glass counters, polished to a very bright shine, shining under the lights. There were also rows of large shelves, with lipstick, nail polish, nail polish remover, eyebrow pencil, eye shadow, white jade cream, vanishing cream, jade cream, goose egg powder, scented powder, hair oil, hair spray, floral water, perfume, rouge, scented powder, powder cream, tooth powder, toothpaste, etc. As long as it was domestically produced, everything was included. There were also modern sodas on display for sale.
Wei Yin bought a goose egg powder from Xie Fuchun, and the sales girl neatly packed it up. In addition to Xie Fuchun's own goose egg powder packaging, there was also a very delicate small bag from Daxingsheng. The bag was designed, and the style and color were no worse than those of Jiqingfang across the street.
By the way, Daxingsheng is also located opposite Jiqingfang. This was originally a coffee shop, but now the coffee shop is gone and Daxingsheng is full of customers. As for Miss Shao's Fenfang brand cosmetics, it does have a separate counter, but the location is not very good. After all, with big brands like Xie Fuchun, Kong Fengchun, and Wudi in front, Fenfang must stand behind.
After visiting Daxingsheng, the aunt and sister-in-law also went to Jiqingfang.
Manager Zhou of Jiqingfang came out to entertain the two sisters-in-law. Ever since he saw the big boss and Chen Xuan drinking tea, Manager Zhou would personally greet Chen Xuan whenever he saw her coming. Wei Yin was also a familiar face. Wei Yin was quick to say to Manager Zhou, "We are not in Beijing these days. Daxingsheng's business is really good."
Manager Zhou smiled and said, "It's still relatively quiet now. When it first opened, the door was trampled flat."
Wei Yin asked Manager Zhou, "Manager Zhou, how is your business?"
The waitress brought the drinks, and Manager Zhou quickly took the cup of milk tea and handed it to Chen Xuan. Wei Yin was now used to Manager Zhou's hospitality towards her second sister-in-law, so she got the coffee herself and heard Manager Zhou say, "It's okay. We have old customers here, and they're used to foreign brands, but not domestic brands, which are still a bit inferior." At the end of his words, Manager Zhou was quite arrogant.
"That's true. We have customers who simply switched to foreign products because domestic brands increased their prices. They said it was to save some money, and it's about the same when you calculate it." Wei Yin shook his head.
Manager Zhou was happy. "Why is the second boss shaking his head? It's a good thing that the customers' tastes have improved."
"Our store still sells mostly domestic products, and few customers use foreign products. In fact, it doesn't matter to us whether customers use foreign products or domestic products, as long as we can keep the business going. The opening of Daxingsheng will have the smallest impact on your Jiqingfang. As Manager Zhou said, people who are used to foreign products will not use domestic brands. You are still doing your foreign goods business, but we are different. Daxingsheng opened in Dong'an Market, and it is in such a good location. The brands we sell have the same price. Daxingsheng is so high-end that even if it were me, I would be willing to come to Daxingsheng. Why go to those small shops outside?" Wei Yin is smart and straightforward. Besides, this is not something that cannot be discussed.
Manager Zhou smiled and said, "Why don't you persuade your customers to buy more foreign goods? Then I will give you a bigger discount."
"I'm not here to ask you for a discount." Wei Yin said, "My second sister-in-law and I just came to take a look. Every business has its own way of doing business. How can we ask you to give us a discount when our store only has a small amount of foreign goods? Let's talk about it when we become bigger. Manager Zhou, why don't you learn from Daxingsheng and give customers free eyebrow trimming and nail painting?"
Manager Zhou's tone was reserved and arrogant. "Most of our customers come to the beauty salon to get their eyebrows trimmed and their nails done."
Wei Yin felt a little depressed after hearing this, but after thinking about it, he felt that what Manager Zhou said made sense.
Chen Xuan asked, "Since Daxingsheng is Ms. Chen's business, why is Ms. Chen not in the store?"
Manager Zhou returned to his attentiveness, "Ms. Chen is the owner, and Daxingsheng is usually managed by the manager."
Chen Xuan nodded, finished her milk tea, and stood up to say goodbye to Wei Yin.
The two sisters-in-law had lunch in the store with Xiao Li and Sun Yan. After lunch, Wei Yin took the fabric home to make clothes. Chen Xuan had something to say to Sun Yan and Xiao Li. Chen Xuan said, "I learned a lot from my trip to Shanghai. The salesmen in Shanghai all speak foreign languages. I thought that although our store doesn't need it now, after the lease expires this year, Ah Yin and I plan to move to another place. By then, our store will be even bigger, and it will be useful sooner or later. Starting tomorrow, I will teach you two foreign words every day. I will organize the letters and so on, and you can learn them slowly."
Shopkeeper Xiao Li and Sun Yan were both stunned. They didn't expect that they had to learn another language to run a store.
Chen Xuan thought they were afraid of the difficulty, so she said lightly, "This is not surprising. Look at those high-end coffee shops and waiters in foreign restaurants. They all speak foreign languages."
Shopkeeper Li is good at accounting, but learning foreign languages is a bit silly. He asked, "Boss, is foreign language easy to learn?"
“So eager to learn!”
Well, from then on, Shopkeeper Li and Sun Yan, in addition to running the shop, also began to study foreign languages.
As for Wei Yin, he successfully made an appointment with Professor Chu.
The time was also very close, that is, the next night, in the Western restaurant of Six Nations Hotel.
Wei Nian suddenly realized that her sister's face was extraordinary. For a person like Professor Chu, Wei Nian herself could not even have a 30% chance of getting an appointment. He was a big shot and was busy. But for Wei Yin, it felt like a very normal thing. Wei Nian was very smart and asked his sister, "Professor Chu really gave you face."
Wei Yin said innocently, "Professor Chu is a very nice person. Sometimes when I see him at the university, he always talks to me. But this time I boasted a little. He asked me what I wanted to do, and I said it was about the revitalization of national industry and commerce."
Wei Nian laughed, "That's a good boast."
When they got home in the evening, Wei Nian started looking through the old bookcase. Chen Xuan had known Wei Nian for a long time and knew that he was looking for old books as a gift for Professor Chu. Chen Xuan said, "Don't mess around with me." She took out a box from the cabinet and opened it. Inside was full of old books. Chen Xuan handed them to Wei Nian and said, "These are all Song editions. I heard from Mr. Xu that they have very high cultural value. Brother Nian, pick one and give it to Professor Chu." Then, Chen Xuan added, "These are the ones I copied."
Wei Nian was delighted, and he understood the hidden meaning of Chen Xuan's words, which was, "Don't touch anything I haven't copied yet." Wei Nian praised Chen Xuan, "My wife is really capable."
Chen Xuan was a little embarrassed and said, "Don't talk nonsense."
Wei Nian asked her how the business was, and Chen Xuan told Wei Nian in general, "With the opening of Daxingsheng, it's not just our shop that is affected. Brother Nian, isn't Ms. Chen very arrogant? Why is she learning those little tricks from our shop?" She told Wei Nian about Daxingsheng offering free eyebrow trimming and nail polish application to customers.
"Gao Ao is not stupid. Your idea is good. Smart people will follow suit." Wei Nian and Chen Xuan said, "Come with me tomorrow night. Let's talk to Professor Chu about this and see if it works."
Chen Xuan nodded, "Okay."
The author has something to say: ps: Because this is a story about the Republic of China, although Axuan lived a secluded life in her previous life and didn't know about other major events, she still knew about things like the Japanese invasion of China. However, due to personal preference, this article basically won't involve political events.
The second update will be at 8pm!