Chapter 88: Oh my God! How much? One hundred and eighty-eight yuan each?!

An inherent herd mentality exists in everyone.

Especially in this era, people held an inexplicable admiration for public officials with “iron rice bowl” jobs.

Right now.

Seeing those usually aloof public officials running toward Chunshui Street, the onlookers, though clueless about what was happening, still put all their effort into following them to join in the fun.

Tsk!

Something good must be happening!

Around eight-thirty, Chunshui Street was already bustling.

Wang Qiushui opened her shop door and felt a surge of joy when she saw a massive crowd rushing in her direction.

They were coming for the clothing shop!

And wasn’t that her Lucky Tailor Shop?

Happily, she urged her husband to quickly bring out the finished garments and the style catalog. But when she turned around, she saw several familiar regular customers eagerly squeezing into the Jinxiu Tailor Shop across the street.

Wang Qiushui froze.

They weren’t here to buy clothes from her?

What were they going to the Jinxiu Tailor Shop for?

At that moment, surrounded by three inner and three outer layers of a noisy, bustling crowd, the tightly shut wooden door of the Jinxiu Tailor Shop across the street finally opened.

Clack.

It was the oldest style of removable wooden panel door, with each panel slotted into grooves in the concrete above and below.

To open it, one had to lift each panel upward and carry them out one by one.

The first thing to appear was Zhang Qiao’er’s face.

Even though she had prepared herself, she was still incredibly nervous when she saw so many people outside.

“Oh! Little girl! You’ve finally opened!”

Someone in the crowd suddenly shouted, and immediately after, someone else asked, “Where are the bags? Do you have your rabbit fur bags? The shoulder bag kind! Hurry up and bring them out for sale!”

Mrs. Ye had only carried it once at a banquet, but her subordinates were like flies smelling a rotten egg, swarming over in droves.

Of course they had to buy one!

Not only was it fashionable and beautiful!

More importantly, they wanted to align themselves with Mrs. Ye!

To support Hudong County’s own time-honored brand tailor shop!

“Please line up, everyone!” Zhang Qiao’er called out.

She turned her head and looked at Xie Zhao, a troubled expression on her face. “Second Brother Xie? There are too many people. If we open the door fully, what if they rush in?”

Xie Zhao nodded, signaling that he understood.

He glanced at Xie Cheng and Sanliuzi, and the two of them stood up in unison.

“Guard the door in a moment. Don’t let anyone squeeze in if they aren’t lining up. Sanliuzi, you’re in charge of the door. Big Brother, you manage the line. I’ll handle the money and explanations, and Qiao’er, you’ll be responsible for retrieving the bags.”

He quickly and simply assigned tasks to everyone.

Everyone’s heart inexplicably settled.

Xie Cheng was a bit nervous.

A thin layer of sweat broke out on his palms.

He rarely interacted with people. In the past, when he worked in the mine, he mostly just did his job. After coming up from the mine, he was constantly watched by the foreman, so he couldn’t talk anyway.

Often, he wouldn’t say more than two sentences in a whole day.

Even later, when he collected river snails, he only dealt with familiar fellow villagers.

Having to suddenly face so many people now, most of whom were public officials holding state-funded jobs, made him feel more than a little intimidated.

A few thoughts flashed through his mind, and the door was already completely open.

Light flooded in, and in the next moment, a large crowd tried to squeeze inside.

“The bags! I’m here to buy a bag! Hurry up and get me one!”

“Me first! Let me see! I want one too!”

“Don’t push! Comrades, don’t get reckless over a bag! But since I got here first, I should be the first to buy!”… The crowd was in a noisy uproar.

Xie Cheng and Sanliuzi, quick to react, immediately stood on either side of the door. Blocking the way with their arms, they shouted, “Line up! Everyone must line up to buy! Otherwise, we won’t sell anything today!”

What?

Not selling?

Some onlookers couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

This year, it was really rare. They had heard of customers refusing to buy, but never of a business refusing to sell!

Did they think they were made of gold?

What made them so special?

While the outer circle of onlookers watched the excitement, the inner layer consisted mostly of those on the government payroll. They all valued their reputation. Although their faces darkened at Xie Cheng’s shout, they still obediently began to line up.

“Comrades, I know everyone is busy, but lining up is to save time. You are all highly educated intellectuals, so I’m sure you can understand.”

Only then did everyone’s expressions soften a bit.

But some still couldn’t help but scowl and speak up.

“Hurry up and bring out the bags! I have to go back to work, there’s a lot to do at the factory!”

“Right, we’re all lined up, so stop dragging your feet. Making such a big fuss just to sell a bag is ridiculous!”

“Young man, don’t put on airs. Not everyone is as easygoing as we are. Don’t go offending people without even realizing it!”… Xie Zhao smiled but didn’t reply. By now, he had already reached out to grab all four styles of bags and placed them on the front glass counter.

“Four styles, limited to two of each style per person. One hundred and eighty-eight yuan each, first come, first served.”

Xie Zhao’s words, spoken clearly one by one, struck the ears of the crowd like a sudden clap of thunder on a clear day!

How… how much?

How much did this young man say it cost?!

Did their ears deceive them?

One hundred and eighty-eight?

For one?

One what?

A bag?

And there’s a purchase limit?

Everyone was shocked.

Although they lived in the county seat, held urban household registrations, and mostly had jobs, coughing up one hundred and eighty-eight yuan all at once was still extremely difficult!

Their average monthly salary was thirty yuan. Even for a household with two incomes, they would have to go without eating or drinking for three months to save up that much!

And now, a single bag actually cost that much money!

Good heavens!

That money could buy a Forever brand bicycle!

The crowd erupted into a frenzy. Yet, upon looking at the four bags sitting on the counter, the expressions of the female comrades in the crowd shifted slightly once again.

Surprise, envy, and above all, pure adoration!

They were just too beautiful!

There were four in total, each style unique and eye-catching.

The ones with slightly darker colors were exquisite and luxurious, high-end and classy. Paired with the rabbit fur, one look was enough to tell they were of exceptional quality, definitely meant to be carried by the wealthy and influential!

As for the remaining two styles…

They were youthful and lively, with innocent and cute rabbit-ear decorations and playful, vibrant colors. The women had never seen such designs and combinations before, and they simply could not tear their eyes away!

And so, the female comrades’ feelings did a complete 180.

When they first heard the price, it felt like highway robbery! It was too expensive!

But looking at the style and quality again…

Oh my goodness!

They absolutely had to save up to buy one!

They were just too beautiful, too exquisite and unique!

Meanwhile, most of the public servants waiting in line to buy were orderlies and secretaries.

Their primary responsibility was to handle the logistics for the wives of high-ranking officials and manage the cadres’ households.

Having received orders today to come and buy the bags, they did not care if it was 188 or 288 yuan. They had only one goal: get the bags!