Traveling back to 1952, starting a comeback from a relief station

It was early spring.

The Lunar New Year has just passed, and ordinary families had already bought fabric to make new clothes for their families before the New Year, so there weren't many customers in the shop.

Chen Xueru stepped forward to greet them:

"Hey, you two look a bit unfamiliar. What would you like to see?"

Wang Anping looked at the woman in front of him with surprise.

That's the face I remember.

Her fashion sense and style set her apart from other women of her time.

He has a high nose bridge, a hearty smile, a natural tone when greeting people, intelligent eyes, and exudes confidence and poise in every gesture.

Her signature bright red lips highlight her unique personality and assertiveness.

Wang Anping had seen a bit of that drama.

Chen Xueru is one of the female leads, and her unique personality left a deep impression on me.

Sun Hui pointed at Wang Anping and said to Chen Xueru:

"Boss Chen, I need a suit made for him. Can you recommend some fabrics? Do you have a tailor in your shop? We can make a garment directly from there."

Sun Hui had been to this fabric store with others and knew Chen Xueru, but Chen Xueru didn't acknowledge her.

While guessing about the relationship between the two, Chen Xueru nodded in agreement:

"Making clothes is no problem; we have professional tailors here."

"But what kind of clothes does this young man need made, winter clothes or spring clothes?"

Sun Hui turned to look at Wang Anping, knowing that he should make the decision himself.

Wang Anping said:

"One set of spring clothes and one set of winter clothes, please."

Chen Xueru nodded, and Sun Hui added from the side:

"The style should be as popular as it is now, but it has to be a bit formal. After all, Anping works in the street work group, so her clothes can't be too outrageous."

Street working group?

Upon hearing these words, Chen Xueru looked at Wang Anping with a hint of surprise.

During this period, she had a lot of dealings with the street work group members, those cadres were the merchants' real superiors.

This young man in front of me is actually from the neighborhood?

That's a cadre!

I found out after asking around that they weren't from Qianmen Street.

But since they were all within the system and were sister units with Qianmen Street, Chen Xueru's enthusiasm immediately increased, and she became even more attentive in her hospitality.

She was a shrewd and capable businesswoman.

In just a few words, he got a general idea of ​​the situation.

This young man named Wang Anping had just been hired by the street work group and was also a rare math whiz.

When Sun Hui spoke of him, her tone was full of praise.

Although there was bound to be some exaggeration from acquaintances, Chen Xueru had seen countless people and could guess most of the truth from their conversation and expressions.

This person is probably quite capable.

Moreover, Chen Xueru herself could see that Wang Anping was different.

Judging from his clothes, this man came from the countryside.

Upon arriving in Beijing and entering his own fabric shop, which could be considered high-end, he showed no sign of unease, only a calm and peaceful demeanor.

Chen Xueru had learned to read people and act from her father since she was a child, and her intuition told her that this young man was definitely not simple.

The two helped Wang Anping choose the fabric and finalize the style of the clothes. Sun Hui suddenly remembered that she had something to do, so she took her leave first.

Before leaving, she specifically pulled Chen Xueru aside and gave her some instructions:

"Boss Chen, please don't overcharge me."

Chen Xueru smiled and said:

"Don't worry, boss, that's definitely not possible."

"If I could, I'd rather not take any money at all. I'd appreciate it if your leaders would take good care of me in the future."

Sun Hui deliberately put on a stern face and said:

"That's impossible."

"We can't take advantage of the merchants; just charge the normal price."

After Sun Hui left, Chen Xueru wanted to take Wang Anping's measurements. Holding the tape measure, she looked him up and down and couldn't help but sigh:

"What did you eat before you grew so tall!"

"I use more fabric than others when making clothes."

When speaking.

Chen Xueru secretly glanced at Wang Anping.

Without Sun Hui by her side, and seeing that Wang Anping's speech and behavior were not rigid, Chen Xueru also spoke more casually, and her words just now were clearly teasing.

Then he pointed behind the counter and asked:

"We need to measure your waist and shoulder width. You'll need to take off your padded coat. Or, shall we go to the inner room?"

Wang Anping raised an eyebrow slightly and joked:

"You're the boss, why do you have to do this kind of work yourself?"

Chen Xueru waved her hand dismissively:

"The tailor in the shop is out on business and we don't know when he'll be back. Don't worry, I've been doing this since I was a child."

"What, are you worried I'll eat you?"

Wang Anping shrugged:

"As long as you're not worried."

Chen Xueru was taken aback upon hearing this, and a blush suddenly appeared on her face.

She had said those words to tease the young man from the countryside and break his composure.

Unexpectedly, the other party was not embarrassed at all, and instead casually retorted.

She coughed lightly to cover her embarrassment.

He led Wang Anping into the inner office.

This place is usually used to entertain regular customers or wealthy ladies, where they can choose their own ingredients and orders. Men rarely set foot here.

Since it was a measurement, Wang Anping didn't hesitate. He readily took off his tattered cotton-padded jacket and casually put it aside.

His body had undergone systematic modifications, and even through a layer of autumn clothing, his robust and well-proportioned physique was clearly visible.

Chen Xueru was slightly taken aback, and her face flushed even more.

I couldn't help but praise:

Wow, you have such a great figure, you're a natural clothes hanger!

With a figure like yours, you'll look good in anything.

Fortunately, Chen Xueru was still a young woman at the time. Although she was generous, she didn't understand some things and didn't notice his V-shaped waist. Otherwise, what would have amazed people would have been more than just his good figure with broad shoulders and a narrow back.

After taking the measurements, Wang Anping picked up his cotton-padded coat, ready to put it on and leave, when Chen Xueru called him back:

"Anping, wait a moment, there's no rush to leave."

"Sit down and let's talk."

"I... have something I'd like to discuss with you."

Wang Anping was somewhat surprised.

It was a bit strange; this was their first meeting. What did this woman want from him?

He had watched that drama in his previous life and knew that Chen Xueru was a bold woman with a head full of whimsical ideas.

Just by looking at her bright winter clothes, along with her exquisite makeup and hairstyle, you can tell that she is an unconventional person, far from the ordinary old-fashioned woman.

He sat down on the sofa next to her as instructed, wanting to hear what Chen Xueru had to say.

Chen Xueru didn't rush to speak. Instead, she walked to a cabinet to the side, picked up a kettle, and suddenly turned to ask him:

Would you like tea or coffee?

Wang Anping was taken aback, somewhat surprised:

"Do you still have coffee?"

"Okay, then make me a cup of coffee."

This time, Chen Xueru was truly shocked.

She has a strong personality and always likes to take the initiative when talking to people.

Wang Anping remained calm throughout, and even the subtle flirtatious probing she deliberately hinted at was easily deflected by him.

After much thought, she finally came up with coffee as her "secret weapon".

To know.

Coffee was a rare commodity in Beijing at that time.

Let alone young men from the countryside, even many city dwellers probably have never heard of him.

But this person not only knows about coffee, but also used the word "棖" (chōng) instead of the layman's "泡" (pào), clearly showing that he is a true expert.