Chapter 100 Cheongsam? Buy it! And once you start buying, you're hooked!

Plans have changed.

After a full meal, it was already eight in the evening.

The plan to leisurely stroll, find a nearby Pingtan teahouse, listen to some music, and drink tea had been shelved.

They had to drive to a historic district first.

According to Xie Minmin, this was where she had bought her qipao last time.

As soon as they got out of the car, Xie Minmin froze.

"What's wrong?" Ling Yue asked, looking at the hesitation on her chubby face.

Xie Minmin scratched the back of her head, "When I came last time, this street was very quiet. Now there are so many stalls; did I come to the wrong place?"

She opened the map, brought it close to her eyes to examine it, and hissed, "It's not wrong, though."

Luo Shanshan added, "Maybe this district has been developed too. You wouldn't believe the reasons why many internet-famous spots blow up nowadays."

"I think it's perfect; we can go for a stroll after buying our clothes." Ling Yue was extremely excited.

It was her first time traveling, and everything looked fresh to her.

She just wanted to have fun and let loose.

If she weren't worried about the clothing store closing early, she would have definitely visited the night market before buying clothes.

Xie Minmin led the way, followed by a long line of people.

After winding through several alleys, Ling Yue was impressed by her memory.

After walking for about seven or eight minutes, they stood in front of a brightly decorated clothing store: Weihe Qipao Custom Handmade Workshop.

The sign on the eaves was bright and eye-catching.

Xie Minmin was stunned for a moment.

Then she clicked her tongue and said, "When I came last time, the auntie's shop was only a small corner, and there were residential houses next to it. Has the residential area been merged with the shop now? It's so much bigger."

It had only been about a year; the world changed too fast.

Truly the speed of the locals.

Ling Yue stepped inside.

The shop was playing melodious ancient zither music, and the decor was vintage and elegant.

Incense was burning on the cashier's desk, giving it a classic and refined atmosphere that instantly elevated the style.

The few tourists there were all browsing silently; it was clear that in such an atmosphere, people would subconsciously lower their voices or stop talking altogether.

"I dared to step into the small shop before, but now that it's decorated like this, I wouldn't even dare to enter on a normal day; I can tell I wouldn't be able to afford it just by looking at it." Xie Minmin pointed out the reason for the lack of customers.

"Please, feel free to browse." An old voice suddenly appeared.

Ling Yue and the others looked toward the sound.

A screen stood next to the cashier counter.

An old man with gray hair propped himself up and poked his head out from behind the screen to speak to them.

Xie Minmin recognized him in a second, "Grandpa Huang."

The old man, whose head had originally retreated, poked it out again, "Eh, it's me. Are you here to pick up your clothes?"

He stared at Xie Minmin for a long time, not quite recognizing which customer she was.

However, he still put down the things in his hand and walked out from behind the screen.

Xie Minmin smiled and took two steps forward, only then seeing that there was a workbench behind the screen.

On the table were a sewing machine, needles, thread, and other items, and a string of qipao waiting to be altered hung behind it.

"You have a separate workspace now."

Upon hearing this, Grandpa Huang confirmed that Xie Minmin was a regular customer, "Yes, the shop was small before, so I could only set up a table on the side of the road to alter clothes. It was unbearable in the winter cold and summer heat. Now that the shop has expanded, I've moved indoors."

Grandpa Huang was certain he hadn't seen Xie Minmin recently, so she probably wasn't here to pick up clothes.

Seeing her with a group of young girls, he guessed she might have brought them to buy clothes, so he asked, "Are you here to buy ready-made clothes or for custom orders?"

Xie Minmin looked back at Ling Yue.

Ling Yue stepped forward and said, "If I want a custom order, how long will it take to get the finished garment?"

"Young lady, please wait a moment."

Grandpa Huang walked to the cashier, asked the cashier girl to pull up the records, and returned to Ling Yue shortly after, "It will take about 35 days. There are still quite a few custom orders in line ahead of you."

That was too long.

"Then I'll just look at the ready-made clothes."

Ling Yue looked around, "Eh, do you make clothes other than qipao here?"

As soon as Ling Yue said this, Xie Minmin also noticed a row of innovative, improved New Chinese-style clothing hanging in the shop.

"Didn't the shop only make qipao before?" Xie Minmin subconsciously voiced her confusion.

Grandpa Huang laughed again, the wrinkles on his lean cheeks bunching up, his smile deepening: "Those were all made by my granddaughter. She just came back from Shanghai last year after studying design. It just so happened that our district was developing, so she came back to work in her own shop."

"She hasn't made many clothes, only this row, but they are all garments she designed and patterned herself. If you are interested, you can try them on. They are all one-size-fits-all, and can be altered if they don't fit. She also accepts custom clothing orders, but she is still a novice, so the price will be much cheaper."

This was quite honest.

Ling Yue didn't ask any more questions and wandered around on her own.

Xie Minmin chatted with Grandpa Huang for a few more minutes, then Grandpa Huang went to get busy.

She came to Ling Yue's side, grabbed the tag of a qipao, and took a look, "The price is about the same as before."

Ling Yue was holding a porcelain-white silk qipao with diagonal lapels and bamboo leaf patterns, priced at 2088 yuan.

Meanwhile, the blue silk satin qipao with peony flower patterns in Xie Minmin's hand was priced at 488 yuan.

The prices differed significantly.

The biggest difference lay in the patterns.

As a qualified employee, Xie Minmin keenly captured her boss's mood.

She quickly explained, "The patterns in this shop are all hand-embroidered by embroiderers; the patterned styles are more expensive."

Ling Yue nodded in understanding.

She was willing to pay for traditional craftsmanship.

As they were talking, Ling Yue's gaze was suddenly attracted by an elaborately crafted qipao hanging in a glass display case.

It was a white and gold silk satin short-sleeved qipao with gold-embroidered dragon and phoenix patterns, gorgeous and eye-catching, graceful and luxurious.

The moment she saw it, Ling Yue associated it with Consort Hua.

It was truly beautiful!

"Grandpa Huang, I want to buy this qipao."

Ling Yue didn't ask for the price.

Anyway, no matter how expensive it was, she could afford it.

"That one is a display piece; it's not for sale." Grandpa Huang had just sat down, but after Ling Yue's question, he stood up again.

Ling Yue said, unwilling to give up, "I can accept a high premium; I really like this qipao."

Grandpa Huang shook his head firmly, "This qipao is my late wife's final work; it really isn't for sale."

Ling Yue fell silent.

Obviously, this was not something that could be solved with money.

Seeing the disappointment on the customer's face, Grandpa Huang hurried over and took out a few qipaos, "Young lady, why don't you try these qipaos? They aren't elaborate styles, but based on my many years of running the shop, these will suit you very well."

Despite the regret, Ling Yue didn't dwell on it too much.

As Grandpa Huang said, there were still many beautiful clothes waiting for her to choose from.

"Then I'll go try them."

Ling Yue smiled, took the qipaos handed to her by Grandpa Huang, and walked toward the fitting room.

The first one was a peach-red cloud brocade long qipao with diagonal lapels and butterfly patterns. It made Ling Yue, who already had fair skin, look even more radiant, like a delicate and dripping peony.

It was high-profile and had a unique charm; it lacked childishness and added a touch of bright, charming allure—a real mature woman!

Grandpa Huang said calmly from the side, "This dress needs alterations. If you take in the waist a bit more, it would be perfect. The length is just right."

Ling Yue cupped her face and stared straight at herself in the mirror.

Only after putting on a qipao did she know how good her curves actually were!

This perky little butt, these slender arms, this golden ratio of a nipped-in waist, these rounded upper body curves!

She was intoxicated by the beauty!

"Then I'll go change into the next set."

She was full of anticipation for the effect of the rest of the qipaos!

The second one was an avocado green round-lapel solid-color medium-long qipao, a design full of elegant feminine charm.

When Ling Yue put it on, it made her skin look as delicate as snow, making her look gentle and graceful, with the composed feeling of someone nurtured in a scholarly family for decades, just like a lotus leaf in June, with light rain falling, catching a few drops of water.

The third was a water-blue silk satin long qipao with magnolia branch patterns and double round lapels, gentle, atmospheric, high-class, and elegant.

The fourth was a light purple cloud brocade long qipao with diagonal lapels, paired with a few colorful Su Embroidery butterflies, dignified, atmospheric, confident, and charming, possessing a calm and composed beauty.

The fifth was a white and gold silk satin with golden small flower branch patterns, natural and lively, with the gentle and firm beauty of a big sister next door...

She tried on 8 pieces in one breath, and Ling Yue fell in love with every single one.

She waved her hand, "I want all 8 of these."

The people around her were accustomed to this shopping mode of Ling Yue's.

On the scene, only Grandpa Huang's cloudy eyes were full of surprise, "All, all of them?"

Ling Yue nodded heavily.

It was the first time Grandpa Huang had encountered such a lavish customer.

But after all, he was old and had seen a lot.

He quickly put away his surprise, lowered his head, and picked out 6 qipaos, "I'll measure your body in a moment; these few need alterations."

The remaining water-blue and white-gold silk satins were already very fitting for Ling Yue's body and didn't need any more changes.

Ling Yue said, "Then please make a note of it first; I'll try on others."

"Okay." Grandpa Huang called the cashier girl over to record the styles that needed to be altered on the computer.

Once Ling Yue started buying, she got hooked.

She picked out dozens more qipaos and tried them on one by one.

Qu Shu helped pass the clothes.

Luo Shanshan was in charge of taking a few photos from the side to use as reference.

Xie Minmin held a cattail fan to fan Ling Yue, afraid that she would be hot from trying on so many clothes.

Zang Lanyi occasionally handed Ling Yue warm water to quench her boss's thirst in time.

The others stood obediently to the side; it wasn't that they weren't doing anything, but there was nothing left to do.

A group of people was serving her, and the process was smooth and flowing.

It left Grandpa Huang stunned.

No wonder she bought clothes like wholesale; it turned out to be some rich young lady coming down to experience life.

In the end, Ling Yue selected 27 qipaos and 8 New Chinese-style garments, spending a total of 132,000 yuan.

Among them, 21 qipaos and 3 New Chinese-style garments had to be left behind for alterations.

While handing the packed ready-made garments to Qu Shu, Grandpa Huang said to Ling Yue, "You can come and pick up the clothes in about 20 days, or leave an address, and we will mail them to your home once they are altered."

"Does it take that long?" Ling Yue frowned slightly.

"I'm sorry, our shop has limited manpower; it will take at least 20 days." Grandpa Huang said apologetically.

Suddenly, a thought flashed through Ling Yue's mind.

She looked up excitedly and said, "Perhaps, would you and your family be willing to make clothes only for me?"

"Ah?" Grandpa Huang was stunned on the spot.

"I want to hire you as my private fashion design team, to design clothes only for me, and to serve only me." Ling Yue changed to a phrasing that was easier to understand.