Dreaming back to the 90s to help my dad catch a rival in love

When it comes to the clothing market in Shanghai, young post-00s may have vaguely heard of Qipu Road.But in the late 90s, there were only two roads—Huating Road and Xiangyang Road—to say which road represented the cutting-edge area of ​​Shanghai's popular front.Compared with them, Qipulu is really a younger brother, a younger sister.

"Auntie and I opened a shop on Huating Road back then. Do you know what happened to the first batch of 'self-employed' in Shanghai?"

On the first day of summer vacation, Ning Xiaobei and Fan Xia sat in front of Zhao Jingwen's store in Xiangyang Road Clothing Wholesale Market, fanned themselves with a fan made of newspapers, and listened to the bragging of the silk|socks proprietress next door.

The proprietress is full of fragrance, and she can't tell her exact age, she should be more than forty, but she wears "eyes that catch eyes".The hair is dyed in two colors, the upper body is wearing a thin strapless navel dress, the lower body is washed like white jeans with hips, and a pair of black stiletto sandals are worn. In 2020, it is the so-called retro millennial style Y2K .

Ning Xiaobei shuttled back and forth between the two worlds, deeply feeling that 20 years later, not to mention old aunts, young girls would rarely dare to wear them.I can only lament that fashion trends are really incomprehensible, and they are not more developed and more open.

However, in this era that is about to usher in the "cross-century", most of the women on the road in Shanghai, regardless of age, are dressed like this.

Not only that, the color of the makeup is also very bold, the two eyes can't wait to paint eight colors, and the girls imitate Faye Wong's appearance and apply "sunburn makeup" on the cheeks to walk under the scorching sun.The expression has an indomitable avant-garde, as if stepping through 1999, the world will really change for one.

"The Huating Road market opened in 84, and it was called 'Little Hong Kong'. At that time, Auntie sold clothes there. Unlike now, the clothes have S and L sizes, and they are wholesaled from the factory. There is no such thing. Are all the clothes in Auntie’s hands the only ones in Shanghai?”

What my aunt said was saliva flying all over the place.

"Those fashionable little girls and college students back then ordered their aunts a few months in advance, and they were snatched away one step later. When they wore them and walked on the road, men halfway across the road stared at them. ...do you understand?"

"I see."

Ning Xiaobei nodded, thinking that Aunt Nong really didn't need to talk about "smuggling" so refreshingly.

"Gossip again, were your two little brothers born in 1984?"

Auntie paused with some doubts.

"The most popular bat shirts in China in the 80s, leggings, bell-bottoms... do you know where all the 'unkempt' cuts came from? They were all made by aunts. Well, according to the current saying, auntie, I am— — Madonna of Fashion."

The more the cowhide blows, the more the Holy Mother comes out. Is Guanyin still far away?

"It's the 'godmother of fashion.'"

Ning Xiaobei corrected.

"Oh, this little brother is quite knowledgeable."

"Shanghai Bund Fashion Godmother" covered her mouth and smiled, "Nong is Xiao Zhao's son? Dad looks like a good-looking boy, and his son is also a handsome boy."

"No, no, I'm his neighbor..."

Ning Xiaobei was about to explain that two customers came to the stockings shop of "Fashion Godmother", and the godmother went to visit the stall.

"Boss, it's so hot. If I knew it was so hot and noisy here, I would rather stay at home and turn on the air conditioner."

Fan Xia opened the bow and fan with his left and right hands at the same time, wishing that his arms could become two electric fans, he said while sticking out his tongue.

Although this wholesale market is not open-air, it is after all a small shed after another. There is no air conditioner at all, and only an electric fan can be blown.The market is crowded with people and goods everywhere, and it is airtight on all sides. In summer, it will be sweltering and hot, and it will be even worse if it rains.

"Now you know that money is not so easy to earn, right? You've only been sitting here for a few hours, but your uncle has to look after the store, run the goods, talk about business, and distribute leaflets..."

Ning Xiaobei snapped his fingers and said, "Now I know how happy I am to sit in school and just do my homework when I get home."

"Wow, boss, stop talking, I was wrong."

Fan Xia's head grew dizzy when he heard this, so he raised his hands and surrendered.

"Xiaobei, Xiaoxia, you guys have some snacks first, after a while business will improve and you won't even have the time to sit down."

Zhao Jingwen invited a full-time girl named Su Lai to watch the store.Miss Xiaosu is in her early twenties, she treats Ning Xiaobei and the others as her younger brothers and takes good care of them.

She took out two pieces of bread and two bottles of milk and urged them to make up for it.

Zhao Jingwen has been on a business trip for the past few days. Through his friends, he found a garment factory in Guangzhou to discuss cooperation, and he will go there for at least a week.

On the other hand, Ning Jianguo was busy with the renovation of the canteen. Even his neighbor, Aunt Wang, took Chang Leyun out for a trip, and rushed to Hongqiao Airport early this morning.

The two children suddenly disappeared, which made Ning Jianguo very worried.He wanted them to go back to Jiandli, where at least Miss Mei could cook for them.

But children who have long been accustomed to living in new-style buildings can't wait to endure the life without toilets and showers in the old alleys. Ning Xiaobei has repeatedly promised that he will take good care of himself, and Fan Xia will not be cold or hungry.

Early this morning, Ning Xiaobei's "father" took the door key given by Uncle Zhao, walked directly downstairs to Zhao's house, and took the sleepy-eyed boy Fan Xia to the bathroom to wash up.While Fan Xia was taking care of his personal hygiene, he stuffed the two of them's summer vacation homework into his bag, turned around and went downstairs to buy breakfast, sent Fan Xia to eat rice balls, and then took him by the hand for a walk go to the station.

After getting out of the car, Ning Xiaobei led Fan Xia to find Zhao Jingwen's shop through the small road with seven turns and eight turns, and happened to meet Miss Xiao Su who was opening the shutter door, ready to open the shop.

In the morning, the business was relatively light, and there were basically no customers, so Ning Xiaobei and Fan Xia each lay on the bench to do their homework, and waited for several shops around to open one after another before putting away their homework.

Seeing these two beautiful little boys... Although one of them is a bit dark, the aunts and sisters in the shops on the left and right are very happy.So they dragged Ning Xiaobei to talk to Fan Xia, and some people came to feed some sweets and snacks from time to time.

These sisters who are in the clothing and bag business are all dressed in fashionable clothes, with open manners, and all kinds of fragrances on their bodies. Fan Xiaben likes to look at beautiful women. If it weren't for the sweltering heat here, the air would still be mixed with the smell of various fabrics and leather. , It's not unbearable.

The "Fashion Godmother" came back with a good deal of business, and saw Ning Xiaobeiduan sitting on the small bench, not in a hurry, in stark contrast to the little monkey behind him, she couldn't help nodding, "Yes, yes Posh, a bit like a boss."

"Boss Ning" smiled indifferently, which aroused Fan Xia's competitive spirit.

He was really hot just now, so he waved his fan and walked around a few shops around, and found that those shops really did everything they could to attract customers.

There are those who use big speakers to continuously broadcast advertisements for special offers for jumping off buildings; some put plastic models at the door of the store, covered with colorful marquee lights; The heart is too soft", the front "Song of Heroes", and the back "Chinese Folk Songs", Fan Xia felt that his eardrums were about to be shattered all the way.

These solicitation methods were really effective. A group of aunts, mothers and students |students|sisters crowded at the door, either picking silk scarves or sunglasses and bags, and business came one after another.

When I walked to the door of my uncle's shop, there were no "flower heads", no speakers and no music. After dressing up the model, Miss Su put it at the door, and then sat back quietly in the shop without even yelling.Compared with the bustling shop in front of him, his deserted shop made Fan Xia very anxious.

If there is no abortion, there will be no business, and if there is no business, the uncle will have no money to support himself. Fan Xia thought it would be okay, and asked Xiao Su what to do.

"Xiaoxia don't need to worry about this, our guests are not those people. You sit down and eat your snacks first."

Miss Su replied softly and deftly.

"Oh, it's true that the emperor is not in a hurry to kill eunuchs. Boss, think of a way."

It was almost noon, and the shops selling socks, leather shoes, and swimwear were all in business, and his own shop hadn't opened yet, Fan Xia was really worried.

He kept pushing and shoving Ning Xiaobei, as if Ning Xiaobei was "Brother Yixiu", drawing two circles on his head with his finger, he could solve any problem.

"There is a way."

Ning Xiaobei turned his head to look at the women's clothes in the room, pointed at Fan Xia and said, "It depends on whether you are willing or not."

"You say you say, of course I am willing."

Fan Xia kept nodding his head.

"You just find a suit of clothes, change in it, and then go out to distribute leaflets. The effect is guaranteed to be great. A hundred speakers can't compare to it, and it will make a sensation in the whole street."

Ning Xiaobei said seriously.

"Boss... Can't you see that my uncle's entire store sells women's clothing? It's either a skirt or a pair of pants. You want me to wear this out?"

Fan Xia said with black lines all over his head.

"That's why I said 'the whole street'..."

Miss Su and the "Fashion Godmother" giggled when they heard this, they didn't expect this little brother to be so humorous at such a young age.

"Xiao Xia, don't worry, our guests will come over after lunch."

Xiao Su pointed outside.

This Xiangyang Road clothing market, which has disappeared in the wave of urban reconstruction, is located in a prime location, on the south side of the famous Huaihai Middle Road, close to the exit of Shaanxi South Road on Metro Line [-], surrounded by high-rise buildings and various department stores.

"Allah's clothes are not those 'pheasant goods' outside. Three tains are not worth two tains, so I have to run around. I have to open my throat to do business, and the ones that look ugly... The people who come to buy Allah's clothes are all working in the surrounding offices. Female white-collar workers. They are all working in cubicles now, and they will come out at lunch time, so there is no rush."

Xiao Su explained with a smile.

After hearing this, Fan Xia nodded half-understood, then pushed Ning Xiaobei who had a smirk on his face.

"Boss, Lennon already knew it was Fa? Did you deliberately make fun of me?"

Also want him to wear women's clothes, what a bad thing.

Fan Xia drooped the corner of his mouth, pulled a plastic bench and sat down, leaned his head on the iron door frame, and glanced at Ning Xiaobei who was flipping through the "Shanghai Fashion" magazine from the corner of his eye.

The boy who has just entered puberty not only has a tall body, Fan Xia obviously feels that his arms are thicker than before, and even his voice is a bit "duck voice", so he is often laughed at by his uncle during this period.

But Ning Xiaobei didn't seem to have reached this embarrassing moment yet.

He remembered that Ning Xiaobei was a little too skinny when he was in elementary school, and there was no flesh on his whole body except the cheeks with the chubby flesh of a child.

Now his body is not only elongated like a wicker, but also much more symmetrical than before.The boy's figure is slender and slender, his eyebrows are delicate, and his long eyelashes fall on the almost transparent skin under his eyes, like a small fan.In the words of the girls in the class, they are as clean as a beautiful Japanese boy who came out of a comic book.

Fan Xia thought, pouted.

I'll forget it, but if the boss wears it... I don't think it's worse than that girl Chang Leyun.

"You will know if you take two more steps back. People are not in a hurry, what are we in a hurry for?"

Ning Xiaobei didn't know that his mind was running wildly, pointing to a few shops selling "European fashion" and "Japanese boutique fashion" in the back row of them, and said leisurely.The curtains of those stores have not been drawn up until now.

Unlike the old Beijingers who pay attention to food, Shanghainese always put "dressing" before "eating".You can skip a bite of rice for a day, but it's not easy to go out with bare buttocks.

Not only must you wear it, but you must also wear it well. Men need to have a "stylish accent" and women need to have a "smell".There are snobbish eyes everywhere you go in the big Shanghai of Shiliyangchang, and clothes are the most basic admission ticket.

The old lady of the Ning family has the most right to speak about this. Before liberation, she worked as a saleswoman in Shimai Department Store on Dama Road, selling imported pens and watches. Her eyes are like a pair of X-rays, which can penetrate the heart and lungs.

She was dressed in a dark blue indanthrene cheongsam, and she stood behind the glass counter, watching the men and women stepping down from the escalator.

"It's hard to say in summer, even if you borrow it, you can borrow a good suit. In autumn and winter, you can see 'real skills' the most. Regardless of men and women, you should look at people from the soles of the feet first. This is called 'from the feet to the head, and the flow goes up' .It depends on whether he is wearing cloth shoes or leather shoes. The style of leather shoes is popular in the past two years or outdated more than ten years ago. Look at the uppers and the degree of wear of the soles. Is this man a teacher or an office worker? Leather shoes', you can tell at a glance."

"The most popular cigarette ash suit material in the 40s, camel hair, England Pizzeria grid, three-row collar suit, tie, silk scarf in the jacket pocket, and a pocket watch in the inner pocket. I walked out of the counter and helped him take off his coat. Invite him to sit on the sofa, and see that he has a high-woven wool shirt, a silk tie, and dark wool socks under his feet—the kind of men who wear black leather shoes and white socks are all "suit sluts", ignorant, Just send it away."

"Women rarely come to buy pens and watches by themselves. Most of them are wives or girlfriends...'Changsan' will not be brought to my counter. They are all buying gold and clothes on the first floor."

When Mrs. Ning said this, Fan Xia curiously asked what "Changsan" was.Ning Xiaobei smiled and tugged at his arm, motioning him to shut up.

"So at this time, when you look at the clothes and bags on a woman, you can see the worth of a man even more. At that time, a pair of American glass silk | It’s really a lady with a strong family background. Ordinary working women can’t afford to wear it. Then look at the cheongsam inside, made of soft satin or woolen, which is fragrant from the inside out. Look at the ring and the brooch. The pearl depends on whether it is round or not. Whether it’s big or not, it’s not moist. A diamond depends not only on its size, but also on the head of the fire. Under the light, it flickers and flickers, which is shocking.”

"In winter, the best fur coats are fur coats. Fox fur, beaver fur, and silver mink fur. In Shanghai dialect, 'show off the limelight', but actually it means 'fengtou'. When I was young, I met the third lady of Xian Shi Department Store once, counting the nine cold winters." Wearing an ermine hat, a white fox cape around his neck, and a cheongsam exposed under a silver-gray beaver fur coat is heavy silk trim with dark patterns, and his small slapped face is covered in a front head, and he walks lightly from the car. Go up and down. I really can’t forget it for a lifetime.”

Although the times have changed now, the urban planning of "people rely on clothes" has never changed.

Even when his father Ning Jianguo entered old age, the middle line on the seam of his trousers was always "hard to the bone".Naturally, he doesn't iron his trousers every day, but he must carefully fold them before going to bed and put them under the quilt.The school pants Ning Xiaobei was wearing were also the same, with a clear middle line.

This is the "work" of the Shanghainese. It is the foundation of making a living in the big city for a hundred years, and it is deeply imprinted in the bones of the residents of this city.

Just after the lunch time, many white-collar men and women entered the Xiangyang Road Market one after another. Most of them did not stop at the noisy stalls at the entrance, and headed towards Ning Xiaobei and the others with a clear goal. This row of high-end shops is coming.

"Miss, here you go, take a look."

When Xiao Su sees customers, she will not rush forward, or stick behind them like a follower, like a salesperson in a well-known beauty supermarket, which is annoying.

"This look is pretty good. It's quite similar to the one I saw in Japanese magazines a few months ago."

The woman pointed to the suit hanging on the model and said.

Ning Xiaobei looked sideways at the light brown suit and pullover. It really looked like the small suit worn by the heroine in the 90s Japanese drama. will like the style.

"Miss has a good eye. Our new clothes were originally exported to Japan, but now they are exported to domestic sales, and the price is fair."

Xiao Su introduced with a smile.

The girl nodded, reported her size, and then turned to the back interview room to try on.

"Not bad."

In front of the dressing mirror, the woman Gu Ying felt sorry for herself, and the little sisters around her also agreed.

She lowered her head slightly, her eyes met Ning Xiaobei's in the mirror.

Ning Xiaobei didn't speak, just squinted and smiled.

The handsome boy's smile was the ultimate compliment, and the woman was secretly delighted, and turned sideways back to the fitting room.

Seeing that a deal was about to be concluded, Fan Xia couldn't help being very excited, wishing that she would bill and pay as soon as she walked out.

Who knew that after the woman changed into her original clothes, she only said that she wanted to think about it again, so she left with her sisters.

Fan Xia suddenly felt stupid, and didn't understand how the fish that had been hooked could fall back into the pond again.

"How could it be like this... She obviously likes it very much. And she didn't counter the price, so why didn't she buy it?"

Fan Xia was not reconciled, relying on other people's dark skin (?), it is not easy to be discovered, so he secretly followed behind them, trying to find out their true intentions.

Then I saw their group go into a boutique clothing store called "Fashion Tokyo" on the outskirts of the market after going around three times and two times, and never came out again.

"It must have been bought there."

Fan Xia walked back dejectedly, and sat opposite Ning Xiaobei and said unwillingly, "The clothes in that store are so beautiful. The decoration is better than our tin shed, and there are glass windows."

Although these uncle's clothes are also very good, but if they are not as good as they are, they are not as good as them.

"Don't worry, they will be back soon."

After reading the fashion magazines, Ning Xiaobei changed to "Ruili" and said in a leisurely manner.

The two aunts and sisters in the shop next door were eating melon seeds, and when they heard this, they couldn't help but exchanged surprised looks.

How could Fan Xia believe it, so he made a bet with Ning Xiaobei, if they would come back to buy the dress just now, he would wipe the mats and mop the floors of their two families for two months.If they don't come back, then Ning Xiaobei must give him the boutique stamp album he collected, willing to admit defeat.

Ning Xiaobei spent this time collecting stamps obsessively.He is not short of pocket money anyway, and from time to time he will go to the postal company to buy commemorative envelopes and first day covers.

For him, who has traveled back from the "5G world", letters, stamps, pen pals, these things all represent an era, an era where cars and horses are slow and people are full of love.

It doesn't matter whether it will appreciate in the future or not, he is willing to find all kinds of small details here, and let himself in the "real world" slowly appreciate the future.

Fan Xia is not interested in stamps, he is simply interested in what Ning Xiaobei is interested in.

To him, comic books, martial arts books, and TV dramas are not as interesting as Ning Xiaobei.He is willing to study everything that Ning Xiaobei is interested in, even if he doesn't like it.

But this time he was clearly going to lose again.

Almost at the end of the company's lunch time, the girl came in a hurry and asked Xiao Su to wrap up the dress she had tried on just now. She paid and left without any bargaining.

What Fan Xia didn't expect was that she also asked about their closing time, and said that after the overtime work at night was over, she would bring a few friends to buy clothes.Of course Miss Xiaosu agreed, and gave back the business card of their boss Zhao Jingwen, saying that if they brought the business card later, they could get a discount.

"Why is this? Didn't they fancy the clothes of 'Fashion Tokyo'? Why are they coming back again, and they still want to buy more?"

Fan Xia couldn't figure it out.

Ning Xiaobei didn't tell him either, just let him guess.

As a result, Fan Xia sat for an afternoon and found that this happened several times from time to time.

Among the seven or eight customers, there will always be three or four who will go to the store behind and then come back to continue shopping for clothes.What's more, I wanted to buy one item, but after going around for a while, I often bought a few items before leaving satisfied.

"Is 'Tokyo Fashion' our God of Wealth?"

"Fool, didn't sister Su say that we are 'exporting to domestic sales'. Aunt Wang originally made it according to the order sent by the Japanese, but it was only sold at a low price after the label was torn off."

Ning Xiaobei rolled his eyes while licking the salt water popsicle.

"But the boutique store in the back is different. Their clothes are either the latest genuine goods that they find a way to get back from major Japanese department stores, or they find Dong Jiadu by themselves based on the latest samples from the latest Japanese magazines. Tailors, imitated one-to-one ready-made garments. Buying one over there is enough to buy three or five pieces from us. If it were you, with a little money in hand, you are not very rich, but you want to catch up Follow the trend, treat yourself, which one do you choose?"

"Wow... Boss, how do you even know this?"

Originally, Fan Xia only knew that Ning Xiaobei was good at reading, but he didn't know that he was even good at talking about business, which made him completely admire him.

Ning Xiaobei pointed at the magazines piled up in the store and smiled, "You have run around so many times, didn't you find that the clothes on their side are exactly the same as the ones in the book?"

Although our clothes are not bad, they are still a few months behind theirs, or even about half a year.

For those who pursue fashion and are not short of money, they are willing to spend several times the price to buy the latest styles.But for most ordinary white-collar workers, it is not unacceptable for foreign fashion models to come to Shanghai three months ago.

"It's really 'formidable young people'. Boss Zhao is not only good at running his own business, but also the little brother who invited him to visit the store."

"Fashion Godmother" said with emotion after listening to it.

After eating the popsicles, the market became quiet again. Ning Xiaobei and Fan Xia walked side by side, ready to "explore" every corner of the market and look around.

The two came to the street next to the road, and saw seven or eight large buses parked outside, and a group of men and women speaking foreign languages ​​came down from them, pointing fingers at the signboard at the entrance of the market.

"Why are there so many foreigners?"

Fan Xia asked with wide eyes.

Under the scorching sun, groups of men and women, fat and thin, with black and yellow hair, chattering and wow.A man with a camera hanging on his chest, and a woman with a colorful ribbon around her neck, making a mess of noise and chaos.

"It's a tour group of foreigners!"

Ning Xiaobei said excitedly.

correct!At this time, the clothing market on Xiangyang Road is well-known, and it is a must-see attraction for many foreigners who come to Shanghai.

He remembered reading the news in the newspaper, saying that in 04, Beckham's wife Victoria also came here to buy things when she came to Shanghai for the first time.In addition, the famous Japanese diva Ayumi Hamasaki also left legends of crazy shopping here.

Let’s not talk about what these celebrities come to Xiangyang Road Market for. Anyway, ordinary tourists and foreigners, except for some people who really come to scan goods for “high imitation famous brands”, and a large part of them are also because of the price of clothes here, which are relatively cheap. Compared with local European countries, it is really high quality and low price.

In the words of Mrs. Ning: There are Western bums in foreign countries, and not everyone has money.

So it is no wonder that this place has become one of the must-see attractions for foreign guests in Shanghai.

"Fan Xia! Come on! Here's your chance to practice your spoken English!"

Ning Xiaobei didn't care about the brotherhood at all, he patted Fan Xia on the shoulder heavily and said, "After a while they enter the market and disperse, you go strike up a conversation and take them to your uncle's shop."

"No, boss...it's so embarrassing."

Although Fan Xia's English listening skills have improved by leaps and bounds after listening to "Friends", he still feels guilty about facing "living foreigners", let alone approaching "friends" to solicit business.

The two of them were chatting, when a Caucasian aunt happened to look in their direction.Seeing the two handsome oriental boys, the aunt grinned, waved at them, and even blew a kiss over them, which shocked Fan Xia immediately.

"Wai, foreign women, so enthusiastic..."

Fan Xia suddenly felt overwhelmed.

Watching it on TV is one thing, but actually seeing it is really unbearable.

"Don't be afraid, face is something like this, throw it away twice, and you won't be afraid if it's gone."

Seeing this, Ning Xiaobei laughed out loud.

"Wait, that aunt who speaks Japanese..."

Just when Ning Xiaobei forced Fan Xia to greet the foreign aunt, a figure jumped into his eyes.

A middle-aged woman in a T-shirt was holding a small flag in her hand, leading a Japanese tour group of more than 20 people, and happened to pass in front of them.

"Isn't that Ding Zheyang's mother?"

Ning Xiaobei pointed at the back of the woman and said.

After all, he has been a classmate for so many years in the "real world", and he has met Ding Zheyang's mother several times.Ding Zheyang also looks quite similar to his mother, both fair and delicate.

After hearing this, Fan Xia hurriedly followed two steps to look carefully, the boss was right, this middle-aged woman who spoke Japanese was really Ding Zheyang's mother.

"Oh, amazing. It seems that the mother of 'Four-Eyed Frog' is still a tour guide... Moxi Moxi, you are empty, you are dead..."

Fan Xia laughed while talking.

"His parents died. In 11, there was an earthquake in Japan. At that time, all three of his family were there. In the end, he was the only one who survived..."

Outside the detention center, what the economic investigation policeman in charge of Ding Zheyang's case said suddenly jumped into Ning Xiaobei's mind.

The author has something to say:

The clothing market on Xiangyang Road was demolished around 06, and after that there was only Qipu Road.