Xu Ying, as her phone call concluded, resumed her confident stride through the train carriage, the scent of braised meat preceding her as she continued her lively promotions. Suddenly, a vision in fashionable attire, a young girl with a blush painting her cheeks, halted Xu Ying. “Where did you buy that dress?” she asked, her voice a shy whisper.
“This dress?” Xu Ying beamed, recognizing an opportunity. “It’s a brand new design from Yu County this year, called the Auspicious Ruyi New Year Clothes! It’s made from a vibrant red fabric, symbolizing prosperity. Sister, you truly have an eye for quality! You won’t find this kind of clothing anywhere else; it’s exclusive to Yu County. Oh, and this padded jacket! If you’re sensitive to the cold, this red padded jacket will keep you warm without adding bulk. Pair it with this red skirt—look how festive it is! Wearing these new clothes during the holidays, wherever you go to visit relatives, everyone will adore them, especially the elders.” Xu Ying then cast her gaze around the carriage, addressing the other ladies. “Ladies, don’t these clothes, with their rich red hue, look incredibly festive?”
The women, momentarily taken aback by Xu Ying’s sudden address, soon nodded in agreement. “It certainly looks festive, absolutely stunning! This dress would even be perfect for weddings.”
A genuine smile lit Xu Ying’s face. Another inspiration sparked within her, a new plan already forming in her mind for when she returned.
“Are your clothes sold separately?” the young girl asked, her curiosity piqued.
Xu Ying’s expression softened with apology as she shook her head. “I’m sorry, sister, our factory-made clothes are only sold wholesale, not individually. But if you truly like it, I can give you one. When you wear it out, you can help us promote it.”
The girl quickly waved her hands in refusal. “Oh, I couldn’t possibly accept it for free! I’ll pay you whatever it costs. If others ask, I can certainly help you promote it, but I can’t just take it without paying.” She understood the principle of earning one’s keep.
“Then how about this,” Xu Ying proposed, a twinkle in her eye. “If you wear this dress and help me promote it, that will be your payment for the dress.”
The girl’s eyes lit up at the suggestion, and she nodded without hesitation. “Okay, what do I need to do?”
“Just follow me to the bathroom, put on the clothes, and then we can simply walk around the train carriage.”
“Is that all?” The girl’s surprise was evident.
Xu Ying nodded. The girl possessed an excellent appearance, height, and figure. Having her model the clothes would undoubtedly attract a great deal of attention.
Uncle Xu, relegated to a silent observer, watched as Xu Ying and the girl returned from the bathroom, the newly changed girl now radiating an undeniable allure. Together, they made a striking pair. As they walked through the carriage, countless eyes followed them.
“The braised food and fried items from Yuxian Food Factory are available for free tasting, and the New Year’s gift sets from Yuxian Textile Factory are booming!” Xu Ying announced, her voice a melodic blend of promotion and invitation.
“Wait a moment,” a crisp voice, speaking in fluent English, interrupted. A foreign woman, elegantly dressed, approached. “We are in the clothing business. Your clothes are quite good. Can you spare a moment to talk?”
Uncle Xu and the other Chinese passengers in the carriage looked on, utterly bewildered by the foreign tongue.
“Third Uncle, please take this sister and continue walking. I’ll be right there.” Xu Ying turned to Uncle Xu, her face radiating confidence.
Uncle Xu’s brow furrowed with worry. “What is this woman saying? What does she want?”
Xu Ying’s smile widened. “This foreign woman says she’s in the clothing business and wants to discuss a deal with us.”
At this, Uncle Xu’s face transformed from worry to utter astonishment, then to heightened curiosity. “Yingying, you can understand her? She speaks so well! If this business goes through, won’t it be what they call ‘foreign exchange’?”
Xu Ying nodded. China’s economy, at that time, still lagged behind many foreign nations, leading some foreigners to look down upon the Chinese. Earning foreign exchange in that era was particularly challenging, as foreigners held incredibly high standards. She hadn’t anticipated that her designs would appeal to them.
“Hello,” Xu Ying began, her English as fluent as the foreign woman’s, “I’m delighted to discuss business with you. We in Yu County…”
The foreign woman, however, interrupted with a gentle smile. “Let’s go to my place to talk. It’s too crowded and chaotic here.” She clearly preferred a quieter environment.
Xu Ying understood perfectly. As she followed the woman, she stepped into a new world. Compared to the bustling train carriage, this space was a haven of tranquility, elegantly decorated. Two conductors stood guard outside the carriage door.
The foreign woman, whom Xu Ying now knew as Alyssa, led her inside. Another foreigner, who had been loudly speaking, instantly fell silent, turning to regard Xu Ying with a mocking expression. “Oh my god, Alyssa, you actually invited the most beautiful woman from China in?” he scoffed. “Could this be the partner you found? She’s quite good-looking, but this isn’t China’s magical capital.”
Alyssa maintained her serene smile. “Qiao, this isn’t a capital city; it seems to be a small county town. But don’t you think the clothes this beautiful girl is wearing are very nice?”
Qiao paused, then meticulously examined Xu Ying’s attire. The longer he looked, the more his eyes widened in astonishment. “Oh, Alyssa,” he finally gasped, “if you hadn’t reminded me, I would have missed these beautiful clothes.”
“Hello,” Xu Ying interjected, her voice steady and confident. “Our Yu County is indeed an inconspicuous small county in China, but each of our small counties has its own outstanding aspects. For example, the clothes I am wearing are newly designed by our Yuxian Textile Factory. They are a spliced suit-skirt and a woolen coat, made from our finest fabrics, which not only keep out the wind but also keep you warm. Moreover, the clothes feel soft, as does the skirt. Wearing it not only makes you look slimmer but also keeps you warm. The red, dotted with white, makes you look even more slender and fairer, highlighting your temperament. Beautiful Alyssa, I happen to have a suit in your size. Would you like to try it on?”
Xu Ying’s fluent English left Qiao utterly dumbfounded.
“Oh my God, you are a beautiful and smart girl! I like her so much!” Qiao exclaimed, his excitement palpable.
Xu Ying, unfazed by the effusive praise, knowing that foreigners often spoke more openly, simply smiled and nodded at Qiao. Alyssa, however, was clearly captivated by Xu Ying’s description. She had already found the clothes appealing, which was why she initiated the business discussion. Now, hearing that a suitable size was available, she nodded immediately, a bright smile on her face.
“My dear, what’s your name? How should I address you? I love your clothes very much. Can I really try them on?”
“Alyssa, it’s their honor for you to try on their clothes. You don’t have to be so polite to these foreigners. When these vulgar Chinese see us, they only see rich people.” A man suddenly emerged, his face delicately handsome, but his words were shockingly crude.
Xu Ying’s face instantly darkened. Several Chinese individuals in the carriage bristled with anger upon hearing the man’s derogatory remarks.
“Anthony, what you said is wrong,” one of them retorted. “We Chinese have always treated you with an attitude of friendly exchange between our two countries. It’s not as bad as you make it sound, is it?”
Anthony, however, merely offered a contemptuous sneer.