There is a gaga shop down the street
Text/Zhang Shuai
When I first found out and walked into that store, it was so accidental that I forgot the exact time. I can't remember which of the first clothes I bought in that store was in the closet.
But I always remember the first time I entered that store.
It was probably when my son was just in junior high school, because the school was a little far away from home, so I didn't feel at ease, so I picked him up for a while.
One day, I mislooked at the time and came out a little early. Thinking that it was not interesting to wait at the school gate, I turned the tram at the penultimate intersection - the intersection of Zhongyuan Road and Gonggong Road, and turned right into a side street. I was a road idiot, and I was afraid of getting lost after shopping, so I firmly remembered that there was a Bank of China at the intersection on the left and a few sporting goods stores at the intersection on the right.
Ride in slowly, your eyes wandering around without a target. The left side is almost all selling food, "palace peach crisp", "authentic pepper chicken", "Shaxian snacks" and so on, and the right side is almost all clothing stores, all small shops, narrow curtains.
That's when it came to me. Sandwiched between a bunch of shops, the chic façade with a white background and five-petal gold flowers caught my eye. "Gaga" is printed on the door.
There is a Central Plains Wanda near my home, and I often go shopping, but there doesn't seem to be this brand. Later, after getting acquainted with the shop's guides, they told me that this is a niche brand, with a moderate price, and it is most suitable for office workers. I said in my heart at the time: especially suitable for office workers who don't have much money, but occasionally need to decorate the façade.
Stop the tram and walk in. There are several shopping guides in the store, all of whom are busy, some are ironing clothes, some are sorting out hangers, and some are busy at the counter. When they saw me enter, they didn't greet me as enthusiastically as the shopping guides of other stores, but just looked up, smiled at me, and went their separate ways. The crooked-eyed shopping guide who was tidying up the hanger closest to me smiled and said, please take a look, it's okay if you don't buy it, if you need help, we're all there.
These few words instantly dispelled my hesitation and concerns, I was just casually shopping, if I stuck behind the customers like the shopping guides in other stores chattered, some social fear I might run away.
The area of the store is not large, fifty or sixty square meters, there is a model standing in the window at the door, with a set of seasonal clothes, solemn, elegant, a black beret buttoned on the head, upright and playful, is my favorite style.
Aimlessly, look all the way through. The shopping guide who was tidying up the hangers seemed to be busy, and my eyes swept to her with me. If she warmly catches up with me and chatters, and pulls me to try this and that, then I will leave at once, thinking to myself, I have turned my toes and was going to leave.
Sister, did you just get off work? Drink a glass of water! I must be tired, it turns out that the crooked-eyed shopping guide came to bring me water. I hesitated, took it and drank it all, and after shopping for a long time, I was indeed thirsty.
Sister, what type of clothes do you need? I can help you choose, the crooked-eyed shopping guide spoke in a very good voice, and later I learned that her name was also very good, her name was Jiang Lili, and she was also the store manager.
Well, I'll take a look at it, I replied a little flustered. I thought to myself, this store is no different from other stores, and the shopping guides will always try to coax customers to pay, even at the expense of nonsense.
Jiang Lili keenly captured the slight drift in my eyes, she smiled and said, Sister, we are in this business, and we can help choose and match clothes according to the customer's temperament and occupation. If you don't believe it, I can help my sister choose a set, sister to see how it is, it doesn't matter if you don't buy it, you should be a model for us, my sister has a good figure and temperament, just help us publicize it.
I'll admit that I was so moved by this statement, and who doesn't like to be complimented, especially if it's so casual and unobtrusive.
So what do you think I'm doing? I suddenly wanted to test the truth of what she said. I guess my sister is a teacher, and her temperament is different, and we have a lot of regular teachers, most of whom look like this with their eyes on. Jiang Lili's expression was very determined.
Sister, your bag looks very heavy, I'll help you put it on the counter, rest assured, it's absolutely safe, the shopping guide who ironed the clothes (I later learned that her name was Chen Junfang) came over, looked at the document bag and satchel in my hand, and reached out to take it. I handed her the document bag, but tightened my bag. Chen Junfang smiled as if understanding, turned around and went to the counter. I remembered what I saw when I went to other stores before: in order to retain customers, the shopping guide almost ripped off the customer's belongings, causing customers to be disgusted.
At this time, Jiang Lili took a set of clothes, walked over with a smile, and motioned for me to try them on.
I'm happy with myself in the mirror. On the upper body, there is a white shirt with a landscape pattern printed on the chest, and a knee-length black pleated skirt on the bottom, and a navy blue trench coat on the outside. Seeing that I showed a satisfied expression, Jiang Lili and Chen Junfang also smiled.
Sister, this dress is especially worthy of your temperament, really, Jiang Lili stared at me in the mirror and exclaimed.
How much? I asked. I didn't have any plans to buy clothes when I came in, but I admit that I was a little intrigued. I even imagined that I would go out in this dress, which must be very beautiful.
Chen Junfang entered the counter, the calculator clicked a few times, and he looked up and reported a number. Honestly, it's not expensive. But as a working-class person, I really don't have the heart to buy clothes again in the short term.
After changing my clothes and walking out of the fitting room, I was a little nervous, and several people were busy around me for a long time, and finally said that I didn't want to buy it, how could I say it? Will it be attacked by a group?
Sister, then I'll help you wrap it up?" Jiang Lili looked at me inquiringly. Well, I'd like to see again, I said.
Ha, it's okay, sister, buying clothes also depends on chance, I believe that next time there will be clothes that my sister is satisfied with. They must have seen my thoughts, but they didn't put away the smiles on their faces because of this, but comforted me, as if it was their fault that they didn't let me choose the clothes I liked.
Chen Junfang put away her clothes and smiled brightly at me.
Suddenly I felt relieved, as if a big stone had been removed, and all the embarrassment and discomfort were swept away.
New guests are coming in, and it's time for me to pick up the kids.
I didn't expect Chen Junfang to chase her out again, I was startled, thinking that she didn't give up and wanted to sell it again. She stuffed a hand warmer into my hand, and said Sister, we have been celebrating the store recently, giving gifts, I see that your hands are frozen red, use it quickly.
But I ...... I wanted to say that I didn't buy anything, but Chen Junfang waved his hand, flashed back to the store, and went busy.
As for the later days, dear readers, as you must have guessed, I became a regular customer of this gaga store, and why, you know.
About the Author:
Zhang Shuai: Master's degree, engaged in education, member of Henan Reportage Society, member of Zhengzhou Writers Association