The 5-story Xianshi Company is the first-class department store in the Far East.
In the words of their chairman, Ma Yingbiao, the founder of Xianshi Company, China's first department store, in his department store, there must be only goods that customers can't think of, and there must be no goods that cannot be bought.
All kinds of department stores from the United Kingdom, the United States, and France are available here.
American cans, French perfumes, and Scottish whiskeys can all be found here.
What’s particularly remarkable is that this is the first company in China to use female salespeople.
When Xianshi Company first opened, it was at the end of the Qing Dynasty and the beginning of the Republic of China. At that time, women were influenced by the "Three Obediences and Four Virtues" and were unwilling to show their faces. As a result, no one applied for more than a month.
So Ma Yingbiao's first wife, Ms. Huo Qingtang, started working as a salesperson in the cosmetics department. She was the daughter of a pastor. She was smart and studious in her youth, and liked to keep up with the latest trends of the times. Not only did she show up on her own, but she also brought two little girls to join her. Stand at the counter.
Later, there were more female salespersons. They all wore uniform clothes, light makeup, and smiled, and all of them were good-looking.
This caused a sensation throughout Shanghai at the time.
As soon as Qiao Brina stepped into Xianshi Department Store, she was indeed full of curiosity about the place.
In her previous impression, China was a closed and backward country, but since coming to Shanghai, this impression has been completely changed.
As for foreigners coming here, whether they are salespersons or customers, they have long been accustomed to it.
Jobrina wore a veiled hat so that no one else could see her beauty, so it naturally didn't cause any commotion.
What she didn't know was that a large number of military agents were mixed in among the surrounding customers to protect her and Meng Shaoyuan's safety.
It's all here. There are even several perfumes that are difficult to buy in Rome, but Qiao Brina actually found them in Xianshi Department Store.
"Chinese businessmen are very smart in doing business." Meng Shaoyuan introduced it this way: "The person in charge of a department store like this will send many people to be stationed in big cities in Europe or the United States. As long as there are any new trends and new products in the local area, , they will know it as soon as possible and make purchases, so most of the products in the domestic and European and American markets are almost synchronized."
It turned out that when someone told Qiao Brina these words in Italy, she would not believe them, but now that she has seen them with her own eyes, she has no doubts.
Meng Shaoyuan began to show his generosity in a small way.
As long as Qiao Brina shows some interest in anything, someone will immediately buy it for her.
For perfume alone, I purchased more than 30 bottles of eight brands.
This is how Jobrina likes to shop.
If you like it, buy it.
Never think about price or anything like that.
What a pity, her husband? Well, Qiao Brina has actually felt that her husband has some financial problems, and he is not as aggressive as before.
Now in Shanghai, she once again feels the joy of shopping.
After walking around Xianshi Department Store, my companions had already delivered the purchased goods to the car twice.
The first to third floors of Xianshi Company are spacious shopping malls with 24 shopping mall departments. Each floor is connected by huge stairs.
The company has installed large glass cabinets in the mall, which have both display and storage functions, so that customers can freely browse the products and reduce the sense of oppression.
The fourth and fifth floors of the building are equipped with the East Asia Hotel and the luxurious East Asia First Floor Hotel.
There is also an amusement park on the roof. It was the first comprehensive large-scale store opened by Chinese in Shanghai at that time that integrated department stores, restaurants, hotels and entertainment facilities.
Customers who entered the department store building initially only intended to buy clothing and daily necessities, but unexpectedly entered a place where they could eat, drink, play and have fun. This is a store format that has never been seen in Shanghai. The design of the building makes even foreigners confused. It’s amazing and calls it the market of the world.
Next to the East Asia Hotel on the fifth floor is a gold and jewelry store called "Sheng Heng", which has always been known for selling expensive luxury goods.
As soon as Qiaobrina saw it, her eyes immediately shone with blazing light.
What woman doesn’t like jewelry?
Meng Shaoyuan saw through the other party's thoughts, and while letting his men go to the hotel to book a private room first, he accompanied Qiao Brina into Shengheng.
The manager here is a Cantonese. He could guess that he was a big customer when he saw the demeanor of the person coming in.
First in English, then in Chinese: "Dear Sir, Madam, how can I help you?"
Meng Shaoyuan only said: "The best, the most expensive."
The best and the most expensive.
This sentence is more useful than anything else.
"Okay, sir, madam, please allow me to invite you to the VIP room."
When we arrived at the VIP room, the manager asked someone to serve coffee, and then personally took out a few pieces of jewelry.
To be honest, the jewelry is good, and Qiao Brina is quite satisfied.
"I want them all." Meng Shaoyuan said directly.
"Ah, yes, sir, you are really discerning."
The manager complimented.
Qiao Brina was also very happy. He was really a generous man and didn't ask about the price at all.
But Meng Shaoyuan then said slowly: "Mr. Manager, is this all there is?"
"What do you mean, sir?"
"Everything is pretty good." Meng Shaoyuan glanced at these pieces of jewelry: "But they are still a bit too ordinary. 'Sheng Heng' is a time-honored brand and it also has business in Nanyang. Isn't there something more exciting? ?”
"As you wish, of course." The manager smiled: "Shengheng will always satisfy all customers."
He called an employee and whispered some instructions.
"Sheng Heng" began to clear the place and closed the door.
This means that they are going to come up with something of real value.
This time, even Qiao Brina was filled with curiosity.
"Please wait a moment, sir, ma'am."
The manager finished speaking and walked out of the VIP room.
After a while, under the escort of two security guards, the manager solemnly brought out an inconspicuous box.
He put down the box, put on white gloves, and opened the box carefully.
Qiao Brina immediately let out an exclamation.
Inside the box is a necklace. It is dazzling and exudes the most charming brilliance.
"This necklace is made in Hong Kong and is personally operated by the British jewelry master Mr. Kent." The manager introduced it in an unassuming manner: "The whole body is composed of 26 pigeon blood rubies. Each ruby is surrounded by four diamonds. Please see , which makes each ruby look like a blooming flower. Unparalleled design coupled with expensive jewelry, which our chairman personally went to Hong Kong to buy from Mr. Kent three years ago.”
It can be seen that Qiao Brina was completely fascinated by this necklace. Her eyes were fixed on this necklace and she was not willing to move away for a second.
"Madam, I think you can wear it."
Meng Shaoyuan said, picking up the necklace as if no one else was watching.
The manager hesitated for a moment, and it was obvious that he originally wanted to stop it, but he just moved his hand and quickly restrained himself.
Meng Shaoyuan personally put the necklace on Qiao Brina's neck.
Qiao Brina found that even her breathing became heavy.
The manager immediately had a mirror brought.
Qiao Brina only glanced at the mirror and couldn't help but groan:
"Oh my god, it's so beautiful."
"Madam looks truly flawless when paired with this necklace."
Meng Shaoyuan lit a cigarette: "Wear it, there's no need to take it off."
"What?"
Jobrina and the manager blurted out at the same time.
"This is too expensive." Qiaobrina knew very well that the price of this piece of jewelry had long been far beyond what her husband Roligani could afford.
Although Meng Shaoyuan said that no matter what she fancied, someone would pay the bill.
But something so valuable?
The manager was equally surprised.
He has received countless guests, but like this guest in front of him, he didn't even ask about the price?
"gentlemen."
The manager said carefully: "This necklace is worth a lot of money."
"Tell me how much it is." Meng Shaoyuan took out his checkbook.
"You know, this necklace could have sold for a higher price." The manager did not answer directly: "But now there is a war, and people are more willing to store more cash in their hands for emergencies, so this necklace There is a price but no market. The most important thing for a businessman is honesty. I don’t want to hide this from you. But no matter what, it can’t be less than thirty thousand US dollars.”
Qiao Brina's face turned slightly pale.
too expensive.
This means that a middle-class American has to go without food or drink for nearly thirty years before he can afford it.
This is equivalent to the net worth of three popular movie stars or singers.
To put it more graphically, the rent for the entire Xianshi Company is only US$22,000 a year!
Jobrina was already ready to take off the necklace.
"Madam, I told you, she is a perfect match for you."
Meng Shaoyuan wrote a check and pushed it forward: "From HSBC, you can call now to check."
"Okay, sir, ma'am, please wait a moment."
When the manager took the check, his hands were shaking.
"Charles."
Qiao Brina has already begun to call Meng Shaoyuan Charles Meng: "I am very grateful for your kindness, and I am even more shocked by your generosity, but this is really too expensive, and I cannot accept such an expensive gift."
"Swords are given to heroes, and necklaces are given to beauties. Madam, in my opinion, this necklace is designed just for you." Meng Shaoyuan said nonchalantly: "Are you really willing to take it off?"
He saw through it at a glance. Of course, Qiao Brina was reluctant to take it off. Even if it cost her everything, she still wanted to get this necklace.
When he returns to Italy and appears at the ball wearing this necklace, he will become the most dazzling star.
God, how much property does His Majesty King Charles have? It's like he has a treasure house from which he can take out no matter how much money he needs.
The manager hurriedly walked in:
"Madam, congratulations, you are now the owner of this necklace!"
