I Became a Medical Genius in the 80s

Chapter 516: Chapter 515: Incompatible Styles

Some things are matters of intention and some are accidental. In the past, Beisitian had no desires and even thought about leaving Kao Village to roam the world and travel everywhere.

But now, she was no longer without attachments; many people had entered her heart, making it impossible for her to let go. The three babies in her womb tugged even more at her heartstrings.

She wanted to provide these three children with a safe and peaceful environment. Due to her identity, this simple wish for most people required her to rack her brains.

She absolutely couldn’t let her children face any threats, so she started to have these thoughts. Luo Xudong was making efforts, and she didn’t want to slack off either. After ensuring the environment was stable, she agreed to Shao Simin’s proposal.

In her past life, Beisitian had participated in many gatherings of princes, princesses, and noble maidens, but the times were vastly different now. The occasions, etiquette, and even things as small as formal dresses were completely different.

Beisitian didn’t want to go in blindly, so she thought for a moment and called Ma Tianlai to ask. Ma Tianlai was a bit surprised to hear she was attending as well. After listening to her, he nodded and said, ”I know a custom dress shop, and I’m quite familiar with the owner. If you go for measurements today, I can ask for a rush order, and it should be ready in time!”

Beisitian thought about it and nodded, ”Alright, give me the address, and I’ll go over this afternoon.”

”Shall I come to pick you up?”

”No need.”

Zhang Jinliang could accompany her in the afternoon.

”Alright, then. Try to come early, or it might be too late.”

Ma Tianlai spoke in a Beijing accent, but it was awkward and unrefined. His Mandarin was quite good, though one could still tell he was from Hong Kong.

Chen Jinliang arrived early at the small courtyard because Beisitian mentioned going somewhere else first and then going to work.

”Sister-in-law, are you going to make clothes?” Chen Jinliang asked.

He knew the place, and it looked quite high-end. A suit there, if outrageous, could cost several thousand, certainly not affordable for people like them.

When Beisitian arrived, Ma Tianlai was already waiting at the door.

Seeing a person in military uniform behind her, Ma Tianlai guessed it was one of Luo Xudong’s men and greeted him politely.

It was the first time Ma Tianlai saw Chen Jinliang. However, Chen Jinliang had seen Ma Tianlai before. Seeing Ma Tianlai smiling in greeting, he also nodded in acknowledgment.

This shop had large glass windows, with glass cabinets outside displaying models dressed in luxurious gowns. The shop’s interior was magnificently decorated, predominantly with white and pink tones, making it appear very high-end just at a glance.

The gowns on display were set up in compartments, each one shining under the lights, exuding luxury and brilliance.

Many of the dresses were body-con. By present-day standards, long-sleeve gowns were already quite conservative, but seeing those deep V-necks with at least a third of the back exposed, Beisitian couldn’t help but shake her head.

The dresses were from a British brand, and only some extremely wealthy women in large-scale events would consider wearing such clothes domestically. Meanwhile, people on the streets outside still wore cloaks, long pants, and even cloth shoes, starkly contrasting styles.

This also illustrated the significant wealth disparity in today’s society. The wealthy had early access to these luxury brands, while people in the middle and lower classes were still striving for a moderately prosperous life.

Seeing these clothes, Beisitian was somewhat dissuaded. These clothes were really not suitable for her, nor did she like the style, and they were too expensive. Even with Ma Tianlai’s efforts to secure a fifty percent discount, a custom dress would still cost nearly two thousand yuan!

Ma Tianlai had been watching Beisitian’s expression closely and noticed her dissatisfaction with these dresses. He glanced at her belly, wondering if it was because of her pregnancy, but he didn’t realize she simply didn’t like this flashy style.

”Do people buy these kinds of clothes?” Beisitian couldn’t help but express her doubt.

She thought that even with Shenghua Group’s resources, Shao Simin wouldn’t spend so much money on such expensive gowns.

She guessed right; Ma Tianlai had brought her to the most high-end store, but currently, there were very few in the country who chose these as formal attire.

Most political figures preferred clothes with Chinese flair to avoid accusations of blind foreign worship, and even the very wealthy wouldn’t dress too revealingly because of local customs.

The shop owner was a returned overseas Chinese. He intended to introduce foreign styles to the country and create a high-end clothing brand. Unfortunately, the nationals were too conservative. The designer he had hired was about to quit because he felt that Chinese people might as well wear tubes, since neither here nor there could be exposed. If the front revealed even a little too much, the clothes certainly wouldn’t sell.

Ma Tianlai wiped his sweat away. He had indeed hoped to help a friend. His proud friend refused to lower the prices, but without price cuts and with styles not appealing to nationals, the business lost money every year, forcing him to spend his own money to cover rental and utility expenses and high designer salaries!

Ma Tianlai initially thought that if Beisitian liked it, perhaps she could help publicize it, and maybe it could open up a market opportunity. Unexpectedly, after Beisitian took a look around, her gaze never lingered on any dress for more than a second, and she finally asked such a question, clearly very dissatisfied.

”If Doctor Bei doesn’t like these, we can check out other shops,” Ma Tianlai had to say.

Just as he finished speaking, a well-dressed man in a suit walked in. This man seemed about forty, impeccably dressed, exuding vitality, with bright eyes and well-proportioned facial features, making it hard for people to feel aversion and instead wanting to take another look.

”Don’t go; our shop has many other styles of dresses. Please take another look.”

His voice was clear and soothing, his words kind, and even just speaking made people feel good.

”You’re late...” Ma Tianlai shook his head and said, signaling to Peng Baocheng that marketing hopes were slim.

Peng Baocheng and Ma Tianlai met in Hong Kong. After collaborating several times, they gradually became familiar. Despite different personalities, they surprisingly got along well. They had shared a few drinks and done health treatments together, eventually becoming friends.

At noon, Ma Tianlai mentioned to him that an important person would come, urging him to reschedule afternoon activities and hurry back to the store, saying this person might change the shop’s grim outlook.

Peng Baocheng had been back in the Mainland for two or three years, and the shop had been in the red for as long. If not for a substantial family fortune, he couldn’t sustain such losses.