Lu Jinrong: "The lowest price for existing products is thirty yuan. For custom-made ones, the price depends on the material and style."
Upon hearing the price, Gu Jin didn’t even frown: "Alright, please find me two pieces that I can try on first."
Lu Jinrong bent down and took out two finished cheongsams from the counter, one imprinted with lotus patterns, in green, white, and blue.
The lotus emerges pure from the water; throughout history, it has been regarded as the gentleman’s flower, symbolizing purity and integrity, expressing the Hua Country people’s pursuit of simplicity and elegance.
The cheongsam before her had a fresh and natural blend of white and blue, with subtle lotuses playing with fish in the pond, lively yet elegant.
The other had peony patterns embroidered on it. The peony, blooming in wealth and honor, is a favorite flower in Hua Country, with countless poems and praises throughout history.
It symbolizes richness, brilliance, and people’s yearning for a beautiful life.
The cheongsam with affluent flowers exudes a sense of grandeur and splendor; it’s truly beautiful.
Gu Jin was enamored with both cheongsams. She looked up at the middle-aged man behind the counter, her gaze deepening, recognizing his exceptional craftsmanship.
"The fitting room is over there."
Lu Jinrong pointed to a simple fitting area made with cloth curtains, not far from the counter.
Gu Jin took the two cheongsams and walked into the curtained area. Jiajie followed her steps and stood guard in front of the curtain, ensuring no one would intrude on his cousin.
After trying on both cheongsams, Gu Jin wore the one with lotus and pond fish patterns, tied all the frog buttons, lifted the curtain, and stepped out.
Seeing his cousin in the form-fitting cheongsam, perfectly showcasing her graceful figure, Gu Jiajie’s eyes widened in amazement.
If she weren’t his cousin, he would have had some thoughts.
Gu Jin held the peony-patterned cheongsam in her hand, with her other hand holding the clothes she had changed out of, and walked to the counter, asking the middle-aged man with a hint of astonishment in his eyes: "How much for these two cheongsams?"
Lu Jinrong stared up and down at Gu Jin, his gaze almost glued to her.
Seeing his increasingly bold stare, Gu Jiajie stepped forward and tapped on the glass counter, a fierce look on his handsome face: "Where are your eyes looking?"
"Ahem, ahem..."
Lu Jinrong retracted his gaze, a hint of embarrassment on his face.
"It’s the first time I’ve seen anyone wear my cheongsam so fittingly, bringing out its charm. It feels like seeing one’s child finding the perfect home — I couldn’t help but stare. Please forgive me, you two."
Seeing his obsession with the clothes, Gu Jin smiled: "I understand. So, how much are these two cheongsams?"
"The fabric of this lotus and pond fish cheongsam is quite complex, so it’s priced a bit higher at thirty-five yuan. The other peony cheongsam is thirty yuan, totaling sixty-five yuan."
Upon hearing the price, Gu Jin nodded. It’s not expensive, mainly because it’s handmade.
Each cheongsam takes at least three days to make, and the intricate work demands significant effort.
Gu Jin took out a bundle of banknotes from her coat pocket, counted six pieces, and handed them to Lu Jinrong behind the counter, then pulled out a five-yuan note and gave it to him.
She asked with a smile: "Are you always here? I might come back to order more cheongsams from you in the future."
"Yes, I’m always here. I’ve been here for several years." Lu Jinrong nodded, his voice unable to hide his excitement.
Seeing Gu Jin in the cheongsam he made, he already had the idea of personally taking her measurements and crafting a perfectly fitting cheongsam just for her.