Chapter 92

After being away for more than half a month for further studies, Li Ba and Li Ma finally returned home.

When they returned, the store renovation was almost complete. The shelves and cash register were already installed, and only the three-sided mirrors for the fitting room were missing.

For the fitting room renovation, Li Mu did not follow the decoration suggestions from the Metersbonwe headquarters. A single mirror with white lighting did not produce a good effect. If customers did not find themselves attractive in the mirror, how could they be stimulated to make a purchase?

So, Li Mu used the experience from ZARA and other overseas fast-fashion stores, where the fitting rooms had three-sided mirrors. The three mirrors were placed at 90-degree angles to create a seamless view. This way, customers could see themselves from all angles, and most importantly, when they looked at the angle formed by two mirrors, they could see their true appearance as others would see them.

In addition, the warm-colored spotlighting almost had a beautifying effect, making customers feel that their skin looked good and better than usual.

This is why many people feel so good about the clothes they try on in specialty stores but, when they get home and look in the mirror, they almost want to tear the clothes apart.

After Li Ba and Li Ma returned, Li Mu took them and his aunt to the store. When they saw the bright and grand store, all three were pleasantly surprised, their excitement evident.

Li Mu said, "A few days before you arrived, I already paid the company for the goods. I estimate they will arrive in Haizhou in about three days."

His aunt, unable to hide her excitement, said, "Xiao Mu, should we start recruiting staff now?"

Li Mu nodded, "Of course. I was thinking of putting up ads, but I think it's better for you, the store manager, to handle the recruitment."

His aunt, who had attended the headquarters' training program and had a comprehensive understanding of the store's operations, said, "I'll go to a print shop later and print some recruitment ads. I'll put them up outside the store today."

Li Mu had no objections. Since he had already chosen his aunt to be the store manager, it was only right for her to make these decisions. Moreover, seeing her enthusiasm made him feel more at ease.

Li Ma walked around the large store, which was over 100 square meters, and suddenly remembered the building advertisements she had seen on the way. She asked, "Son, the ads you put up in the city center must have cost a lot, right?"

"No, they didn't cost anything. A friend's place, he's letting us use it for free for a while."

Speaking of Song Liang, he was truly the most meticulous businessman Li Mu had ever met. It wasn't just about getting a few building ads. During a casual chat over skewers and drinks, Li Mu learned that Song Liang had also deliberately arranged for Zou Hua to be released on the same day as Guo Yuhang, which indeed gave Guo Lin a headache.

At that moment, his aunt was holding a small notebook and writing rapidly with a pen, muttering to herself, "The goods will arrive in three days. Loading 160 square meters of the store will take at least 50 to 60 hours. With a 10-hour workday, we need five employees."

"Every 15 square meters should have one salesperson. We need about ten salespeople to manage the store..."

After mumbling for a while, his aunt looked up and asked Li Mu, "Xiao Mu, when do you want to open the store?"

"Let's make it the 18th," Li Mu said. "August 18, 818, it sounds smooth."

His aunt nodded, relieved. "That gives us enough time. I'll start recruiting and spend at least three days loading the goods and organizing basic training."

Li Mu was extremely satisfied with his aunt's dedication. He smiled and said, "Aunt, whether our store can make over 300,000 yuan a month depends on you!"

His aunt confidently smiled and said, "At the headquarters, we saw data from many stores in other cities. Given the size of Haizhou, I think making 10,000 yuan a day is very easy. You've also put up such eye-catching building ads. Once we open, business will definitely be booming. I'm worried there won't be enough fitting rooms."

Li Mu laughed, "We have five fitting rooms. If that's not enough, we'll be doing really well."

Li Ma teased, "You're the most money-minded."

Li Mu innocently said, "Mom, this store is for you and Dad. Whatever it earns will be yours. How can you say I'm money-minded?"

Li Ba interjected, "Whatever we earn, isn't it all for you?"

Li Mu said seriously, "You can manage the store's earnings yourselves. If the store does well, you can also use the money for the next round of investment."

Li Ba and Li Ma didn't pay much attention to Li Mu's talk of reinvestment. Compared to making money, Li Ba was more worried about Li Mu's admission notice. He couldn't help but ask, "Has the notice not come yet?"

"Not yet. They still use registered mail. It takes time to get from Yanjing to here. I think it will take another two days."

"What if you don't get in?"

"Don't worry, Dad. It's impossible. I will definitely get in."

...

The next morning, the postman delivered a registered letter.

When the letter arrived, Li Mu was still sleeping. When Li Ba signed for it and saw the words "Renmin University" on the envelope, and its considerable thickness, he knew it must be his son's admission notice.

Li Ba didn't immediately open the letter. He suppressed his excitement and called Li Mu and Li Ma to wake up.

"Open it, open it!"

Li Ma, looking at Li Mu in his sleepy state, was already impatient.

Li Mu rubbed his eyes to adjust to the bright light, seeing the anticipation on his parents' faces, and didn't waste any time.

With a tearing sound, the envelope was opened smoothly.

"Be more careful!" Li Ma said nervously. "Tear it slowly, don't tear it. We want to keep this envelope!"

"It's just an envelope!"

"Be more careful!"

"Okay..."

Li Mu carefully tore the envelope 80% open. Li Ma wouldn't let him tear it any further. Li Mu then took out a card made of hard material, similar to a greeting card or invitation, with "Renmin University of China Admission Notice" written on the front, along with an image of the university's gate and emblem.

He slowly opened it, and the five large words on the front made his parents burst into tears of joy.

Admission Notice.

Dear Li Mu: Congratulations on being admitted to the School of Finance and Economics at Renmin University of China to study Finance. Please report to the university on September 3, 2001, with this notice.

Seeing the words "Admission Notice," Li Ba and Li Ma were overjoyed and cried with happiness. Li Mu, after reading the notice, muttered to himself, "I still didn't get into the School of Economics."

Li Mu knew that the School of Economics was the top school at Renmin University. With his score of 636, it was almost impossible to get into the School of Economics. However, it didn't matter. There were many reasons for him to attend Renmin University. On one hand, it was for his parents' pride. On the other hand, it was to go to Yanjing and lay the groundwork for his future. He also needed a good degree to enhance his reputation. And another reason was to be classmates with Su Yinxue, which would make his four years of university less boring.

Given this, did the major matter? Not at all, not in the slightest.

At this moment, his parents were not concerned about his major. They were already calling relatives to share the news.

Renmin University! How incredible! Li Ba and Li Ma felt that, after living for over forty years, today was the most glorious day of their lives. What could be more important than their son getting into a good university? Nothing! If they had to say something, the birth of their son eighteen years ago was perhaps more important.

While his parents were on the phone, Li Mu's phone rang.

It was Su Yinxue.

"Hello, Li Mu, have you received your admission notice?"

In those days, postal services were almost the only option. If one person received a notice from Yanjing, it meant that many other local students who applied to other schools in Yanjing might also receive their notices today, as they were all sent in the same package.

Su Yinxue received her notice earlier. After the family celebrated and notified everyone, she immediately called Li Mu.

Li Mu smiled and answered, "Yes, I received it."

Su Yinxue's voice was filled with joy, "What major are you in?"

"Finance."

"Oh, that's the School of Finance and Economics. That's great! Congratulations!"

"Thanks. What about you? Are you in Economics?"

"Yes."

"Congratulations on finally getting your wish!"