In the middle of the 19th century, Shanghai's good port advantages and location advantages gradually emerged, and the world's powers became coveted. Since the signing of the Sino-British Nanjing Treaty in 1842, Shanghai has become one of the ports for China to open up foreign trade, and the world's powers have successively established concessions in Shanghai. Huge commercial interests are like magnets that continue to attract investment from countries around the world, driving Shanghai's rapid construction and development. In the 1930s, Shanghai has developed into a hub for dumping, trade transit and exchanges between various countries, and has become the most prosperous economic, financial, trade and shipping center in the Asia-Pacific region. It is known as "Paris in the East". Shanghai has therefore become the only international metropolis in Asia.

The outbreak of the "July 7 Incident" triggered a wave of refugees in China. Foreigners and Chinese refugees from Pingjin, Dagu, Yantai and Qingdao went south to avoid the war. Shanghai is full of world powers and interests are intertwined. Foreigners and many Chinese refugees from south have taken the world powers here as protective umbrellas and poured into Shanghai, bringing more crowds to the markets of Shanghai and adding a bit of "prosperity".

After the July 7 Incident, in order to protect the security of the capital Nanjing, the Supreme Command of the National Government began to strengthen the Yangtze River Estuary as early as mid-to-late July 26, the Republic of China, and the Shanghai direction was in defense. The army planned to concentrate elite forces to prepare to annihilate 3,000 Japanese Marines stationed in Hongkou, Shanghai. The Chinese Navy's shipwreck blocked Jiangyin and cooperated to wipe out the Japanese Yangtze River Fleet to eliminate hidden dangers in the rear and ensure safety in the rear. Due to leaks in military plans, the Japanese Yangtze Fleet flew out of the Yangtze River Estuary. The National Government planned to concentrate military forces to open a battlefield in Shanghai, and also attracted and dispersed the Japanese army's military strength and tried to prevent the Japanese army from moving south from North China.

At around 5 pm on August 9, 26, the Japanese Marine Corps Lieutenant Yuo Oyama and first-class sailor Saito wanted to hide and drove his military vehicle along the Hongqiao Road from east to west, and rushed straight to the gate of the Hongqiao Airport to provoke. The First Regiment of the Shanghai Security Regiment failed to war, so he fired the incoming vehicles and shot the two people one after another. At this point, the clouds of war began to cover Shanghai.

On this day, under the leadership of Uncle Fu, 17-year-old Yang An and 16-year-old Lin Xiaohe came to the home of Shanghai's eldest brother Lin Xiaocheng. This trip was after Yang An ran away from home and was retrieved for more than a year. Mr. Lin specially arranged for them to go to Shanghai to relax. This was a comfort to Yang An and also to allow the children to come to Shanghai to have a long experience.

Lin Xiaocheng studied traditional Chinese medicine with his father since childhood. Later, he went to Germany to study Western medicine. He met Zhao Jianmei. The two got married and opened a Lin clinic in Shanghai. This is a house with a small courtyard. The second floor is living on the second floor and the first floor is a clinic. After the opening of the business for a few years, the clinic has become well-known. Zhao Jianmei's mother passed away in her early years. Her father Zhao Yiqing is a funny university professor. When she is free, she will come to the clinic.

Lin Xiaocheng and his wife stood on the platform with their son Lin Hai waiting for the train to arrive. Lin Xiaocheng was wearing a straight dress, his leather shoes were spotless, and he looked capable. Zhao Jianmei was wearing a white background, light green floral short-sleeved cheongsam, and his big wavy black hair made this typical Shanghai woman a little more pretty, fresh, gentle and dignified.

As soon as the train arrived, Uncle Fu and his party soon saw Lin Xiaocheng's family on the platform. While walking, they waved and shouted loudly, "Young Master, Young Grandma". Lin Xiaocheng and his wife came up with their son and greeted each other warmly: "Uncle Fu, I have worked hard all the way." Lin Xiaocheng took the rattan suitcase from Uncle Fu's hand. Lin Hai did not recognize his life at all, and shouted "Uncle, Auntie" cutely. Lin Xiaohe jumped forward like a deer, shouted "Xiao Haizi" and bent down and touched.

The little guy's cute face called "Big Brother", then he held Zhao Jianmei's arm and shouted affectionately: "Sister Jianmei, Sister Jianmei, are getting more and more beautiful." Yang An carried a small rattan suitcase on his back, and did not forget his mother's explanation. He held the strap of the small rattan suitcase in one hand and timidly followed Xiaohe to say hello, "Big Brother, Sister Jianmei". Lin Xiaocheng smiled and said to Yang An, "Xiao An, have grown taller and are handsome." Yang An smiled faintly.

Lin Hai, a three or four-year-old nephew, was familiar with him. He happily stuck to Yang An and Lin Xiaohe when he met. The childlike interest quickly melted Yang An's coldness and restraint. Yang An's face was filled with a light smile. The little guy had to hold, hug, and hold, and hold. Yang An talked to the little guy from time to time. Seeing Yang An's changes, Lin Xiaocheng, Lin Xiaohe, and Uncle Fu smiled knowingly.

On the third day of arriving in Shanghai, Lin's clinic closed. In the morning, Lin Xiaocheng and Zhao Jianmei planned to take Uncle Fu, Yang An and Lin Xiaohe around the department store. Sitting on the rail car, Yang An seemed to Liu Laolao entering the Grand View Garden, and his eyes kept scanning the scenery on both sides of Nanjing Road, and even the hasty crowds on the road were not spared.

Getting off the tram, what caught my eye was a huge and magnificent high-rise building. Yang An hugged Xiaolinhai and looked up at this huge creature, shocked in his heart. Yang An was counting how many floors there were in his heart. Jianmeijie and Xiaohe had already seen Yang An staying. Jianmeijie introduced: "This building is ten stories high, and it should be the largest single building on Nanjing Road and even Shanghai. It took Daxin Company seven or eight years to build it. It was only opened in January last year. It was another large department store after Jixianshi, Yong'an and Xinxin Company. They were all in this section of the street on Nanjing Road, which was less than a mile away. There was air conditioning in the summer and heating in winter, which was very modern." Yang An looked at the first floor of the building full of huge glass windows, and the windows showed the products for commercial promotion.

Yang An lived in Yangzhou and Hankou. Even so, when he saw this building, he felt like he was a different life, and he felt a little distracted. Xiao Haizi pulled Yang An's ears and shouted, "Uncle Xiao An, Uncle Xiao An, I'm leaving." Yang An then withdrew his thoughts and followed him into Daxin Company. Zhao Jianmei took Yang An and Xiao He took the escalator specifically. Then he went to Xinxin Company. On the sixth floor of Xinxin, Yang An and Xiao He held the glass wall, looked at the "glass radio station" inside, and watched the young and beautiful female announcers broadcasting advertisements on the spot. They felt that these were all fresh. Finally, after Sister Jianmei reminded, the two students took their gaze back.

After lunch at the Western Restaurant in Yong'an, Yang An's feet were replaced with lace-up leather shoes, and he was carrying a newly bought summer clothes. What made Yang An happy most was that Sister Jianmei bought a large canvas schoolbag for herself and Xiaohe, which was light and atmospheric and could hold a lot of things.

Walking in the abortion, Yang An saw the spectacular and exquisite appearance of Xianshi Company and asked: "Sister Jianmei, how did the name Xianshi come from?"

Jianmei replied: "Its name comes from the "Four Books" 'Give sincerity first'."

"First of sincerity?" Yang An muttered, not understanding.

"Sister Jianmei is so knowledgeable. The meaning of being sincere first is to treat others with sincerity first, right, Sister Jianmei." Lin Xiaohe rushed to say.

Jianmei smiled faintly and said softly: "Yes, that's what it means. Xianshi Company is the first department store in Shanghai, and it is older than you. This company has seven floors and was built in the sixth year of the Republic of China. The building looks like the European Renaissance style and is one of the iconic buildings on Nanjing Road. It is said that Yong'an's building was also designed and built in accordance with its style, and it is also the European Renaissance style."

Hearing this, Yang An thoughtful, turned to look at the Yong'an Company Building on the south side of Nanjing Road. The two buildings were really a bit like "sister buildings". They both had thick waistlines and towers on the roof. The towers that were built first gradually grew taller and thinner, from square to round. The towers in Yong'an also gradually grew taller and thinner, but they were square and the height was similar. Yang An felt a sense of familiarity. The shapes and lines of these two buildings were somewhat similar to those of the Russian Concessions in Hankou and the concessions in the five countries. Looking back on the Daxin Building, Yang An felt that Daxin's appearance was simple, like a white-faced scholar, with more modern atmosphere. However, for the Taishi, Yong'an building itself had an indescribable feeling, as if it had a kind of elegance and arrogance. Anyway, Yang An seemed to prefer the latter.

In the afternoon, the group of six people visited Xianshi Company and watched a movie. They prepared to have dinner at Xianshi's East Asian Restaurant in Xianshi in the evening.

That afternoon, Zhao Jianmei's younger brother Zhao Huaiyuan came to the East Asia Restaurant early to book a private room by the window. In the morning, he received a call from his father and found out that it was an important guest from his brother-in-law's house, so he asked him to help order and have dinner with him. Also accompanying him were the senior of Zhao Huaiyuan University and Zhang Yipu, a student of Professor Zhao Yiqing.

In the evening, Lin Xiaocheng, Zhao Jianmei and his group of six came to the restaurant lobby to ask about the private room where Zhao Huaiyuan ordered. They came to the private room with the waitress. As soon as they met, Zhao Huaiyuan greeted Lin Xiaocheng and shouted: "Sister, we have been waiting for you for a long time. Have you brought any gifts?"

"Xiaoyuan, you have no conscience, I'll ask you to help me, just want this and that. I've loved you for nothing over the years. I'll give you this! This is the belt my brother-in-law and I chose for you, and the American product from Yong'an."

Zhao Huaiyuan thanked his brother-in-law and sister, and happily took the gift box like a child.

Everyone greeted him before they took their seats yet, Professor Zhao Yiqing's voice came from the door: "I bought a gift for Huaiyuan. Are there any gifts from my father?"

"Yes, Dad. We bought you a new shirt and look back for you, our respected Professor Zhao."

Zhao Yiqing replied: "I have become a mother, and I haven't had a good appearance yet."

Xiaolinhai also quickly stuck to his uncle. Zhao Huaiyuan hugged Xiao Haizi and peeled him the fried chestnuts he had bought before.
Chapter completed!