Chapter 65: Chapter 65: Sorry, I’m Not Interested in Older Women
"There’s no need for all that trouble," Sun Dasheng interrupted the manager impatiently. "Besides, with so many types of stockings here, trying on just one pair won’t tell us much."
"Ah? Sir, I’m sorry, but that’s the extent of my authority. Letting you try on one pair is the best I can do. I’m terribly sorry!"
A bitter taste filled the manager’s mouth. If she had to bite the bullet and purchase a pair of luxury stockings a customer tried on but didn’t buy, it would cost her nearly half a month’s salary. If customers tried on all these stockings and didn’t buy any, she absolutely couldn’t afford the loss. This pile of top-tier luxury stockings, dozens of pairs, was worth hundreds of thousands. Even if she didn’t eat or drink, a whole year’s salary wouldn’t be enough to cover the cost.
"How about the lady with you tries on some of these basic models first?" she suggested, deciding to aim lower. Being able to sell some of the basic models would still be something. "Don’t look down on them just because they’re only 1,999; in terms of quality, they’re not inferior to the luxury ones. Look at this sheen, feel how comfortable they are."
The manager energetically promoted the basic models.
"Pfft! Who are you looking down on?"
Before Sun Dasheng or the others could say a word, Fan Yi’s annoying voice cut in again.
"Just look at the handsome man in front of you—the clothes he’s wearing, the watch on his wrist. Does he look like someone who can’t afford your luxury products?
"Do you even know how to do business? A tycoon walks in, and you recommend the basic models? If your competitors found out about this, they’d die laughing, wouldn’t they?"
Sun Dasheng gave her a speechless glance. Did she eat gunpowder? Why is she so explosive? She’s like a completely different person from the courteous woman in the parking lot. However, Fan Yi’s words praised him while putting down everyone else. At least, that’s how it seemed on the surface, so he couldn’t really say anything against her.
"Ma’am, if you’ve come to our store to shop, you are most welcome. If there is nothing here that you need, we’d ask that you leave for now. Our staff is very busy and we don’t have time to attend to you." The manager’s comeback was brilliant, a mix of dismissal and rebuke.
Fan Yi’s expression flickered, but she quickly switched to a smile and casually picked up a nearby pair of stockings. "Of course, I’m a customer here to buy things. May I look around first?" she asked.
"Of course!" The manager’s smile was somewhat forced.
The atmosphere grew awkward. Sun Dasheng watched the scene with mild amusement. While he didn’t understand what this woman was on about, he didn’t want to waste any more time.
He pointed to the stockings he had already picked out. "We’ll take these. Manager, could you tally these up for us? We’ll try them on at home."
While the two women had been bickering, Xiang Yiren hadn’t been idle. She had been focused on selecting stockings she liked, and before she knew it, she had picked out a huge pile.
The manager gasped, covering her mouth in surprise. "All of these? You want all of them?"
Instead of answering, Sun Dasheng asked a question of his own. "Your salesperson mentioned earlier that we need to become a ’friend of the brand’ to buy the limited editions. I wonder if buying all of these is enough?"
The manager glanced at the pile and nodded rapidly. "Enough, more than enough."
She then personally went to the counter to ring up the sale, completely ignoring Fan Yi, with whom she had just been arguing. Her heart swelled with immense joy and surprise. After processing the payment, she carefully packaged everything herself.
"Sir, your total comes to 550,000. Will you be paying by card or online?" the manager asked respectfully.
"Card," Sun Dasheng said, handing one over.
He entered his PIN.
BEEP!
The transaction was approved. Only then did the manager finally breathe a sigh of relief. She respectfully returned his card, along with a store VIP card. Looking at the wealthy customer before her, she felt ashamed of her earlier battle of wits with thin air.
"Mr. Sun, please fill out your address here. We’ll have someone from the store deliver your items later."
Glancing at the shopping bags filling the counter, Sun Dasheng nodded. He really had bought too much at once; he definitely needed the delivery service.
"We’ve got everything. Let’s go," he said to Xiang Yiren, who looped her arm through his again.
"Please come again!" The perceptive manager gathered all the employees at the store entrance, and they bowed in unison to see off their major client. The scene was quite impressive, drawing envious glances from many people outside.
How much money did that big spender drop to deserve this kind of treatment? they wondered.
Addressing Fan Yi, who was still in the store, the manager’s tone was no longer polite. "Miss, have you found anything you like?" Now that the VIP was gone, she no longer had to swallow her anger and feign politeness. The woman’s aggressive tone was still fresh in her mind. If she didn’t get a few jabs in, she’d never be able to let go of her earlier frustration.
"No, thanks. I looked for a long time and didn’t see anything I liked." With that, Fan Yi turned and hurried out after them.
"Pfft! If you can’t afford it, just say so. No need to put on an act," the sales associate Fan Yi had irritated couldn’t help but mutter.
"That’s enough," the manager chided. "Another customer is here. Go greet them, and remember to smile."
"Oh..." the associate grumbled internally. Talk about hypocritical. Rules for thee, but not for me. You just gave her a nasty look yourself, didn’t you?
***
Fan Yi, who had rushed out, naturally didn’t hear their gossip. Even if she had, she wouldn’t have cared. Everything she had said and done since entering the store had been for a reason.
Seeing her target in front of a milk tea shop, she took out her compact and quickly touched up her makeup. Then, wearing what she believed to be a charming smile, she confidently walked over.
"Da Sheng, what a coincidence to see you again!"
Sun Dasheng looked up at her with a half-smile. "Is it really a coincidence?"
She sidestepped the question, smiling. "Buying milk tea? Seeing as fate brought us together again, could you treat me to a drink?"
Hearing this, he gave her another long look. This woman’s audacity is on another level. You don’t see shamelessness like this every day.
"Excuse me, who are you?" Xiang Yiren, who was not one to be trifled with, stepped in. "Are you that clueless? Brother Sun is on a date with me. Why are you butting in?"
Fan Yi ignored her, her gaze fixed solely on Sun Dasheng. "How much are her monthly living expenses?"
The question was brutally direct.
"What are you talking about?" Xiang Yiren flushed with anger and embarrassment. Even though the woman was speaking the truth... the truth can be ugly, can’t it?
"What’s it to you?" Sun Dasheng asked, amused. He didn’t deny it.
"Of course it’s my business. If you choose me, I’ll only take half of whatever she’s getting."
What? This is a competition now? Her blatant words left Sun Dasheng stunned.
"Don’t be fooled because she’s younger," Fan Yi said confidently. "I believe I’m just as beautiful, and with my experience, I know much better how to please a man. That gives me the advantage." High quality at a low price. There’s no way he won’t be tempted.
"Oh?" Sun Dasheng remained noncommittal.
Seeing that he seemed unmoved, she grew anxious. "I’m also Lee Li’s best friend. If I get with you, she’ll be absolutely furious when she finds out.
"Getting such a perfect strike against your ex-wife right after the divorce... don’t you want that?" She played her trump card.
"Hmm?" Sun Dasheng seemed somewhat interested.
Fan Yi shot a triumphant smile at Xiang Yiren, thinking victory was hers.
"Sorry, I’m not interested in older women."
With a single sentence, Sun Dasheng sent her crashing back down to earth.