The manager looked bewildered: "I...I don't know either..."
“You’ve misunderstood the manager,” Yan Shenyu said slowly, a slight smile playing on his lips. “I’ve already explained my reason: I’m not willing to spend 8 million to buy a second-rate piece of trash.”
Second-rate goods.
He was mocking himself for spending 8 million but only getting a second-rate product.
Xie Xiaoling pressed her hands firmly against the counter, the veins on the back of her hands bulging.
Damn it! This was all Yan Shenyu's scheme! Yan Shenyu lied to him! He did it on purpose, waiting to see him make a fool of himself!
But the more this is the case, the more he cannot afford to lose face.
Xie Xiaoling raised her chin, her heart aching as if it were bleeding, but she still stubbornly said, "A thousand pieces of gold cannot buy what the heart desires. I am willing to spend 8 million for this necklace."
Yan Shenyu smiled and said sincerely, "Then I congratulate Mr. Xie on achieving his wish."
"Yes, money can't buy what you love; liking something is the most important thing." The manager thought this deal was going to fall through, but then he saw someone who seemed a bit off. He quickly pulled out a POS machine and asked with a fawning smile, "Sir, would you like to pay in cash or by card?"
Xie Xiaoling wanted to roll her eyes. In this day and age, who goes out carrying 8 million yuan in cash? This lousy manager was just trying to force her to pay with her card.
"What are you standing there for? Pay up!" Seeing him standing there blankly, Wu Yun "helpfully" reminded him, "Or is Mr. Xie thinking of backing out?"
"Who's backing out? I'll pay even if you don't tell me." Xie Xiaoling took out her bank card from her wallet to pay, but her face darkened halfway through.
Oh no, his credit card limit is too low.
Chapter 14 The Scumbag Returns
He doesn't want it anymore.
But he was already in a difficult situation.
If he doesn't pay now, he'll never be able to hold his head up in front of Yan Shenyu again.
Stay calm and don't show any weakness.
Xie Xiaoling took a deep breath and casually handed her bank card to the manager. She first emptied her savings account, then her credit cards—the first, the second, the third… She maxed out five credit cards before finally scraping together 8 million yuan. Of that, 5 million yuan was what she had originally promised to invest in Xiao Zhenliang's company.
Xiao Zhenliang's face had turned completely black.
Xie Xiaoling could not turn back. He reluctantly accepted the credit card returned by the manager, feeling so heartbroken that his heart was about to bleed.
Compared to his resentment, the manager next to him was almost trembling with excitement.
An extra 7 million was added to the original price! The company has never had a rule about the highest bidder winning, which means that the extra 7 million is all his! This fool gave him a full 7 million! He couldn't earn that much money in ten years of sales!
The manager forcibly suppressed his inner elation and picked up the necklace to show Xie Xiaoling: "Sir, would you like it wrapped up, or would you like to wear it directly?"
Xie Xiaoling glanced at the necklace. The necklace that he had thought was beautiful before now seemed ugly from every angle. He regretted buying such a piece of junk for 8 million yuan almost immediately, wishing he could turn back time and stop himself from being deceived.
But now that the money has been paid, and Yan Shenyu is still watching, he can't show weakness.
This is his spoils of war.
Xie Xiaoling raised her neck, lifting her chin like a noble swan: "Put it on me."
The manager wanted to take action, but Xie Xiaoling refused him and instead said, "A Liang, you help me."
Xiao Zhenliang remained silent for a moment, then finally stepped forward and put the necklace on him.
Looking at herself in the mirror, Xie Xiaoling thought with satisfaction: At least for this moment, Xiao Zhenliang and the necklace were his. Yan Shenyu had nothing.
However, the pleasure she felt for overpowering Yan Shenyu quickly vanished, and Xie Xiaoling turned her attention to the necklace itself, a product with a premium of 700%, and soon became dissatisfied.
The diamonds were too small, the design was too ugly, and the color scheme was a mess... Xie Xiaoling was dissatisfied with everything. Before she could even frown, Yan Shenyu next to her said with a smile, "It's so beautiful. No wonder it's an 8 million necklace. Mr. Xie has excellent taste."
Upon hearing this, Xie Xiaoling was reminded of the frustration he had briefly forgotten.
He puffed out his chest, wanting to show off his necklace, but Yan Shenyu and Wu Yun had already turned and left, not even giving him a chance to show it off.
Xie Xiaoling: "..."
Damn it, he was the one who got the necklace, so why isn't he happy at all?
...
"You scared me!" After leaving the store, Wu Yun let out a long breath. "I thought you were really going to compete with him. I was sweating bullets watching you haggle with him."
"I'm not crazy," Yan Shenyu said calmly. "It's just a diamond of that purity, there's no need for that."
"But how do you know he'll be the last to raise the bid?" Wu Yun asked, puzzled. "What if he doesn't follow through when you say 6 million?"
“Silly child,” Yan Shenyu looked at him with a kind expression, “This isn’t an auction. Who said that just because I bid 6 million, I have to buy it?”
Wu Yun: "..."
He finally understood that Xie Xiaoling lost because she was too concerned about saving face.
“But then I thought about it,” Wu Yun said, somewhat conflicted, “Although I saved 8 million, I still feel unhappy seeing Xie Shiba’s smug face.”
“There’s no need. A person’s confidence isn’t built on money,” Yan Shenyu shook his head. “Besides, there are so many things that 8 million can do.”
“Hmm…you have a point,” Wu Yun nodded, but his tone was hesitant. “But now it’s all electronic currency, and it doesn’t feel real. You can easily spend it without realizing it.”
“Why don’t you do the math?” Yan Shenyu’s gaze swept over the gleaming luxury stores in the mall as she began to give him examples. “8 million can be donated to build 16 Hope Primary Schools, and thousands of children will have their lives changed because of you; 8 million can also save a company on the verge of bankruptcy, and hundreds of families broken by unemployment will be saved because of you.”
"At worst, you can use that 8 million to hire male prostitutes, watch striptease shows, hire 10 young men from sports academies, and choose who to sleep with whenever you feel like it. Isn't that better than fighting with Xie Xiaoling?"
Wu Yun: "..."
Damn, that makes some sense.
The world is so wonderful, he doesn't need to bother with oddballs.
"But speaking of which, you really know a lot!" Wu Yun leaned closer to Yan Shenyu, revealing a sly smile. "How did you know that 8 million could cover 10 young male prostitutes from sports academies? Did you inquire about prices beforehand?"
Yan Shenyu: "..."
"It was just a casual remark," Yan Shenyu said, raising her phone to try and steer the conversation back on track, not wanting Wu Yun to continue elaborating. "Besides, this matter isn't over yet."
Wu Yun's attention was indeed diverted, and he immediately asked, "Are you going to deal with them?"
“Don’t talk like a villain,” Yan Shenyu corrected. “I’m just asking headquarters to resolve a common customer’s confusion. I have no idea about any rule that the highest bidder wins.”
Wu Yun silently gave a thumbs up: "As expected of you!"
Yan Shenyu: "As for the necklace..."
Speaking of this, Wu Yun became dejected again: "Forget it, let's look at something else."
“There’s still a month until Auntie’s birthday, so there should be enough time,” Yan Shenyu paused, “If you don’t mind, I’ll make one for Auntie myself.”
"Holy crap? You designed it yourself??" Wu Yun's gloomy face instantly brightened like a July day. "What are you complaining about? If you did it yourself, I'd be rolling in money!"
It's worth noting that Yan Shenyu graduated first in her class with a degree in jewelry design from Peking University and spent a year abroad on exchange. She had already received an invitation from the internationally renowned high-end jewelry brand Limitless, but she resolutely gave up her job and returned to China because of her marriage to Xiao, that scumbag.
Wu Yun still remembers his graduation project, "Heart of the Universe," where tiny diamonds formed a galaxy surrounding a large blue diamond—elegant, romantic, and extremely beautiful.
He thought Yan Shenyu was devastated by Xiao Zha Nan's affair and had no interest in her career, but he didn't expect her to be willing to make a comeback.
Wu Yun grasped Yan Shenyu's hands, his eyes glistening with tears: "If you're willing to do it yourself, that's definitely much better than any generic stuff."
"Don't be moved yet," Yan Shenyu added. "First, find out your mother's taste and preferences. You'll have to pay for the raw diamonds."
“Of course,” Wu Yun nodded. “I will also pay for the design and processing fees.”
Yan Shenyu: "No need."
"But I can't just take advantage of you for free." Wu Yun hesitated, after all, jewelry designers with personal style and taste are in high demand, and you can't find one even if you have the money.
“It’s not like I’m getting something for nothing,” Yan Shenyu said calmly. “Consider it compensation for the aphrodisiac I gave you last time.”
"Is there really such a good thing?" Wu Yun's eyes lit up. "Then I'd be willing to take the aphrodisiac every day! Hehe, of course, it would be even better if you could provide me with a powerful antidote after I take the aphrodisiac."
Yan Shenyu: "..."
There's no need for that.
After saying goodbye to Wu Yun, Yan Shenyu contacted her senior classmate in jewelry design and asked to borrow her studio temporarily.
"Use it as you like," the senior student said confidently on the other end of the phone. "I told you long ago that you have design talent. It's not worth giving up your career for love."
“Indeed,” Yan Shenyu nodded, “I just broke up, so I’ll make a necklace to celebrate.”
The senior student laughed and generously invited him to join her personal brand, but Yan Shenyu ruthlessly rejected the offer.
After driving for an hour, Yan Shenyu finally arrived at her senior's studio in the suburbs.
He hadn't done any crafts in a long time, so he planned to practice with silver and zircon first. After all, the raw materials weren't expensive, so he could just make whatever he wanted.
Yan Shenyu stayed in the studio until 10 p.m., then rubbed his sore lower back before driving back to his villa in the city.
Getting home this late, I guess my dad will nag me again.
Yan Shenyu really didn't understand why the two sons, who were both adults, still wanted to live with their parents. It was inconvenient for them to do anything, so it seemed like she should find an opportunity to move out.
Yan Shenyu turned the steering wheel and reversed into the parking space. Through the car window, he saw an unfamiliar car parked in front of the villa. Xiao Zhenliang was leaning against the side with his legs bent, and the cigarette in his hand flashed a scarlet light in the dark night. He didn't know how long he had been waiting here.
"Be careful what you say." Seeing him return, Xiao Zhenliang's eyes lit up for a moment, and he quickly threw down his cigarette butt and ran over.
The sports car drove by silently without stopping for a moment.
"Watch your words!" Xiao Zhenliang chased after him. "I have something to tell you! Xie Xiaoling and I were just playing around. The person I truly love is you, and the person I want to marry is you..."
"Thump!"
His response was the sound of the garage's electric roller shutter door closing.
In the garage, Yan Shenyu dialed the property management number and said emotionlessly, "Cancel the access permission for vehicle with license plate number 京S·B1298 to enter the community."
Chapter 15 is a sweetheart.
Xiao Zhenliang waited downstairs all night, but didn't receive a single glance from Yan Shenyu. It wasn't until the first light of dawn the next morning that he resignedly stubbed out his cigarette and drove away with dark circles under his eyes.
"Where have you been?" Xie Xiaoling's voice rang out as soon as Xiao Zhenliang entered the room. He sat alone on the sofa, his eyes sharp as if he were looking at an enemy.
"I didn't go anywhere." Xiao Zhenliang loosened his tie as he walked towards the bedroom. He was too tired to even give Xie Xiaoling a perfunctory answer.
"Yan Shenyu won't see you, will he?" Xie Xiaoling seemed to have seen through something, and said leisurely, her expression a mixture of pain and smugness.