The boss of the watch shop stared at Lin Yan in surprise.
Had he heard her wrong? She wanted to get a clock as a gift?
Was she trying to pay her respects to someone? [1. Giving a clock as a gift when read in Chinese is like paying respects to a dead person.]
"Ahem… Miss… Hold on. Let me confirm this. Do you want to get a watch or clock as a gift?" The boss sounded uncertain.
He had never met a customer who wanted to buy a clock as a gift.
"A clock. Boss, you heard me right. I'm giving the clock as a gift."
The boss surveyed Lin Yan with a quizzical look on his face.
This young lass was a fierce and feisty one.
"Pretty lady, what particular requirements do you have?" asked the boss.
"First, it must be cheap. Secondly, it must be huge," recited Lin Yan dully.
"You should get a new clock then. The vintage ones are valuable and expensive. New clocks are cheap," explained the boss patiently.