章 20: Being Looked Down Upon
編集者: EndlessFantasy Translation
Chen Ming's gaze was focused on the spot where he had placed the golden foils.
He had gained sudden inspiration.
If he used the system to process the golden foils, the end-product might be able to be used as Wang Linlin's birthday gift.
After Chen Ming returned to his room, he took out the gold foils.
"System, process these golden foils."
After saying that, Chen Ming waited curiously. He also wanted to know what the gold foils would become.
[Ding! Processing was successful! The golden foils have been processed into a golden phoenix coronet, which is extremely luxurious.]
The speed at which the system processed these materials was as fast as ever.
The golden foils had been transformed into a golden phoenix coronet.
It was perfectly designed and had exquisite workmanship. Every detail was handled appropriately, and every pattern was so beautiful. It would not be an exaggeration to say that this golden phoenix coronet had been crafted by a famous designer.
Even though the base gold foil materials were not particularly expensive, the golden phoenix coronet did not seem that way at all.
Chen Ming could tell that this phoenix coronet would be very popular with the ladies. Thinking of his partnership with Boss Wang and Wang Linlin, Chen Ming made a firm decision to give Wang Linlin the phoenix coronet as her birthday gift.
It was a gift that he was satisfied with.
Since the matter of the birthday present was finally resolved, now he only needed to wait for the party to start.
…
The next day, Chen Ming and Qin Qing went to the shopping mall together after breakfast, trying to pick out some clothes for the birthday party.
This was because Chen Ming had been fully focused on developing the business and the processing plant, and had not bothered updating his wardrobe. He did not even have a single decent outfit for such social events.
It just so happened that he could use this opportunity to purchase some.
This shopping mall was located in the city center, and almost all of its patrons were from wealthy and upper-class backgrounds. The clothes and jewelry in every store were almost all expensive items.
After strolling about, Chen Ming and Qin Qing bought a new set of clothes.
However, they did not change into them, and simply had them packed up to be brought back. After all, these clothes were only for important occasions.
When they were almost done, Qin Qing thought for a bit and suddenly said, "Chen Ming, you're still lacking something."
"Ah?" Chen Ming was confused. He had bought everything he should. What was he missing?
Before he could give voice to his doubts, Qin Qing continued by saying, "It's cufflinks."
"Cufflinks are also a must. Choosing the right cufflinks will highlight your outfit."
After that, Qin Qing looked around the shops in the mall.
Finally, her gaze paused over a luxury store.
This luxury store was beautifully decorated and stood out among the other shops.
"Let's go to this one!" After confirming her target, Qin Qing pulled Chen Ming into the luxury store.
When the staff at the entrance saw that someone had come, the smile on her face was originally bright. However, she then discovered that the pair who had just entered were dressed in ordinary attire. Her expression instantly changed from warm to cold.
'Why would these people come to a luxury store to buy things? How could such people afford the things they sold?' the shop assistant thought silently.
However, she did not flare up on the spot. She simply waited for these two "poor customers" to leave the shop once they figured out that it was beyond their price range.
Qin Qing was so focused on picking out cufflinks for Chen Ming that she did not notice the disdain that flashed across the shop assistant's face.
However, Chen Ming noticed it.
This look of disdain made him frown slightly, but because Qin Qing was focused on choosing cufflinks for him, he did not interrupt her.
After Qin Qing enthusiastically looked through the cufflink selection, she picked out a set of golden cufflinks. It was low-key, but luxurious, which suited Chen Ming perfectly.
After confirming, Qin Qing was ready to pick up the cufflinks and get Chen Ming to try them on.
Unexpectedly, just as her hand was about to touch the cufflinks, a sharp voice was heard.
"Don't touch it!"
Qin Qing was shocked by the voice and retracted her hand. She looked at the source of the voice in confusion.
It was the shop assistant that had welcomed them when they first entered the shop.
At the same time, her sharp voice attracted the attention of many onlookers, who all gathered in front of the luxury store, wanting to watch the show.
As everyone watched, the shop assistant raised her head and strode over to Qin Qing and Chen Ming.
She first wiped the cufflinks in disgust, even though Qin Qing had not touched them. After that, she glared at Qin Qing fiercely.
"Don't touch it. You won't be able to afford it if you damage them."
This sentence caused a huge uproar.
"Whoa, they actually came to a luxury store dressed like that? Can she even afford it? It's no wonder the shop assistant didn't let her touch it. She's so poor that she wouldn't even be able to afford paying for the repairs if the cufflinks were damaged."
"I agree. People shouldn't even think about things that are beyond their capability of owning. Only we are allowed such luxury goods. Those at the bottom rungs of society are not worthy of wearing these things."
"Ah, this... You're really high and mighty."
"Am I the only one who thinks that it's the shop assistant's fault? Why is she looking down on people?"
"What do you mean by that? She's simply afraid that the items will be damaged, so it's normal for her to take precautions. Besides, those two country bumpkins are from some poor and remote place. They should not be touching things willy-nilly!"
"No way, that's your argument? Is something wrong with your head? Doesn't everyone have the freedom to shop?"
"..."
There were different opinions among the crowd, though the ears of the arrogant and domineering shop assistant seemed to be able to filter out all of the criticism.
She crossed her arms in front of her chest proudly, and no longer hid the disdain in her eyes.
"They're right," the shop assistant said coldly, "Don't even think about touching something that doesn't belong to you."
It appeared that this shop assistant, in her time working at this luxury store, had gotten used to interacting with wealthy and upper-class folk, and had begun to look down upon ordinary people.
Her job allowed her to satisfy her vanity and fantasies about being wealthy.
It was simply the best.
Hearing this, the anger in Qin Qing's heart gradually boiled over. She did not show any weakness and said, "What do you mean by not touching something that doesn't belong to us? Do you own this shop? Do you think you own the items on sale here?"
As she spoke, Qin Qing rapped on the glass table with her fingers. "I'll buy these cufflinks."
Her one sentence, powerful and resonating.
She thought that the shop assistant would lower her head and pack up the cufflinks for her, but unexpectedly, the shop assistant stood there motionless, with a face full of doubt.
It was as if she was implying, "Can you afford it?"
Even when Qin Qing reiterated that she wanted to purchase the cufflinks, the shop assistant ignored her.
This made Qin Qing completely furious.
"You, don't you have ears?" She frowned in displeasure.
Just as the shop assistant was about to retort, a familiar figure appeared. The shop assistant had no choice but to restrain herself and keep quiet.
Seeing this Qin Qing could not help but wonder…
Why had this shop assistant's attitude undergone a 180-degree shift? Had she not been aggressive this whole time? Why had she suddenly become docile?
The contrast was too strong, and a sense of uneasiness rippled in Qin Qing's heart.
While she was feeling puzzled, a slightly chubby hand was slowly placed on her shoulder.
-- 贈り物
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