“That’s really strict,” commented Shen Qi.
Yan could not help but roll her eyes at her when she heard her comment. “Of course. Otherwise, how do you think Ye Group became the top and largest company in North City? They are successful because of the strict quality assurance in place—anyone who visits the mall will get to buy the best products with its genuinity assured.”
Shen Qi muttered under her breath, “No wonder its monthly profit could reach over tens of millions even during off season…”
“What? Did you just mention a profit of tens of millions?”
“No, I didn’t.” Shen Qi came to her senses as she said, “Let’s check out that shop. By the way, the products here are sold at a high price. Do you really want to spend so much money on just a dress for one occasion?”
Shen Qi still remembered she had torn a dress back then which was worth over three hundred thousand according to a waiter.
These people could actually afford buying dresses that were worth hundreds of thousands just to attend a function. How rich were they?!
“For me, buying a dress that costs tens of thousands to attend a function is a very worthwhile investment. What’s more, girls our age should doll themselves up, don’t you agree? Otherwise, when we get older, we will become a laughing stock if we still try to dress ourselves up extensively. On top of that, we will also regret not dressing up when we were young.”
The two entered a shop. Being very acquainted with such a shop, Yan explained the purpose of her visit to the shopper right away after she walked into the shop.
“Hello, my bestie and I would like to buy dresses in the range of below fifty thousand. We prefer dresses with special designs and bright colors. Thank you so much.”
When the shopper heard their preferred price range, she quickly led them to a small area of the shop without looking disdainful.
“Good day to you, girls. I think the dresses in this area would fulfill your requirement. You girls may check out the designs first and the fitting room is right there. You’re welcomed to ask me anything.”
“Alright, thanks. We’ll take a look at the dresses first.”
Quietly, the shopper left and Yan curled her lips upward. “Did you see that? Even the shoppers here have undergone special training and all of them are extremely polite.”
Shen Qi was speechless. Why hadn’t she encountered such a nice shopper the last time she was here? It seemed like there would always be jerks among good people but she supposed that shopper had already turned over a new leaf by now.
“Qi, come and take a look at this. I think that dress in blue suits you well; it gives out a similar aura as yours.”
Shen Qi smiled apologetically. “I’m not buying. You can just buy yours.”
Yan’s expression changed a little as she gaped at her. “Why are you not buying? Are you not going to attend the dinner?”
“Yes.” Shen Qi nodded. She was not the least bit interested in the anniversary celebration where all the girls were going to fight hard to be the most gorgeous lady.
She could not afford the dress nor could she compete with the rest of the girls.
She preferred to just stay down-to-earth at the office or at home.
“D*mn it. If you’re not going to be there, it won’t be fun anymore. There’s no point in me going alone.” Yan was unhappy as she pouted.
Shen Qi let out a faint smile as she explained, “You’re different from me—you’re very beautiful and energetic. If you attend the dinner, you might even find your Prince Charming there.”
At the mention of her Prince Charming, the tension of the muscles in Yan’s face eased up substantially.
“That’s more like it. In that case, please wait for me while I try on the dress.”
While Yan was trying on the dress, Shen Qi found a place to sort out her notes. Every now and then, Yan would scurry over to ask for her opinion on the dresses but because she had a nice body, fair complexion and a pretty face, Shen Qi thought she looked good in every dress.
At last, they bumped into Ye Linhan when they walked out of the mall.
“It’s Vice President Ye!” Nervously, Yan grabbed her sleeve. “I didn’t expect to see him here! Hey, he’s coming in our direction!”
Shen Qi’s heart skipped a beat when she heard Yan. Did she just mention Ye Linhan?
Just as she lifted her head, Shen Qi caught sight of Ye Linhan striding toward them at a steady pace with a friendly and attractive smile on his face as usual. He looked exceptionally gentlemanly and amiable.
“Why are you girls here?” Ye Linhan asked them both but his vision could not help but land on Shen Qi’s face.
Shen Qi still felt awkward to see him. Ever since he gave her the card with three hundred thousand, she became even more stressed out and was even more reluctant to see him. Right now, the only thing she wanted to do was earn as much money as possible to pay him back so she would not feel so pressured.
Yan answered him instead. “We came here to buy a dress. Vice President Ye, why are you here?”
Ye Linhan answered with a subtle grin, “I’m here to buy something too. It seems like you girls are done shopping. Where are you girls heading? May I give the two of you a ride?”
“Great! I’m heading home. Thanks, Vice President Ye.”
“No worries.”
Yan was about to drag Shen Qi along to get a ride in Ye Linhan’s car but Shen Qi removed Yan’s hold on her and remained standing there. Because of that, Yan turned around and stared at her in bewilderment.
“I have something to attend to. Vice President Ye, please send Yan home first. I’ll go back home myself later.”
Yan widened her eyes and gaped at her in disbelief.
Judging from the way she was looking at her, it seemed like Yan was asking Shen Qi what had gone into her to waste such a good chance!
Ye Linhan’s eyes turned somewhat gloomier but he did not say anything else.
Yan was the one who could not hold her tongue. “You have something to do? What kind of things do you have to handle? Why didn’t you say so when we tried on the dresses just now? Is it urgent?”
Shen Qi said, “Don’t make a big fuss out of it. I really have something to do and it just popped into my mind. That’s it.”
She did not lie about this point as it had indeed popped into her mind suddenly.
“Really?” Yan stared at her dubiously.
Shen Qi looked embarrassed. She already felt awkward in the beginning and she felt even more so after Yan had posed her those questions. She could only say, “It’s true, I really have something to do. The two of you should head home first. I’ve got to go.”
With that, she directly turned around and left without waiting for their response.
Dispiritedly, Yan stared at her back and muttered, “What’s wrong?”
She turned around and found that Ye Linhan’s eyes were on Shen Qi. It was only until she vanished out of his sight did he avert his gaze but some lingering emotion could still be seen in his eyes.
“Vice President Ye, did you know Shen Qi prior to this? What’s the relationship between you two?” she asked curiously.
Ye Linhan flashed her a subtle grin. “Aren’t you going back home? Let’s go, I’m giving you a ride.”
Yan stuck out her tongue and said, “Anyone who has some sense will be able to see that I’m not the one you want to offer a ride to, and I’m just receiving the favor because of Shen Qi. Right now, the lady you wanted to send home has just left. I wouldn’t want to impose on you in that case.”
“It’s fine. Since you’re her bestie, I’m okay to give you a lift too.”
A profound message was hidden in his words. With her head tilted to one side, Yan asked, “Vice President Ye, are you pursuing Shen Qi?”
Ye Linhan let out a chuckle but remained silent.
“D*mn, was my guess spot-on? Are you really pursuing Shen Qi? But she…” Obviously, she was ignoring you. Have you been rejected by her?
“Let’s go.” Ye Linhan did not answer her question nor did he deny what she said. He merely turned around and strode off toward the car park.
Yan sprinted to catch up to him as she asked, “Vice President Ye, are you really pursuing Shen Qi? Do you need my help to make her come back? It’s very awkward to be in your car alone without her!”
“It’s fine.” Ye Linhan turned around to look at her. “Just take it as a bribe.”
