Chapter 37: I Have Brought Your Parents to You

"What nonsense are you spouting? Where did a pauper like you come from, and how dare you spout such drivel in our shop?

Little brother, this is no way to act tough. Even if I let you in, what of it? Do you have any idea how much the cheapest item in our store costs? Some poses just aren't meant to be struck by people like you."

The reason she was so certain that Jiang Zhiyue and her companions had no money was that not one of them was wearing a single piece of designer clothing. The man’s sportswear looked decent in texture, but his wrists were bare—not even a watch—so he clearly couldn't be a successful man. As for the girl, her attire was even worse; it looked like something bought off a discount app for nine-point-nine yuan, shipping included. And the elderly couple, who had been cowering in the back without a word, were even worse; they radiated the sour, musty stench of poverty.

It was absolutely disgusting. Why would the mall let such riffraff in? It was beyond infuriating.

Just then, the commotion at the entrance caught the attention of those inside the shop. As Jiang Qingyan turned her head, she saw Jiang Zhiyue and Pei Heng arguing with the clerk. She hurriedly pulled Lu Yan over. "What’s going on?"

Seeing Jiang Qingyan approaching with Lu Yan, Lucy immediately bowed in apology. "Mr. Lu, Miss Jiang, I am so sorry. A few flies wandered into the shop; I’ll chase them out immediately."

Jiang Qingyan tilted her head, her eyes wide with surprise. "Sister? Is it really you? I never expected to run into you here. Where did you go last night? You didn't pick up your phone; you have no idea how worried we all were."

Jiang Qingyan’s attitude left Lucy startled, a flash of panic crossing her face. She asked respectfully, "Miss Jiang, is this lady your..."

Jiang Qingyan gave a sweet smile and introduced her with ease, "She is my sister."

Lucy’s vision darkened, and her legs went weak. She had actually offended a young lady of the Jiang family. It was over—everything was ruined. A single light word from these scion ladies could decide the fate of workers like her. If the store manager found out, she would certainly lose her job. Not only that, but having offended a VIP, no other luxury boutique would hire her again.

It was over. She simply couldn't fathom how a proper young lady from a wealthy family could wear such trashy clothes.

Just as Lucy was consumed by regret, she heard Jiang Qingyan continue:

"Although my sister is just a relative who came to rely on us, our whole family treats her like real kin. So, you must not bully my sister again, do you understand? She just hasn't seen so many beautiful clothes in a luxury shop before and wanted to come in for a look; how could you make things difficult for her?"

Hearing this, the previously anxious Lucy suddenly felt as if the sun had come out again. So, she was just a country bumpkin relative of a wealthy family... She had been scared to death!

Jiang Zhiyue looked at Jiang Qingyan with a complicated expression. She truly hadn't expected someone to be able to spout such nonsense with such unearned confidence. No wonder Jiang Qingyan was so doted on by everyone! It was impossible to emulate; she simply didn't have the talent for telling tall tales to people's faces.

"If you want to look at beautiful clothes, Sister, feel free to come in."

Jiang Qingyan walked over generously and made a move to take Jiang Zhiyue’s hand, then leaned in close to whisper in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Sister, don't blame me for saying it this way. Mom and Dad don't want to acknowledge your status right now, and there’s nothing I can do about it."

After saying this, she gave Jiang Zhiyue a provocative smile.

"Wait, who are you? I haven't even spoken yet, and you're already going on about how we're just 'taking a look'? What, do you think I can't afford a few pieces of clothing?"

Having said that, Pei Heng cast a disdainful glance at Jiang Qingyan and Lu Yan. He then turned to Tina, the new clerk who had been polite to them earlier, and said, "You’re Tina, right? Take all the clothes this lady just tried on and cast them aside, then pack up every other finished garment in this store for me. My little Jiang-Jiang thinks anything she’s touched is dirty."

Jiang Zhiyue: "..."

*Cast them aside?* What on earth was that?

Wait, no! She was here to make money today, not to spend it!

As soon as these words were out, the small audience in the livestream chat burst into amusement:

[Hahaha, which village did this 'tyrant CEO' come from? 'Cast them aside'? Do you think this is a night market wholesale stall?]

[I’m staying for this. I want to see if the clerk actually packs everything up, only to find out this guy can't pay. Will this handsome young man get arrested?]

[Am I the only one wondering how much commission this pretty clerk would get if he actually bought all those clothes?]

On the screen, the pretty clerk didn't dare to move. She also assumed Pei Heng was just speaking out of anger; after all, what normal person buys clothes like that? Even if one were rich, one wouldn't buy a pile of clothes that didn't fit, would one?

"Well?" Pei Heng looked at the clerk, who was standing there dazed, and urged her impatiently, "What are you standing there for?"

Before the new clerk could move, Lucy let out a snicker. "Sir, I’m afraid you don't understand the average transaction value in our store. If you aren't aware, I can explain it to you so you don't make a fool of yourself."

"I don't understand?" Pei Heng looked puzzled. "I’m here to buy things, not to work as a clerk. Why would I need to understand the price of every single garment? If I like it, I pay for it. Isn't that enough? Why make it so complicated?"

"Ahem." Jiang Zhiyue let out a tactical cough and gave Pei Heng a subtle look. "Don't forget why we’re actually here! These clothes aren't my style anyway; why waste money on them?"

Pei Heng looked touched. His little Jiang-Jiang was just too good to him. She was always looking out for his interests, afraid he’d waste money. However, buying clothes here wasn't exactly a waste. It was his aunt’s shop; spending money here was just moving it from one pocket to the other. He had good luck—the "lucky money" his aunt gave him every year was well over ten million. Spending this money was no loss at all.

He said calmly, "Just wear them casually. Consider them your work uniform."

Jiang Qingyan knew Pei Heng’s identity and was aware that, as a young master of the Pei family, he certainly had the financial means. She didn't want Jiang Zhiyue to steal the spotlight, so she changed the subject.

"Sister, since you aren't here to buy clothes, what are you doing here today?"

As she spoke, she glanced meaningfully at the man behind her. Predictably, a flash of annoyance crossed Lu Yan’s face. "Jiang Zhiyue, can you stop haunting us? My heart belongs only to Yan-yan; I hope you have a little self-awareness."

Oh... The clerks present felt as if they had just stumbled upon a massive scandal.

Jiang Zhiyue rolled her eyes at Lu Yan and crossed her arms. "Why is there so much drama with you two? I came here today specifically to bring you some warmth."

"What warmth?" Jiang Qingyan asked reflexively.

"Well?" Jiang Zhiyue stepped aside, exposing Sun Guifang and her husband, who had been hiding behind them the whole time. "I brought you your parents. Tell me, isn't that warm enough?!"