Chapter 6 The Best is Yet to Come

"Miss Qiao," the manager advised, "I recommend that you top up 200,000 yuan at once, so you can enjoy a 70% discount on all projects and services. Given your current frequency of spending, this is a very cost-effective option for you."

200,000 yuan? And it's cost-effective? Why doesn't she just rob me!

Qiao Kexin's face was turning green; she really wanted to turn around and leave.

But she was afraid of being looked down upon by these people, so she gathered up her courage and said:

"Actually, I might not stay in the country much lately, so I probably won't come here that frequently. Do you have any other options to recommend?"

"Yes, we do," Manager Zhou immediately introduced, "There are also options for 150,000 yuan and 100,000 yuan. If you top up 150,000 yuan today, you can enjoy a 50% discount. With 100,000 yuan top-up, you get a 30% discount. Which one would you prefer?"

Qiao Kexin swallowed hard; she didn't want to choose any of them.

She glanced at Wenyan, only to find her bowing her head, sipping tea, completely oblivious to Qiao Kexin's gaze.

Meanwhile, Manager Zhou and several other front desk attendants kept their eyes fixed on her.

With no other options, Qiao Kexin, after weighing her choices, reluctantly bit the bullet and topped up 150,000 yuan.

As she swiped her card, Manager Zhou added an explanation: "By the way, Miss Qiao, this discount only applies to projects and services. The two bottles of serum you've taken are not subject to the discount, so aside from the services, an additional 18,000 yuan will be charged. Here is the receipt, please sign it."

The last trace of color drained from Qiao Kexin's face, and her hand trembled as she signed.

Seeing her in such a state, Wenyan couldn't help but curl her lips up at the corners.

When it was spending someone else's money, she never hesitated, but now that it was her own money, she had learned to grit her teeth.

But this was only the beginning!

Wenyan stood up, smiling as she walked over and linked arms with Qiao Kexin, deliberately rubbing salt in the wound.

"How about it, Kexin, aren't their membership deals economical? I think it's quite suitable. We should come here again next time."

Qiao Kexin's heart was bleeding, and she silently clenched her jaw, "Yeah, it's quite nice. I'll definitely come next time!"

Having just topped up well over a hundred thousand, she wasn't about to not show up.

"Alright, let's plan for next time. It's still early, let's go shopping. A few days ago, C Family called to say they'd received several new handbags. Let's go check them out."

Qiao Kexin did not have much standing in her stepfather's house, and she usually visited upscale stores by leeching off the original resident's membership, often borrowing points and money from her.

So today, while looking at handbags, Wenyan simply decided to strike first.

While trying out bags, she said to Qiao Kexin, "I remember I still have two classic bags and one from this year's new collection at your place, right? And a diamond necklace you borrowed from me when you attended a family banquet. Let me pick them up from you later."

"What?" Qiao Kexin's face fell instantly, "Are you in such a hurry, Yanyan? You even want to come to my place to retrieve them?"

"Yeah, aren't you the one who told me to go head-to-head with Shen Zhirou?"

Qiao Kexin choked, "Right, you have to beat her, but what does that have to do with your urgency?"

"Of course, it's related!" Wenyan's eyes widened as she earnestly said, "You don't know, most of the things I lent you were gifts from my mom. To treat us fairly, whatever she gives me, she usually gives one to Shen Zhirou as well, so she has these items too.

And the thing is, she really doesn't like it when someone has the same stuff as her. So I just want to use the same things— not only that, but I want to outshine her. It's not scary to have the same items; it's only awkward if you look worse. Don't you think so, Kexin?"

"Yes, it makes sense. But you're not planning to go to the company anyway, how are you going to clash with her?"

"Are you silly? I'm just not going to work at the company. Who said I can't visit my dad and my brother there? The money she earns from working at the company ends up in my dad's pocket, and he gives me pocket money every month. When you round it off, she's basically working for me. She works hard every day, while I can strut around in fancy clothes right in front of her. Don't you think she would be furious?"

"..." Qiao Kexin was speechless for a moment; somehow, that sounded quite reasonable.

"Do you really have to go to my house today?"

"What's wrong? Is it inconvenient for you? If so, I won't enter your house; I'll just wait outside for you. I can't wait to challenge Shen Zhirou—are you telling me you won't even support me in this?"

Qiao Kexin forced a smile, "Support, of course I support you. I'll always support you."

"Yes! Kexin, you truly are my best sister!" Wenyan nodded emphatically, then picked up a handbag to show Qiao Kexin, "What do you think of this one?"

"Isn't this a men's model?"

"Actually, it's unisex. What I really like about it is its capacity—it can fit a lot of things, and at only fifty thousand, it's not expensive."

"If you like it, then buy it."

"Sure, but today I'll need to borrow some money from you."

Borrow money?! It's okay to buy a purse, but borrowing money is out of the question. Qiao Kexin's head buzzed.

"What's wrong, Yanyan? Are you facing some financial crisis?"

"Of course not," Wenyan still had a beaming smile, "I just didn't bring my card, that's all. Nowadays, who uses cards? It's all about electronic payments."

"Then why don't you use electronic payment?"

"Because I rushed out today and grabbed the wrong phone. This one is my spare, and I haven't downloaded any of those apps. Even if I had, I wouldn't remember the passwords. Didn't you often borrow money from me before? I'm sure you won't mind lending me some just this once, right?"

"...How could I?" Qiao Kexin's smile was uglier than a cry, "Then let's hurry and pay."

"Ah? So soon? Aren't you buying anything today?"

"No, the bags I have are enough." She wouldn't buy if there wasn't a deal to be had.

"But I still want to look around a bit more."

"How about we do it another day? The restaurant I booked has a time limit, and if we're late, they won't hold the reservation for us."

"Oh, is that so? Well, okay, let's go and pay now."

Wenyan, arm in arm with Qiao Kexin, couldn't hide her joy. She had no choice; after all, she studied acting before being transplanted into this story.

As for Qiao Kexin, all she could do was silently weep in her heart as she paid.

She couldn't understand how things got to this point, as everything since leaving the beauty salon was beyond her calculations. And yet, she couldn't pinpoint any particular fault!

It wasn't until they entered the upscale Western restaurant she had booked in advance that Qiao Kexin realized another regrettable matter.

Wenyan didn't bring any money today; Qiao Kexin thought this meal would be on Wenyan, which is why she chose the most upscale place.

Now, it turned out she would have to pay for tonight!

Wenyan, for her part, pretended not to notice Qiao Kexin's discomfort and said while walking:

"I'm so hungry, Kexin. Today I'm going to eat my fill."

"......" Qiao Kexin couldn't even muster a smile anymore.

Both sat down, each preoccupied with their own thoughts, neither noticing the person at the table next to them.

Shen Jingxiu had not expected to encounter Wenyan here.