Volume One, Chapter 11: Mocked by the Store Clerk for Looking Like a Pauper
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The stepmother hurried over and helped her daughter to her feet. “Meimei, are you all right? Where are you hurt?”
Su Mei clutched her leg and put on a pained expression. “I twisted my ankle. It hurts so much.”
The moment her eldest brother heard this, he turned on Su Wan furiously. “You pushed her, didn’t you?”
Before Su Wan could answer, Su Mei spoke up first. “Big Brother, don’t blame Sister. She didn’t mean to…”
“How could she not have meant to?” her eldest brother roared indignantly. “Little Sister, you’re simply too kind. Su Wan is obviously jealous that you’re about to marry into a wealthy family…”
Her second brother chimed in as well. “Exactly. I saw Su Wan being driven home by President Meng from the balcony just now. She must be trying to break you two up. Little Sister, you have to be careful!”
Su Wan was speechless.
Did this family suffer from persecution delusions?
She had done absolutely nothing, yet they were always looking for trouble with her!
Her father came downstairs too. Angrily, he demanded, “Tell me honestly. Did you tell Meng Yanli about the rescue?”
Su Wan immediately shook her head. “I didn’t.”
Her father’s expression softened slightly when he heard that, but he warned her, “Remember this: no matter what happens, you are not to tell anyone about it!”
“And you’re to resign from Meng Yanli’s company at once!”
Su Wan froze for a moment. “No, I can’t. I need this job right now…”
“Dad, I think Su Wan simply can’t bear to leave Brother Yanli,” Su Mei provoked from the side.
Her eldest brother immediately backed her up. “That’s what I think too. If Su Wan has no ulterior motives toward President Meng, why would she refuse to leave his company?”
“I can leave, but not now. I’m involved in a project at the company, so I’ll have to wait until it’s finished…”
To remain at the company, Su Wan had no choice but to lie.
Making money was her top priority at the moment. She did not want to waste time looking for another job.
Her eldest brother sneered. “There are countless designers at President Meng’s company. Besides, you’re only an assistant. Do you really think he’d let you participate in a project?”
Su Wan replied calmly, “Whether it’s true or not, you can ask President Meng yourself.”
She was certain they did not have the courage to do so.
Her stepmother did not want to push her too far either, afraid that Su Wan might decide they would all go down together.
Thus, she suppressed her anger and said coldly, “Very well, we’ll believe you one more time. But if you reveal the truth…”
“Then I’ll break her legs!” her father declared sternly at once.
That night, Su Wan did not sleep a wink.
She was still worried that the lie she had told that day might be exposed.
…
The following day.
As soon as she arrived at the office, Su Wan went to ask Meng Yanli for permission.
“President Meng, isn’t the company developing a new brand? May I participate in the project?”
“No. You’re my assistant right now. Do your current work well before you think about anything else.” Meng Yanli rejected her without hesitation.
He felt that the time was not yet right.
Recently, in an effort to improve everyone’s professional skills, the company had even invited a renowned designer to give them lectures, and he had arranged for Su Wan to attend as well.
He had seen her work. Although she was indeed very promising, she still had plenty of room for improvement.
Su Wan grew anxious. “Don’t worry, President Meng. I guarantee that I won’t let it interfere with my work as your assistant. I can manage both.”
“No. A person’s energy is limited. You might end up doing neither job well.”
Su Wan did not want to give up. She hurriedly said, “What if I only do odd jobs for them? Would that be all right? President Meng, I just want to use this opportunity to hone and improve my skills.”
Meng Yanli paused. “Do you need money very badly?”
“Huh?” Su Wan did not quite understand.
“Didn’t you hear me say that, once the brand is successfully developed, everyone would receive an average bonus of three hundred thousand? Is that why you…”
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“That’s not it, President Meng. Actually…”
Su Wan was about to deny it, but then remembered that she could not reveal the real reason. So she nodded and admitted it.
“Well, that’s part of it. I recently saw a handbag I really like…”
“Oh, a handbag?” Meng Yanli frowned.
Was that really the reason?
He found it rather strange.
The bags she usually carried were all very ordinary, none of them from prestigious brands.
“What brand?”
Su Wan hesitated. “Um… Louis Vuitton.”
“Oh. Which style?”
What?
Su Wan was utterly dumbfounded.
She had casually made up an excuse. Why was President Meng asking such detailed questions?
“Um… one released this year. The newest model.”
How could she possibly know the details? She had never bought a designer handbag in her life, let alone one from a major brand like Louis Vuitton.
Meng Yanli tapped his slender fingers against the desk.
Then he suddenly rose and slowly walked over to Su Wan.
He leaned toward her slightly.
A familiar, cool fragrance swept over her.
Su Wan’s cheeks flushed involuntarily.
She instinctively leaned back.
For some inexplicable reason, she felt nervous.
Had he seen through her lie?
Her eyes flickered as she looked at him guiltily.
Meng Yanli reached out and gently lifted her chin. With a cold snort, he said, “Is this because I gave your younger sister a handbag like that, and you want one too?”
“…”
Su Wan was completely stunned.
What a coincidence. She had not known about that at all.
Meng Yanli felt somewhat disappointed.
In his eyes, this girl had always seemed pure and innocent, unlike the materialistic type. Yet now she wanted to work two jobs simply to buy a designer handbag!
For some reason, the thought made him uncomfortable.
Had he misjudged her? Was she actually vain and greedy for luxury?
He forced her to look at him.
He had to admit that her face was truly beautiful, almost flawless.
Her large, dark eyes seemed capable of speech. Her thick, long lashes fluttered, irresistibly alluring.
His throat suddenly felt dry.
Irritated, he released her.
He said coolly, “You’re not telling me all this because you want me to give you a handbag too, are you?”
Su Wan stared at him in shock.
He had been the one asking all those questions. When had she ever entertained such an idea?
“No, President Meng, I…”
“Enough. You may leave!”
“President Meng, about the project…”
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“Leave!”
Su Wan dared not say anything more and hurried out.
Her boss really did have a terrible temper. He lost his temper for no reason at all.
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After work, Su Wan was stopped.
Meng Yanli said indifferently, “Come with me to the mall. My mother’s birthday is coming up. Help me choose a gift.”
“President Meng, I already have plans.”
Han Wei had invited her to dinner.
Meng Yanli frowned.
He could not help remembering Ye Fan, the man he had seen holding her.
With a cold snort, he said, “Cancel them!”
When they arrived at the mall, Meng Yanli’s phone rang outside the Louis Vuitton boutique.
“Go inside and choose something first. I’ll take this call.”
Su Wan felt somewhat helpless.
She really knew nothing about choosing handbags.
Still, choosing the most expensive one could not possibly be wrong.
Thus, once inside, she focused her gaze on the row of most expensive bags.
A young sales clerk walked over and said coolly, “Miss, be very careful not to misread the prices of these bags.”
The girl was wearing an ordinary suit, and the bag she carried was not a designer brand. There was no way she could afford anything here!
Yet she was still pretending to browse and choose. How ridiculous!
Su Wan could not be bothered to argue with her.
She took a liking to one bag whose style and color seemed excellent, and which would suit a wealthy lady like President Meng’s mother. She was about to try it on.
President Meng had mentioned earlier that his mother was about the same size as she was, so she could help determine whether the bag would be suitable.
The moment her hand touched it, the sales clerk rushed over and yanked it away from her, snapping angrily, “Looking is all you’re supposed to do. Why are you touching it?”
Su Wan frowned. “How can I know whether it’s suitable without trying it?”
“Of course it isn’t suitable!” the sales clerk sneered. “These are luxury goods, meant only for noble ladies. How could a poor person like you possibly afford one?”
As she spoke, she pointed coldly toward the entrance. “Leave the mall, turn left, and walk a hundred meters. There’s a shop holding a clearance sale. Everything is fifty percent off. Those bags are more suitable for you!”
She then complained to a colleague nearby, “Honestly, doesn’t she ever look in a mirror? She looks so shabby, yet she has the nerve to touch such an expensive bag. If she dirties it, could she even afford to pay for it?”
Su Wan’s little face flushed bright red with anger. “What did you say? Is this how you treat your customers?”
The sales clerk was not intimidated. Turning to the others, she said, “Do you think I’m wrong? Does she look like someone who can afford these bags?”
After she said that, the other sales clerks and customers began whispering among themselves.
“Exactly. Even if she sold herself, she couldn’t afford that bag…”
“Ugh, she’s so poor, yet she acts so superior. What a joke!”
“Seriously! She can’t afford anything, yet she comes to a luxury boutique pretending to shop. How humiliating!”
“…”
For a moment, voices came from every direction.
Seeing everyone mocking Su Wan, the sales clerk grew even more brazen and moved to drive her out.
“You heard them, didn’t you? This store isn’t somewhere you belong. Hurry up and leave. Stop loitering here! If you’re not embarrassed, I’m embarrassed for you…”