CHAPTER 54: CHAPTER 53: A TRANSACTION BETWEEN MAN AND WOMAN

Yan Wuxu and Fei Qing stepped out of the car together and walked into the store.

Sister Mu, who was tallying the day’s accounts, and the sales clerk organizing the clothes both stopped their work and looked at Yan Wuxu and Fei Qing as they entered.

More than half a year ago, also at dusk, Yan Wuxu pressed against the display window, secretly admiring the clothes inside "Admiration." Back then, the desire and purity in her eyes prompted Sister Mu to call her in. More than three months later, when she set foot in "Admiration" again, she had changed. There was no insecurity flickering in her eyes; the well-dressed gentleman by her side was the source of her confidence.

Upon seeing Sister Mu, Yan Wuxu pretended not to recognize her at all. With an air of arrogance, she commanded the sales clerk around, to fetch this and that, evidently forgetting the unreasonable demands she herself had endured from customers just a few months before.

"I’ll do it," Sister Mu said calmly, getting up to take care of the clothes Yan Wuxu was pointing out, seeing the sales clerk struggling to cope.

Fei Qing wasn’t concerned about the subtleties of the women’s interactions; he was merely curious about this somewhat unique clothing store.

In the triple mirror, the reflection showed Yan Wuxu, like a butterfly changing clothes. She had Fei Qing look at each piece of attire, admiring her stunning reflection in the mirror and feeling increasingly light on her feet no matter what she wore. She watched Sister Mu mechanically hand her clothes, vividly remembering the afternoon she was scolded for mixing up a customer’s order. The fear and humiliation from that time were still fresh in her memory.

The "messed up" dress was her favorite, what she had planned to buy with a month’s savings. Paired with yellow diamond earrings from the display window, she felt like the most noble woman. But the mockery Sister Mu voiced at the time made her feel like she was back to square one, which is why she fled "Admiration" desperately.

Yan Wuxu didn’t believe she had done anything wrong, nor did she feel any guilt. In her mind, one month’s salary and the ridicule she’d endured for months were enough of a compensation. And today, her return to "Admiration" was merely to show the one-legged woman that she, Yan Wuxu, was worthy of that outfit.

"Qing, I really like these," having seen how Deng Jiani shopped uninhibitedly in several brand-name stores just a few days ago and how Hang Yishao nonchalantly swiped his card, Yan Wuxu too indulged in spending Fei Qing’s doting on her without reservation.

Facing a small mountain of clothes by now, Fei Qing really didn’t understand why women needed so many. Picking out outfits would surely be a hassle, but then he thought it was similar to when he considered which female companion to take out with him. Without another word, he had Sister Mu bag all the clothes.

After swiping his card, Fei Qing had the sales clerk take the shopping bags out while he nonchalantly wrapped his arm around Yan Wuxu’s waist, his hands boldly kneading. Seeing Fei Qing fulfilling her wishes, Yan Wuxu didn’t dare to push those unfaithful hands away.

Fei Qing was no fool; no man would simply be a cash dispenser without taking advantage. "Tonight, I’ve invited Yishao and the others to go out to sea. Don’t go back tonight," his voice carried endless insinuation. Yan Wuxu had never stayed out overnight before, but seeing the piles of shopping bags in the car outside, she hesitated and then nodded. Fei Qing, satisfied, led her out. The generous fisherman had cast sufficient bait; it was time to draw in the net.

Seeing the display window now much emptier, the new sales clerk could hardly contain their joy, but Sister Mu’s face turned serious.

Su Ziceng and Boss Han stood at the street corner, watching the whole scene unfold before their eyes, feeling a rush of emotions, as the banknotes in their hands grew heavy. Boss Han continued to gaze after Yan Wuxu and Fei Qing even after they were out of sight.

"I have to stop her," Su Ziceng stuffed the money back to Boss Han. The amount was substantial, enough for a month’s revenue of a bicycle shop. During her temporary stay, she hadn’t even paid the rent, so she couldn’t very well take Boss Han’s money now.

"No need! She... is doing quite well," Boss Han’s tone was different from usual. Su Ziceng and Yan Wuxu had met twice, both encounters being at the street corners of Zone 5 and the Sixth District. Back then, Yan Wuxu was a girl fleeing in panic, but after today, she would be different. The concerns Yan Wuxu had with her neighbor beside Boss Han, he understood them all.

"Doing quite well? Brother Han, you don’t understand the likes of Fei Qing’s crowd; they’ve never treated women properly."

"Wuxu is different," Boss Han thought back to the day Yan Wuxu started school, striding forward quickly just as she had said, she would never return to the Sixth District. Since the semester started, there hadn’t been the slightest word from her.

Su Ziceng really wanted to expose everything hidden beneath the glossy surface of Fei Qing, but seeing Boss Han’s pained yet hopeful eyes, she found herself unable to speak. She handed the money back to Boss Han.

"This is for the car," the Ferrari, originally just for show, had later caught the eye of some hotels and wedding planners. Attracted by its eye-catching red color, in just one month, the rental income had already surpassed the Sixth District Car Shop’s earnings from repairs.

"Consider it my investment in the Sixth District Car Shop," Su Ziceng returned the money again, she had to call Pello once more, "Admiration" shop had already turned off its business lights, replacing them with night lights that blended better into the nightfall.

Boss Han could only accept the money. He was a sensible person; Su Ziceng came from a good background and didn’t care about this money, but he was still very grateful for Su Ziceng’s trust in them. The friendship between people was often established in unanticipated circumstances.

While waiting for Pello, Su Ziceng picked out some seafood at a nearby stall. Mo City, with its mountainous backdrop against the sea, was rich in seafood.

Only when everything was ready did she see Pello enter with a few bottles of wine and a box.

Su Ziceng checked the wine he brought; it was Canadian ice wine, which seemed to have a low alcohol content. She then opened the box to find several slices of cheesecake.

"The cakes are good, but the alcohol content is too low. I said I’d treat you to a drink, how can you bring your own? I’ve already prepared everything," Su Ziceng proudly pointed to the overflowing seafood and drinks on the table. Imported, aged, combined with the freshest seafood, it truly felt like a gathering of close friends sharing wine and discussing heroes.

Pello indifferently took out the slices of cheesecake and brought out the ice wine, "Thankfully, I was prepared."

Sister Mu cooperatively produced an ice bucket, compared the height with the wine bottles, and added enough ice cubes to snugly fit Pello’s bottles. "Ziceng, you still have a lot to learn. The wines you bought are all fake."