CHAPTER 178: CHAPTER 178: FORTUNE-TELLING 1_1

At the end of January, the New Year was drawing near, and the festive air grew increasingly palpable.

Xu Xiaoya poured herself a cup of coffee and nibbled on some small pastries, contentedly enjoying the afternoon. After a while, she began to doze off. Suddenly, BANG! BANG! Someone knocked on her table. She lifted her head to see Zhou Xiaoxuan. Zhou Xiaoxuan had visited the store multiple times. The employees knew she was the manager’s classmate and, being on familiar terms, didn’t stand on ceremony, so Zhou Xiaoxuan had quietly made her way to the office on her own.

"Well, well, Xu Xiaoya, you’re certainly playing the part of the lady boss. Slacking off by napping in the middle of the day?"

"Miss, I’m not like you. I work nine to six every day and can’t just sleep in until I naturally wake up. What’s wrong with taking a quick nap now and then?"

Zhou Xiaoxuan leaned her hands on the table and glanced around. The office’s decor was undeniably stylish and upscale. Xu Xiaoya, who was once just a tea girl at a nightclub, had undergone a complete metamorphosis. She now exuded the polished confidence of a career woman, a stark contrast to her former unsophisticated air, and even her demeanor had changed entirely. Her past timidity was gone, replaced by an elegant poise that made her seem nobler.

How strange, Zhou Xiaoxuan thought. It seems one’s environment truly can change a person.

She said resentfully, "Such a nice office. Why would Yan Xixi leave it to you instead of using it herself? Is being a low-level office worker in a cubicle really that interesting?"

Xu Xiaoya chuckled, not taking offense. Since the customer always comes first, she very enthusiastically brought Zhou Xiaoxuan a coffee. "We just got a new shipment in, Little Xuanyuan. I’ll go with you to take a look. If you see anything you like, I’ll give you the best discount and a free gift too."

"So if I don’t buy anything, I don’t get a free gift?"

"Alright, I’ll give you a gold chain to decorate your bag."

"Now that’s more like it."

The two strolled and chatted, eventually stopping in the boutique section on the second floor. While Zhou Xiaoxuan browsed the newest items, she couldn’t help but muse, This store is so large, and business is always good. The annual profit must be quite considerable, right? It’s really unimaginable why Yan Xixi would give the store to Xu Xiaoya and go work for someone else instead.

"Xiaoya, is this store registered under Third Young Master’s name or Yan Xixi’s name?"

Xu Xiaoya made a face. "I’m just an employee here, so don’t ask me."

"Oh, come on. There’s no point hiding it from me. We’ve known each other for so many years. It’s not like we don’t know everything about each other, right?"

Xu Xiaoya just smiled without saying anything, only asking, "Have you picked anything out yet?"

"There’s nothing I really like. Maybe next time."

Xu Xiaoya still politely saw her out, handing her one of the newest gold decorative chains. After Zhou Xiaoxuan left, she returned to the cashier, took out her own credit card, and paid for the item. This chain alone retailed for over 3,000 yuan. As the store manager, she insisted on meticulous accounting and didn’t want even a penny to be off, so almost every gift she gave Zhou Xiaoxuan came out of her own pocket.

The young cashier chuckled. "Manager, you’re really so good to your friend."

Xu Xiaoya just smiled. No matter what, Zhou Xiaoxuan is still better than any man, she thought. At least she was willing to lend me 100,000 yuan. That alone was enough. It’s just a pity that 100,000 ended up going down the drain.

Resentment welled up as she recalled these things. Just then, her phone rang.

"Hello..."

The person on the other end was silent.

She grew impatient. "Hello? Who is this, anyway?"

The person on the other end finally spoke, slowly, "Xiaoya... are you... okay?"

She suddenly held her breath.

"Xiaoya, are you okay? I miss you so much... Only after you left did I realize how important you are to me. I’ve been thinking about you all the time, Xiaoya. I was wrong. I’m so sorry... I’ve already broken up with that woman. She never loved me at all; she just had ulterior motives. Xiaoya, she’s nothing compared to you..."