Chapter 16

 

Longmao Parkway was a Sino-foreign joint venture department store. The best locations and counters on the first and second floors were designated as the import section.

Originally, these imported clothing and luxury bags catered to the shopping needs of foreign businesspeople, but now they’ve gradually become the new objects of desire for upper-class white-collar workers and wealthy individuals in Haigang.

When Ming Xi was still working in the office, whenever the imported goods were mentioned, the office’s big sisters would always speak of it with a mixture of envy and criticism.

Envy came from the fact that they couldn’t spend money there often, only buying a few items for themselves during the holidays. As for criticism—well, it was even more absurd: they’d say that truly rich people in Haigang shopped in Hong Kong or Japan instead!

Ming Xi wanted to say, what kind of logic is that? Are there fake rich people and real rich people now?

Come on, buy from her! As long as someone could afford something with a five-digit price tag… no, even four digits—anyone who could spend that much was a real rich person in her book.

She would never say them fake!

When she was an office clerk, she could get the hang of things just by doing them. But sales were different—it required sharp eyes, quick thinking, and a perfect balance between advance and retreat.

Every day, Ming Xi followed her mentor, Sister Lingna—copying her posture and speech during the day, and memorizing product details at night.

She had a great memory, especially for numbers. After glancing at the prices of clothes, shoes, or bags just a few times, she could recall them effortlessly.

Beyond that, Ming Xi challenged herself by memorizing each product’s material, style, and place of origin until she could describe them smoothly—not only in Mandarin but in fluent English as well.

Her enthusiasm didn’t go unnoticed. Lingna was happy to pass on her own sales tricks, and Ming Xi was always grateful—helping Lingna with her personal errands whenever she had the time.

People who worked earnestly and treated others sincerely were likable anywhere.

Ming Xi quickly secured her first sale, selling two imported silk scarves.

It was a small deal, so no one envied her for it, but Ming Xi was still overjoyed. She even treated three female and one male sales associate at the other counters to a meal. That simple gesture made her well-liked, and when her second and third sales came afterward, even those who might have felt jealous had nothing bad to say.

After becoming a sales associate, Ming Xi felt that each day she was learning, thinking, improving—a constant process of growth.

And when a person grows, they change. The change comes from within and shows outwardly.

…

Morning in the dormitory.

Ming Xi put on the new Lunar New Year uniform issued by Longmao for its sales staff—a neat red jacket over a plain black knit top, paired with a knee-length skirt and black soft leather heels. Altogether, she looked no less polished than a high-end white-collar worker.

Oh wait—not a white-collar worker. A red-collar one.

She giggled at her own joke, thinking that if Cai Ni could see her now, she would be amazed.

Facing the mirror, Ming Xi continued doing her makeup. Her short hair, neatly pinned behind her ears with a metal clip, was smooth and tidy…

She’d even bought the bra Sister Lingna had recommended. Once she put it on, the thick, supportive padding shaped her young figure beautifully—giving her formerly slender frame soft, graceful curves.

With a light touch of makeup, the face in the mirror looked not only fresh and radiant but also carried a faint allure.

It’s amazing how a girl’s appearance becomes even more sensual once she feels desire. Ming Xi pursed her lips in the mirror, exhaled a puff of white breath, then reached out to wipe the mist off.

Suddenly, a figure popped into her mind.

Clean-cut yet quietly sensual, with a tall, elegant build—someone who was always gentle yet distant in his manner.

Liang Jiancheng had said he would buy her coffee… but it turned out to be just words. He hadn’t contacted her since. It must have been nothing more than polite small talk.

One of the things Sister Lingna had taught her was how to tell the different types of wealthy people apart. There were, she said, only two kinds: the polite kind, and the arrogant kind.

Liang Jiancheng naturally belonged to the polite kind.

Ming Xi felt a little uncomfortable. If she were wealthy herself—or if her parents had truly loved her—she wouldn’t be hurt at all by Liang Jiancheng’s distance and polite indifference.

Because then, she would be even more aloof! And even more polite!

She would become frighteningly good at pretending…!

…

As the year drew to a close, most companies outside were already on holiday—but for department stores, this was the busiest, most crowded time of the year.

The place bustled with life and energy.

Once Ming Xi settled into a life of independence and self-reliance, she came to despise the old days when she had to bow and scrape to others. Lately, life had been so promising that she had almost forgotten about Ming Decheng and Yang Yumei, those two wretched people.

She didn’t even know where they were now—and when she thought about it, she decided coldly that it would be best if they never contacted each other again in this lifetime.

Longmao Parkway was located in the city center, and the dormitory had a strict no-cooking policy. Every morning, Ming Xi made herself a cup of instant oatmeal to take along, then bought two steamed buns on the way to fill her stomach.

Haigang was a big city, and even buns here cost more than in Yicheng—three mao for a vegetable bun, five for a meat bun back there; but near Longmao, vegetable buns were eight mao, and the meat ones were a full one and a half yuan!

Daylight robbery!

So, to get a cheaper breakfast, Ming Xi woke up ten minutes earlier every morning and ducked into an alley off the main street, where she found a few stalls selling delicious and reasonably priced scallion pancakes.

She always bought two extras, one to bring to her mentor, Sister Lingna.

The year-end winter was cold, and though Haigang was crowded and lively, the temperature wasn’t much warmer than Yicheng’s. Bundled in her cotton coat, Ming Xi clutched her warm scallion pancake as she stepped out of the alley, her breath forming white puffs in the air. Not wanting the pancake to get cold, she took bites as she walked, and by the time she neared Longmao Parkway’s east gate, it was nearly finished.

A black sedan was parked by the side entrance of the department store. It was a familiar car. There was a simple and powerful circle on the front of the car, which was divided into three equal parts.

Ming Xi subconsciously stopped to take a closer look. The car was parked outside the Cantonese dim sum restaurant next to Longmao—the only one in the area. Sister Lingna, a native of Guangzhou, had once recommended it, saying their crystal shrimp dumplings and barbecue pork buns were the most authentic around.

Same flavors as home—but much more expensive.

Yesterday, Ming Xi had closed two big deals. During her lunch break, she even went to Xu Ji to treat herself to a char siu bun. The waiter had packed it neatly in a delicate box and then into a sturdy kraft paper bag. Carrying that pretty bag in her hand, she’d felt that the whole year-end Haigang was tinged with romance.

As if by some strange coincidence, Liang Jiancheng came striding out of the dim sum shop at that moment—composed, brisk, a briefcase in one hand and two takeaway packets in the other. To Ming Xi, the Xu Ji bag was something romantic, but to Liang Jiancheng, it was just trash. He tossed it straight into a garbage bin, casually opened his car door, and placed his briefcase in the passenger seat.

He got in without noticing her.

Ming Xi finished her last bite of scallion pancake and wiped the grease off her lip. Without greeting Liang Jiancheng, she turned and walked into the Longmao Parkway.

The poor often had no concept what the rich have. The easiest way to feel the gap was through the different attitudes towards the same things.

Watching Liang Jiancheng get out of the car so calmly to buy breakfast, and then treating those Xu Ji breakfast so casually, Ming Xi’s felt a real pang of envy. She was truly jealous of a rich man who could eat char siu so causally.

She could only roll her eyes at herself. What am I even thinking? I’m the one acting like the char siu here!

Unbelievable to the extreme; Ming Xi blamed everything on work.

She must have gone crazy from overworking.

That morning, Ming Xi wasn’t assigned to the counter but to the warehouse to take inventory. When she returned at noon, Sister Lingna and another saleswoman, Ding Xiao, were chatting.

Ding Xiao was the sociable type—friendly with everyone, but not particularly close to anyone.

When Ming Xi walked in, Sister Lingna waved her over and pulled out two large bags of men’s clothing from behind the counter.

“Take this to Xinghai Foreign Trade in the Zhongjin Tower across the street and give it to Maggie, the assistant there. These are clothes that her boss, Mr. Liang, had ordered a while ago—they just arrived.”

What? Such a coincidence? Ming Xi fell silent, her brows drooping slightly as she looked at Sister Lingna, obviously uneasy.

Sister Lingna teased her: ” What’s wrong? Close a few sales and now you think you’re too good to run errands?”

Ming Xi pursed her lips awkwardly and said it matter-of-factly: ” I… went for an interview at Xinghai once before…”

Ding Xiao, tall and sharp-eyed, glanced down at her and teased, “Then that’s perfect—you already know the way.”

“My sister Ding! Let me tell you the truth—” Ming Xi looked awkwardly at Ding Xiao, forced a helpless expression, and said very sincerely, “I don’t really like that Maggie. Mainly because she doesn’t like me. She made it very clear during the interview. So, to avoid upsetting the customer, maybe it’s better if I don’t go?”

Ding Xiao suddenly covered her mouth and laughed, and said disapprovingly: “Well, isn’t that funny! That Maggie comes to our place every week, but doesn’t buy anything. She’s both annoyed by and afraid of us saleswomen. Just take the clothes over, be confident! The boss of Xinghai is handsome, by the way. Have him try them on, and if they don’t fit, bring them back.”

Really? Ming Xi looked at Sister Lingna, who nodded at her—confirming Ding Xiao’s words.

With that, Ming Xi’s bright eyes darted playfully as she asked in a mischievous tone, “So does it mean I can go there all high and mighty?”

“Go ahead, go ahead. You’ve said all this just to get us to spill a little gossip, don’t you?” Sister Lingna said, as if she saw through her.

Ming Xi: …No way! How could they see through that tiny bit of scheming so easily?

…

After that interview, Ming Xi came to the Zhongjin Tower once again.

But the feeling this time was completely different. The first time, she’d been there for a job interview—nervous, observant, overly cautious. But now, with a job of her own, she walked in openly and with ease, even if it was only to deliver some goods.

Ming Xi, dressed in a Longmao sales associate’s uniform, soft leather high heels, and clutching a expensive shopping bag, politely took the elevator to the ninth floor.

Familiar with the route, she arrived directly at Xinghai Foreign Trade. The company’s doors were wide open; there was no need to ring the bell.

There were far more people working there than the last time she’d visited; the place was bustling. The hallway near the reception desk was stacked with boxes of seafood—likely New Year’s gifts for the employees.

She’d been so busy she’d almost forgotten that Spring Festival was approaching. Yesterday, she’d spoken to Cai Ni, confirming she wouldn’t be returning to Yicheng for the holiday. Still, she would have three consecutive days off after the second day of the lunar new year—she just hadn’t decided what to do yet.

Today was New Year’s Eve, and it supposed to be the last day for Xinghai Foreign Trade’s employees. Maggie was surprisingly sitting at the front desk, head lowered, expression blank, typing something on her phone. She didn’t even notice Ming Xi come in.

Ming Xi smiled faintly and stepped forward, greeting her in a light, friendly tone: “Maggie.”

Maggie’s face visibly jolted at the call, and she looked up at the person who had called her—Ming Xi.

Then, her expression froze again.

Maggie, so radiant and bright last time, seemed a bit absent-minded today.

Ming Xi’s smile only grew more natural, with a touch of familiarity.

Such a bright and lively face.

Maggie didn’t recognize her at first glance. It took a second look for her to realize who it was, and instinctively, her face stiffened. “Byron’s not here. He went out.”

“I’m not looking for Byron. I’m looking for Byron’s assistant, Maggie,” Ming Xi said with a smile. She spoke patiently.

“What is it?” Maggie asked, eyes flicking sideways without meeting hers—there was a trace of guilt in her manner.

All workers were the same, Ming Xi thought—when the boss was gone, they liked to play the tyrant for a bit. She understood that, and didn’t hold it against her. Instead, she simply lifted the two large bags of clothing onto the counter.

“Please pass them to Mr. Liang. If the sizes don’t fit, please contact me and I’ll come pick them up again.” As she spoke, she jotted her phone number down neatly on a small note from the reception desk.

“This is my number. I’m working as a sales associate at Longmao Parkway now. If you need anything, remember to contact me.” Ming Xi, giving herself some personal advertising, handed the slip to Maggie.

Besides her phone number, it also had a cute smiley face.

This girl is really…!

Maggie hadn’t expected Ming Xi to end up in sales. Since the misunderstanding had been cleared up, why didn’t she come to Xinghai as a foreign trade sales representative? Wouldn’t that be better than just being a department store’s saleswoman? The day Liang Jiancheng returned from Guangzhou, he had contacted her. He coldly and seriously emphasized his dislike for assistants who acted on their own initiative…

And so Maggie wasn’t Liang Jiancheng’s assistant anymore.

She had, quite literally, shot herself in the foot out of misplaced good intentions.

“…Why don’t you come work here?” Maggie took the bag, set it down at the front desk, and couldn’t help but ask Ming Xi.

Ming Xi spoke calmly, without boasting, and answered honestly, “Because Longmao Parkway is better. Besides being a Sino-foreign joint venture, it also has staff dormitories, and the sales staff in the import section get high salaries. Also, I don’t have to spend money on clothes.”

Clothes—that had been something Maggie herself had told her about at the interview: for the company’s image, employees were expected to wear something different each day. After a three-month probation, the company would provide a clothing allowance.

How pragmatic—and, in Maggie’s mind, how short-sighted. Only someone from out of town would think that way. Her gaze swept over Ming Xi’s uniform and name badge, where beneath the Chinese characters Ming Xi was printed her English name: Lamia.

At least the English name sounded pretty…

“Bye-bye.” Ming Xi gave her a bright, friendly smile before leaving.

No matter how Maggie looked at her, she would still treat Maggie with sincerity.

Sister Lingna told her that as a sales associate, she should not care about how others treated her, only about how she treats others. That made sense, and Ming Xi had taken it to heart.

The world runs on the law of conservation of energy—if she gave away a bit of warmth in her smile, maybe what came back would be sales and commission. If love in this world had nothing to do with her, then she would face life honestly and fearlessly—with her eyes on the money instead.

Thinking this, her steps felt lighter as she headed for the elevator and walked briskly toward the exit.

Just as she was about to step through the revolving door, a voice called out behind her—

“Ming… Xi?

“Ms. Ming!”

The first “Ming Xi” was said uncertainly but wanted to confirm. Then more certain “Miss Ming” was said with a hint of amusement in its tone.

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