Jiang Beicheng thought that giving Li Xingying a chance to shop for free would lead her to high-end malls like Zhou Yu, picking out designer bags or jewelry.
Instead, she headed straight to JD Mall and fell in love at first sight with the DJI Mavic 3 Pro drone at the DJI counter.
"My Mini 2 is about to retire, and I've had my eye on the Mavic 3 Pro for a while. Since Young Master Jiang is giving me this free shopping opportunity, I won't hold back," Li Xingying said with a sweet smile.
It was clear that her ambition was strong.
Her mind was focused on shooting better videos.
As usual, Jiang Beicheng was generous with the women around him and nodded with a smile.
His gesture meant: just take it.
The salesperson began explaining the usage instructions and some after-sales services to her.
Jiang Beicheng's gaze shifted to the Inspire 3 in the display case, a cinematic-grade aerial drone.
Professional photographers gave it high praise.
It supported 8K filming, and although platforms like Douyin would compress the video quality, the resolution and texture were noticeably several levels higher.
Li Xingying needed more professional, high-end filming equipment, so Jiang Beicheng decided to get her a full set.
It wasn't every day he was in the mood to go shopping like this.
"Is the Inspire 3 in stock?" Jiang Beicheng asked.
The salesperson turned to him, nodding repeatedly, "Yes, handsome."
She immediately went to fetch it.
"Does Young Master Jiang play with drones too?" Li Xingying asked curiously.
The Inspire 3, a cinematic drone, was indeed suitable for someone like Jiang Beicheng.
It was too expensive.
Ordinary players couldn't afford it.
Jiang Beicheng: "I played with them a lot when I was in the UK, but I gave all that equipment to friends before returning to China.
If we had met two years earlier, I could've brought them back for you to use."
Canon telephoto lenses, several DJI series, and even Raptor cinematic lenses…
That was equipment worth millions.
Jiang Beicheng's personality was like that—when he got obsessed with something, he'd pour money into it.
In the words of insiders, it was called "bad students with too many tools."
But in his eyes, it was "if your skills aren't up to par, let the equipment make up for it," or if your skills were lacking, throw money at it.
From childhood to adulthood, he had many interests but never mastered any of them fully. He'd lose interest after a while, always only half-stepping into any field.
His family had spent a fortune just to satisfy his hobbies.
He could barely be called a jack-of-all-trades—knowing a bit of everything, capable in many areas, but not an expert. Still, he could make a living off those skills.
Li Xingying said with regret, "What a pity. With your equipment, Young Master Jiang, I could've built a photography team."
"Handsome, the Inspire 3 is our DJI…"
The salesperson took the Inspire 3 from the display case, ready to explain it to Jiang Beicheng.
Jiang Beicheng looked at Li Xingying, "Just explain it to her."
Li Xingying froze for a moment.
Young Master Jiang wasn't buying it for himself—he was buying it for her?
"Do you have a drone license?" Jiang Beicheng asked.
The Inspire 3 weighed seven or eight pounds, but according to domestic drone classifications, it was still considered a light drone. However, a drone license was required for commercial use at altitudes above 120 meters.
Li Xingying snapped back to reality and nodded.
Jiang Beicheng said, "Take both the Mavic 3 Pro and the Inspire 3. For some epic scenes, you'll need the cinematic lens of the Inspire 3."
Li Xingying was stunned, but her heart was blooming with joy.
She knew the formidable capabilities of the Inspire 3, but it was so expensive that, with her current aerial filming skills, it felt a bit like wasting such a high-end tool.
Still, that didn't stop her from wanting it.
The salesperson, with high emotional intelligence, smiled and praised, "Many professional photographers can't bear to splurge on the Inspire 3. Miss, your boyfriend is so good to you."
Jiang Beicheng played along with a joke, "She loves playing with these things, so I'm just buying her a big toy to play with."
The salesperson smiled, "This toy is worth its weight in gold."
Hearing these words, Li Xingying's smile grew even brighter.
What did Young Master Jiang mean by that?
Was he hinting at officially dating her?
Did he already see her as his girlfriend?
She'd find a chance to test him later.
"Miss, the Inspire 3 comes in two versions: the standard version for 79,888, and an upgraded version with an additional Sigma 18mm focal length lens.
That one's about eight or nine thousand more.
Additionally, the Inspire 3 has one-year and two-year Worry-Free replacement plans. Would you like to consider those?" the salesperson explained.
"No need, the standard version is enough," Li Xingying waved her hand, thinking she'd already spent too much today.
Jiang Beicheng said, "Add the Sigma lens and calculate the price for the two-year Worry-Free plan."
Li Xingying waved her hand, thinking it wasn't necessary, but before she could speak, Jiang Beicheng added, "I'm getting the two-year Worry-Free plan because I'm worried about your skills."
Li Xingying burst into laughter.
She was indeed unfamiliar with a cinematic-grade drone like the Inspire 3, though she was comfortable with the Mini and Mavic series.
With the Worry-Free service, she wouldn't have to worry about losing or damaging it, giving her room to make mistakes.
Jiang Beicheng's playful remark left her unable to argue, so she just accepted it.
After clarifying the details, the salesperson prepared the bill.
Mavic 3 Pro: 13,888.
Inspire 3 with upgraded lens and two-year Worry-Free plan: 101,175.
Total: over 115,000.
Jiang Beicheng scanned the code and paid directly.
"Miss, if you need home delivery, please leave an address, and we'll ensure it's delivered today," the salesperson said.
The Mavic 3 was fine, but the Inspire 3 came with a lot of gear, so Li Xingying left an address with the front desk.
"Sir, miss, take care," the staff said as they left.
Leaving JD Mall, Li Xingying held Jiang Beicheng's arm even tighter.
She looked up at him with a silly grin.
"Aren't you supposed to act reserved?" Jiang Beicheng teased.
Last night, he'd sent her 100 Huazi in her livestream, and today he'd spent over 100,000 on free shopping. Even ignoring Jiang Beicheng's charm, intellect, and social circle, just the sheer amount of money he threw around made it hard for any girl to stay reserved.
"If I still acted reserved now, I'd be the one acting foolish," Li Xingying said sensibly, then playfully asked, "Those things you said in the store—were you confessing to me?"
Jiang Beicheng replied, "I don't have plans to get a girlfriend right now."
Li Xingying's smile faded slightly, but she didn't show much emotional fluctuation.
She tried to understand Jiang Beicheng—his ex-girlfriend Zhou Yu had gone too far.
By not publicly committing to a relationship, he was likely avoiding risks.
He didn't want his sincerity to be taken for granted again.
"Being travel buddies is pretty good too," Li Xingying said with a smile.
A woman who could let things go would never go hungry.
More importantly, Jiang Beicheng was too valuable to her career.
She didn't want to lose this big shot.
The two reached the entrance of Xingguang 68 Mall, where an Arc'teryx store, a national flagship, stood prominently on the first floor.
Last night, Jiang Beicheng had mentioned buying her some outdoor hiking gear. "How about a set of the 'middle-class trifecta'?"
Li Xingying knew the internet meme, referring to the favorite brands of middle-class families for outdoor activities or fitness: Arc'teryx, Lululemon, and Salomon.
They were all quite expensive.
Of course, the priciest was the Arc'teryx store in front of them.
"I've already shamelessly accepted gifts worth over 100,000, so I won't hold back on a set of outdoor gear," Li Xingying said honestly.
Jiang Beicheng nodded with a smile and led her into the Arc'teryx store.
The staff at these high-end outdoor stores would size up customers' attire to gauge their service, but it wasn't as exaggerated as rumors suggested, with snobbish attitudes or ignoring people.
The staff who greeted them immediately noticed Jiang Beicheng's pants—a pair of military-style Arc'teryx—and welcomed them warmly with a smile, knowing this was a big spender.