Ma Rongde understood instantly. Some truths were better buried, especially if one wished to continue living peacefully. Fang Liyun then turned back to Wu Qingyi, a gentle smile lighting her face. "I'm truly happy to receive this position," she said warmly. "Thank you, sweetheart. You have such a kind heart." Wu Qingyi flushed faintly at the praise, lowering her gaze in shy embarrassment. Her voice softened as she replied, "I didn't really do anything. It was Regional Director Ma Rongde who gave you the job."
Fang Liyun then turned to Ma Rongde and inclined her head politely. "Thank you very much for this opportunity," she said sincerely. "I truly needed this job." Ma Rongde stiffened at once. His mind reeled as a dangerous thought flashed through him - If word ever got out that the Wang family's daughter-in-law had been desperately searching for work, and that he had personally arranged her employment… The consequences were unthinkable. He opened his mouth, intending to deflect the praise at once. But before he could say a single word, he was interrupted…
By the arrogant voice of the manager.
No.
The former manager.
"Regional Director, if she becomes the manager here," the manager sneered, "you might as well shut down Royal Meridian Mall. After all, what elite customer would ever be willing to buy anything from her, a beggar?" Before the regional director could explode in fury or signal the security guards to drag her out, Wu Qingyi spoke. Her voice was calm, unhurried. "What if she can sell to an elite customer?" Wu Qingyi asked lightly. The question hung in the air like a blade, sharp and unmistakably dangerous.
The manager let out a sharp, mocking laugh. "Oh, really?" she sneered. "Then if she does manage it, I'll do whatever you say." "Excellent," Wu Qingyi replied without hesitation. "Then you'll kneel and apologize to her." For the first time, a flicker of unease crossed the manager's face. What if that beggar actually succeeds? The thought made her stomach tighten but she quickly crushed it. Impossible. She would never kneel, much less apologize, to someone like that. Her eyes flashed as an idea struck her. Lifting her chin, she said loudly, "Fine. If your so-called 'pretty sister' can make a sale of ten million yuan to a single customer, then I will kneel and apologize to her, right here. However, if she can't then she will have to kneel in front of me and I will still remain as the manager over here."
Wu Qingyi smiled lightly. "Very well. Then the first person now to enter the boutique will be our customer." She turned to Fang Liyun, her eyes bright and sincere. "Pretty sister, don't put too much pressure on yourself. I believe in you. You'll definitely make a ten-million sale." Fang Liyun was momentarily dazed. She couldn't understand how this seemingly innocent, sweet girl could trust her so completely, so blindly when even she herself doubted whether any customer would be willing to buy clothes worth ten million from her.
Just then, everyone noticed a young woman stepping into the boutique. Wu Qingyi's face lit up at once. She moved forward, clasped the girl's hand warmly, and said with a radiant smile, "Welcome, welcome! You're our lucky customer today. You'll receive exclusive attention and full VIP treatment from our manager." Before the newcomer could utter a single word, Wu Qingyi had already led her straight over and placed her in front of Fang Liyun.
The moment the two came face to face, both the girl and Fang Liyun froze, shock flashing across their expressions. Wu Qingyi smiled and began the introduction. "This is my pretty sister, the manager of our boutique. Her name is…." She paused abruptly. Only then did she realize she had never actually asked for the pretty sister's name. Before the awkward silence could stretch further, Fang Liyun stepped forward with composed grace. "Hello, Miss," she said politely. "I'm the manager here—Fang Liyun. May I know your name, and how may I assist you today?"
The girl was utterly bewildered. She couldn't understand how her boss had suddenly become the manager of the boutique and why she was acting as though they were strangers, and who is this girl - why she kept calling her boss pretty sister. The girl standing there was none other than the assistant Fang Liyun had been waiting for all along. Still having doubts, the assistant understood at once that this was not the moment to ask questions. Keeping her confusion carefully hidden, she played along.
"Hello," she said after a brief pause. "My name is Su Nian. I'm looking for…" Her voice trailed off. She had never planned on shopping in the first place and had no idea what to ask for. That was when Wu Qingyi smoothly stepped in. "Hello," she said with a bright smile. "I'm Wu Qingyi, the manager's assistant."
Su Nian's heart tightened with worry. The boss has a new assistant now, then what about me? Before she could dwell on the thought, Wu Qingyi continued cheerfully, "I know a little about face reading. Just by looking at you, I can already tell what you want to buy." She tilted her head slightly. "You're here for a handbag, right?" Su Nian hesitated, unsure whether she should agree. She instinctively looked toward her boss for guidance. Fang Liyun met her gaze and blinked slowly, almost imperceptibly, a quiet signal. Understanding dawned at once as having worked beside Fang Liyun for so long, Su Nian could read even the smallest shift in her expression. She nodded promptly. "Yes," Su Nian said. "You guessed right. I'm looking for a handbag."
Everyone in the boutique including the regional director held their breath, waiting to see whether this customer would truly make a purchase worth ten million. The manager, no, the former manager watched from the sidelines as Wu Qingyi warmly received the customer and even guessed that she had come to buy a handbag. She couldn't help but laugh inwardly. This woman doesn't look poor, she thought, but she certainly doesn't look like someone who would spend ten million either. Her mind was already drifting toward the scene she longed to witness - Fang Liyun kneeling before her in humiliation.
Just then, Wu Qingyi's clear voice rang out. "Pretty Sister Fang, please sell this bag to the customer." Frowning slightly, the former manager stepped closer, curious to see which bag they intended to offer and then she saw it. Her breath caught in her throat. Her eyes widened in disbelief. That bag… was one of the most expensive pieces in the entire boutique. The handbag Wu Qingyi selected was unveiled slowly, and the instant it came into view, the surrounding chatter fell away into silence.
The body of the bag was crafted from top-grade Nile crocodile leather, dyed a deep obsidian black that carried a faint, natural luster under the lights. Every stitch had been done entirely by hand, woven with gold-infused silk thread, the seams so precise they looked as though they had been drawn with a ruler. The clasp was understated yet undeniably precious - 18K rose gold, engraved with a minimalist emblem and inlaid with a neat row of tiny diamonds that caught the light softly, never ostentatious, never begging for attention. The handle was ergonomically designed, wrapped in supple leather and reinforced beneath with a gold alloy frame, achieving a perfect balance between elegance and function. Inside, the lining was woven from custom-dyed silk, delicately embroidered with faint cloud patterns that symbolized fortune and longevity. It was not merely a handbag. It was a quiet declaration of status.
The former manager froze when she saw the handbag Wu Qingyi had chosen. The price tag alone was enough to make one's heart skip as it was worth well over ten million. A sneer crept onto her face almost at once. How foolish, she thought. Choosing such a premium piece for this customer? Judging by the woman's plain attire, there was no way she could afford it. The outcome was obvious.
When the bag was handed to Fang Liyun, her gaze fell on the price, and her heart tightened. She knew all too well that Su Nian could never afford something like this at present. Yet she hesitated. Changing to another bag would mean rejecting Wu Qingyi's choice and she couldn't bear to see disappointment appear on that bright, trusting face. So, she steadied herself. For the sake of that girl's smile alone, Fang Liyun went forward and began to present the bag, determined to try her best to make the sale.
Fang Liyun stepped up to Su Nian with the handbag in her hands and spoke gently, professionally. "Miss Su, this is one of our premium pieces," she said. "It's crafted from top-grade Nile crocodile leather, and the interior lining is woven from custom-dyed silk…" She went on, describing the bag's craftsmanship, its elegance, and the care poured into every detail. Then, at last, she paused. After a few quiet seconds, she spoke again, her tone calm and composed. "Miss, this bag is priced at twenty million. Would you like to purchase it?"