Chapter 197: Doing Well Isn’t As Good As Marrying Well

(The weather’s gotten cold, so I took Xiao Lai to buy warmer clothes and shoes today. Ran a bit late, but there’s another Chapter coming soon. PS: The Monthly Pass has dropped out of the top 50... If any brothers have a Monthly Pass, please give a hand. Thank you.)

Huang Ying turned her head slightly with a bitter smile and looked at Li Yan, her eyes apologetic. She hadn’t expected to run into a classmate and just intended to say hello, but they’d ended up saying so much.

"Tao Lin... Actually, I’m no longer with Paradise Group."

Huang Ying was subtly admitting defeat to satisfy Tao Lin’s pride, hoping she wouldn’t continue to pester her.

"Really? That’s such a shame! Back then, so many wanted it, but only you made it in. Tsk tsk... Life is unpredictable! Didn’t think you couldn’t stick it out." Tao Lin said with a face full of emotion, yet a hint of schadenfreude was evident between her eyebrows.

This attitude made Li Yan shake his head slightly. What kind of classmates are these? Looks like their relationship wasn’t good during school either.

"Come on, come on, let’s go inside and take a look. It’s a bit of a pity you’re not with Paradise Group anymore, but it’s no big deal. If you need help finding a job, for Xiao Lin’s sake, our company can arrange people." Tao Lin’s boyfriend said enthusiastically.

Given his age, it’s indeed questionable if the company is his, whether it’s his father’s, a partnership, or simply bragging. Plus, he can tell Tao Lin doesn’t actually want to help Huang Ying—just saying the words, without handing out business cards or leaving contact information.

Initially, Huang Ying intended to state directly that she was just passing by and didn’t plan to go inside to shop, but feared it’d embarrass Li Yan, leaving her a bit awkward.

"Let’s go, weren’t we about to come in to buy clothes?" Seeing her hesitance, Li Yan took her hand and led her into the store.

Seeing their scruffy demeanor, claiming they were going in to buy clothes! Tao Lin sneered, her eyes behind them full of disdain, thinking Li Yan was just pretending.

Truthfully, Huang Ying was much prettier than her, more refined and gentle, and had stronger work skills than she did, but what good does it do? She couldn’t cut it at Paradise Group, right? Even there, she was just a low-level employee, working hard for a little salary, when could she ever truly enjoy life?

As they followed inside, Tao Lin feigned another sigh.

Up front hearing this, Huang Ying was puzzled, not grasping the meaning of her lament.

Being able to show off before an old classmate was somewhat satisfying and flaunting, but Tao Lin hadn’t lost her head. She still realized that girls like Huang Ying attract men. They’d nicknamed her Cinderella because even without makeup, fashionable clothes, or shoes, and hardly any free time, many boys liked her, which irked her.

Thus, she quietly cautioned her boyfriend, "Why so enthusiastic? They didn’t say they wanted you to arrange a job, did they? Her man is right here, don’t get any ideas!"

Her voice lowered, but since they were entering the store closely behind, Li Yan and Huang Ying still heard it.

This made both frown slightly; Huang Ying turned to Li Yan and mouthed silently, "Sorry..."

Li Yan simply shook his head; such classmates have nothing to do with Huang Ying. She didn’t reach out to them; it was a chance encounter, what could she do?

The four entered the spacious store, browsing various styles of clothing guided by the sales assistant. That sales assistant displayed discernment; through her trained professional eyes, she could naturally tell Li Yan and Huang Ying were wearing ordinary clothes, whereas Tao Lin and her boyfriend were more discerning in their dressing. Especially Huang Ying’s coat looked slightly old, appearing to reveal secrets—

Wealthy people might dress humbly, buy cheap clothes, but a girl Huang Ying’s age with spending power definitely wouldn’t wear old clothes out, especially when shopping with a man. Plus, Huang Ying’s sheepish expression didn’t fit the profile of a well-off person; she seemed to lack everyday courage even to browse in this store. Hence, her introductions naturally leaned more warmly towards Tao Lin and her boyfriend.

Tao Lin’s sense of pride and pretense was further fulfilled! Comparisons need others; without anyone to compare to, how could one highlight superiority?

Yet she didn’t plan to quit while ahead; instead, felt this was merely a pleasing prelude, requiring more effort to climax! She wanted to make Huang Ying and her man lose face in front of her, and when talking about it later, it’d be interesting; during future reunions, they’d likely only avoid her presence.

Thus, she took her time shopping, continuing to look around while discreetly checking price tags. If the price wasn’t high, she wasn’t keen to buy.

"Wow! Look! This coat is really nice, Huang Ying, it suits your figure so well. You’re too plain, how long have you been wearing this coat, since school days? You’re not trying to save money for your husband, are you? Your boyfriend seems as generous as mine, you should give him more face! Men earn money for women to spend; you encourage him to earn more, so help him by spending more!"

Tao Lin had visited this store before and had seen and tried this coat. She hadn’t bought it because of its high price and not particularly liking it. Now seeing it still here, she pretended not to know, and led them here hoping to embarrass them.

Li Yan took a look and had to admit Tao Lin had a good eye for fashion. This coat might not suit her style, but it would look right on Huang Ying.

Actually, Tao Lin had considered this too. If she was just looking for expensive clothes, they might not suit Huang Ying. Stores of this level also consider their customers, not just wanting you to buy anything that fits; how it looks, if suitable, indirectly affects the brand’s reputation. So, they had reasons not to buy or the salesgirl would introduce something else. Having known Huang Ying for some time, she factored in many considerations before recommending this one.

"I also think it’s nice, why don’t you try it on?" Li Yan said.

"I don’t have to, right? I... I don’t really like the color," Huang Ying reluctantly found an excuse.

The salesgirl beside them, largely agreeing with Tao Lin, internally scoffed—can’t afford it, just admit it! No need to act like you don’t like the color.

She immediately became ’enthusiastic’ in her service: "This model is our season’s highlight, designed by a famous designer..."

She rattled off a series of information like firecrackers, then smiled and said: "There are three colors to choose from, look, here are two more. Personally, I think this color suits you best; it’ll make you look even more beautiful and mature."

Huang Ying looked to Li Yan for help. She normally didn’t shop at boutiques, never tried in such a high-end flagship store before. Was trying it on mandatory for buying? Even if not, refusing after trying might draw different glances, right?

She wasn’t good at declining, hoping Li Yan would find an excuse to refuse for her. As for losing face in front of Tao Lin, she didn’t care much. This sort of comparison—wasn’t it something she often encountered?

Li Yan understood her meaning, but as a man, seeing his woman subtly bullied by another woman was annoying. Though he could ignore it, he’d want to stand up for her wherever possible. Moreover, he intended to buy clothes for Huang Ying anyway; although he hadn’t planned this, now it’s time she got used to it and boosted her confidence.

"I don’t know which color to choose?"

Seeing Li Yan’s joking query, Huang Ying hastily nodded.

Tao Lin and the salesgirl both smirked quietly; you said you didn’t like this color, now given more options yet still say you don’t know which to choose. Isn’t it just can’t afford it?

The salesgirl said nonchalantly: "This model only has these three left. There won’t be more supply in S city temporarily. If you really don’t know how to choose, take a look at other items."

—Can’t afford, don’t buy it. We don’t lack customers, I’m too lazy to deal with you. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

The unspoken words made Tao Lin grin triumphantly. Li Yan also chuckled: "No big deal, just try it; if you like it, we can get two colors. Anyway, you’ve always been frugal, rotating them and they’ll last years."

Always thrifty, rotate them for years? Tao Lin knew this was Li Yan’s counter to her earlier comment about Huang Ying wearing her coat for years. She sneered inwardly but outwardly encouraged excitedly: "Exactly! You could buy two, alternate colors! Only three left in stock. If you buy two, I’ll accompany and buy the remaining one, let’s make it a sister outfit!"

Huang Ying felt anxious, not expecting Li Yan would say this.

"Let’s do it then." Li Yan asked the salesgirl to take them for Huang Ying to try.

The salesgirl was a bit helpless; she didn’t think Li Yan could afford to pay, let alone buy two. Seems he’s pretending to have money, likely to leave big-headed or embarrassed later. But a customer is a customer, she could only vary her attitude but not refuse; otherwise, she might face discrimination complaints. In severe cases, even media coverage, affecting more than just herself or a store but the entire brand.

With a slightly forced smile, the salesgirl retrieved the coat and led Huang Ying to the fitting room.

Tao Lin and her boyfriend hadn’t necessarily planned to buy clothes today, especially not costly ones here. So they were just waiting to see Li Yan and Huang Ying’s embarrassment, not continuing to choose clothes but affectionate and waiting nearby.

(Thanks to yesterday’s supportive brothers: JK Liang, Yagami Light II, Support You with Heart, Kirin Heart, Undying Bookworm, dongmin8061, Yagami Light II, CP Pampas) (To be continued, for more information please visit www.qidian.com, more Chapters available, support the author, support official reading!)