Chapter 85: Before and After
On the morning of Christmas Eve, Liu Shang happened to pass by a Lao Fengxiang gold store and decided to go inside.
Christmas was just around the corner, and he had been so busy lately that he hadn't even had a chance to pick out a gift for his girlfriend.
"Hello, sir. What can I help you find today?"
A sales associate greeted him warmly. Liu Shang nodded politely.
After he explained that he was looking for a gift for his girlfriend, the associate became even more enthusiastic.
"You're in luck. Our store just put out a new collection of Christmas-themed gold, silver, and jade ornaments."
"Are you thinking of a particular type of jewelry, sir? A ring, perhaps? A necklace? Or a bracelet?"
Liu Shang thought for a moment. "Let's skip the rings. I'd like to see your necklaces and bracelets."
"Something young and fashionable would be best."
Although Liu Shang was tall and well-built, his age and casual attire made it easy for the sales associate to guess he was a college student.
Consequently, she showed him pieces priced in the range of a few hundred yuan, with nothing exceeding 5000 yuan.
After a few minutes, Liu Shang realized what was happening and stopped her with a wry smile.
"Excuse me, miss," he said, "do you have anything a bit higher-end? That's what I'm really interested in."
Surprised, the associate smiled. "Oh, of course, sir. My apologies. Please, follow me."
"This area has our finest pieces, and it's also our latest collection of the year."
"I'd especially recommend this platinum necklace with a Burmese ruby. It's the only one we have in the store."
"The quality, style, and rarity are all exceptional."
"The only thing is, the price is a bit steep."
She led him to the boutique display, and Liu Shang was immediately taken with the platinum and ruby necklace she had recommended.
The overall style wasn't complicated, but rather light and fashionable.
He pictured the beautiful ruby against Jiang Ruolin's fair skin; it would be a perfect match.
"Alright, I'll take this one."
"I think this necklace is perfect."
Perhaps Liu Shang had spoken too quickly, or perhaps the sales associate still hadn't quite sized him up.
After he spoke, she had to politely confirm his choice.
"Um, sir, you're sure you want this necklace?"
Liu Shang nodded. "Yes, I want it. How much is it?"
"Ah! One moment, sir, let me calculate the final price for you."
"We have several promotions for Christmas and New Year's."
"After the discount, the price of this necklace comes to 29,888."
"Sir, are you paying in cash or by card?"
Dressed in casual sportswear, Liu Shang wanted to give her a look. He wasn't even carrying a bag; did he really seem like someone who would be paying in cash?
A moment later, Liu Shang had paid with his card and was leaving the gold shop, seen off by the warm farewells of several employees.
Before he left, he made an odd request that surprised everyone: he asked for a standard gift box, the kind used for a simple silver necklace.
Usually, customers buying ordinary jewelry ask for the fanciest gift box, but this young man was doing the exact opposite.
Who buys the finest jewelry only to request the most ordinary gift box? Was he some kind of low-key, second-generation heir?
Less than ten minutes after Liu Shang left, a joyful and expectant Song Jia led her best friend, Song Sha, into the very same store.
"Sasha, just you wait," she said excitedly.
"The ruby necklace I had my eye on is absolutely beautiful. I'm completely in love with it."
Without waiting for a sales associate to greet them, Song Jia pulled Song Sha directly to the counter where the ruby necklace Liu Shang had just bought had been displayed.
Immediately, her eyes scanned the display, but she couldn't find the necklace she had coveted for so long. Only a blank white tray sat in its place, glaringly empty.
Before a sales associate could even approach them, a terrible premonition bloomed in Song Jia's mind.
"Hello, ladies. Is there anything I can help you find today?" an associate asked, walking over.
"Our store just launched a new Christmas-themed series..."
Song Jia cut her off, her tone urgent. "The ruby necklace! Where is it? The one I wanted to buy!"
The sales associate gave an embarrassed smile. "I'm very sorry, miss, but that necklace was just sold."
"What?"
"Sold?"
"Are you sure? You've only been open for half an hour!"
"I came here yesterday specifically for this necklace, but you told me it hadn't arrived yet! You said you don't accept reservations and that I had to wait until today."
"So I came as soon as you opened, and now you're telling me it's already been sold?"
"What kind of business are you running?!"
Song Jia's tone was so aggressive that the young sales associate was too flustered to apologize further or defend herself.
Just then, the store manager walked over with a placating smile, giving the associate a subtle look that told her to step aside.
"Miss, I am so very sorry," the manager began smoothly.
"I know you've been to our store several times and that you were very fond of that particular necklace."
"Unfortunately, about ten minutes before you arrived, the necklace was purchased by another gentleman."
"However, perhaps I can interest you in something else? Today, we have a 9% discount on our regular pieces and a 9.5% discount on new arrivals. As the manager, I can do even better for you. No matter what you two ladies choose, I will give you an 8.5% discount on the first piece of jewelry you select."
"This is to show our sincere apology for the inconvenience and to thank you for your loyalty to our store."
"What do you say?"
Song Jia managed to compose herself, but her glare remained fixed on him.
"I don't want a discount," she said coldly.
"You can keep your discount. Just bring out that necklace, and I'll buy it at the full price."
"Miss, I truly am sorry." The manager's smile was strained.
"That Christmas gemstone necklace featured a top-quality magenta ruby from Myanmar. We only had one in all of Fengcheng—one of only three in the entire province. As I said, I'm afraid it has been sold."
"However, we do have other exquisite pieces in the same collection. Perhaps you ladies would like to take a look..."
But Song Jia, fuming, didn't even give him an answer. She turned on her heel and stormed out of the store.
Once outside, Song Jia turned to Song Sha, her face a mask of frustration.
"This is so infuriating!" she seethed.
"Damn Lao Fengxiang! I am never, ever setting foot in that store again!"
Song Sha looked apologetic. "I'm sorry, Jiajia. If you hadn't waited for me and had just come on your own, you might have gotten it..."
Song Jia sighed, linking her arm through Song Sha's. She pouted and shook her head. "It's not your fault. It's their store's ridiculous sales policy!"
"And who the hell buys such an expensive necklace first thing in the morning, anyway? So annoying!"
"Come on. You owe me now. You have to spend the whole day with me to cheer me up."
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