Chapter 7: Misunderstood
Before Song Zhibai could say anything, Zhang Hong interrupted:"Clearance sales are a privilege reserved for our VIP customers. If your annual spending exceeds 10 million yuan, you qualify as a VIP."
Xu Youyou raised her eyebrows, thinking that sounded easier than she had expected.
Chen Yiren, standing nearby, scoffed, "You want to be a VIP? You're just bragging—don't think you can fool anyone."
Ignoring Chen Yiren's snide remarks, Xu Youyou pulled out her card and handed it to Song Zhibai."Go get me items worth 10 million yuan."
Chen Yiren's eyes widened in disbelief. To her, Xu Youyou looked like someone wearing street market clothes—a beggar, not a millionaire capable of spending tens of millions in one go.
Zhang Hong's eyes lit up with excitement. She knew Xu Youyou's financial power could easily cover tens of millions within half a day—this was no small matter.
Song Zhibai hesitated, unsure what to do. Zhang Hong nudged him and whispered urgently, "The big client is here. Don't just stand there—listen to me and get the goods!"
Song Zhibai glanced at his superior and murmured, "But she doesn't look rich."
Zhang Hong thought to herself, Sometimes it's better to be ruthless if you want to succeed. She assured him, "I've heard this lady is a secret billionaire. Spending 10 million yuan is as easy for her as spending a thousand. If it comes down to it, just pick out the most valuable items for her."
Relieved, Song Zhibai got to work.
Several clerks teamed up and quickly assembled an order worth tens of millions. The list wasn't extravagant—furniture, jewelry, clothing, a few bags, even a Birkin bag. It wasn't the rare Himalayan leather, but still a coveted, hard-to-get item.
Xu Youyou glanced over the list casually and swiped her card to pay.
Chen Yiren's first reaction was sharp: "They told me there was no Birkin bag in stock! How come you gave it to her?"
Zhang Hong forced a smile, "Ms. Chen, that bag just arrived. Since Miss Xu requested it, it was prioritized for her."
"I was here before her! I should have gotten it first!" Chen Yiren snapped.
Zhang Hong calmly replied, "Ms. Chen, Miss Xu's cumulative spending is much higher than yours. If she doesn't want the bag, we can sell it to you."
Hermès is notorious for strict distribution policies among luxury brands. To buy even a moderately popular bag, customers must trade in twice its value in other goods. There have been many scandals over these distribution rules, but the policy has never changed. Rich collectors flock to Hermès like vultures to fresh meat.
At this moment, Chen Yiren didn't even bother trying to embarrass Song Zhibai anymore. She turned her glare on Xu Youyou instead.
Xu Youyou smirked. "Haven't you spent millions here before? If you don't have the money, why pretend you do?"
To be fair, Chen Yiren's spending at Hermès wasn't insignificant—several million this year alone, enough to be a VIP. But it wasn't even close to Xu Youyou's ten million.
Chen Yiren fumed silently.
Despite her wealthy family background, Chen Yiren had more siblings than the Gu family. Her father was charitable, taking in many illegitimate children and daughters. Whenever she went home, she shared her pocket money with these children. Naturally, her allowance was limited, and she couldn't shop as freely as other wealthy girls.
"Clear the store—I want to take my time choosing," Xu Youyou said calmly.
Zhang Hong's eyes gleamed. To her surprise, Xu Youyou was prepared to spend tens of millions more. The staff politely cleared other customers away.
Naturally, Chen Yiren was among those politely shown the door. She glared resentfully at Xu Youyou but dared not say anything rude. In her mind, humiliating Song Zhibai—an intern unknown to the public—was one thing, but making a scene with an obviously wealthy customer was just poor form.
Zhang Hong approached to assist Xu Youyou, but Xu Youyou waved her off."I want to talk to him alone."
Zhang Hong glanced at Song Zhibai's exhausted, worn-out face and seemed to understand. She didn't say much and left the two alone in the VIP room reserved for high spenders.
After everything that happened, Song Zhibai reverted to the guarded, tired demeanor he had when they first met. His eyes held nothing but resignation as he looked at Xu Youyou.
For no clear reason, Xu Youyou looked at him and asked bluntly,"It's a shame you're stuck working in a place like this. Do you want to work for me? I can pay you better."
Song Zhibai forced a smile but instinctively leaned back."Miss Xu, I'm fine here for now. I have no plans to change jobs."
Xu Youyou frowned."How much do you make a month here?"
She thought of her own overflowing wallet and the shining opportunities she could offer. In her past life, he was a top star. If she invested in him now, wouldn't he become even more successful?
But when she looked into Song Zhibai's eyes, a flicker of hatred caught her off guard.
"Miss Xu, I don't earn much here, but I earn every penny honestly," Song Zhibai said coldly.
Xu Youyou blinked.When did my money get involved?
Seeing his embarrassed yet proud expression, she suddenly realized he misunderstood her intentions.
"You misunderstood, I didn't mean—"
Before she could finish, Song Zhibai's phone vibrated. He hesitated but answered after seeing the caller ID.
"I'm on my way," he said urgently, then looked at Xu Youyou. "Sorry, Miss Xu, I can't continue serving you right now."
He excused himself and left.
Xu Youyou watched him leave in a hurry, surrounded now only by staff members eager to assist her.
One of the handsome young clerks even made a subtle comment, but Xu Youyou was too preoccupied thinking about Song Zhibai to care.
She left the mall empty-handed but called her private driver, Xu Fang.
"Boss, where to this time?" he asked.
Hugging her little pet, Xu Youyou said, "Hucheng Huaxin Hospital."