Chapter 50: Chapter 50: This Is Your Value
Early the next morning, Wen Cunming’s clattering woke me up.
Gu Bai, with slight dark circles under his eyes, sat up in bed looking bewildered. He had gone to bed too late last night, only falling asleep at around three or four in the morning. A glance at the clock showed it was just past eight.
"What are you doing?"
Seeing that he had woken Gu Bai, Wen Cunming smiled awkwardly: "Nothing, you go back to sleep, I’m just looking for something."
Saying that, he continued to rummage through his desk.
Since he was already awake, Gu Bai didn’t feel like sleeping anymore. He got out of bed, walked toward the bathroom, and asked, "What are you looking for?"
"I’m looking for my stash of those Yu-Gi-Oh cards."
"Why the sudden interest in those things?"
"Well, things with the junior are progressing fast, and I’m short on cash, so I plan to sell them."
Glancing from the bathroom in his direction, Gu Bai didn’t say anything. Wen Cunming was a typical Yu-Gi-Oh card collecting enthusiast. He had bragged to Gu Bai and the others before, saying these cards were worth several thousand yuan. Who would have thought that as soon as he started dating a junior, he’d have to start selling his collection? It seemed this junior’s spending wasn’t cheap.
After a while, Wen Cunming seemed to have found what he was looking for and began tidying up the desk.
He hesitated for a moment before calling out to Gu Bai in the bathroom: "Gu Bai."
Hearing the voice, Gu Bai, still brushing his teeth, mumbled a reply: "What?"
"Can I borrow some money?"
He turned his head to look at him.
"How much?"
"5000."
"Sure."
Gu Bai could easily reward 200,000 yuan to someone, so lending 5,000 to a roommate he spent every day with was naturally not a problem. If Wen Cunming had asked for something like 500,000, Gu Bai would definitely refuse.
It wasn’t about being stingy; Wen Cunming just didn’t carry that weight in his mind. If Deng Bo asked, not to mention 500,000, he’d transfer 5 million without a second thought. Everyone understands the proverb "a cup of rice makes you grateful; a bucket of rice makes you envious." He hoped to present himself as a classy rich guy rather than a fool with money to burn.
After tidying up, Gu Bai transferred the money to Wen Cunming and left the dormitory amid his thanks.
Once outside, the stifling heat almost forced him to retreat. It was just past eight in the morning, so why was it this ridiculously hot?
He had already informed Qi Man earlier, and Gu Bai drove his car toward the girls’ dormitory.
At the dormitory entrance stood Qi Man and another girl, whose twin ponytails swayed in the air. That style could only belong to Yi Yiyi.
Military training had just ended, and Yi Yiyi had immediately dyed her black hair back to white. It seemed she was determined to stick to the white-haired twin-tail look.
"Oni-Chan!"
Gu Bai gave her a nod, far less enthusiastic than before.
Gu Bai, the playboy, was used to leaving others hanging, but when did others ever leave her hanging? This Yi Yi had kept him hanging for days, thinking she’d get a warm welcome upon meeting? As if he’d act like a simp for her?
Standing to the side, Qi Man watched Gu Bai with a gentle smile.
Today, she had deliberately worn a pure white dress, with her hands crossed in front of it, and simple white shoes. She probably hadn’t put much makeup on, and the light lipstick made her look so innocent.
Who could tell the crafty thoughts in her heart just from her appearance?
"Get in, it’s pretty hot."
Qi Man, perhaps trying to show off or genuinely, said to Yi Yiyi beside her: "I’ll go first, you should head back upstairs, it’s too hot."
With that, she climbed into the passenger seat.
Gu Bai didn’t waste words, rolled up the windows, and drove toward the school gate, leaving Yi Yiyi puffing her cheeks and stomping her feet by the roadside.
"Stupid Gu Bai! Such a grudge-holder for a guy, just because I ignored you for a few days!"
After venting her frustration into the air, Yi Yiyi could only head back to her dormitory to enjoy the air conditioning in this weather.
"Why are you so cold to Yiyi?"
After getting into the car, Qi Man asked.
"How should I be toward her?"
"Yiyi’s a real beauty, probably only you have the guts to give her attitude."
Gu Bai shrugged.
"That’s just what you think. Anyone not interested in beauties would give her attitude. Just find a gay guy and see if he’d give her attitude."
"Are you not interested in her?"
Gu Bai turned to glance at her: "Of course I’m interested, just like I am in you."
"Then why?"
"Does being interested mean I have to be all smiles? Don’t be ridiculous. The woman I want is someone who makes me happy, not someone who brings me hassle."
While Gu Bai’s words were directed at Yi Yiyi, they were actually intended for Qi Man’s ears.
Qi Man, a smart woman, simply smiled and said no more.
"Where are we going?"
After a while, Qi Man asked again.
"Henglong Square."
Qi Man had of course heard of Henglong Square, a mall filled with luxury brands.
"What are we going there for?"
Looking at Qi Man, who was pretending to be oblivious, Gu Bai calmly said, "Let’s go so you can see what you can get from me."
After a while, the Night Shadow arrived at Henglong Square with a roaring entrance. Even though it was morning, the mall was already quite crowded. It seemed like the weather had directly changed people’s shopping habits.
Parked the car, Qi Man naturally linked her arm with Gu Bai’s, allowing two soft mounds to seal him in.
Fortunately, Gu Bai was no novice, so his self-control was in check. He looked down at her, "What do you want?"
Qi Man pondered for a while, looking at her bare wrist.
"I want to buy a watch."
"Let’s go."
This is Qi Man’s advantage. She states what she wants directly, without hiding anything. If it were Zhang Yumeng, she would speak in riddles and decline by saying, "I don’t want it, I have enough, nothing too expensive."
It really numbs a person.
He took Qi Man straight into a Cartier flagship store.
"Show her your watches."
Gu Bai said to the sales associate who came over.
"Okay, this way please, sir and madam."
Gu Bai was already accustomed to the atmosphere of such luxury stores. Qi Man, observing the dazzling jewelry in the display cases, seemed to breathe a little faster.
She wasn’t from a wealthy family. Her parents divorced, and she was raised by her mom, who, despite having a decent income, struggled to maintain a decent lifestyle while supporting a daughter. So Qi Man realized the importance of money from a young age. It’s the main reason she values it so much, imparted partly by her mother and partly by her environment.
Gu Bai’s reason for bringing her to Cartier was simple. He could have taken Qi Man to Vacheron Constantin or Patek Philippe for high-end luxury watches, but it wasn’t necessary. There’s an old saying: you can’t overfeed someone all at once. If you do, the next time they’re hungry, they’ll eat even more because their appetite has been expanded.
The sales associate smiled and said, "What type of watch are you looking for? Do you have a price range in mind? I can help you better find the perfect watch."
Gu Bai stood to the side, glancing at Qi Man, "Ask her."
Among all these cases, the most expensive is just a few hundred thousand; controlling costs moderately is fine. If it goes further, it will be seen as stingy.
"Madam, which one do you like? I can take it out for you to try."
The sales associate, an expert himself, somewhat understood Gu Bai’s intention and enthusiastically introduced the watches to Qi Man.
Qi Man selected for a while, pointing to a watch with a pink strap and platinum dial, and said, "Let me try this one."
The sales associate carefully retrieved the watch from the display case, complimenting casually, "Madam, you have a great eye. This is our Cartier Ballon Bleu series WE902047 model watch, 33mm, with automatic winding mechanical movement. It features an 18K rhodium white gold case and dial, adorned with 417 brilliant-cut round diamonds, totaling 2.11 carats. The Ballon Bleu watch is renowned for its delicate style and elegance, which matches your temperament perfectly!"
The sales associate, after finishing his introduction, couldn’t help but emphasize the end.
She put the watch on her left wrist, and waved it in front of Gu Bai: "How about it?"
Qi Man’s skin was excellent; even after several days of military training, it showed no signs of tanning. The fair wrist, coupled with the pink strap, looked exceptionally tender.
"Do you like it?"
Qi Man looked at the watch and nodded.
Took out a card from his wallet, "Swipe it."
"Huh? Sir, the price of this watch is 360,000... "
"I said swipe it."
"Okay, please wait a moment."
The sales associate promptly took Gu Bai’s black gold card to get the POS machine.
Had it been someone else, this behavior might have long been labeled as a nouveau riche. But with Gu Bai, the refined aura cultivated over time and his attire of branded clothes didn’t let people associate him with a nouveau riche.
When the two walked out of the Cartier store, Gu Bai clearly felt Qi Man’s two small peaks leaning in closer.
"Thank you."
"No need to thank me. This is your own worth and what you can gain from me. There will be more in the future. Aren’t you tired of thanking every time?"
Hearing this, Qi Man gave him a sweet smile.
Why do some people think being a kept woman is bad? It depends on whose kept woman you are. Look at Gu Bai’s face and then his wealth. Does being the official girlfriend even matter?
Thinking of this, Qi Man couldn’t help but laugh.
Gu Bai turned and asked puzzled, "What are you laughing at?"
Of course, Qi Man wouldn’t reveal her inner thoughts and shook her head.
"Nothing."
Gu Bai didn’t bother digging further.
"Let’s check out this one."
With that, he led Qi Man into a GUCCI store. In just 20 minutes, a set of clothes and some small accessories, totaling over a hundred thousand yuan, were easily taken care of.
They saw a couple nearby start an argument.
"Look at her boyfriend, and then look at you! Can’t even afford a single outfit under ten thousand yuan!"
The guy snapped back, "Look at his girlfriend, then look at yourself in the mirror! If you were half as beautiful as her, I’d sell everything to buy it for you!"
"Break up!"
"Fine, let’s break up!"
Gu Bai and Qi Man, who hadn’t walked far, exchanged smiles while witnessing this drama.
You really can’t compare people with each other. Any comparison will reveal flaws in even the most beautiful things.
With that said, they continued moving through various luxury brand stores.