Mu Linjing didn't waste any time and immediately agreed to take her to buy some clothes.
This was exactly what Zhang Xinyi had come for. She followed Mu Linjing to the mall, half-heartedly at first. Looking at the clothes she had only dared to admire from afar, and never even touch, now within reach, she wished she could take them all.
Mu Linjing led her into a store. "Call your manager over. I want to pick out some outfits."
Although the sales associate didn't recognize her, the manager did. Upon seeing her, she hurried over to greet her. But before the manager could speak, Mu Linjing cut in, "Manager, bring out your best clothes. I want my sister to try them on."
Seeing this, the manager quickly brought out the latest arrivals. "These are all new styles, handmade, and they'll perfectly suit this young lady's elegance."
It was Zhang Xinyi's first time being treated like a VIP in such a store, and she couldn't help but lift her chin. "Give them to me. Since they suit my style, I'll try them on."
She took the clothes into the fitting room, deliberately acting as if she were accustomed to such establishments.
While she was trying on clothes, Mu Linjing whispered a few words to the manager. Though the manager was shocked by what she heard, she nodded. After all, the entire store was under the Zhan Group's ownership.
Yes, this brand belonged to the Zhan Group. Zhan Mohan had acquired Feng Siming's company and gifted it to Zhan Yichen as an engagement present. Leveraging the existing supply chain, Zhan Yichen ventured into the fashion industry. This brand was the first he acquired. He further developed it from its previous foundation, renamed it, and within a few years, it had become a leading luxury brand, far surpassing its competitors.
However, people like Zhang Xinyi, who only knew it as a high-end brand signifying wealth, were unaware of its origins.
Of course, she didn't care to know.
Mu Linjing brought her here precisely because this brand was their own, and the manager recognized her, making things much more convenient.
Soon, Zhang Xinyi emerged wearing the new clothes, and her expression clearly showed her satisfaction.
Seizing the opportunity, the manager picked out a few more items for her. "Miss, please take a look at these as well. They are all excellent. Our brand offers clothes in different series and styles. When choosing outfits, you should opt for distinct styles. Pick a few more!"
Most sales associates at luxury brand counters tend to be aloof. Zhang Xinyi had endured their condescending glares more than once. Here, she felt a sense of respect she had never experienced before.
Since Mu Linjing was paying, she didn't hesitate to pick out more items; in fact, she was quite pleased to do so.
She held the clothes up against herself in front of the mirror and decided, "I'll take all of these. Do you have any other recommendations?"
The manager instinctively glanced at Mu Linjing, thinking that if this continued, the young lady might never be able to repay this amount.
Mu Linjing smiled sarcastically. As expected, greed knows no bounds. Since Zhang Xinyi was asking for trouble, she wouldn't stop her. She nodded, signaling the manager to proceed as Zhang Xinyi wished and to recommend even more.
With her assent, the manager immediately fetched some other items.
This time, Zhang Xinyi was even bolder, having the manager pack them without even looking.
"Sister, I'll just take these. It's not too much, is it?"
Not too much, indeed. After all, it was Mu Linjing's money being spent.
Mu Linjing smiled. "As long as you like them. Women buy clothes to make themselves happy. I've just set up a membership card for you here. You can come anytime you need something."
Zhang Xinyi's eyes lit up at the sight of the membership card. She quickly took it. "Sister, is this for me?"
"Of course. I've loaded quite a bit of money onto it for you."
If they hadn't been in public, Zhang Xinyi would have embraced the card and kissed it. She had no doubt about its origin. Since she didn't have that much money herself, it had to be Mu Linjing who got it for her.
"Swipe the card," she said.
Seeing her readily hand the card to the sales associate, blissfully unaware that she was spending someone else's money, Mu Linjing almost burst into laughter.
Only the manager and Mu Linjing knew that as Zhang Xinyi swiped the card, she was effectively spending over a hundred thousand yuan of her future.
With a debt of over a hundred thousand yuan, plus interest, she might not be able to repay it even in ten years, especially since she would undoubtedly frequent this store with the card.
Mu Linjing eagerly awaited the sight of her in distress when debt collectors came knocking.
She had given Zhang Xinyi chances before, but Zhang Xinyi had refused to accept them. Even after successfully overcoming her addiction, she refused to return to her hometown and instead colluded with Bai Qing to continue plotting against the Zhan family.
Since she had dared to bully Mu Linjing right up to her doorstep, Mu Linjing felt she would be doing herself a disservice if she didn't teach her a lesson.
Zhang Xinyi was unaware that the card in her hand was not a normal membership card but a credit card disguised as one, a collaboration between the Zhan Group and the bank. The money she was spending now was a loan from the bank, and she would have a hard time repaying it.
Not only could she teach Zhang Xinyi a lesson behind the scenes, but she could also boost her own brand's performance and strengthen the bank's cooperation. It was a triple win, and Mu Linjing secretly admired her own ingenuity.
Indeed, when one detests someone to the extreme, any malicious scheme comes to mind.
Zhang Xinyi, laden with shopping bags, was extremely content. Having gained tangible benefits from Mu Linjing, her words became even sweeter.
"Sister, I'm truly sorry for making you spend so much. But I'll be starting work soon. Once I earn money, I'll buy things for you too."
Mu Linjing was also very generous, as she hadn't lost a single cent herself.
"This money is nothing. You don't need to feel bad. You're my sister, and I should support you."
Hearing these words, Zhang Xinyi was convinced that she had completely fooled Mu Linjing. Thinking of the greater benefits she could extract in the future, her smile was irrepressible.
During this time, Mu Linjing also took her out for lunch. However, in the afternoon, she was called away by a phone call from her company.
After Mu Linjing left, Zhang Xinyi looked at the pile of designer clothes in her hands and decided not to waste this opportunity. She immediately invited out her friends who often flaunted their designer wear.
Seeing her dramatic transformation, her friends' attitudes changed. They began to praise her, satisfying her vanity.
In a fit of joy, she was generous. She took these friends back to the same store they had visited that morning. "We're all good friends. Today, I'll buy each of you an outfit. Pick whatever you like."
In her mind, since she wasn't spending her own money, using Mu Linjing's funds to play the big spender made her incredibly happy.
In front of these friends, she finally held her head high.