Chen Chuan looked around the third floor. Beside Longines, there were Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Audemars Piguet, A. Lange & Söhne, and other world class luxury watch shops.
Amongst them, Patek Philippe and Jaeger-LeCoultre were the two brands that were, undoubtedly, the most widely known.
Chen Chuan chose Jaeger-LeCoultre and went inside the shop.
"Good day, sir. Do you need any guidance? We have more than ten models of watches. We have the Patrimony series, the Traditionnelle series, the
Quai de l'Ile series, the Overseas…" said a female salesperson dressed in a black half-skirt.
Chen Chuan stood in front of the counter and looked.
The salesperson asked, "Sir, what kind of model are you looking for? The better models we are selling now are the Quai de l'Ile series. This one is the entry model for Jaeger-LeCoultre and it costs 112,000 Yuan."
Even though the Quai de l'Ile was the entry model of Jaeger-LeCoultre, it was still a Jaeger-LeCoultre watch. It's price was still over 100,000 Yuan. The bezel of the watch was round, the case was rectangular, and the dials on the watch had a sun emblem etched using electroplating technology. The base of the dail was a ghastly blue, like that of ocean water. It was a formal style that exuded both nobility and stability.
That particular model was good, but it was not the optimal selection. He had 150,000 Yuan in his account and since he had [Expenditure Cash Return], he could buy something a little more pricey.
Chen Chuan had a look around again, and he pointed to a Historiques series watch with a price tag of 200,000 Yuan, and said, "I want this one."
The salesperson was stunned. Her expression was surprised, but she quickly replaced the surprised expression with a professional faint smile.
"This is the 1948 Historiques series model. It has a sapphire back cover and a sapphire dial. The watch's case and hand are made of 18k rose-gold. The straps are made from Mississippi alligator leather…"
Chen Chuan had a look. The watch was the one watch that matched the watch of his dream. It was clean and simple without losing its elegance.
The more he looked at it, the more he was sure of buying it. Chen Chuan said straightforwardly, "This is the one I want. Sell it to me, please."
He still had a credit card with a limit of 50,000 Yuan. With 150,000 Yuan in his account, he could purchase the watch with not a yuan less.
The beautiful salesperson silently wrote a receipt whilst, in a lowered voice, introduced the special aspect of the watch as well as the after-sales service she providd.
After the entire procedure was done, professionally and gently, she wrapped the watch around Chen Chuan's wrist and buckled it on.
Chen Chuan was feeling extremely dandy. One can only feel so good when a rather good looking beautiful salesperson served you.
"[Expenditure Cash Return] has been activated. You have spent 200,000 Yuan. You will obtain three times the cash-return value. Obtained 600,000 Yuan. Cash returned has been transferred into your account. Please check the transfer details."
Bzz. Bzz.
His phone vibrated, and a message was received.
[User of account number ending with 8773 has received 600,000 Yuan. Current balance: 600,000 Yuan.]
"You have gained a chance to convert the copied effect [Expenditure Cash Return] into a permanent effect. However, the effect of [Expenditure Cash Return] will be reduced to only two times the cash return value. Do you want to use this chance?" said the system voice in his mind.
'A permanent effect for [Expenditure Cash Return]?' Chen Chuan thought.
It was actually a good idea. Based on his memory, this particular tool was hard to comeby. In his novel, he recalled that Du Hao had only managed to obtain the tool four or five times.
Even though the effect was reduced down to only double the value, having it turned into a permanent effect was not a bad idea.
After giving it some thought, Chen Chuan decided.
"Use this chance. Activate [Expenditure Cash Return] as permanent effect."
"You have activated the permanent effect of [Expenditure Cash Return]. Cash return value is set to double," the system replied.
Chen Chuan felt a little tempted when he heard the message in his mind. What did it mean by permanent effect of [Expenditure Cash Return]? Would that mean he will always be earning money through cash return every time he spends?
At that point, as if he wanted to test the waters, Chen Chuan turned to the watch with the highest price on the counter.
It was the Métiers d'Art series.
The Métiers d'Art series watches were the grandest of all Jaeger-LeCoultre's watches. Each piece would cost at least 500,000 Yuan.
Chen Chuan pointed at the Mécaniques Ajourées series of the Métiers d'Art watches and said, "I want this one as well."
"Very well, sir. This is an openwork mechanic watch. The serial number is 82020/000G-9925. Its price is 585,000 Yuan," said the salesperson calmly. Even though she had received professional training and looked calm, she was thoroughly surprised.
One could see through it in her eyes.
"It sure is more beautiful," said Chen Chuan after he had a look at the watch. Underneath the sapphire dials was a beautiful display made from torch-firing enamel technique. It was so beautiful and intricate that one would be dazzled by the beautiful glitter upon looking at it. Chen Chuan held it in his hand, not wanting to be parted from it.
"This is the one."
Chen Chuan paid for the watch without a shred of hesitation.
"You have spent 585,000 Yuan. Obtained double cash-return value of 1,170,000 Yuan. Amount has been transferred into your account."
After he received the notification in his head, Chen Chuan was then certain that the effect of [Expenditure Cash Return] was truly permanent.
The beautiful salesperson helped Chen Chuan remove the Historiques model from his wrist and strapped the newly purchased Métiers d'Art model on him. She could not help but to carefully observe Chen Chuan. She could not deny that the Métiers d'Art watch matched the young man's handsome stature. She could not help and admit it aloud, "Perfect."
The salesperson stored the 200,000 Yuan 1948 Historiques model watch away carefully. Chen Chuan was ready to go back home with the watch in his hands. He would wait for a chance to give the watch to someone else.
After Chen Chuan finished his shopping, the beautiful salesperson bowed respectfully and said softly, "I hope that I could be of your service next time, sir."
When Chen Chuan walked out of the shop, he stumbled upon a person.
Chen Chuan observed the girl properly and realized she was Wang Lixin, one of the "Tridents", one of the three most beautiful girls in his class.
"Chen Chuan?" Wang Lixin gasped, surprised. "Why are you here?"
Wang Lixin raised her head and saw the Jaeger-LeCoultre watch shop and instinctively looked at the watch that was on Chen Chuan's wrist.
Chen Chuan replied, "I'm doing a little shopping. You?"
"I went down and got myself Haagen-Dazs," said Wang Lixin as she lifted the box of ice cream.
"Want to go up together?"
The two went into the elevator together and headed toward the restaurant on the fifth floor for the student gathering.
"Chen Chuan, are you still studying in Haiqin University?" Wang Lixin asked. Her eyes glanced and peaked at the watch on Chen Chuan's watch.
"Mhm."
"Zhou Qi is also in Haiqin University," said Wang Lixin.
Chen Chuan turned to look at this girl. She was almost 167 centimeters tall. She had a mixed-race look with clear and sharp facial features. She looked like NeZha from Shen Yun with that short skirt which accentuated her long straight legs.
The two engaged in idle talk. That was when Chen Chuan noticed there were two sports cars on the first floor. There were a few car models, dressed in Qipao, leaning against the car.
"Maserati?"
Chen Chuan had a thought. He had just obtained the permanent effect of [Double Expenditure Cash Return]. Since he was about to return to class soon, he could get himself a nice car.