Logan arrived at the electronics store.
He picked out twenty units each of rice cookers, induction cooktops, washing machines, dryers, hairdryers, air purifiers, and electric kettles. He also bought thirty units each of space heaters, electric blankets, portable heaters, and water filters.
Next, he visited a neighboring store and bought pots, pans, and utensils, all made of stainless steel or alloy.
On the 10th, Logan headed to Harbor City's largest shopping mall.
Although he already had cold-weather gear, which was meant for outdoor survival and hunting, he also needed everyday clothing and additional warm items for daily wear.
He first stopped by a home goods store and purchased twenty sets each of down comforters, cotton blankets, wool blankets, and bedding.
Then, he visited a well-regarded brand store.
This store was known for its down jackets and outdoor gear, reportedly the same as those used by Antarctic research teams. The garments were made with the latest insulation technology and offered the best thermal performance, second only to military-grade gear.
As spring was approaching, the winter items were all on sale. Most of the racks were now filled with spring collections.
Logan walked straight to the winter section and began browsing.
Two sales assistants were chatting idly nearby. Given that the store's high-end products could cost thousands or even tens of thousands per item, they weren't used to having many customers.
When Logan headed directly to the discount section, the two sales assistants exchanged disapproving glances but continued their conversation.
After browsing for a bit without finding anything that stood out as exceptionally warm, Logan turned to one of the assistants and asked, "Which of these is the warmest?"
The assistant rolled her eyes before turning to Logan with a forced smile. "All these down jackets and coats are pretty warm."
This wasn't the answer Logan was looking for. "I'm asking which one is the warmest, something that can keep you warm in minus fifty degrees."
Internally cursing Logan for what she perceived as an absurd request, the assistant pointed out a few items carelessly.
Logan pointed to one of the jackets she had indicated and said, "Bring me an XL to try on."
The assistant was already annoyed. She thought to herself, Just another poor customer fussing over discounted items.
She glanced at the rack and saw only an L-size of the jacket Logan wanted. "Try this one first. If you like it, I'll get the XL."
By now, Logan had noticed the assistant's obvious impatience. Just as he was about to express his dissatisfaction, two more people entered the store—Fiona and a tall, skinny man.
They seemed to be regulars, as one of the other sales assistants greeted them with enthusiasm.
"Mr. Li, welcome! We've just stocked some new arrivals. Take a look."
The contrast in attitude between the assistant helping Logan and the one assisting Fiona and her companion was striking. It became even more apparent when Logan's assistant scowled as her colleague prepared to make another big sale.
Fiona noticed Logan and called out, "Logan, you're here too?"
Logan merely nodded, focusing on getting the XL jacket he wanted to try on. The assistant reluctantly went to fetch it.
Seeing Fiona staring at Logan, her companion, Jerry Li, was clearly displeased. "Sophia, who's that?"
Fiona seemed to snap out of it. "He's a high school classmate of mine."
Although Logan had left them high and dry at the karaoke bar last time, Fiona believed it was only because Zhao Xiao had somehow offended him, which made Logan lash out at all of them.
In Fiona's mind, Logan was rich and handsome—traits that, to her, made him worthy of forgiveness regardless of his actions.
News of Logan being taken hostage by bank robbers had spread quickly among their classmates, as had the revelation that Logan had purchased gold bars worth 25 million for investment.
Everyone assumed that someone who could afford to invest 25 million in gold had to be at least a billionaire.
Fiona's eyes sparkled as she looked at Logan.
The assistant returned with the XL jacket, and Logan began trying it on.
Fiona watched him closely, noticing that his physique had improved significantly. His firm chest muscles were visible even under a thin undershirt, causing her face to flush slightly.
She glanced at Jerry Li, who was tall and skinny, and couldn't help but feel that Logan was more suitable for her.
She walked over to Logan and complimented him, "Logan, that jacket looks great on you."
Jerry Li's expression darkened.
Logan nodded and pointed to the jackets the assistant had previously shown him. "Give me those in XL as well. And those, and those."
The assistant's face turned even more sour as she suppressed her frustration to get the additional jackets.
Logan tried them on one by one, making sure they fit well and allowed for full range of movement. After all, these would be the clothes he'd wear for the next few years or even decades.
But the assistant thought he was just being picky, wasting her time over discounted items. If there weren't other customers in the store, she would have given him a piece of her mind.
Fiona continued to praise Logan as he tried on each jacket, but Logan found her chatter annoying and was about to tell her to leave when Jerry Li couldn't take it anymore.
"Fiona, if your friend can't afford the clothes, I'll buy them for him. He shouldn't make the sales assistant's job harder."
The assistant beside Logan immediately gave Jerry Li a grateful look.
Fiona's expression became complicated.
Logan broke into a small smile as he asked Jerry Li, "Are you saying you're willing to pay for me?"
Logan could easily detect the sarcasm and provocation in Jerry Li's voice, clearly understanding that he was another of Fiona Xu's admirers.
Jerry Li's expression became even more disdainful as he threw Fiona a look that said, See? I was right.
Then, as if doing Logan a favor, Jerry Li said, "Yes, I'll pay for the few discounted items you want."
Logan looked Jerry Li up and down before asking, "Are you sure you have the money? You'll keep your word, right?"
Jerry Li reacted like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, raising his voice slightly, "Of course! Even if you pick a few more items, I'll still cover it!"
Jerry Li wasn't lacking in money. He had a monthly allowance of $30,000, so buying a few discounted jackets for Logan would only cost a couple thousand—no big deal.
To maintain his image as a wealthy young man in front of Fiona, Jerry Li was more than willing to spend the money.
The assistant's contempt for Logan grew as she assumed he was about to take advantage of Jerry Li to get his clothes paid for.