"Hey, buddy, where are we headed?"
"Baillan Shimao!"
That was the place where he had worked before, though he had only been a regular sales associate at a high-end clothing store.
Rolling down the window, Jiang Chen let the wind whip across his face. It was the only way to cool down his excited heart. The driver tried to close the window and turn on the AC, but Jiang Chen stopped him. After giving the driver a look as if he were crazy, the cabbie didn't say anything more.
"Heh, looks like something good happened to you, huh?" the driver asked.
"Sort of, just the usual," Jiang Chen laughed heartily, letting the wind fill his mouth.
When they arrived, Jiang Chen tossed a 100-yuan bill onto the seat, showing off his nouveau riche persona.
"No need for change," he said.
The driver stared at him in surprise, but Jiang Chen swaggered out of the car.
Damn, he'd wanted to say that for a long time. Finally, today, he had the money to back it up!
After selling off the gold, Jiang Chen felt nothing but satisfaction, the rest of the emotions drowned out by pure excitement.
As the saying goes, "Clothes make the man, and a saddle makes the horse." Without a decent outfit, things won't go smoothly. If Jiang Chen walked into that jewelry store wearing nothing but an old shirt and jeans, the saleswoman... she'd probably think he was a joke.
Well, to be honest, in this heat, only a fool would wear a suit outside.
But that's the point: first impressions are often made through appearance, and they tend to stick for a long time. After all, the rich man in ragged clothes is usually a character straight out of a novel, not someone you'd meet every day.
Having been poor for so long, Jiang Chen wasn't about to be modest now. He was more interested in flaunting his newfound wealth. With a well-tailored suit, things like picking up women or making deals would be a lot easier than in a cheap knockoff outfit.
And so, Jiang Chen returned to the store where he once worked.
Before stepping inside, a smug grin spread across his face.
He was curious to see how the woman who had fired him, with her nose in the air, would react when she saw him living the high life now.
When it came to slapping someone in the face, Jiang Chen was all for making it loud. And anyway, he planned to pick up a few pieces of decent clothing for himself, so why not make a statement?
"Welcome, sir," a new saleswoman greeted him at the door. It was summer vacation, and many college students worked part-time at luxury stores. The atmosphere was elegant, the labor light, and there was always the chance of catching a rich sponsor.
Ah, the wonders of capitalism.
Though rich men often visited, they rarely came alone. Seriously, men don't care much about clothes. The purpose of such luxury clothing stores is mostly to let wealthy men show off in front of their female companions, spend money, and perhaps warm up for some later "activities."
But Jiang Chen wasn't that shallow. He was just here for revenge... Well, maybe not just for that.
As he casually picked up clothes worth thousands, the young, beautiful saleswoman following him couldn't take her eyes off him. When she saw he was holding so many items, she quickly stepped in to help, taking the clothes from his hands with a sweet smile. Her smile almost screamed, "Come on, ask me out."
But Jiang Chen, focused on his "old acquaintance," was oblivious to her flirtations. Of course, if the saleswoman really did want to go out with him, Jiang Chen wouldn't be opposed. Hehe.
Although her chest wasn't as prominent as Miss Sun Jiao's, the city-girl vibe and youthful charm she exuded made Jiang Chen guess she was probably the campus beauty from some university. There were so many universities in Haishi, though, he couldn't tell which one.
He dropped the clothes onto the counter, still not seeing the woman he was looking for. Annoyance began to creep in.
Where is she?
He slapped the empty air with frustration. This was getting pointless.
Jiang Chen's mood darkened, and he began to wonder if the saleswoman had offended the wealthy customer behind him, making her wary of his mood.
The saleswoman, now worried, tried to act cautiously.
"That'll be 157,000 yuan. We've waived the small change for you. Will that be card or cash?"
What a silly question. Who carries 157,000 yuan in cash?
Jiang Chen took out his bank card, and as he glanced around the store, he noticed the faces were unfamiliar. "Staff turnover here is fast," he thought.
"Card... by the way, what's the name of your manager?" Jiang Chen asked casually.
The saleswoman froze. Was he angry at her? Was he about to file a complaint? But, no... that didn't seem right...
Ignoring her anxious glances, the cashier, who had taken the card, looked at the saleswoman and then flashed Jiang Chen a polite smile.
"Xu Liping. Would you like me to contact her?"
It was clear the cashier thought Jiang Chen was about to complain about the saleswoman. After all, she was a temp, and the store manager would have to step in for any issues with high-profile customers.
But she was mistaken. Jiang Chen wasn't there to complain. He had other things on his mind.
"No need... Do you know a person named Xia Shiyu?" Jiang Chen interrupted, signing the receipt after entering his PIN.
The cashier frowned, clearly puzzled. "Xia... Shiyu? I'm not sure..."
Jiang Chen could tell she had no idea who that was.
But as Jiang Chen turned to leave, the cashier suddenly seemed to remember something.
"Oh! Yes, the former store manager's name was Xia... Xia Shiyu! She... she was let go during the layoffs, I think. We've come from the headquarters, so we're still getting used to the place..." The cashier smiled awkwardly, offering some apologetic words, but Jiang Chen had already stopped listening.
She was fired, too.
Haha, so that arrogant woman had only been one step ahead of him in leaving the place. Jiang Chen couldn't help but laugh inwardly.
But, after a moment of laughter, a strange emptiness began to creep in.
Was it boredom? Maybe not... It was more like the emptiness you feel when you punch air.
Throwing the bag of clothes into the storage area in the bathroom, Jiang Chen decided to leave this place that had brought back so many memories.
Pushing open the delicate glass door, the cool air hit him immediately. Since he had already bought the clothes, he figured he might as well take care of his hair. He stepped into the image design salon.
He hadn't made an appointment, but when the receptionist saw his outfit, she immediately greeted him with a wide smile and ushered him into the VIP room. After all, he was here to spend money, and when you're spending big, you pick the best.
At that moment, Jiang Chen began to understand the mindset of the corrupt officials who squandered money. They lived in constant fear, so they threw money around as a way to numb themselves to the anxiety of living under a threat.
Of course, understanding was one thing. Forgiving? That was another matter entirely.
And right now, Jiang Chen felt just a little bit like one of those corrupt officials, eager to spend money and calm his restless nerves.
Lying back in the soft chair, a beautiful stylist came over.
The stylish Korean "pear blossom" bob, with its subtle curls, complemented her delicate face perfectly. The uniform, trendy and chic, hugged her graceful figure. Although it was only a fleeting glance, Jiang Chen couldn't help but silently compliment her.
In a high-end, legitimate store like this, one wouldn't expect any special services, but the occasional whiff of jasmine-scented hair floating past his nose, the feeling of a pair of delicate hands massaging his scalp, and the soft music playing in the background… still made the experience pleasant.
If even a shampoo could be turned into an art form, then it was definitely worth the price!
What Jiang Chen didn't realize was that the beautiful stylist washing his hair was also eyeing him. As someone from the fashion world, she had a pretty good idea of how much his outfit was worth. That wasn't the key, though—she'd seen plenty of rich men before. But men who were both wealthy and handsome were rare.
From her past clientele, she'd either seen beer-bellied, balding men with wives decades younger than them, or pale, rich second-generation men who'd clearly been drained by a life of indulgence.
As Jiang Chen lay back, his eyes closed in relaxation, the stylist couldn't help but sneak a glance at his well-toned chest. Though his clothes covered it, the powerful, muscular build was undeniable. Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she couldn't help but imagine what it might feel like to be pinned beneath him…
"Water's a bit too hot," she said, breaking the moment.
"Ah, sorry, sir," she quickly apologized.
Jiang Chen was a bit confused. He was so comfortable he was nearly dozing off. Normally, people in such stores were supposed to be very professional, so this felt a bit off.
But he didn't dwell on it. While he could be petty, he wasn't the type to nitpick over small things.
After washing his hair, the stylist gently draped a towel over his forehead, then softly began drying his hair. Every detail was flawless. It wasn't just a shampoo—it was an experience.
Especially when her leg, clad in tight shorts, brushed against Jiang Chen's hand, which was resting by his sides. The cool, firm contact sent a jolt through him.
After the hair trimming, she even applied some kind of nourishing treatment. The sensation of the liquid massaging into his scalp was incredibly soothing, especially as her soft fingertips worked in a rhythmic pattern. It felt so good that Jiang Chen had to suppress a sound… Ahem, let's just say he felt relaxed.
When everything was done, Jiang Chen checked himself in the mirror. He struck a few poses, enjoying the way he looked. Although he couldn't pinpoint what exactly had changed about his hair, his appearance was completely different from when he had first walked in. Paired with his expensive attire, he now exuded the air of a wealthy, handsome man, far removed from the image of a nouveau riche who had entered the store earlier.
Of course, it could just be a psychological effect.
Next, Jiang Chen wandered around the bustling square. In the past, when he walked through here, his pockets had been empty, and he couldn't afford to buy anything. Now, though, with cash in his pocket, he stood in front of shops filled with tempting goods, yet had no idea what to buy.
If only Sun Jiao were here…
He laughed self-deprecatingly at the thought. It was unrealistic.
Never mind the explanation—he wasn't even sure if he could take someone with him if he were to travel through time.
Shopping alone was lonely.
His university friends had gone back home, some had stayed in the north, others had gone abroad... and he was left behind in this big, impersonal city. Maybe there were still people here, but it had been so long since they had been in touch.
His contact list was full of numbers, but when he picked up his phone, he realized he didn't know who to call.
But shopping alone had its own charm. He stopped to look at anything that caught his interest, bought some snacks when they looked good, and almost walked into a women's clothing store—until he awkwardly realized it wasn't something he should be doing without a female companion.
He had considered buying clothes for Sun Jiao and Yao Yao, but that idea quickly faded.
As the sky began to turn yellow with the approaching dusk, it was already time for lunch.
Sitting alone in a lavish restaurant, Jiang Chen perused the menu, picking out only the most expensive dishes. Braised catfish, chilled lobster, Sichuan-style spicy chicken, beef hotpot... He didn't even know if he'd be able to finish it all, but he ordered ten dishes in one go. The waitress raised an eyebrow in disbelief, but Jiang Chen just nonchalantly slapped his credit card down on the table, signaling he'd already paid.
After taking the gene enhancement drug, Jiang Chen's physical capabilities had been greatly improved, and his appetite had certainly expanded.
As the waitress watched in shock, Jiang Chen devoured nearly half the meal, completely unfazed.
As for the leftovers…
Well, they could stay there.
He patted his hands together and walked out of the restaurant, having already settled the bill.
The waitress stared after him, slightly dazed. She'd seen big eaters before, but never someone who looked so well put-together and fit, yet managed to eat nearly everything on the table.
This is unbelievable—how could he possibly eat all that?