"Madam, we've made our selections," Grace approached the counter twenty minutes later with two pieces, while Emma had chosen one set.
Alex glanced over—Grace had actually bought the white thong along with a white cotton set, while Emma followed suit with a white cotton set. His earlier discourse about white representing purity had clearly influenced their choices.
"Wow, two sets at once? Major splurge! What happened to 'I'm not the kind of woman who spends a month's salary on lingerie'?" Alex smirked from the side.
"Shut up! No one asked for your commentary!" Grace shot him a fierce glare. Like most women, she cared deeply about both outer and inner wear. Alex's eloquent explanation had given her new perspective on lingerie selection. To Grace, lingerie was about taste—how could she fall behind? Though expensive, these pieces were worth it. Women had an instinctive attraction to luxury items and an urge to possess them.
"Miss, the sets are twenty-three hundred, and the single piece is eighteen hundred..." the sales associate began with a smile.
"Hm?" Grace checked the tags on her sets, each priced over twenty-three hundred, and exchanged glances with Emma, who showed her the thirty-six hundred price tag on her selection.
"Are you sure you calculated correctly?" they asked suspiciously, showing the associate their tags.
"Yes, ladies! You're getting our fifty percent VIP discount," the boutique owner approached with a smile. "I've given this gentleman a private membership card—extremely limited edition, valid worldwide for half off."
"What? Fifty percent?" Grace wasn't naive—she knew what that level of discount meant. This wasn't just about money. The boutique was frequented by celebrities, and even their VIP customers only received ten to twenty percent off.
Alex sauntered over, waving the red card triumphantly before Grace's eyes with a smug expression.
"Well? Still hesitating even with fifty percent off?" he teased.
"Oh!" Grace and Emma quickly pulled out their cards to pay.
"Please come again!" the owner smiled as they left.
Around the corner, Grace suddenly grabbed Alex's arm.
"Star, you're brilliant! Quick, where's that membership card?" She handed her bags to Emma and started searching Alex's pockets.
"What are you doing?" Alex blocked her with his arm.
"Give it to me!" Grace demanded as if it were obvious.
"Why should I?" Alex asked again.
"It's a women's lingerie store—what use is it to you? With fifty percent off, these aren't even luxury items anymore!" Grace explained excitedly. Clearly, this brand was her dream label.
"You'd better show some appreciation. You too, Emma—I just saved you both thousands!" Alex grinned, pulling out the card.
"I know, I know, just give it here!" Grace snatched it away. "Ah, perfect! Star, I love you!" She moved to hug him.
"Don't start that—don't ruin my image!"
"I have to kiss you!"
"Help! A female hooligan's after me!"
"Don't run!"
...
"Alex, why did she give you that card? They have a branch in Shanghai too, but they never give discounts!" Emma asked curiously during their dinner break. She owned about ten pieces from the brand herself and was considered a regular customer, but had never received member benefits.
"You think it was free?" Alex replied, wiping his face where Grace had managed to plant a kiss.
"You paid for it? I've never heard of them selling memberships!" Emma insisted.
"Look at their clientele—all financially comfortable, already familiar with the brand. But you could see their hesitation about what styles suited them. That uncertainty often reduces purchasing impulse. They might come planning to buy but end up just browsing. I gave them a thorough, reasoned explanation, offering practical advice. And since I'm a man—a rather decent one—they took my suggestions seriously. After hearing my analysis, hesitant customers became confident in their choices. You think the owner gave me that card for no reason? Didn't you notice how the other women reacted? How the white pieces nearly sold out? How the thong section got crowded while you were there? You two can only buy so much. Honestly, they wouldn't lose money even giving away those three pieces. Why would a women's lingerie store give a man a discount card? They're hoping I'll bring in more women! Beyond purchases, I can influence the whole store's sales. It's just business—use your head. You think the owner's stupid?"
"Alex, I've decided—I'm taking you shopping for everything from now on!" Grace patted his shoulder with newfound respect.
"That depends on my mood!" Alex smiled.
"I'll feed you!" Grace offered.
"Deal—but don't call me for small stuff like soy sauce!" Alex bargained.
"Haha, I knew you were the best!" Grace pinched his cheek affectionately.
"Stop ruining my image!"
"I'll ruin it all I want—that's what you get for showing off in the store!"
Watching Alex playfully bicker with Grace, Emma sat quietly. She would never have guessed that this seemingly careless man she'd labeled a pervert had such depths.
His keen observation skills, ability to capture attention and make persuasive points, subtle talent for influencing others' decisions. His apparently casual manner concealed careful calculation.
Was this what it meant to be an elite, the company's trump card?
Yes, this was exactly what made him a trump card!