Huatian Department Store, MXL counter.
Melodious music swirled overhead.
A group of uniformed image consultants were either attending to guests or arranging the merchandise.
Lin Qian was among them, just as busy.
"Welcome."
There was a commotion at the entrance as if a significant customer had walked in.
"Wow, isn't that the big star Qiao Xiya?"
"Yes, yes, so beautiful. I really want to go get her autograph!"
"Don't be silly, we're at work. Stay calm, stay calm!"
"..."
Several employees whispered excitedly among themselves, their voices filled with excitement and thrill.
The big star Qiao Xiya?
Lin Qian lifted her gaze towards the entrance and saw a woman with a graceful figure, wearing sunglasses, looking around the store.
She definitely had the aura of a celebrity.
She was already instructing her assistant behind her to book the entire venue.
"Lin Qian, you're about to take over as store manager, aren't you going to go over and greet her?"
The manager walked up to Lin Qian, signaling her to hurry over.
As the manager, she should personally attend to guests of this caliber.
Lin Qian nodded, set down her work, and met the guest with a properly courteous smile.
"Hello ma'am, how may I assist you today?"
Qiao Xiya stopped, took off her sunglasses, and her beautifully made-up almond eyes unabashedly sized up Lin Qian from head to toe.
Scornful, arrogant, imperious...
That kind of look made one quite uncomfortable.
Lin Qian kept her composure, still wearing her most appropriate smile.
Those in the service industry always encounter all sorts of people.
Presumably, this big star must think little of her, just a mere sales assistant.
"Bring me these, these, that, and those over there to try on."
Qiao Xiya pointed to a nearby shelf, speaking with a pronounced haughtiness.
"Right this way, please."
Lin Qian, though surprised, courteously took the clothes, shoes, and bags that Qiao Xiya had pointed out and indicated that she should proceed to the fitting rooms.
"Everything? The clothes and bags on these shelves are all high-end, with hefty price tags."
"She's a big star; she's got plenty of money. Our store's sales are going to be high today."
"Exactly, with the famous Yin Moran as her sugar daddy, how could she be lacking money?"
"..."
A group of employees watched as Qiao Xiya entered the fitting room and then huddled together again, gossiping animatedly.
Only Shen Bing coldly smirked, the smile not quite reaching her eyes.
Qiao Xiya was Yin Moran's girlfriend, and the way she looked at Lin Qian just now was far from friendly.
Did she come to the store today just to shop?
It probably wasn't that simple!
Inside the fitting room, Qiao Xiya tried one piece after another.
"Madam, this teal green really complements your skin tone..."
"It's so ugly, next."
"The embroidery on this garment is quite unique..."
"It looks tacky, next."
"..."
With each item, Qiao Xiya ruthlessly critiqued the clothes to the point of insult.
Lin Qian pursed her lips, finally sensing that something was amiss.
Qiao Xiya didn't seem to be here to shop with intent, but rather it looked like she had come to make a scene!
"Tsk, not a single good-looking piece. What are you standing there for? Bring me the shoes to try on, hurry up!"
Qiao Xiya disdainfully tossed the clothes aside and commanded Lin Qian with a condescending gesture.
Lin Qian didn't speak but still smiled faintly as she took the shoes from the side and started to change Qiao Xiya's shoes.
"Ouch, do you even know how to serve? You lowly servant, you hurt my foot."
Qiao Xiya kicked Lin Qian away, her pointed shoes hitting Lin Qian's chest hard, causing her severe pain as she fell down on her buttocks.
Lin Qian frowned slightly, biting her lip and covering her aching chest as she stood up and looked silently at Qiao Xiya.
"Miss Qiao, you didn't come here just to buy clothes, did you?"
The shoes were size 38, which should fit perfectly; they couldn't possibly pinch her feet.
She was clearly doing this on purpose.
She was targeting her deliberately!
"Miss Qiao? You still recognize who I am?"
Qiao Xiya retorted with a face full of mockery, "Since you know who I am, then you should also know I can't stand people who don't recognize their place. Lin Qian, I'm warning you, keep the right attitude and don't covet things that don't belong to you. With your low status, do you really dream of clinging to a man to ascend into high society? Dream on!"
Not covet things that don't belong to her?
What was she referring to?
Lin Qian massaged her chest, her eyebrows tightly knit.
In a flash, something clicked in her mind.
She had just returned to the country and hadn't had much interaction with others.
Was Qiao Xiya implying she was coveting Yin Moran?
This was so frustrating; why did everyone have to misunderstand her!
Some man was truly a disaster!
Causing her to suffer!
"What are you standing there for? Come here and put my shoes on!"
Seeing Lin Qian standing there silently, Qiao Xiya scolded her, feeling a burst of satisfaction inside.
She had already made inquiries.
This Lin Qian was a single mother.
Candy had left the hotel that day and ended up at Lin Qian's place.
Unexpectedly, this woman had some tactics, even managing to have Candy call her mommy!
She came here today intending to give her a warning.
Dare to set her sights on Yin Moran? She would rip her apart!
Lin Qian silently slipped the shoes onto Qiao Xiya's feet.
Knowing she wasn't here to genuinely shop, there was no need to introduce any more products.
But, she would make her views perfectly clear.
"Miss Qiao, I think you're mistaken. Although my status is humble, I've always acquired my material life through my own hard work. I believe I live a righteous and upright life with nothing for others to look down upon. All humans are born equal, whether they are high society or commoners, I just be myself."
She said her piece with neither servility nor overbearing pride.
Her eyes were like a clear spring, bright and pure.
Qiao Xiya looked at Lin Qian and found her unusually irritating.
She stood up abruptly and said scornfully: "Lin Qian, don't give me this nonsense. Remember my warning, stay away from Yin Moran and his daughter."
Pretending to be so innocent.
She better not catch her scheming.
Qiao Xiya bumped Lin Qian as she haughtily walked out of the changing room.
Lin Qian frowned and glanced at the pile of clothes, her face showing helplessness.
All because of that person!
In the hall, as Qiao Xiya descended the staircase, everyone looked at her expectantly.
Qiao Xiya took her assistant's offered sunglasses and put them on with an air of aloofness, "The service from that lady just now was mediocre; hmm, kind of ruined my mood! Oh well, I won't stoop to the level of a low-class salesperson... Just get a tie for my Moran."
All this fuss for just a tie!
The crowd was taken aback, their gaze shifting to Lin Qian as she carried all the clothes down from the changing room.
Lin Qian's lips were tightly pursed, feeling indignant yet powerless.
At that moment, another commotion erupted at the entrance.
Following that, a child's voice rang out.
"Mommy, I've come to buy a present for daddy!"