On a sunny weekend morning, Wan Donglin was brimming with enthusiasm. "Xixi, I’ll accompany you out today."
She glanced at him, puzzled.
"You can’t stay at home all day; you need to move around a bit. Come on, I’ll take you somewhere today."
She didn’t defy him; she got up, changed her clothes, and went out with him.
When Yan Xixi entered the building, she couldn’t help but widen her eyes. The extravagantly decorated boutique on the first floor teemed with people. A line of tall, slender, uniformed sales representatives stood by the entrance. Another woman, dressed in high-end professional attire, was assisting a wealthy, middle-aged woman in selecting the latest styles. She displayed exceptional patience, her face wreathed in smiles. Her gaudy makeup was gone, yet she looked remarkably spirited and presentable.
Just then, Xu Xiaoya turned her head, saw her, and immediately rushed over, overjoyed. "Xixi, what brings you here?"
Then, seeing Wan Donglin, she added, "Mr. Wan, please have a seat. Quick, I’ll pour some tea for both of you."
Yan Xixi had never realized luxury stores could be this busy. She watched, entranced, as women at the counter picked up one handbag after another, inquiring about prices and making purchases. It was an unending stream of activity.
Xu Xiaoya brought tea over, her face still wreathed in smiles. "Please, have some tea."
Wan Donglin picked up his teacup, also grinning. "You two chat. I’m going to take a look around."
"Feel free, Mr. Wan."
Just then, a small dispute arose in the distance. Two middle-aged women were arguing over a new handbag design—only one was left, and both wanted it. The argument ended when the younger woman reluctantly stepped back, clearly disgruntled. Thankfully, the salesgirl was quick-witted. She promptly brought out another attractive style, and only then was the customer pacified.
Yan Xixi sighed deeply. "Xiaoya, I had no idea our fellow countrymen were this rich. These bags start at over 10,000 yuan each, yet these women are grabbing them like they’re bok choy."
Xu Xiaoya beamed. "Well, these women are our bread and butter. Honestly, when we first opened, I was afraid we wouldn’t have any business, but it turns out business is booming. I’ve learned a bit about the industry. It’s said that high-quality counterfeits are rampant these days, and there are even more fakes abroad. Many people travel overseas and go to great lengths, only to find it’s easier to buy counterfeits there than back home. That’s why business for domestic specialty stores has improved so much..."
Yan Xixi listened to her speak so knowledgeably. It was clear Xu Xiaoya had truly worked hard these past days. Only those who have suffered greatly know to cherish a good opportunity.
Xu Xiaoya gently took her hand, her voice filled with emotion. "Thank you. Thank you so much."
"Xiaoya, why are you being so formal with me?"
"Xixi, if it weren’t for you, I would have fallen into a mire and never climbed out. I would never have had the chance to turn my life around..."
She remembered the horrifying decision she had nearly made—to work in a ’salon.’ If she had actually gone, her life would have been over. She would have ended up like those fallen women: aging, riddled with diseases, all her earnings spent on medical treatments, eventually becoming old, faded, and worth less than dirt. Fortunately, when she was at the edge of the precipice, someone had pulled her back. The source of thɪs content is novel⟡fire.net
"I started working and earning money before I was even twenty. I made some money during my years at the nightclub, and I was generous to my family and boyfriend, holding nothing back. At the time, they flattered me, making me feel important and capable. Little did I know... Sigh... Xixi, it was only later that I realized you were the only one in this world who truly treated me well..."