Chapter 63: How Pretentious
Huai Yu couldn’t hide her discontent.
What era is it now, and people are still calling each other “madam” and “madam”? It just sounds so pretentious.
But she didn’t say anything. She just obediently took two steps back and said to Boss Tang, “I brought some pine pollen today. It can be used for making pastries or facial masks… The mutation value is only 11, so it’s especially good for skincare.”
Boss Tang’s brow twitched, and before he could speak, he heard the old lady also say, “Facial mask? You can’t even feed yourself properly, and you’re already thinking of selling stuff with such clever schemes.”
Then, she sized up Huai Yu from head to toe and couldn’t help but frown. “You’re so thin… why do I feel like I’ve seen your face somewhere before?”
But after thinking carefully, the old lady couldn’t recall any young girl who was so pale and thin. However, those eyes seemed a little familiar…
Tsk, she looked pitiful and weak, clearly not her type. Probably just another ordinary face.
“Forget it!” She said, putting on an air of generosity: “Huan Huan, she looks like she’s struggling, just buy it.”
“Alright.” Huai Yu happily responded, “120 points per pound! Madam, do you want it all?”
Hiss! Boss Tang silently gasped. Now, when he looked at Huai Yu again, his eyes were filled with surprise.
The young girl, Huan Huan, on the other hand, immediately turned pale. “120 points per pound?!”
She quickly turned her head to look at the people behind her, but saw the old lady furrowing her brow, her look of disgust almost palpable.
Huan Huan steadied her breath and then, mimicking her employer’s tone, said, “Look at how young you are, how can you be so greedy in business? You can’t just take advantage of our madam’s kindness like this.”
Huai Yu thought to herself: Nonsense! I’m the kindest person here.
As for you…
She pretended to look pitiful and said, “But… but the pine pollen I sold before was at this price.”
“It’s a beauty product with a mutation value of only 11.”
“If you mix this with honey and milk and apply it as a face mask, you’ll look ten years younger!”
She looked at them with a hopeful and trusting expression about the effects, then added with grievance, “You all seem to use such good products regularly, so I thought this price was reasonable…”
As soon as she finished speaking, Boss Tang, with a sincere look, spoke up:
“Madam, please don’t misunderstand, the prices in Flower City are sometimes exaggerated.”
“You know the pine pollen, it’s not mass-produced, and though one pound may sound expensive, it actually lasts a long time. Many noble ladies here love to use this…”
When Boss Tang mentioned “noble ladies,” the old lady’s expression softened slightly.
Seeing this, Boss Tang’s smile grew even warmer.
“It’s just that you, who often buy rare items, would know—this is a rare find! I heard it even rained in the Capital not long ago…”
Speaking of expensive prices, Boss Tang naturally sounded very persuasive, as if he were selling the product himself.
As he spoke, the old lady’s expression gradually loosened, and her gaze became increasingly eager. She started to inspect Huai Yu’s skin more closely.
“I heard life in Flower City hasn’t been easy, but your skin is so smooth… it must be thanks to this skincare product.”
She touched her face, “Oh dear, I used to be told I looked in my twenties when I went out, but now, I look over thirty. It’s time for some skincare.”
Huai Yu blinked and thought to herself, I was born this way! Also, old lady, you look like you’re nearly sixty!
But she didn’t say anything. She just smiled shyly, as if agreeing.
The old lady then put down the tissue she had been holding to cover her nose. She no longer seemed to find it unpleasant and even started examining the pine pollen seriously before nodding:
“Alright, I’ll buy it. Who asked my son to work so hard, all so that we could live a happy life. 120 points it is. I… I just can’t help myself from feeling sorry for young girls like you.”
Huan Huan, the assistant, was silent but couldn’t help but think—
120 points for one pound of pine pollen. With the bag in front of her, it was probably three to five pounds. That would mean she just earned a few hundred points…
And she, as the assistant, could only get about 100 points a month for all her flattering work…
Tsk.
She didn’t know who’s life was really being improved here.
But despite her thoughts, her actions didn’t stop. She saw Huai Yu hand over the plant mutation test card, and Boss Tang enthusiastically packed the items while sneakily adding some honey and milk…
The old lady and the young girl exchanged a knowing glance, their lips barely curling into a smile, acting as if they didn’t notice. Clearly, they were used to receiving such gifts.
When the score transaction completed with a “ding,” Huai Yu eagerly brought over the water bucket she had been carrying and cheerfully asked:
“Thank you, Madam! You’re so generous! Madam, you’re truly rich! I also have two fresh fish, would you like them? Since the mutation value is low, they’re only 120 points per pound!”
Five pounds of pine pollen cost a whole 600 points, and the old lady was holding her phone, clearly regretting her purchase. She looked at the fresh fish again, and her heart skipped a beat.
She thought to herself, Flower City really is a small place. Even slightly good things are sold for such an outrageous price.
If this were in the Capital, they might only cost a few dozen points!
Also, this young girl has no idea how to run a business, and the shop owner doesn’t even explain his identity.
She’s the mother of Wu Yue!
How many people try to send good things to her home but can’t even get through the door? These two probably don’t realize what a great opportunity they just missed!
After thinking for a while, her reluctance began to fade.
Now, looking at the obedient fish in the bucket, they really were quite large. The two fish together probably weighed around ten pounds.
The old lady cleared her throat, acting dignified and aloof:
“Forget it. There’s nothing rare about it. I’m already tired of eating things like this in the Capital.”
After saying that, she turned, taking her assistant with her, and walked off in high spirits.
Huai Yu enthusiastically sent them to the door, clearly hoping they would change their mind and buy the fish, so she quickened her pace as they walked in high heels.
After watching them leave, the two finally returned to the shop.
Boss Tang was already eagerly pacing around the water bucket, while Huai Yu sighed:
“Is this how big shots from the Capital act? Wow, she’s so rich.”
“Of course.” Boss Tang replied nonchalantly, though there was little respect in his tone, “She’s Wu Yue’s mother!”
“Wu Yue is out fighting for us, risking his life on the front lines, and all the points he earned go to his only relative.”
“Though this woman…” He clicked his tongue, “She’s trying to look like a nouveau riche, yet wants people to praise her for being noble and graceful. She’s so stingy with her money, always coming up with excuses…”
“Ugh…” He shrugged and, mimicking the previous tone, said, “Madam…”
Huai Yu couldn’t help but laugh. She thought to herself, Looks like Boss Tang doesn’t like her either! That makes us even closer!
And so it was!
