Su Nian was completely stunned. Twenty million. Her mind went blank. How could she possibly afford such an amount? Fang Liyun, of all people, knew her situation best. She had only recently bought a house on loan, her finances stretched tight. Even if she hadn't taken on that mortgage, she would have needed to save at least four months' salary without spending a single cent, only then could she barely afford it. The number echoed in her head, heavy and unreal, as she stared at the bag in disbelief.
Just as Su Nian was frantically thinking of a way to handle the situation, one that wouldn't embarrass her boss by refusing to buy the bag when Wu Qingyi's voice cut in. "Miss Su, as we mentioned earlier, you'll be receiving VIP treatment from our manager," she said brightly. "And not just for today, but for the entire year. May I ask you to register your WeChat number with us? That way, even if you don't find a bag you like today, we can help you with pre-orders, or even customize a piece according to your preferences." Su Nian knew she would never place a pre-order for a bag, much less request a custom design. Still, this seemed like the perfect way out, at least it would spare her boss the awkwardness of being turned down. Relieved, she nodded. "Of course." Wu Qingyi had already extended her hand, phone held out. Su Nian stepped forward and scanned the QR code without hesitation.
The moment Su Nian added Wu Qingyi, a message popped up on her screen.
Can you please do me a favour? This pretty sister really needs this job. We made a bet with the ex-manager, if the pretty sister can't make a sale worth ten million, she'll have to kneel and apologize before being given the position.
Su Nian's breath hitched. Her knees nearly gave out. She stared at the screen, wondering if she had read it wrong. Kneel and apologize? Which brainless fool would demand that her boss, the dignified daughter-in-law of the Wang family kneel before them? For a moment, Su Nian genuinely questioned whether the world had gone mad.
Another message arrived almost immediately.
I know you might not be able to afford this bag, but don't worry. Just send me your bank account details, I'll transfer the amount to you.
Su Nian's heart lurched. She had no idea whether Wu Qingyi truly possessed the means to send such an astronomical sum. Twenty million was not a small number, it was enough to crush an ordinary person with its weight. Yet, if Wu Qingyi really could do it, then everything would be solved. She could buy the bag, complete the sale, and her boss would never have to kneel or apologize to anyone. That alone was worth the risk. Without hesitating any longer, Su Nian quickly sent over her bank details.
Everyone in the boutique who knew about the wager watched the scene unfold with bated breath. When Su Nian failed to respond to the question of whether she would purchase the bag and instead lowered her head to tap at her phone, whispers stirred quietly through the store. The regional director frowned slightly. The former manager's lips curled in smug anticipation. In their eyes, the conclusion was obvious - the customer was merely pretending to be busy, stalling because she either didn't want to buy the bag… or simply couldn't afford it. Only Fang Liyun thought otherwise. She studied Su Nian closely, her gaze sharp and discerning. Her eyes flicked briefly toward Wu Qingyi, catching the subtle timing of their exchanged glances, the faint curve of Wu Qingyi's lips, the way Su Nian's fingers moved with sudden urgency. Something was happening… something deliberate. Fang Liyun narrowed her eyes slightly, curiosity stirring within her. What are those two planning so secretly?
The moment Su Nian sent over her bank details, barely five minutes passed before her phone vibrated again. A notification from the bank. She opened it and her breath stopped. The number on the screen was so large it felt unreal. Her mind went blank as disbelief washed over her. With trembling fingers, she closed the message, then opened it again, half-expecting the amount to change. It didn't. Her heart pounded wildly. Could this be a mistake? The thought barely had time to form when another message arrived. This time, it was from Wu Qingyi and in that instant, Su Nian knew without a doubt that the transfer was very real.
Wu Qingyi's message appeared on the screen: "Thank you so much for helping me save pretty sister's job and dignity. I've transferred thirty million to your account. You can use twenty million to buy the bag, and keep the remaining amount as a small thank you gift. Oh…. and keep the handbag for yourself too. Consider it my gift to you for being so kind." Su Nian stared at the words, her mind going completely blank.
Keep the rest…? Keep the handbag…? Thank you, gift…?
Her heart screamed in disbelief. That's ten million…. not ten thousand!And the handbag too? A handbag worth twenty million, just like that? Her thoughts erupted into chaos. Am I dreaming? Did I not wake up properly this morning? Or did the world suddenly start using millions like pocket change? She pinched herself hard, pain shooting up her arm but the numbers on the screen didn't disappear. Su Nian swallowed hard, her fingers trembling as reality slowly, terrifyingly, settled in.
Su Nian was jolted back to her senses when the former manager stepped up to her, a thin smile curling at the corners of her lips. "Miss," she said, her tone deceptively polite, "are you truly willing to buy this bag from the beg—" She paused, then corrected herself with mock civility. "—from this manager?" If Su Nian hadn't known about the wager, hadn't caught the smug glint in the woman's eyes, she might have mistaken those words for genuine concern toward a colleague. She didn't even bother to look at her. Instead, Su Nian turned calmly to Fang Liyun and said, "Sorry, I just had to deal with an important message. Thank you for your patience." Then, lifting her gaze with quiet certainty, she added, "Yes, I'd like to purchase this handbag. Please proceed with the billing."
Silence descended upon the boutique. Even Fang Liyun was taken aback by her assistant's sudden decisiveness. She knew instinctively that this had everything to do with Wu Qingyi but she also knew better than to reveal it now. Maintaining her composure, she turned and headed toward the billing counter to proceed. Just then, the regional director stepped forward and instructed another staff member to assist with the checkout, citing that it was Fang Liyun's first day. Before anyone could respond, Wu Qingyi spoke up. "If another staff member handles the billing," she asked calmly, "won't the one-percent commission go to them instead of the manager?" The question landed like a stone in still water. Fang Liyun was stunned yet again. She looked at Wu Qingyi in disbelief. This girl not only cared about whether she succeeded but even about something as small as a commission earned through her own effort.
The regional director inwardly scoffed. Since when did the Wang family care about such a small sum? Yet he dared not voice the thought as one careless word could expose Fang Liyun's identity. Maintaining a respectful tone, he replied, "The manager's account will take some time to be registered in the system. That's why I asked another staff member to handle the billing. As for the commission, please rest assured. I will personally transfer it to Manager Fang."
Wu Qingyi nodded, seemingly satisfied, but a trace of worry still flickered in her eyes. What if, after she left, the pretty sister was treated unfairly? What if they delayed or conveniently 'forgot' the transfer? She turned to Fang Liyun and said earnestly, "Pretty Sister Fang, could you share your WeChat QR code with the regional director? That way, he can transfer the one-percent commission right now. It should be two hundred thousand."
Fang Liyun felt her heart soften beyond measure. She had handled projects worth billions, seen profits rise and fall like tides, and earned more money than most people could imagine in a lifetime. Yet never, not once had she felt happiness like this. Perhaps it wasn't the money at all. Perhaps it was the sincerity behind it… and the bright, earnest smile on Wu Qingyi's face that made this moment shine.
The regional director felt a strange mix of disbelief and amusement. He hadn't expected Wu Qingyi to distrust his word so completely, especially after he had clearly promised to settle the commission later. Yet before he could dwell on it, Fang Liyun calmly raised her phone and displayed her WeChat QR code - an unspoken sign of trust that caught him slightly off guard.
A heartbeat later, realization struck…. Wang Madam's contact…