Chapter Five: Disdain Yet Still Comes to Buy

"Qing'an, mind your words. That's your brother," Bai Ting mildly reproached.

"I don't have a brother like him. Grandma, please tell him—I want to join the company. I don't want to stay in that miserable place any longer."

"This... Huangpu..."

"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave," Huangpu Shenqing rose to his feet, preparing to go. He truly couldn't stand to see their faces a moment longer.

"Stop right there! Is that any way to speak? Do you even have any respect for me?" At last, Huangpu Zheng, seated at the head of the table, spoke. Over the years, he knew he owed this child a great deal.

His grandmother and father had passed away one after the other, and he himself had neglected the boy, which bred deep resentment. So, when the young man returned from abroad and asked to manage his father's business, he handed the company over to him.

And indeed, he did not disappoint, raising the Huangpu family to new heights. The conglomerate now spanned multiple industries.

But Huangpu Shenqing walked straight out, deaf to it all.

"You... How dare you! Huangpu Shenqing, you'll be the death of me, this—"

"Enough, calm yourself..."

——

Shangguan Renran enjoyed a restful sleep. The next morning, as usual, she put in her eyedrops and planned to go out for a stroll.

Xia Wanqing was about to join a new crew in a few days and wouldn't have time to keep her company, so they arranged to visit the mall together today.

Ouyang Muya had to work, so she wasn't joining them.

"Renran, over here!" Xia Wanqing waved from the entrance of the commercial building.

This was the largest shopping center in City A. Shangguan Renran even had a VIP card for the place, though she hadn't brought it today.

Ye Zuo and Ye Xin had come along as well—she figured that if they needed anything, they could buy it together.

"Were you here long?"

"No, I just got here too. It's been ages since I went shopping. Muya's always busy, but at least you're back."

"Ye Zuo, Ye Xin, we're going in—call if you need anything."

"Yes, miss," Ye Zuo replied, dressed in his usual black suit, while Ye Xin had on a long dress that suited her gentle demeanor perfectly.

Today, Shangguan Renran wore a white Chanel-style suit, the blouse tied with a bow at the neck, and matching high heels. She carried a blue handbag stuffed with her phone, a card, lipstick, and other essentials, with sunglasses that lent her an even stronger aura.

Though Xia Wanqing was a public figure, she wasn't so famous that everyone recognized her, so her face was uncovered. Her delicate features, curled lashes, white T-shirt revealing a slim waist, black wide-legged pants, and white shoes drew admiring glances wherever they went.

As soon as they entered the mall, they attracted plenty of attention.

"I heard the second floor just got some new jewelry in. Let's take a look."

"If you like, I can have my mother design a set just for you," Shangguan Renran offered. Her mother was a renowned designer, not only of gifts but also jewelry, famous internationally.

"No, I wouldn't want to trouble Aunt Ye," Xia Wanqing replied. She had known Shangguan Renran for years, yet had seen Uncle Shangguan far more often than Aunt Ye, who was always busy.

At the entrance to a luxury brand on the second floor, a crowd had formed, their murmurs audible as the two women approached.

"Isn't that the eldest daughter of the Bai family? I loved her performance in 'Phoenix Southbound.'"

"And the one beside her looks like a Huangpu family heiress!"

"My goodness, they're so beautiful! Are they shopping for jewelry?"

People in the crowd snapped photos and videos, uploading them online, and within moments, the scene was trending. The onlookers only grew in number.

"Bai Xi, is there anything you like? I think these are all rather ordinary—none compare to the set I had custom-made last time," remarked the woman in the white suit, her large sunglasses hiding everything but her vivid scarlet lips, her tone dripping with disdain.

"Qingyin, I heard you own pieces by Ye the great designer. No wonder these can't impress you," Bai Xi replied enviously. Since her aunt married into the Huangpu family, their family had entered the upper echelons of society, and her own popularity had soared.

She had gone straight into show business, as she enjoyed the adoration of others.

"Of course. If you like, I'll give you a set next time," said Huangpu Qingyin graciously—at worst, she could just commission another. After all, money could buy anything.

The sales associate stood quietly by, inwardly rolling her eyes—if she found these so lacking, why had she come to shop at all? Who knew if she even meant what she said.