Volume One, Chapter 12: The Shop Assistant Is Thoroughly Humiliated

Su Wan felt extremely embarrassed.

Just as she was at a loss, a pair of strong hands steadied her waist!

A rich and pleasing voice rang from above, filled with authority: "Who dares to kick her out?"

Seeing the imposing man before them, the sales assistants immediately released their grip, their faces turning pale.

One trembled as she stammered, "Mr. Meng, Mr. Meng."

The other staff quickly greeted him in unison, no longer maintaining their previously arrogant demeanor.

Someone hurried off to notify the store manager, who soon arrived, wearing a forced smile. "Mr. Meng, whatever you wish to buy, I can have it delivered to your home. Why did you come here in person?"

The entire mall belonged to Meng Yanli; their shop was operating on his turf—they dared not offend him in the slightest.

Meng Yanli’s lips curled slightly as he let out a cold snort. "Is that so? Yet, by the time I finished a phone call, your assistant was already trying to throw my people out. What, does your store no longer want to do business here?"

The store manager trembled in fear.

If headquarters learned of this incident, could he still keep his position?

He hurriedly forced a smile. "I am truly sorry, Mr. Meng. That assistant is new and unaware of the rules. I’ll fire her immediately."

The once arrogant assistant realized her grave mistake and quickly bowed repeatedly to Meng Yanli. "I’m sorry, Mr. Meng, I was wrong! I won’t dare do it again!"

Meng Yanli snorted coldly, "The one you should apologize to isn’t me..."

The assistant quickly turned to Su Wan and apologized again. "I’m sorry, miss. I was blind and rude to you just now. It was entirely my fault. Please, forgive me this once."

Tears and snot mingled as she spoke, clearly showing genuine remorse.

It was hard enough for her to work in such a high-end luxury store; she certainly didn’t want to lose this well-paying job.

Seeing her like this, Su Wan felt a pang of pity.

She was never the type to hold a grudge even when justified.

She replied calmly, "I accept your apology. But I hope you won’t judge others by their appearance in the future, and at least don’t speak so harshly."

The assistant nodded repeatedly, like a chick pecking rice. "Thank you, I understand. I promise I won’t act like that again."

The manager, eager to please, said to Meng Yanli, "Please feel free to choose any bag you like, Mr. Meng. We realize we were wrong today. Consider this a small token of our goodwill."

Meng Yanli replied coolly, "I appreciate the gesture, but the price is what it is."

He was quite satisfied with the bag Su Wan had chosen for her mother.

"To thank you for your help, I’ll give you one. You pick it yourself."

Su Wan was taken aback but quickly declined politely, "It was no trouble at all, Mr. Meng. You don’t have to be so generous."

Meng Yanli’s expression darkened.

He had just been refused by someone else, and now he was being rejected again.

He found this girl puzzling—didn’t she want a bag? Now that he offered one, she refused?

Or was she just pretending to be modest?

He pointed to the bag identical to the one Su Mei had and instructed the manager, "Wrap it up for me."

Su Wan was stunned. "I really don’t want it..."

Meng Yanli stared at her and said coldly, "It’s not for you."

Then he went to pay.

***

As they left the store, Meng Yanli shoved the bag into her hands. "Take it."

Su Wan hurriedly declined, "Mr. Meng, I really don’t want it."

If she took it home, her family would inevitably become suspicious.

She would have an even harder time explaining then.

She suddenly regretted lying; now she was in this awkward situation.

But from what she knew about this man, he particularly disliked being rejected.

Well, she’d keep it for now and return it when she left the company.

"Thank you, Mr. Meng."

Seeing her accept it, Meng Yanli’s lips twitched slightly.

Sure enough, she was just retreating to advance.

He felt an indescribable sensation.

He said lightly, "No need to thank me. I’m just grateful you helped me choose a bag for my mother."

Su Wan pursed her lips, silent.

They truly lived in different worlds. She had only lent a small hand, yet he offered such a generous reward.

That bag cost nearly a year’s salary for her.

"Get in the car," Meng Yanli opened the door for her. "I’ll take you back."

She was startled but quickly refused, "No need, Mr. Meng. I’ll take a taxi myself."

She couldn’t take the bag home; she planned to leave it temporarily with Han Wei.

Meng Yanli looked displeased. "Don’t overthink it. I’m just thanking you for your help."

Having learned her lesson, Su Wan didn’t dare refuse again and complied.

Just as she was about to get in, a woman’s voice called out, "Yanli, what are you doing here?"

She turned to see a refined middle-aged woman standing nearby.

Su Mei was affectionately linked arm-in-arm with her!

Su Wan’s expression shifted.

So this elegantly dressed, impeccably made-up woman was Meng Yanli’s mother?

Sure enough, Meng Yanli asked, "Mom, you came shopping too?"

The middle-aged woman’s sharp gaze quickly scanned Su Wan’s face before turning to her son. "Yes, Su Mei took me shopping and to dinner. And this is..."

"She’s my assistant, Su Wan," Meng Yanli introduced. "She’s Su Mei’s older sister."

"Oh? Su Mei, you have an older sister? She didn’t even come to your engagement banquet..." Meng Yan’s mother looked surprised.

Su Mei immediately put on a wronged expression. "Auntie, it’s like this: she’s not related to me by blood, so she’s never liked me..."

Meng Yan frowned. "Even so, you’re family. For her to treat you this way as your sister is really irresponsible!"

Su Wan sneered inwardly.

This sister was quite eloquent; hiding the engagement from her and now slandering her!

But it didn’t matter. She wouldn’t have any dealings with Meng Yan’s mother in the future. Let them misunderstand as they pleased.

***

Meng Yanli furrowed his brows lightly. "Enough, Mom. This is a family matter. We shouldn’t interfere..."

"What family matter? Now that you and Su Mei are a family, if her sister treats her this way, you should stand up for her..."

Meng Yan’s mother glanced coldly at Su Wan. "Yanli, I think an employee who disregards family like this is useless. Fire her tomorrow!"

"...Mom! I can handle work matters myself. You should just go have dinner with Su Mei."

With that, he gently patted Su Wan’s shoulder. "Get in the car."

Su Mei’s eyes immediately reddened. "Yanli, are you mad at me? I’m not blaming sister. I was only telling Auntie the truth."

Tears streamed down her face as if she were deeply wronged.

Meng Yanli rubbed his temples. "Why are you crying? I’m not mad at you."

These two sisters were strange—one was delicate, the other stubborn.

But as a man, he couldn’t bear to see a woman cry, especially a beautiful one.

He gently draped an arm around her shoulders. "Alright, stop crying."

Su Mei’s heart leapt. She seized the moment to link arms with him and pouted, "Yanli, will you have dinner with me and Auntie?"

Seizing the opportunity, Su Wan said, "Mr. Meng, I won’t bother you during dinner. I’ll leave first."

She was truly afraid that if she looked at Su Mei any longer, she might vomit. That girl was such an actress—she must have been a performer in a past life.

Just as she stepped forward, Su Mei called out, "Sister, wait..."

Su Wan was annoyed.

What did this girl want now?

Before she could react, Su Mei rushed over and snatched the bag.

She quickly opened it.

She exclaimed, "Sister, this bag is exactly the same as the one Yanli gave me!"

Then she turned to Meng Yan’s mother. "My sister said my bag was nice and wanted me to give it to her, but it was a gift from Yanli. How could I give it away? I was planning to buy her a new one someday, but she already bought one herself..."

As she spoke, Meng Yanli’s gaze darkened.

So things were indeed as he suspected.

Su Wan could tell that Su Mei’s words were meant to make everyone think she was a girl who liked to compete and show off.

Of course, she wanted Meng Yan’s mother to scold her.

Sure enough, upon hearing this, Meng Yan’s mother frowned. "An assistant like her can’t afford such an expensive bag. She must have had my son pay for it!"

Su Mei smiled secretly.

She deliberately stirred the pot to direct the conflict at Su Wan—and it worked easily.

Hmph, trying to steal my man!

Su Wan thought, I want to see how you’ll explain this to Auntie Meng.