"You're not here to discuss a collaboration?"
"That's right, I'm really just here to buy clothes." After getting Wang Yu's affirmative reply, Wang Jin's expression turned cold very quickly, and his earlier enthusiasm vanished.
"If you're not here to discuss collaboration, then what are you babbling about? Do you know how expensive this outfit is?"
Wang Jin snorted, looking at Wang Yu with an indescribable disgust. His factory overalls were dirty and ugly, and his presence in this high-end establishment was simply an insult.
"Manager Wang, please have some tea."
A sales assistant, following Wang Jin's earlier instructions, brought over tea.
"Tea? What tea?" Wang Jin intercepted the tray, roaring at the sales assistant, "This is top-grade West Lake Longjing. Is it meant for someone like him?"
The sales assistant was bewildered by her manager's sudden change in demeanor, but could only meekly accept the reprimand.
Meanwhile, Du Yujuan, who had just finished packing the jacket, looked on in a daze. "So, are we still giving them the clothes?"
"Give them what? People like them don't deserve it!" Wang Jin vented his frustration at Du Yujuan.
"Do you know this outfit was specially tailored and modified for me to accompany the General Manager to the Qinglu Group press conference in the provincial capital in a couple of days?"
Wang Jin's voice was loud and deafening. "Do you know Qinglu Group is a transnational super conglomerate spanning across Dongzhou? They've recently invested in an industrial park in our Gujiang Province.
This press conference will gather many influential figures from across the province. Ordinary people wouldn't even get a chance to glimpse the entrance!
It's thanks to our General Manager's appreciation that I have the opportunity to witness such an event! It's a grand occasion that many people never get to experience in their lifetime! Do you understand?"
Wang Jin was scolding Du Yujuan, but his gaze was fixed on Wang Yu and Wu Lingling, his contempt and mockery undisguised. It was clear to everyone he was directing his words at them.
"Oh? Is that so?"
"Heh!"
Wang Yu and Wu Lingling both chuckled. One with a calm and gentle demeanor, the other with arrogant disdain. They simply watched Wang Jin, as if witnessing the clumsy performance of a clown.
"You... you two!"
Wang Jin pointed at them furiously. In his eyes, their silent demeanor was even more infuriating than outright rage or vulgar insults!
"Hmph! One is ignorant and fearless, the other is rude and unreasonable. You two truly are a match made in heaven!"
Wang Jin roared, "Security! Where's security? Get them out of here!"
"Manager, I told you, they're just here to cause trouble. I'll go call security right away."
Du Yujuan chimed in at the opportune moment.
"Heh, your state-run department store is quite imposing. You open for business but won't let people try on clothes, and then you hurl insults? It's utterly unreasonable! If it were any other time, I would have filed a complaint!"
Wu Lingling sneered, "As for ignorance and unreasonableness, are you sure you're not referring to the two of you, you scoundrel and his slut?"
"Complain? Let me tell you, I am the manager here. I am the boss! I am the reason! You can file your complaint directly with me." Wang Jin, with a smug air of petty triumph, turned to Du Yujuan. "Hurry up and get security here to throw them out."
"Yes, Manager!" Du Yujuan immediately responded, trotting away with an exaggeratedly flirtatious gait, presumably to fetch security.
"Alright, alright, you've said enough."
Wang Yu reached out and pulled Wu Lingling back. For some reason, he felt that Wu Lingling seemed a bit off today. She wasn't usually one to confront people so directly.
"Forget it, we won't buy the clothes. There's no need to stoop to their level."
Wang Yu gently advised Wu Lingling, holding her hand to comfort her. He then turned to face the arrogant Wang Jin.
"Manager Wang Jin, is it? We won't be buying clothes today. And coincidentally, we were also planning to attend the Qinglu Group press conference you mentioned."
Wang Yu's words were calm, but they elicited a burst of laughter from Wang Jin.
"You really know how to flatter yourself. Would a colossal enterprise like that invite a shrimp like you?
Do you know? The lion's feast is only for the lions, tigers, bears, and wolves. And you? You're just an insignificant street dog!"
Wang Yu merely shook his head and smiled faintly at Wang Jin's blunt words. "In that case, I'm not buying the clothes. I'll see you there then."
With that, he didn't wait for Wang Jin to say anything else, and pulled Wu Lingling out.
As they reached the stairwell, he slowly turned back to look at Wang Jin, who stood there like a proud rooster, a meaningful smile on his face. "Perhaps that dog can swallow the moon, a celestial dog. Something a frog sitting in a well cannot imagine."
After speaking, Wang Yu turned and left without waiting for Wang Jin's response.
Outside the department store, Wu Lingling still looked rather indignant.
"Alright, don't be angry." Wang Yu smiled and patted her head. It was hard to believe that the usually imposing and capable woman now looked somewhat adorable.
"Who told him to look down on you? I say he's the real toad, and just now he was like a toad yawning, what a big mouth!"
"Okay, okay, don't be upset anymore. At worst, I won't buy these clothes. After all, winning against those so-called experts and scholars depends on skill and technique, not clothes."
Wang Yu smiled, pacifying Wu Lingling.
In those days, with no online shopping and fast delivery, buying clothes meant going to department stores. Even street vendors hadn't become popular yet.
"But I'm still really angry!"
"It's alright, it's alright. If worse comes to worst, we can buy them in the provincial capital. Also, I'll stew fish for you tonight. I've got to tell you, my new electric pressure cooker has been successfully prototyped."
"Really? The automatic electric pressure cooker you mentioned? The one that won't explode?"
"That's right. We finally managed to get a prototype ready in time for the upcoming Industrial Expo.
And tonight, we'll use this electric pressure cooker to make you a pot of fish soup."
Wang Yu's words instantly brought a smile to Wu Lingling's face.
"Then hurry up! Let's go buy groceries! No, wait! Let me see your electric pressure cooker. When can it be mass-produced? How is the preparation for production qualifications going?
If we pick up the pace now, we might be able to launch it!"
In an instant, Wu Lingling forgot all about the clothes and returned to her sharp and capable businesswoman persona.