Wearing his newly bought clothes, he arrived at the previous store. The staff there still had frozen expressions but now came forward proactively.
If nothing else, the shopping bag in his hand was enough to show he had spent at least five figures on a piece of clothing at the store next door.
This sales assistant was the same one from before. Xiao Xun had changed his clothes, yet the assistant didn't recognize him. This proved that she never looked at people's faces, only their attire.
Xiao Xun directly went over and picked up the shoes he wanted to buy. "Do you have size thirty-six in these?"
"Hello, may I speak in Western language?"
Xiao Xun glared and said, "No."
The sales assistant still smiled, gesturing and speaking, "These shoes are one hundred and twenty thousand."
Xiao Xun's eyes nearly popped out. The price of a pair of shoes was enough to open a small restaurant. No wonder the brand was called: Ai Yo Wei! Too Expensive.
He later learned that one hundred and twenty thousand was not in the local currency, but even after conversion, it was still eight to nine thousand, which was quite expensive.
However, Xiao Xun couldn't show he was out of his depth. "Wrap them up!" he said, taking out his card.
The sales assistant knelt on the floor, preparing to wrap the shoes.
Xiao Xun shouted in Western language, "You can't use your hands, you said so yourself."
The sales assistant looked up. Although she didn't remember Xiao Xun's appearance, this incident had just happened, and she couldn't possibly not know about it.
"Please forgive me, honored guest. I have no intention of demeaning anyone. I merely wish for these shoes to be presented perfectly to their true owner."
Her words were flawless and pleasant to hear. It was hard to tell if she was improvising or had a prepared speech ready for customers who 'play the pig to eat the tiger.'
Seeing that the sales assistant had displayed the proper demeanor and humbled herself, especially after kneeling before him for a while,
and considering that the sales assistant was also quite beautiful, Xiao Xun couldn't bear to cause her further trouble out of pity and mercy.
Carrying the shoes, and amidst the sales assistant's sweet "Welcome again," Xiao Xun headed to the next duty-free shop.
He bought a pair of shoes for Mu Jiahe, a dress for Chu Ningxiang, and a watch for his cousin, who had always said she liked this brand of watch.
In the past, he had money but dared not spend it, always crying poverty. Now that he had money, the relationship felt distant.
It had been a long time since their last meeting; he wondered how she was doing now.
Thinking about it, he decided to visit her first after returning home.
Xiao Xun heard the boarding announcement in the waiting hall. He handled the consignment of his gifts and then rushed to the boarding gate.
The plane they arrived on was a small passenger jet, but the return flight was an 'Airbus,' which was not only larger than a regular passenger plane but also had business and first-class cabins.
Business and first-class passengers could enjoy many special privileges in the airport lounge, but Xiao Xun, being on his first flight, was unaware and missed out.
The business-class seats were wide and large. Xiao Xun felt that two people of his build could fit without being cramped, and the seats could almost recline flat for sleeping.
With blankets and eye masks provided, and having not slept well the previous night, Xiao Xun fell asleep as soon as he lay down. It was the flight attendant who woke him up because his snoring was too loud and was seriously disturbing other passengers.
Xiao Xun took off his eye mask and looked out the window.
The sun was slowly rising in the east, and the crimson sunlight streamed through the porthole onto his face.
The flight attendant asked Xiao Xun what he would like to eat and drink, and thoughtfully presented him with a menu.
Xiao Xun looked at the flight attendant in front of him, and his nose nearly started bleeding. The airline's selection of cabin crew truly met public aesthetic standards.
Furthermore, the flight attendant's uniforms were designed boldly, making Xiao Xun doubt the authenticity of the 'movies' he had watched before.
Especially in these special cabins, there were dedicated flight attendants, always milling about nearby. Xiao Xun tossed and turned, distracted, wanting to look but afraid of being laughed at as a pervert.
Finally, amidst the torment, the plane began to descend. The flight attendant kindly reminded Xiao Xun to straighten his seat back and thoughtfully fastened his seatbelt for him.
Smelling the other person's body fragrance, which was definitely not that of cheap perfume, Xiao Xun felt carsick and wanted to vomit.
But he still closed his eyes and endured it with strong willpower.
The plane slowly landed on the runway. The cabin lights were all turned on. Under the care of the crew, Xiao Xun slowly walked down the stairs, then took a shuttle bus. Later, the plane docked with the jet bridge at the boarding gate.
After waiting for a long time, he finally collected his gifts from the conveyor belt.
Carrying the large bags, he went to the subway station, passed through security again, and took the subway to the station on the main road of Financial Street, then exited the station.
The autumn wind carrying fallen leaves blew onto Xiao Xun. Everything was withering, exuding a sense of desolation.
Xiao Xun snorted, "Jingji Group, it's finished."
Upon returning to the Saint Roman Building, the security guard stopped Xiao Xun. "Director Xiao!"
Xiao Xun looked at the security guard, who was Guan Jiawen's father. "Don't call me director anymore, I've resigned."
Seeing his anxious look, he asked what had happened.
The security guard glanced around and said that this wasn't a place to talk, asking Xiao Xun to follow him into the security room.
It seemed something was indeed wrong, so he followed him in.
As soon as he entered, the security guard took off his hat and asked Xiao Xun, "Although I'm from this area, I haven't studied much and don't have much education. Seeing all the men and women coming and going here looking so glamorous, I want to ask, how much is the monthly salary they pay my daughter?"
Xiao Xun had no idea, primarily because he didn't know if the other person thought it was too little or had other concerns. "It should be five to six thousand! Most people earn that much."
The security guard voiced his worries of the past few days. "Ever since my daughter started working here, the packages have never stopped. Cosmetics, clothes – some she wears only once and then never again. She uses phones that cost seven to eight thousand.
Especially these past few days, I don't know what's gotten into this child. She's been acting strange, her temper has gotten worse. She flinches at the sound of her phone ringing, runs out to take calls, and doesn't come home all night. We don't know what she's doing. When we ask, she either smashes tables or bowls, and has made her mother sick with worry."
Looking at the security guard's anxious expression, Xiao Xun didn't know how to comfort him. The guard continued, "At first, I thought maybe she was just busy these past few days, but ever since your incident, I realized she's not busy with the company; she's busy with herself."
"Uncle, don't worry, I'll ask her when I see her and see what's going on, okay?"
The security guard nodded. "Then I'll have to trouble you. This child! We've spoiled her so much, we can neither beat her nor scold her. Please educate her properly for us old folks."
"Understood."
Xiao Xun picked up his things and prepared to leave, but the security guard stopped him again. "Is there anything else?"
The security guard hesitated. "Education is education, but don't say anything too harsh. I'm afraid this child has a small heart and might do something rash."
Xiao Xun put down his things and patted the security guard's shoulder. "I understand. Don't worry! I'll just try to understand the situation, and I'll tell you immediately if anything comes up, alright?"
"That would be great, that would be wonderful."
Seeing the security guard's dazed look, Xiao Xun knew that ever since Guan Jiawen started working at the company and dressed so beautifully that day, there must have been some issues.
Perhaps it was even related to Lei Wenxiu, as she was not someone to be trifled with.
He also blamed himself; he had never been a leader before and didn't know how to empathize with his subordinates.
He had already resigned, so technically he shouldn't enter the company. However, because he was the president's personal driver, no one dared to say anything to him within the company.
On the second floor, in the lounge area, he called his former secretary, Guan Jiawen.
Guan Jiawen was dressed glamorously, not at all like someone new, but her expression was much more haggard than before.
"Director Xiao, you were looking for me?"
Xiao Xun nodded. "During my absence, has the technical department been operating normally?"
Guan Jiawen nodded. "Everything is normal."
Xiao Xun looked at Guan Jiawen, who seemed somewhat distracted. He said to her, "Although I'm no longer your leader, you were hired by me. Recently, due to personal reasons, I've neglected you. If you have any problems, tell me. I'll help you as much as I can. If I truly can't help, I'll find other ways. Never let a small matter fester into a big one. By then, even if I wanted to help, I'd be powerless."
Guan Jiawen looked like she had something to say but was holding back, but in the end, she said, "Thank you for your concern, Director Xiao. I'm really fine."
Xiao Xun looked at Guan Jiawen's expression and confirmed her father's words. He said earnestly, "You're two years older than me, I should call you sister. You absolutely must not take the wrong path."
Upon hearing Xiao Xun's words, Guan Jiawen looked at him with a grave expression. "Did someone say something to you?"
Before Xiao Xun could speak, Guan Jiawen waved her hands anxiously. "Director Xiao, please don't listen to their nonsense. They're just making things up. Whether they send videos or pictures, please don't believe them. I beg you, please don't let the leadership fire me. I can't afford to lose this job."
Xiao Xun's heart leaped. Them?
He stood up and looked at Guan Jiawen, reaching out to pat her shoulder, but halfway, he stopped himself. "Don't be afraid. Tell me the truth, and I guarantee no one in this company will dare to fire you. But if you conceal anything..."