As the women were about to leave, one of them turned to look at Qin Yue, sizing her up, and slowly asked, "Why are you still standing there blankly? Don't you plan to come with us? Didn't you say you've already hooked up with someone from the He family? You must have at least as much pocket money as you used to get from the Qin family. If that's the case, why not come with us?"
Thinking of the bank card Meng Lei had given her with an unlimited limit, Qin Yue proudly lifted her head and said casually, "Isn't it just a piece of clothing? Look at how excited you all are. You're supposed to be young ladies, yet anyone who didn't know might think you're those aunties scrambling for groceries at the supermarket!"
This remark instantly ignited the crowd's anger. Everyone glared at her with fury. Qin Yue shrugged, unfazed, and said, "Alright, let's not waste time here. We should hurry up and buy the clothes. We have important matters to attend to when we get home!"
With that, the group, each with their own intentions, headed to the luxury department store. Their target was clear: that particular dress.
As soon as they entered, Qin Yue asked, "I heard the famous QZ designer has released new items. Can you show us the clothes he designed?"
Upon seeing Qin Yue, the sales associate retrieved a haute couture gown from the back warehouse and presented it to the group.
Looking at the fabric, craftsmanship, and silhouette, which were clearly superior to designs by other Chinese designers, Qin Yue was instantly captivated.
"What's the approximate price of this gown?"
The sales associate's lips curved upward slightly, a gentle and friendly smile gracing her face. "Miss, this gown is priced at three hundred and twenty-eight thousand."
"Three hundred and twenty-eight thousand isn't that expensive. It's just a week's pocket money. Bag this gown for me. I'll take it!" After saying this, Qin Yue handed her bank card to the sales associate. Just as she was about to take the gown to try it on, a slender, fair hand appeared beside her.
A sharp, sarcastic voice reached her ears, "This gown is indeed quite beautiful. I want it too!"
Qin Yue followed the sound and looked. When the person's appearance came into view, she was initially surprised, then her face turned cold as she exclaimed, "Ye Li?!"
Ye Li lazily opened her eyelids, casting a condescending glance at Qin Yue, and replied in a faint tone, "What's wrong?"
Qin Yue, furious, said, "I saw this dress first. If you want to buy it, find another staff member to assist you. Don't hover around me; you're offending my eyes!"
Hearing her words, Ye Li directly hung the gown on a nearby clothes rack, then crossed her arms, placing them on her chest, and asked dismissively, "Do you still think you're the high and mighty Miss Qin? I'd say you're the least qualified to buy this gown. Besides, your Qin family has gone bankrupt. No one will invite your Qin family to any business banquets anymore. What's the point of buying it?
Do you plan to wear such a flashy gown on ordinary days? Won't people say that the eldest daughter of the Qin family has gone mad because of the family's collapse, lost in delusion! Alright, I don't think you can afford this dress with your current status. Don't put on a brave face when you can't afford it. Someone, pack this gown for me. I can pay with my card right now!"
"Who are you looking down on?" Qin Yue indignantly reached out to snatch the gown, but as her hand extended, the sales associate blocked her, a smile of apology on her face.
"Miss Qin, this gown was actually pre-ordered by Miss Ye half a month ago, which is why I put it in the back warehouse. I was afraid something like this would happen. I only took it out today for you to see. I genuinely cannot sell it to you!
If you really like this gown, we have other items in our other warehouses. You can come with us, and I'll give you a discount as a token of our appreciation for your visit!" The sales associate then looked at Qin Yue expectantly.
While the dress was indeed beautiful, Ye Li was right. She was no longer the eldest daughter of the Qin family, and there were no banquets requiring her attendance.
Now that she was relying on Meng Lei and the He family, she spent all her days at home and rarely went out. Buying it would be a waste. Why waste over three hundred thousand yuan? It would be better to save it for her future.
With this thought, Qin Yue's temper gradually subsided. She said dismissively, "It's just a dress. It doesn't matter if I have it or not. Only dogs are so possessive. I don't have such strong attachments to a single item!"
Hearing herself being insulted for no reason, Ye Li's face darkened. Just as she was about to step forward to demand an explanation, Qin Yue's companions chimed in:
"Are you really not going to buy this gown? I think it looks great. Now that you've connected with the He family, you'll definitely have a chance to wear this gown to any banquets they host!"
"Exactly! I think this gown can be worn like everyday wear. Besides, you're tall and slender, and you can carry off any outfit! Perhaps this dress will look even more stunning on you!"
"You brought us here to buy clothes today, didn't you? To prove how well you're doing with the He family? If you can't even manage to get one dress, is it possible that your claim of hooking up with the He family is false? You make it sound so grand, even when you're just sweeping the floor for them as a servant?"
"..."
Listening to these women chatter incessantly in her ear, Qin Yue's face contorted with disgust. She gritted her teeth and said, "All of you, shut up! It's just a dress. It's as if no one can afford it. Where is your other warehouse? I want this dress too!"
The sales associate replied obsequiously, "Miss Qin, if you don't mind, you can come with us. Perhaps there are other styles you might like in the other warehouse."
Upon hearing that she had to go through more trouble, Qin Yue's expression immediately turned displeased. Just as she was about to ask the sales associate to retrieve the dress from the warehouse herself, the older women beside her couldn't hold back again.
"Are the other styles also designed by QZ?"
The sales associate nodded and said, "Yes, they were originally secret release items. But given the unfortunate events today, we'd like to offer you some compensation!"