Chapter 199 - Chapter 199: Rich Woman and Her Little Wife
Chapter 199: Rich Woman and Her Little Wife
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Gu Ci said, “Go ahead!”
Chen Fei and Gu Ziyu left, and a car came to pick them up.
Zhou Jinjin said, “Why did he follow them abroad?”
“Classified matters, we don’t need to worry,” Gu Ci said with a light smile. “Come on, let’s go shopping. What Christmas gift do you want?”
“How about buying me an apartment in Paris, rich lady?”
“Sure!”
Zhou Jinjin gaped.
Rich lady, luckily you only have me as a friend.
Buying an apartment was obviously a joke. The two of them held hands and went shopping. They attracted a lot of attention, after all, two beautiful same-sex people holding hands, even fingers intertwined, could be misconstrued. Most people would think they were a couple.
In the previous life, there was social fear, and although things were a bit better in this life, Gu Ci, who preferred quietness, glanced at the bustling crowd at Galeries Lafayette and decided to back out.
Zhou Jinjin said, “Then let’s go to Champs-Elysees.”
Champs-Elysees, besides shopping, also offered scenic views and great food. Zhou Jinjin was much more familiar with Paris than Gu Ci. Gu Ci came here to watch a competition, not for shopping, so she didn’t bother researching. Wherever Zhou Jinjin took her, she went.
Whatever Zhou Jinjin bought, she paid for it.
Plus, walking hand in hand, they appeared to be a reserved wealthy lady and her delicate young wife in the eyes of others.
Zhou Jinjin shopped and posted on social media, and Gu Ci noticed her numerous messages but didn’t reply. Unable to resist, she asked, “Why aren’t you replying to them?”
“They asked me to buy things for them,” Zhou Jinjin said. “I don’t even have enough time for my own shopping, how could I spare time to deal with them?”
Gu Ci also posted on her social media, and her classmates who had added her liked her posts. She shared some classmates with Zhou Jinjin from school, and Gu Ci also knew some of the classmates who asked Zhou Jinjin to buy things for them.
“Why didn’t they ask me?”
“Haha…” Zhou Jinjin laughed, “You have a misunderstanding about your image. Who would ask you to buy things for them? Just looking at you, they wouldn’t think you’d bother with them.”
“That’s true,” Gu Ci shook her head. “But when you were shopping just now and 1 was free, I could’ve helped them ask around. If it’s not too much trouble, 1 could’ve made the purchases.”
If she handled it, Zhou Jinjin, who struggled with decision-making, might still be contemplating.
Zhou Jinjin didn’t respond.
The aloof girl Gu Ci might appear as though she did not want to be disturbed, but in reality, a little nudge and she might be willing to help.
The socially enthusiastic Zhou Jinjin was lively and friendly with everyone, like a true friend, but if you really asked her for help, she’d politely decline since she’s quite busy.
This little episode didn’t affect their enjoyable shopping experience. Gu Ci had modest material desires. She offered suggestions, carried bags, paid, and played the role of an almost-boyfriend.
“Aren’t you buying any bags?” Zhou Jinjin remembered that most of Gu Ci’s bags were gifts from her. Now that Gu Ci had a significant amount of money, she wasn’t buying bags or clothes. “If you’re not spending, why earn money?”
“1 like watching the numbers in my bank account increase,” Gu Ci paused. “Day by day.”
Zhou Jinjin, “Wow… my apologies. 1 have a dollar, and I’m going to spend it right away. Enjoy the moment. This white one suits you well. How about trying on this dress too?”
“Don’t!”
“Come on!”
Even the salesperson could tell that the reserved and elegant demeanor of the wealthy lady was remarkable. Anything she wore looked good on her. High-end store salespeople enjoyed having exceptionally attractive girls wear their products – it was free advertising.
Under Zhou Jinjin’s and the saleswoman’s persuasion, Gu Ci ended up buying a bunch of flashy dresses, shoes, and bags. In one store alone, they spent well over a million, and the saleswoman hung around just to serve them. They brought out some rare leather and heirloom-quality jewelry. Gu Ci, slightly overwhelmed, didn’t bat an eye as she swiped her card. The service was excellent too; they had everything delivered to the hotel, and the saleswoman even gave a deep bow, seeing them off like a god of wealth.
The money spent was a drop in the bucket.
While she had modest desires for herself, she was generous when it came to spending on Gu Ziyu, Lu Zhiyuan, Zhou Jinjin, Jiang Junlin, and others. She felt content with that and even planned to share the expenses with her aunt and grandmother when she returned home.
In this shopping spree, Gu Ci instinctively navigated through the social nuances she hadn’t encountered in the past eighteen years. Suddenly, the world of social interactions emerged. She finally had material desires, and she bought a pile of gifts for everyone in the Jiang family.
Watching her shop, Zhou Jinjin fell into contemplation. Could this seemingly distant girl be influenced by close associations?
They had spent a good part of the day at Champs-Elysees. Gu Ci asked, “Shall we go to an auction?”
“Sure, 1 haven’t been to one yet,” Zhou Jinjin scratched her head. “I’ll find a mediator.”
Zhou Jinjin found a mediator to go to the auction house. The mediator was of Chinese descent. “No problem, they’ll verify your assets. Do you have stocks or deposit assets?”
“Oh, assets need to be verified?” Zhou Jinjin asked.
“Some smaller auction houses don’t require it, but it’s rare to get good items there,” the mediator explained.
“How much assets are required?” Gu Ci asked expressionlessly. “Is 8 billion in stocks enough?”
The mediator paused for a moment, then said, “…That’s enough.”
With that much money, they’d be welcome at any auction house in Paris.
Since the “rich lady” had so much money, the mediator was accommodating. After all, if the referral went through, he would benefit as well. He recommended the most high-end auction event to Gu Ci and the Zhou family. Originally, formal attire was required, but seeing that Gu Ci looked a bit unwilling, the mediator tactfully omitted that requirement.
Thus, the reserved wealthy lady Gu Ci and her delicate young wife Zhou Jinjin stood out among the extravagantly dressed ladies, like… college students, at a top-tier auction.
Zhou Jinjin scratched her head, looked at her own down jacket and boots, then at the elegant ladies in low-cut gowns and fur coats. They all looked graceful and luxurious. Others’ gazes at them were like they were wondering why a server had wandered into the wrong event. Zhou Jinjin blushed slightly and said, “We seem like country bumpkins who’ve stumbled into a grand garden, like Grandma Liu entering the Grand View Garden.”
“Then take off your down jacket.”
“Hold my down jacket? That’ll make us look even more unsophisticated!”
“Ladies, 1 can hold your down jackets for you,” the mediator bowed and smiled.
Gu Ci and Zhou Jinjin exchanged a glance, then both removed their down jackets. But as the down jackets came off, a blast of cold air made Gu Ci shiver. “No need, I’ll keep wearing it.”
The mediator was speechless.
He could see that this wealthy lady was truly naive and innocent, the same wherever she went. She was polite to the clothes before the person. Besides, there was heating here, so the mediator chose not to mention it.
With their substantial assets, they were seated prominently. As soon as they entered, they felt disdain from others, though the noble ladies didn’t say anything disrespectful. Still, their looks conveyed a certain contempt, as if they were wondering why people of their supposed class were appearing in a setting like this.
Zhou Jinjin accidentally brushed against the hem of a noblewoman’s gown. The noblewoman, decked in pearls and jewels, waved the hem disdainfully and said in English with a cold tone, “Anyone can attend a Sotheby’s auction these days, no qualification checks. It’s becoming less exclusive..”