Elizabeth Mellon

By the time Li Wei woke up the next day, Don Quixote was already ironing his shirt.

"Morning," Li Wei said. "Why haven't I ever seen you this diligent before? You're ironing a shirt for work?"

"Because I didn't have an iron before, you foolish child," Don Quixote said. "Besides, I didn't need to wear a shirt at construction sites or in restaurant kitchens."

Li Wei casually opened the refrigerator and rummaged through it, only to find that the food they had bought from the basement was nearly gone. He would have to restock today.

Unwillingly, Li Wei opened the macaron box on the table and found it completely empty.

"Isn't there supposed to be freedom in how you dress?" he asked, looking at Don Quixote as he ironed his shirt. "Why do you seem like such a neat freak? You can't stand even a single wrinkle?"

The iron in Don Quixote's hand released a blast of scorching steam with a shrill hiss. Without looking up, he skillfully pressed down the shirt collar.

"Sure, that's what people say," he said as he carefully straightened the shirt cuffs, "but when you walk into an office wearing a wrinkled, yellowed shirt, people won't think you're sloppy or too lazy to take care of yourself."

He picked up the shirt and held it to the sunlight. "They'll think your life is on the verge of spiraling out of control, because wrinkles mean you might not have had a decent place to sleep last night, or that you lack the time to manage the little details of your life. Have you seen a movie called The Pursuit of Happyness?"

"I have," Li Wei nodded. "The one starring Will Smith."

"That's right." Don Quixote put away the ironing board and slipped on his only intact shirt. "Even when he and his son had to sleep in a restroom, he still wore a suit and made sure not to get it dirty."

"But there probably aren't even ten people in your office, Susan included," Li Wei said. "No one should care about that."

Don Quixote checked himself in the mirror and noticed a loose thread at the back hem of his shirt. He took it off again and carefully bit the thread off with his teeth.

Upon hearing Li Wei's words, he rarely failed to put on his usual playful smile. Instead, he turned and looked at Li Wei seriously.

"I care, Li Wei. I care!" he said, enunciating every word. "I've been at rock bottom for too long, but there's still fire in my heart, do you understand? I've been given a chance to climb back up, and I won't let it slip away! I will never allow myself to lose this job, much less make mistakes over such tiny details!"

With that, he set down his shirt and went to the bathroom to wash up.

Before nine in the morning, Li Wei had already arrived outside Dolores's boutique amid the rush-hour subway crowd of office workers.

But to his surprise, Emma, the other sales associates, the security staff, and even Mrs. Dolores, whom he had not seen in quite some time, had all arrived early and were waiting outside the entrance.

The boutique's windows were tightly shut. If not for the people standing at the door, he would have thought the store was closed today.

"Why are there so many people today?" Li Wei found Emma, his work partner. "Aren't the sales associates usually split into two shifts?"

"Of course someone important is coming. Hurry up and change," Emma whispered, pointing inside. "Remember to manage your expression later. Don't look like you've lost your soul and ruin her mood."

"So formal..." Li Wei muttered as he pushed the door open. "Wonder how much she can spend..."

Once he had changed, he stood beside Emma and waited with her for the important guest to arrive.

Madison Avenue bustled with people. From time to time, regular customers drove up in Porsches, Bentleys, and the like, intending to shop, only to be politely turned away by Mrs. Dolores. "Sorry, darling. Come back this afternoon. We have a private appointment today."

Without needing any explanation, these wealthy Upper East Side ladies understood the rules and drove away pleasantly.

Li Wei and the others continued waiting outside for a long while. About an hour later, a pitch-black Range Rover SV slowly pulled up in front of Dolores's boutique, its tall body blocking the view of every outsider.

The vehicle was black to an excessive degree. Even beneath the Madison Avenue sunlight, it reflected none of the glaring metallic sheen one would expect.

Li Wei stared at it for quite some time before noticing that every bit of trim on the vehicle, even the silver badges on the rear denoting its engine displacement and model, had been deliberately painted a nonreflective matte black.

The driver, dressed in a dark suit, stepped out from the driver's seat. He did not immediately open the rear door. Instead, he first looked up at the boutique's storefront, then scanned the street. Only after confirming there were no unnecessary eyes on them did he circle around to the back and open the door.

As the door opened, the electric running board of the latest Range Rover SV automatically extended, and a pair of high heels touched the ground first.

The heels were not high, and their color was understated. Then came a pair of slender calves, followed by a light figure stepping out of the cabin.

The instant Li Wei saw her face clearly, he finally understood why Emma had told him to manage his expression.

She wore a cashmere T-shirt of exceptional quality, though there was no visible brand. Her collar revealed a stretch of fair neck that was almost translucent, while below she wore a logo-free silk skirt with astonishing drape.

The moment the girl saw Mrs. Dolores, an extraordinarily bright and enthusiastic smile bloomed across her face. Rather than waiting for Mrs. Dolores to approach, she quickly stepped forward and affectionately embraced the mysterious, unsmiling shop owner.

"Good morning, Elizabeth," Mrs. Dolores said politely. "Was the trip smooth?"

"I told you, just call me Liz," the girl named Elizabeth said. "It was very smooth, thank you."

"I've prepared all the necklaces you asked for." Mrs. Dolores turned slightly and led her inside. "It really wasn't easy snatching them away from those rich fools in Dubai."

"Oh." Elizabeth gave her an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make things difficult for you—"

"It's all right." Mrs. Dolores smiled faintly as well. "We have a deep friendship with the Mellon family."

Elizabeth nodded, withdrew her gaze, and walked into the store with Mrs. Dolores. Her driver followed three steps behind her.

Her gaze swept over Li Wei and the others, lingering on Li Wei for a brief moment. Then, after offering everyone a gentle smile, she entered the store with Mrs. Dolores.

"Well?" Emma secretly nudged his ribs. "I didn't lie to you, did I?"

"Isn't she incredibly beautiful?"

"I have to admit, she is," Li Wei said quietly. "But who is she? Some huge celebrity?"

"No, no celebrity could make Mrs. Dolores wait outside in advance," Emma said. "She's Elizabeth Mellon."