Your girlfriend ran off

Jiang Nian ignored Jiang Wenxue's little antics and turned to ask the sales assistant, "Could you show me the pieces reserved for your VIP customers?"

The sales assistant's face lit up. This was going to be a big sale!

She immediately escorted Jiang Nian and Tong Chuhe into the VIP room with great courtesy, then had someone wheel in the expensive jewelry and bags for Jiang Nian to choose from.

Jiang Wenxue tried to follow, but Shen Lei stopped her. "Stop making a scene, Wenxue. The VIP pieces aren't things you can just buy on a whim."

Jiang Wenxue ignored him completely and followed Jiang Nian straight into the VIP room.

She was determined to go head-to-head with Jiang Nian today.

Seeing the defiance on Jiang Wenxue's face, Jiang Nian made no attempt to hold back as she picked out several costly pieces of jewelry and bags.

As she chose, she marveled to herself, I'm so kind. I only picked out a few things. At least I'm leaving Jiang Wenxue a way out.

Sure enough, once Jiang Wenxue saw what Jiang Nian had chosen, she immediately told the sales assistant to wrap all of it up for her.

The sales assistant looked at Jiang Nian and Jiang Wenxue, both excited and conflicted. The commission on these items would equal what she normally earned from a whole month's sales!

But the two women were clearly at odds. Bound by professional ethics, she could only say timidly to Jiang Wenxue:

"I'm sorry, miss, but Miss Jiang Nian has already selected these items. Would you like me to show you some other styles?"

Jiang Wenxue was furious. "What, I can only have the styles she doesn't want? She hasn't paid yet, has she?"

Seeing that the fish had taken the bait, Jiang Nian said with feigned concern:

"Since you like these jewelry pieces and bags so much, Miss Jiang, I really ought to let you have them. But they're quite expensive. Are you sure you don't want to reconsider?"

Standing beside them, Shen Lei could only try to reason with Jiang Wenxue:

"That's right, Wenxue. Your current allowance won't cover all of this."

Although Jiang Wenxue was the daughter of a nouveau riche family, she normally wouldn't spend so much on luxury goods all at once.

So petty. She really has no class. If she weren't still useful, I would've dumped her long ago.

Shen Lei kept those thoughts to himself.

Seeing Shen Lei join Jiang Nian in trying to talk her out of it only made Jiang Wenxue angrier.

"If I say I want them, I want them. What, do you really think I can't afford this little bit of money?"

Shen Lei sighed at Jiang Wenxue's stubbornness, while Jiang Nian smiled at the sales assistant.

"Since Miss Jiang can afford them, please wrap them up for her. Sorry for the trouble."

The sales assistant immediately beamed and bowed to Jiang Wenxue. "Of course, Miss Jiang. I'll wrap them up for you right away."

Seeing how respectfully the sales assistant treated her, Jiang Wenxue felt thoroughly vindicated. She shot Jiang Nian a smug look, then followed the sales assistant to pay.

Jiang Nian took Tong Chuhe with her and leisurely followed them out. She wanted to see whether Jiang Wenxue really wouldn't feel the pinch, just as she had expected.

Sure enough, Jiang Wenxue's face turned green the moment she saw the bill.

"These few things cost eight figures?"

She was dumbfounded.

She hadn't expected these few items to be so expensive.

Her allowance was generous, but it was only three million a month. She couldn't produce that much money all at once.

Seeing Jiang Nian clearly enjoying the show, she gritted her teeth and used a phone call as an excuse to run off to a corner and ask her father for money.

"Dad, transfer twenty million to me first."

Her father sounded astonished on the other end. "What do you suddenly need so much money for?"

Jiang Wenxue urged him impatiently, "It's urgent. Just send it."

Her father had no idea why she suddenly needed so much money, but he still transferred twenty million from his account to Jiang Wenxue's.

Only after receiving the money did Jiang Wenxue swagger over to pay.

After swiping her card, the sales assistant eagerly handed the bags to Jiang Wenxue, all smiles. "We look forward to seeing you again."

Once Jiang Wenxue had paid, Jiang Nian asked with a smile:

"I'm going back to the VIP room to have another look. Would you like to come along, Miss Jiang? I can help you choose."

Hearing that Jiang Nian intended to buy more, Jiang Wenxue refused, her face livid. "I'm done shopping. I'm exhausted after walking around for so long. Lei, let's go."

With that, she grabbed Shen Lei and tried to leave.

But Shen Lei didn't respond to her. Instead, he asked Jiang Nian and Tong Chuhe for their contact information:

"Miss Jiang, Miss Tong, fate brought us together. Why don't we exchange contact details?"

Seeing her boyfriend not only refuse to leave with her but actively ask for Jiang Nian and her friends' contact details, Jiang Wenxue was furious. She abandoned Shen Lei and left on her own.

Jiang Nian kindly reminded him, "Your girlfriend ran off."

Shen Lei didn't seem particularly concerned. "Wenxue is used to being spoiled. Please don't take it to heart. I'll go soothe her in a bit."

Jiang Nian and Tong Chuhe exchanged a glance, then gave him their contact details.

She wanted to see what Shen Lei would try to pull.

Having gotten both women's contact details as he had hoped, Shen Lei said goodbye and ran after Jiang Wenxue.

He still had to soothe Jiang Wenxue. After all, the Shen Family's banquet was coming up, and she was still useful. He could discard her once he was done using her.

With that thought, he soon caught up with the sulking Jiang Wenxue.

"Wenxue!"

He abruptly grabbed Jiang Wenxue's arm.

Jiang Wenxue turned her head away, unwilling to acknowledge him. "Weren't you asking for their contact details? Why are you chasing after me?"

Shen Lei tried to placate her. "One is the Jiang Heiress, and the other is the Tong Family's daughter. I just want to get them on my side. I have absolutely no other interest in them."

Then his voice grew husky as he put on a pitiful act for Jiang Wenxue. "You know I'm just an illegitimate son. Nobody even knows who I am, and everyone looks down on me. You're the only one willing to be with me."

"Grandpa's birthday banquet is coming up. It took so much for him to finally let me attend. If I can build a good relationship with those two families, maybe Grandpa and Dad will pay a little more attention to me."

Hearing this, Jiang Wenxue softened toward Shen Lei again.

She thought Shen Lei was terribly pitiful. Being an illegitimate son wasn't his fault! He just wanted a family, yet the Shen Family kept shutting him out, especially that Shen Hui!

With that in mind, she awkwardly began giving Shen Lei a chance to make amends. "Really? You're not lying to me? You really aren't interested in them?"

Seeing that he had nearly won her over, Shen Lei naturally relaxed.

"Of course, baby. I swear you're the only person I'll ever love."

Jiang Wenxue pouted with an air of haughty affection.

"Fine. I suppose I'll believe you one more time."

With the crisis averted, Shen Lei gently drew her into his arms and whispered in her ear, "Thank you for trusting me, baby. Thank you for loving me."

Since you love me so much, baby, surely you won't mind making a little sacrifice for me?

A shadow fell over Shen Lei's eyes.

Soon.

Before long, I'll be a legitimate member of the Shen Family.