A black card at a luxury store

When Su Jin woke the next day, she lay in bed for a full three minutes, staring at the ceiling and pondering a serious question:

Had everything that happened yesterday been a flash-before-her-eyes hallucination just before she dropped dead from overwork?

The ceiling was white, but not an ordinary white-it was art paint with a subtle sheen, which gave the light a softly diffused effect.

The electric curtains were slowly parting, allowing the ten o'clock sunlight to pour in at just the right angle.

Outside the window lay an expanse of unobstructed blue sky and the city's outline against the horizon.

She turned her head and saw a Birkin on the bedside table-a Himalaya, crocodile skin, with a diamond clasp that scattered flecks of light in the sun.

[Good morning, Host!] Little Golden Egg's voice rang out in her head, full of energy.

[Here is your daily update: it is 10:07 a.m. Beijing time. The weather is clear, the temperature is 24 degrees Celsius, and air quality is excellent. You slept for seven hours and forty-two minutes last night, with 31% of that in deep sleep. Physical condition: excellent.]

Su Jin didn't move.

[Host?]

"I'm wondering about something." Her voice was still a little hoarse.

"Shouldn't I have asked yesterday whether this system is permanent or has a trial period?"

[...Host, are you really thinking about such profound questions first thing in the morning?]

"It's called risk awareness." Su Jin sat up, reached for the Birkin and picked it up for a look before putting it down again.

"If it's one of those seven-day, no-questions-asked return deals, I should transfer that apartment back today to avoid paying a penalty."

Little Golden Egg squeezed out of thin air and hovered in front of her, wings fluttering, its tone aggrieved:

[Host, do you really have so little faith in this system? This system is a legitimate, cross-dimensional technological product with a proper business license! Not some outfit handing out flyers on the street! Permanently bound! Valid for life! You can even pass it down to the next generation after you die! Provided you have a next generation, of course-]

"All right, all right." Su Jin cut it off, throwing back the covers and getting out of bed.

"I believe you. I'm just used to being poor. Now that I'm suddenly rich, I keep feeling like someone's going to knock on the door the next second and say there's been a mistake."

[They won't.] Little Golden Egg floated after her. [This system is extremely meticulous in its work.]

Barefoot on the soft carpet, Su Jin walked over to the enormous floor-to-ceiling window and looked out.

Below, traffic wove in dense streams across Guomao Bridge, while crowds of immaculately dressed people hurried between office buildings.

Not far away, SKP's black facade gleamed discreetly in the sunlight.

She suddenly remembered something.

"Oh, right. Do I have a new sign-in reward today?"

[Yes! Sign-in happens automatically at midnight every day. After you fell asleep last night, the system delivered your generous second-day rewards-]

[Ding! The system notification sounded in her head-congratulations, Host! You have received: one SKP mall unlimited black card, valid for the entire year (issued in limited numbers worldwide; grants priority purchasing rights at all brands, access to a private VIP room, personal shopping services, and one private bespoke trip to the Paris headquarters per year).]

[Congratulations, Host! You have received: one Pagani Huayra BC Roadster (worth 35 million yuan, delivered to your private garage on basement level three of China World Trade Center Phase III, with license plate installed: Beijing A9527).]

[Congratulations, Host! You have received: today's spending allowance: 8 million yuan.]

Su Jin was silent for three seconds.

"That license plate," she said. "The 9527-you added that yourself, didn't you?"

[Hehe.] Little Golden Egg wriggled in the air. [A little selfish wish on this system's part. I wanted to leave a little bond between us.]

"A bond through a license plate?"

[What else was I supposed to do? You won't let this system carve it into your heart.]

Su Jin laughed, then turned toward the bathroom. "Fine. I probably won't drive it many times anyway-it's a 35-million-yuan car. One scratch would cost me a year's salary at my old job."

[Host, that way of thinking is very dangerous!] Little Golden Egg shouted as it followed her.

[You're rich now! A rich person should think: this car doesn't drive well? Replace it! This garage isn't big enough? Buy the one next door and knock the walls through! This license plate isn't lucky enough? Change it! Change it no matter how much it costs!]

"You're more conscious of being rich than I am."

[Of course. This system is a professional.]

II

An hour later, Su Jin stood on SKP's first floor, clutching her newly activated black card. Faced with the scene before her, she fell briefly silent.

Two people stood beside her.

On the left was the mall's customer relations manager, a man surnamed Zhou in his early thirties. His suit was immaculate, his hair perfectly neat, and his smile revealed eight textbook-perfect teeth. Slightly bent at the waist, he spoke to her in the tone of someone introducing a national treasure:

"Ms. Su, yours is the first black card our mall has issued this year, and there are only five in the whole of Greater China. Whatever you need, just give the word. We have a dedicated service team of sixteen on standby twenty-four hours a day."

On her right was Little Golden Egg-though no one else could see it, of course. It was hovering above Su Jin's shoulder, spinning excitedly:

[Host! Charge! You have an eight-million-yuan allowance today. You're not allowed to go home until you spend it all! That bag! That watch! That coat! Buy it! Buy it! Buy it!]

Su Jin spoke to it in her head. Can you calm down a little?

[No! This system's job is to urge you to spend money! And the atmosphere is perfect right now-the mall, the black card, the VIP shopping assistant, an eight-million allowance! The heavens, the place and the people are all on our side. It'd be a waste of this setup not to spend!]

Su Jin couldn't be bothered with it. She turned to Manager Zhou. "I'll have a look around first. You don't need to follow me; I'll find you if I need anything."

A flicker of hesitation crossed Manager Zhou's face-according to the training manual, they were supposed to attend black-card customers without leaving their side-but his professionalism made him nod at once.

"Of course, Ms. Su. Please take your time. Here's my card. Call me whenever you need anything; I'll be on standby in the VIP room."

After he left, Su Jin finally breathed a sigh of relief and began wandering aimlessly around the first floor.

The first floor was devoted to jewelry, watches and luxury leather goods.

The saleswomen stood behind their respective brand counters in matching uniforms, their eyes following passing customers like a pack of well-trained hunters, ready at any moment to catch prey that might open its wallet.

Su Jin passed the entrance to Cartier. A saleswoman inside glanced at her-her gaze swept from Su Jin's face down her clothes to her shoes, then quickly withdrew as she resumed arranging the counter.

Su Jin looked down at herself.

She hadn't given it much thought when she went out today and had casually pulled an old coat from last year out of her wardrobe-a Zara coat she'd bought on sale for a little over three hundred yuan during the Double Eleven shopping festival.

On her feet was a pair of white sneakers she'd worn for two years and still couldn't bear to throw away. Their edges had begun to yellow. She'd tied her hair in a casual ponytail and put on no makeup except lipstick.

In a place like SKP, that outfit was practically the same as being invisible.

[Host,] Little Golden Egg whispered in her ear, [this system didn't much like the way that saleswoman looked at you just now.]

"Normal." Su Jin continued walking, utterly unconcerned. "That's how I was treated when I came here before, too. They make their living by judging people at a glance. You can't blame them for being snobbish."

[Should we go back and slap her face, then? Pick out a bunch of things and then say we're not buying them? Or just complain to her manager?] Little Golden Egg suggested excitedly. [This system has read lots of novels. Those scenes are the most satisfying!]

Su Jin stopped and turned to look at it.

"You're a system. How come you like watching the drama so much?"

[This system needs entertainment too, you know.] Little Golden Egg was entirely unapologetic. [Besides, Host, don't you find those scenes satisfying? Watching those dog-eyed snobs look down on people and then go dumbstruck on the spot-it feels great.]

"It does." Su Jin continued forward. "But there's no need. I'd rather spend the time visiting a few more stores. Besides-"

She paused, the corners of her mouth curving slightly.

"If I'm going to slap someone's face, I should pick a big one. A little saleswoman isn't worth it."

[Good point!] Little Golden Egg agreed at once. [So how big a face are you planning to slap, Host?]

"We'll leave it to fate."

The words had barely left her mouth when she passed the entrance to Hermès and heard a familiar voice inside.

"...I told you, I want a Himalaya, and you're telling me you don't have one? Then why do other people have them? Who are you looking down on?"

Su Jin stopped in her tracks.

She knew that voice all too well-Wang Siyu, one of her university roommates, the one who'd celebrated her birthday yesterday and organized the gathering at the French restaurant.

III

Through the glass doors, Su Jin could see Wang Siyu standing in front of the counter, looking displeased.

Beside her stood a man in his thirties wearing a conspicuous Rolex. He had an arm around her waist and looked a little impatient.

The saleswoman was a young woman with immaculate makeup. She wore an apologetic smile as she said, "Ms. Wang, we're truly very sorry. People all over the world are waiting for Himalayas, and our store hasn't received a single one lately. Would you like to look at another style? This new one from this year-"

She pointed to a dark blue bag in the counter. "It's also a limited edition, and it would suit you beautifully."

"I don't want another one." Wang Siyu's voice rose a little. "I want a Himalaya. Your store is so big-how could you possibly not have one? Do I have to buy other things with it? Fine, tell me how much. A hundred thousand? Two hundred thousand? I can afford it."

The saleswoman's smile stiffened a little.

The man beside Wang Siyu spoke in a lazy tone. "Siyu, enough. If one store doesn't have it, try another. Don't make a scene here."

"I'm not making a scene!" Wang Siyu shook off his hand. "I just can't stand the way they act. Every time it's 'out of stock, out of stock,' but when someone with real status shows up, the goods come out the back door. Let's be honest-they just look down on people."

As soon as she finished speaking, a middle-aged man in a dark gray suit emerged from the back. He wore a manager's badge on his chest and a standard professional smile. "Ms. Wang, you've misunderstood. Himalayas really are in extremely short supply, and our store genuinely hasn't been allocated any this month. However-" He changed tack, his gaze sweeping over Wang Siyu and the man.

"If you're genuinely interested, we can put your name on the waiting list. At the current rate, you'd probably have to wait six months to a year."

"Six months to a year?" Wang Siyu's voice turned shrill. "Are you kidding me?"

"That's the standard waiting-list policy worldwide." The manager's smile didn't change. "There's nothing we can do about it."

Su Jin stood outside the door, watching the scene.

Little Golden Egg whispered in her ear, [Host, this Wang Siyu is the roommate who had her birthday yesterday, right? This system looked through your group chat history. It seems...you two aren't usually very close?]

"Mm," Su Jin answered.

"We had a falling-out in university. After graduation, she was polite to my face, but she didn't miss many chances to trip me up behind my back.

"She deliberately chose that French restaurant for her birthday dinner yesterday because she knew about my finances and wanted to see me embarrassed when I couldn't afford my share."

[She's that awful?] Little Golden Egg was indignant. [Then we definitely can't help her! Let her embarrass herself!]

"Who said I was going to help her?"

[Then what are you standing here watching for, Host?]

Su Jin didn't answer. She simply watched the scene inside in silence.

Wang Siyu was still arguing with the manager, her voice growing louder and louder. People had already gathered around to watch.

The man finally lost patience. He turned to leave, tossing out, "Buy it or don't. I'm going upstairs for a smoke."

Wang Siyu was left standing there alone, her face flushed bright red.

Su Jin looked at that face. Over their four years at university, it had said many things to her, most of them unpleasant.

Things like, "Su Jin, why are you dressed like that again?" and "Aren't you an orphan? How do you have money to buy this?" and "What's the point of working so hard? You don't have any background or connections anyway."

She had listened to those words with a smile at the time, without a single retort. It wasn't that she wasn't angry; being angry was no use.

If an orphan with no money or background locked horns with a rich girl whose family owned a company, she could only be the one to suffer.

But now-

[Host?] Little Golden Egg looked at her in confusion. [What are you thinking about?]

Su Jin looked away, took out her black card and gave it a light spin in her hand.

"Something," she said.

[What?]

"Whether timing matters when you're slapping someone's face."

With that, she pushed the door open and walked inside.

IV

The sound of the door opening wasn't loud, but it was enough to make the people inside turn and look.

The manager reflexively put on a professional smile and was about to greet her when his gaze swept over Su Jin's clothes. His smile faltered for a moment-but his professionalism quickly brought it back into place.

"Hello, ma'am. Welcome. How may I help you?"

Wang Siyu turned around too. Seeing that it was Su Jin, she froze for a moment, then frowned. "Su Jin? What are you doing here?"

"Shopping." Su Jin spoke lightly as she walked up to the counter, her gaze roaming casually over the bags inside. "Siyu, what a coincidence."

"Shopping?" Wang Siyu looked her up and down, an unreadable smile tugging at her lips. "Can you afford to shop here?"

Instead of answering, Su Jin turned to the manager and placed the black card on the counter.

"I'd like to see a Himalaya."

The manager glanced down at the card, and his pupils contracted slightly-of course he knew what level of card it was.

The entire mall issued only a handful each year. Their holders were either wealthy or powerful, top-tier customers they had to serve on their knees.

His attitude changed in an instant, and he bent a little lower. "One moment, ma'am. I'll check our stock right away."

Wang Siyu froze.

She hadn't gotten a clear look at the card, but she could see the change in the manager's attitude perfectly clearly. He'd been lukewarm toward her just now, but he was treating Su Jin as if she were his revered ancestor.

"Su Jin," she said, her voice changing pitch a little, "what are you up to?"

Su Jin turned to look at her, an innocent expression on her face. "Looking at a bag. What's wrong?"

"You?" Wang Siyu pointed at her, then at the counter. "You can afford Hermès?"

"Whether I can afford it or not is another matter. Looking doesn't cost anything." Su Jin smiled. "Why are you so nervous, Siyu? Afraid I'll snatch it away from you?"

Wang Siyu was left speechless.

Just then, the manager hurried back, his smile even brighter than before.

"Ms. Su, I've found one. Our store happens to have a Himalaya, thirty centimeters, crocodile skin, with a silver clasp. It's new stock that arrived just yesterday. It was originally reserved for a VIP customer, but that customer said something came up and they weren't in a hurry, so if you'd like it, we can give you priority."

Wang Siyu's eyes widened. "Wait-didn't you just say you didn't have any?"

The manager glanced at her, his smile unchanged, though his tone grew noticeably cooler. "Ms. Wang, our store allocates merchandise according to priority. Ms. Su is a black-card member of the mall and has priority purchasing rights."

"A black card?" Wang Siyu looked at Su Jin as if she were some kind of monster. "You? A black card?"

Su Jin ignored her and simply nodded to the manager. "Bring it out. I'd like to see it."

The manager went to the stockroom himself and soon returned carrying an orange-red box, which he carefully opened on the counter.

Inside was the bag: cream-colored crocodile skin, its silver clasp gleaming discreetly under the lights, the metal fittings on the handles wrapped in protective film-brand-new and unopened.

Su Jin reached out and felt the leather, her movements as natural as if she'd done it thousands of times.

[Host, you look very professional doing that,] Little Golden Egg marveled in her head.

[I saw tutorials in magazines,] she replied inwardly. [They had illustrated guides on how to tell real crocodile skin from fake and how to judge its condition.]

"Nice bag." She nodded and looked at the manager. "How much?"

The manager gave her a figure.

After hearing it, Su Jin pushed the black card forward. "Charge it."

Wang Siyu stood beside her, as if rooted to the spot.

She had looked down on Su Jin since university-an orphan without even parents, who'd relied on financial aid to get through university, always wore clothes from street stalls and always chose the cheapest food stall.

What right did someone like that have to stand in the same place as her? What right did she have to buy the bag she couldn't get?

Yet here Su Jin stood before her, casually swiping a card she had never even seen before and buying the thing she had begged for but couldn't obtain.

A stifling feeling rose from her chest and lodged in her throat, leaving her unable to say a word.

The manager took the card, operated the POS terminal and handed Su Jin a wireless PIN pad.

Su Jin casually tapped in a few digits, and the transaction went through. The machine buzzed as it spat out a receipt.

"Ms. Su, shall I wrap the bag for you?" the manager asked respectfully.

"No need." Su Jin picked up the bag, casually peeled off its protective film, and held it up for a look. "This is fine. I'll carry it home."

She climbed down from the high stool and turned to Wang Siyu with a smile. "Siyu, take your time looking around. I'll be going now. Oh, and-"

She paused, her tone a little casual. "The blue lobster at that French restaurant was good. Thanks for the birthday banquet. My treat next time."

With that, she pushed open the door and walked out.

Behind her, Wang Siyu stood rooted to the spot, her face alternating between ashen and pale. She didn't move for a long while.

As soon as they left Hermès, Little Golden Egg could no longer contain itself and burst into cheers:

[Host, you were so cool! That "my treat next time" was the finishing stroke that brought the dragon to life! Did you see her face? If this system could take screenshots, I'd frame it and use it as wallpaper!]

Su Jin kept walking, a slight curve to her lips. "Not bad. Just my usual performance."

[How was that usual? That was extraordinary! That was poise! That was elegance! That was-] Little Golden Egg suddenly stopped. [Huh?]

"What is it?"

[Someone's watching you.] Little Golden Egg's voice turned serious. [At eleven o'clock. That man has been watching you since you came out of Hermès.]

Su Jin glanced over out of the corner of her eye.

At eleven o'clock, a man stood outside Tiffany.

He was in his early thirties, dressed in a finely tailored dark blue suit. He wore no tie, and the top button of his shirt was undone.

He leaned against the doorframe, holding a cup of coffee, his gaze resting on her-not an offensive stare, but an appraising look tinged with thoughtfulness.

Noticing Su Jin's gaze, he didn't look away. Instead, he raised the corners of his mouth slightly and lifted his coffee cup to her in greeting.

[Who's that?] Little Golden Egg said warily. [He's so handsome, and he's staring at you, host. He must be up to no good.]

Su Jin looked away and continued walking.

"Never mind him," she said.

[Aren't you curious, host? This system scanned his suit. It's a Savile Row bespoke piece, starting at fifty thousand pounds. His watch is a Patek Philippe, from the Nautilus Collection, with a retail price starting at five hundred thousand yuan.

That logo on the coffee cup belongs to the Blue Bottle downstairs, the one that sells only fifty cups a day. Anyone who can stroll around SKP with a coffee at this hour is either a man of leisure or a big shot.]

"You have a sharp eye."

[This system is a professional, after all.] Little Golden Egg sounded pleased with itself, then grew worried again.

[But host, aren't you really curious? What if he's an important supporting character? Isn't that how it always goes in novels? The moment the female lead makes a move, an important figure is bound to be watching from the shadows.]

Su Jin laughed at that.

"You know the tropes better than I do."

[Of course. This system has read countless novels.] Little Golden Egg was entirely confident. [So, host, want to go back and strike up a conversation? Ask him why he was looking at you?]

"No need." Su Jin carried her newly acquired Himalaya, walking at an unhurried pace.

"If he's important, we'll meet again. If he isn't, it doesn't matter whether we do or not."

[Host, that attitude of yours...]

"What about it?"

[It's very female-lead-like,] Little Golden Egg said seriously. [The kind that says, 'I'll just keep walking forward, and whatever's meant to come will come.']

Su Jin smiled but said nothing.

She entered the elevator and pressed the button for the first basement level. As the doors closed, she caught sight of the man still standing where he was, his gaze following the elevator. The smile at the corners of his mouth deepened a little.

The elevator descended, and the signal disappeared.

On the floor above, out of her sight, the man lowered his coffee cup, took out his phone, and dialed a number.

"Lao Zhou, look someone up for me," he said lazily.

"Yeah, the girl who just bought something at Hermès. She carried out a Himalaya. What's her background?"

The person on the other end said a few things.

After listening, he raised an eyebrow.

"An orphan? No real background? Then where did she get her black card?"

He listened to a little more, then gave a laugh.

"Interesting. All right, got it."

After hanging up, he slipped his phone back into his pocket and looked toward the elevator, murmuring to himself:

"Su Jin, was it... I'll remember that."

The elevator doors opened on the third basement level.

Su Jin walked into the garage and stopped in front of the silver Pagani. Its sleek curves looked like some kind of elegant beast under the garage lights, while the plate on the back, Beijing A9527, looked a little comical no matter how she looked at it.

She opened the car door, climbed in, and started the engine. Its roar echoed through the empty garage.

[Host,] Little Golden Egg said, its voice tinged with the excitement of gossip, [I scanned that man again. His name is Lu Shen. He's the young master of SKP and the heir to the Lu Group. His net worth is approximately...]

"Stop." Su Jin cut it off. "I'm not interested in his net worth."

[Then what are you interested in?]

Su Jin thought for a moment and stepped on the accelerator. The car eased out of the parking space.

"How much of today's allowance is left?"

[Uh... after buying the bag, a little over 7.3 million yuan.]

"Perfect," she said. "Find somewhere to eat, and we'll keep shopping this afternoon. Didn't you say there was a sixteen-person service team? Have them arrange it. We're spending all that money today."

[You got it!] Little Golden Egg was instantly excited. [That's the host I know! Let's go! Spend money! Buy, buy, buy!]

The car drove out of the garage and merged into the traffic on Chang'an Avenue.

Sunlight streamed through the window, falling on the newly acquired Himalaya and giving the crocodile leather a delicate sheen. Su Jin held the steering wheel with one hand and casually turned on some music with the other. An old song began to flow softly through the car.

In the rearview mirror, SKP's black facade receded into the distance.

She glanced at it, then looked away and drove on.

The city was so big, and there were still so many things worth seeing.