Chapter 85: Everything Must Be a Match in Status
When the conversation turned to home furnishings, Nina spoke with great interest, “Just the other day, I saw a showerhead with lighting, changing water patterns, and aromatherapy. It was truly exquisite.”
He Li, who had been diligently focused on her task, couldn’t help but laugh when she heard this. “That sounds more like a musical fountain in the town square!”
Everyone smiled knowingly, expecting Nina to be annoyed, but instead she covered her mouth and laughed so hard her shoulders shook, gently uttering the word “country bumpkin.” He Li grew agitated, set down her chopsticks, and was about to argue with Nina when Xiao Xiao quickly pulled her back. Nina twisted in her chair, dismissing both praise and criticism with a wave, “Don’t be so quick to take offense. Do you know how much it costs?”
“How much?” He Li had lost interest, but a nearby listener couldn’t resist asking.
Nina raised a slender finger to indicate a number. The light reflected off her crystal nails, highlighting her privileged status.
“Sixty-eight thousand!” A few colleagues already found the price extravagant.
Nina shook her head, unconcerned, “Six hundred and eighty thousand.”
“Anyone who buys that is an idiot!” He Li said, indignant. She already disliked the idea of spending money to flatter the weasel, and now the stark contrast between wealth and poverty only made her more upset.
“Don’t be so quick to judge. Many designs carry symbolic significance far beyond their practical use. That’s what people call a shop’s treasure.” Nina’s words resonated with Xiao Xiao. She looked up at Nina, who was now feeling triumphant. “Everything has to match in status. If you’ve spent money on a luxury home, why care about the price of a showerhead? Would a woman in haute couture look appropriate riding a junk collector’s tricycle?”
It certainly wouldn’t, and Xiao Xiao caught the subtle implication. Nina was comparing herself to the showerhead—if she wanted to enter a luxury home, she had to elevate her own worth. Clearly, her new patron was someone impressive.
“Hey, isn’t that President Lin from Maoyuan?” The comment from across the table startled Xiao Xiao for no apparent reason. She turned around, and sure enough, it was Lin Shuo! What was he doing here? With the weasel’s lack of influence, it was impossible he could have invited Lin Shuo.
Lin Shuo strode in briskly, not even glancing at Xiao Xiao, heading straight for the weasel’s table. The weasel was taken aback, but managed the situation calmly, instructing someone to add a seat, behaving as if he had expected Lin Shuo’s arrival all along, determined not to show a hint of panic or embarrassment.
“Why is President Lin here?” He Li whispered to her. She became apprehensive. She knew Lin Shuo’s mannerisms too well; the less attention he gave her, the more it meant she was his real target.
“Looks like he has long-term plans with the company,” Nina said, her words layered with meaning, lingering on the word “company” to hint at the unusual relationship between Xiao Xiao and Lin Shuo.
Xiao Xiao was already calculating how to leave early, when the weasel’s secretary hurried over, eager to deliver his message. “Sister Xiao Xiao, the manager wants you to sit at the main table.”
Xiao Xiao’s mind went blank; she declined politely, “Isn’t there no space left?”
The secretary pulled her up and promptly took her seat. “We’ll switch.”
She laughed coldly to herself. Everyone knew how ‘pleasantly’ she and the weasel worked together; everyone knew she’d been invited on outings with Lin Shuo; everyone knew Lin Shuo treated her differently from others. Today, it was clear the weasel was going all out to ingratiate himself with Lin Shuo.
At the main table, the seat to Lin Shuo’s right was left empty for her, while the weasel on his left kept trying to curry favor. Not taking her seat would be an insult.
“Xiao Xiao, pour President Lin some wine.” The weasel immediately treated her like someone from the public relations department, ordering her about as he did Nina.