I Met My Crush At My Sister's Wedding - Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Jiang Shucheng was severely disheartened by her failed business venture, staying home for nearly two years. She thought her life might just continue to be a slump, but after attending Jiang Yangguang’s wedding, her mindset underwent a miraculous change.

The sunlight outside was bright, the trees were lush, and the wind was refreshing. After venturing out, the lock on Jiang Shucheng’s heart was opened by nature. She decided to start looking for a job.

She found a desirable position on a recruiting app, carefully reviewed the requirements, and found she met all of them.

Jiang Shucheng sent in her resume, discussed the detailed work content and salary with the HR representative, and then set up an interview time. Initially, HR asked her to come in the next day, but Jiang Shucheng broke out in a cold sweat, thinking of the pile of pajamas, T-shirts, and jeans in her closet. In a fit of madness, she had thrown away many of her clothes after the failure of her clothing business, leading to a situation where she didn’t have a single presentable item for an interview.

To leave a good impression on the interviewer, she needed to buy interview clothes and some makeup first. Jiang Shucheng negotiated with the HR to interview the day after tomorrow, and the HR agreed.

On Tuesday, Jiang Shucheng went shopping alone. She was still wearing a regular T-shirt and jeans, casually sporting a pair of pink slippers, as she went in and out of various clothing stores.

She was a bit depressed. Clothes in physical stores were truly expensive, and so was makeup. A compact powder of the same brand cost dozens of yuan online, but over a hundred in a physical store. She only had about a thousand yuan in total. If she weren’t scheduled for an interview tomorrow and couldn’t wait for online shipping, she definitely wouldn’t have come to a physical store.

Jiang Shucheng entered a beauty shop, picked out the cheapest sunscreen, powder, and eyebrow pencil, and paid. She walked out of the store with her shopping bag ten minutes later.

Feeling thirsty after walking for a while, she went downstairs to a Starbucks. It was still early and not the weekend, so there were only a few people inside. The counter was empty, so Jiang Shucheng quickly ordered what she wanted and stood at the pickup area to wait.

She was looking down at her phone when someone came up and greeted her: “Jiang Shucheng.”

Jiang Shucheng turned around, surprised to encounter Shen Qinghe here. Shen Qinghe was wearing a white suit, her long hair tied in a high ponytail, looking extremely competent. This outfit was more in line with her cool temperament than the pink dress she wore last time.

“Hello,” Jiang Shucheng smiled sweetly. “Are you shopping too?”

Shen Qinghe was not here to shop. She glanced indifferently at the laptop on the table beside her, next to a half-finished latte. This mall belonged to the Shen Group, and she was in charge of this area. She had come to deal with business matters today, which were mostly taken care of; the rest could be handed over to the staff.

“Mhm,” Shen Qinghe replied indifferently.

“Are you… alone?” Jiang Shucheng glanced behind her.

Shen Qinghe nodded: “Yes.”

Jiang Shucheng’s iced Americano was ready. She smiled: “What a coincidence, I’m also shopping alone.”

Shen Qinghe saw her pick up the iced Americano and handed her a straw.

Jiang Shucheng said “Thank you,” inserted the straw, and slurped a few mouthfuls without even wrinkling her brow.

Shen Qinghe watched her drink the iced Americano, finding her pink lips a bit adorable. She asked gently: “Do you want to shop together?”

Jiang Shucheng was momentarily stunned: “Sure.”

Shen Qinghe glanced at the table behind her: “Wait for me.”

She packed her laptop into her bag and walked toward Jiang Shucheng, carrying the bag. Jiang Shucheng’s eyes widened: Hermès! Oh my god! I’ve seen a live Hermès bag! I’ve only ever seen them on my phone!

As Shen Qinghe approached, she immediately restrained her surprised look. No, I shouldn’t stare at someone’s bag like that. It’s rude.

Jiang Shucheng walked casually toward the entrance. Shen Qinghe opened the door before her, letting her exit first. Jiang Shucheng smiled at her. Oh my gosh, a big boss carrying Hermès is opening the door for me. I’m so thrilled.

Shen Qinghe’s eyes flickered. A few veins popped on the back of the hand gripping the doorknob. Who knew how nervous she was? The image of Jiang Shucheng smiling at her lingered in her mind, refusing to go away.

The two got into the elevator. Jiang Shucheng and Shen Qinghe’s spending levels were not on the same line. Everything Jiang Shucheng was wearing cost less than a hundred yuan in total, while the diamond-shaped earrings Shen Qinghe wore cost over eight thousand.

So Jiang Shucheng wondered if people would mistake her for a bag-carrying attendant if she walked with Shen Qinghe.

Moreover, the stores Shen Qinghe frequented would definitely be high-end… Jiang Shucheng couldn’t afford anything. Wouldn’t that make shopping together a poor experience?

But Shen Qinghe seemed only focused on her, asking: “Is there anything you need to buy?”

“I want to buy clothes for my interview. I’ve been shopping for over an hour and haven’t found anything I like…” Jiang Shucheng became increasingly guilty as she spoke. It wasn’t that she hadn’t found anything she liked; it was that her taste was too sharp, and the clothes she liked were all too expensive for her to afford.

“What position are you interviewing for?” Shen Qinghe asked.

Jiang Shucheng: “Secretary.”

Shen Qinghe nodded: “Which company?”

Does she really need to know that? Jiang Shucheng: “Huh?”

Shen Qinghe: “Sorry, I asked too much.” But her eyes showed no embarrassment at all; they were frighteningly direct.

“It’s fine,” Jiang Shucheng waved her hand.

The air fell into a brief silence, and she thought the topic had ended. But Shen Qinghe suddenly asked again: “So, which company is it?”

It seems she really wants to know.

Jiang Shucheng honestly reported the company’s full name, which mainly focused on cultural tourism.

“That company is decent,” Shen Qinghe had friends in the management of that company, which relieved her slightly. She said, “I know a store that should have clothes suitable for you.”

Jiang Shucheng followed Shen Qinghe’s steps to the entrance of a clothing store. Jiang Shucheng stopped outside, dumbfounded. This brand’s clothes were ridiculously expensive. How could Shen Qinghe think she could afford them? She was giving her too much credit.

Shen Qinghe walked into the store and then backed out. She looked at Jiang Shucheng, puzzled: “What’s wrong?”

Jiang Shucheng stammered: “The clothes here are very expensive.”

“It’s alright. Just come in and see if you like anything,” Shen Qinghe said dismissively.

Jiang Shucheng’s heart tightened. Of course, you think it’s alright…

“No, no, no,” she shook her head vehemently, “Let’s go to another store.”

Shen Qinghe didn’t want to dilly-dally with her. She glanced at the staff inside. Several women in work uniforms hurried out, welcoming them with unprecedented enthusiasm.

They were so enthusiastic, even more so than the auntie selling pancakes by the roadside. Jiang Shucheng was ushered inside, arms gripped. She was speechless. Do they really solicit customers like this? Shouldn’t you check my wallet first…

Jiang Shucheng was seated on a sofa, with lemon water and small snacks on the table in front of her. The store was filled with a fresh and elegant perfume scent. Jiang Shucheng lowered her head, not daring to look at the clothes on display.

“If you see something you like, you can try it on. If it doesn’t fit, you don’t have to buy it,” Shen Qinghe sat down beside her and handed her a tablet.

Shen Qinghe’s words reassured Jiang Shucheng. She took the tablet to browse the inventory.

There were no prices listed. Jiang Shucheng felt lost, like driving in an unfamiliar city without a navigator.

Shen Qinghe crossed her long legs, flipping through a magazine next to her. She didn’t offer any suggestions but accompanied her patiently.

Jiang Shucheng bravely tried on a dress. She stood in front of the full-length mirror, examining herself. The elegant dress looked completely mismatched with the pink slippers on her feet, and the feather duster-like hairstyle behind her head.

Shen Qinghe walked up behind her, curving her lips: “Very refined.”

She was wearing black stilettos with eight-centimeter heels, tall, slender, and shapely, with an imposing aura that made Jiang Shucheng truly look like a secretary in comparison.

Jiang Shucheng regretted wearing slippers.

“Do you want to try high heels?” Shen Qinghe asked.

Jiang Shucheng thought that trying them on wouldn’t change the fact that she couldn’t afford them. Why subject myself to such painful longing? She said, “No.”

“Try them on. You can’t go to an interview in slippers,” Shen Qinghe raised her eyes, looked at an employee, and called, “Summer, get her a pair of shoes.”

The employee named Summer respectfully brought over a pair of high heels, invited Jiang Shucheng to sit down, and helped her put on the shoes.

“Do you like them?” Shen Qinghe looked at Jiang Shucheng’s slender, pale ankles, a hint of admiration in her eyes.

Jiang Shucheng internally liked them, but she knew that once she voiced her liking, it would be difficult not to buy them. She couldn’t afford this luxury brand even if she sold herself.

“Uh…” Jiang Shucheng was trying to organize her words.

Summer, standing aside, received a meaningful glance from Boss Shen and, knowing what to do, bowed and smiled: “Miss, the dress you are wearing and these shoes can be obtained for free by participating in our lucky draw event. Would you like to try?”

“What?” Jiang Shucheng was astonished. “C-can they really be free?”

Summer smiled brightly and spoke nonsense seriously: “Of course, I’m not joking. This is our 520 event. Although the chance of winning is only one in ten thousand, how will you know if you don’t try?”

Shen Qinghe encouraged her close to her ear: “Give it a try.”

“Okay, I want to draw!” Jiang Shucheng stood up excitedly.

Summer smiled: “Great, please wait a moment.” She walked into the storeroom and quickly put together a temporary lottery box.

When she brought out the box, Jiang Shucheng was stunned. This is a high-end brand endorsed by A-list celebrities, yet the lucky draw is so similar to the kind you get at a supermarket if you spend two hundred.

Jiang Shucheng reached her hand into the box and rummaged around. Summer smiled inwardly: Stop rummaging, beautiful lady. The result is the same.

Shen Qinghe watched Jiang Shucheng draw with interest. She pulled out a card from inside and opened it. Written on it in black marker were three large characters: Grand Prize.

“What’s the Grand Prize?” Jiang Shucheng’s eyes were full of expectation.

Summer dramatically covered her mouth: “Oh my gosh, Miss, you are the luckiest person in the world! The Grand Prize means you can get the dress you are wearing and these shoes for free!”

Jiang Shucheng’s head instantly filled with bl00d. She felt it was unbelievable.

As she walked out of the store with the shopping bag, she still felt like she was in a dream.

Summer wiped the sweat from her forehead, caused by the stress of lying. Another employee asked curiously: “Who is that woman to Boss Shen? Boss Shen even paid for her secretly.”

Summer watched the two figures walk away: “Probably a dirt-poor friend, I guess.”

“But the way Boss Shen looked at her wasn’t at all like she was looking at a friend. And someone in Boss Shen’s social circle, where would she make such poor friends?” The employee questioned.

Summer pouted: “I agree. I think Boss Shen was probably hungry. It looked like she wanted to eat her.”