Chapter 12: Who Do You Take Me For?

The group left the hot pot restaurant and walked along the streets of Taikoo Li, surrounded on all sides by luxury boutiques. A few girls linked arms behind them, snapping selfies as they passed by the display windows, peering in. Luxury goods held a strong allure for girls.

Su Su said, “We might not be able to buy them, but that doesn’t mean we can’t admire them.”

Jiang Shuyao added, “It’s motivation for ourselves.”

Passing by another window, Jiang Shuyao stopped, exclaiming, “Wow, these heels are gorgeous—but sigh, over ten thousand.”

Lin Ran leaned in for a closer look at the heels, then glanced down at Jiang Shuyao’s feet.

Such delicate little feet, he thought—he could hold them both in his hands.

“Do you like them? I’ll buy them for you,” he offered.

“Take care of yourself first,” she replied.

“Oh, looking down on me, are you?”

“Go on, go back to your Vivian. Hmph.”

What? Lin Ran scratched his head, watching Jiang Shuyao’s retreating figure. She used to be pretty warm toward him—why did she sound so tart now?

They entered the Rolex boutique. The sales associate recognized Gao Peng immediately, greeting him with a professional smile. “Mr. Gao, welcome.”

“I happened to be dining nearby with friends today, so I came by to pick up my watch.”

“Of course. Please take a seat.”

They settled onto the sofa, and soon desserts were served. Lin Ran picked up a small pastry and offered it to Vivian.

Vivian replied, “We just ate so much—I couldn’t possibly. You have it.”

“Alright.” Lin Ran began to eat. “These desserts are actually pretty good.”

“If you like them, sir, you’re welcome to have more,” the server offered.

“I’ll see once I’ve finished these,” Lin Ran replied.

Gao Peng shot Lin Ran a glance—just as he thought, utterly lacking in refinement. Let him eat, Gao Peng mused. It’s not like he’ll ever set foot in a Rolex boutique again.

The sales associate brought out a small box, elegantly smoothing her fitted skirt as she crouched down before Gao Peng, presenting the Rolex from the box. “Mr. Gao, here’s the watch you ordered. Would you like me to put it on for you?”

“Yes, thank you.”

With the watch on his wrist, Gao Peng felt his whole bearing change, his back straightening with a new air of sophistication.

He’d bought the Datejust series, model m126334-0002. Domestic price: 88,600 yuan.

Lu Man peered at the price, eyes wide. “Eighty-eight thousand?”

Chengdu wasn’t quite as flush as Shanghai. Willing to spend eighty-eight thousand on a Rolex already set you apart from the average crowd. Anything higher belonged to the truly wealthy heirs.

This one couldn’t be outdone. Not that anyone could compete, anyway. But in Chengdu, in this circle, buying an eighty-eight thousand yuan Rolex definitely made you a star.

Lin Ran, still enjoying his dessert, commented, “Yes, it’s really good. Miss, could I have another, please?”

“Certainly, sir.”

Lin Ran thought the service at Rolex was quite impressive.

Vivian asked, “Weren’t you full just now?”

“I spent the whole meal fending off your friends’ questions—I barely had a chance to eat,” Lin Ran replied.

Vivian laughed, “True enough. Help yourself, then.”

“It’s free—no reason not to.”

Gao Peng looked down on him. He never touched the desserts when he visited, but Lin Ran, just an ordinary guy, heard it was complimentary and kept eating. That was the difference between social classes.

Gao Peng held out his wrist. “Ladies, what do you think? Does this watch suit me?”

Vivian and Jiang Shuyao said nothing.

Su Su, impressed, said, “Brother Gao, you really are rich—over eighty thousand! Wealthy people are truly different.”

“Lin Ran, what kind of watch are you wearing?” Gao Peng asked deliberately.

The others glanced at Lin Ran’s wrist.

Still eating, Lin Ran replied without looking up, “A Xiaomi smartwatch.”

It was indeed a Xiaomi—he’d bought it in college and wore it daily.

Gao Peng sneered inwardly. “A woman needs a beautiful pair of heels; a man should have a watch he can show off.”

Zeng Wei agreed, “I’ve been wanting to swap out my Cartier Ballon Bleu for ages. When I have money, I’ll get a Rolex too.”

Another friend, Chen Tao, added, “I’ve been waiting for the Rolex Hulk, but it’s always out of stock. If they had one, I’d buy it.”

The Hulk was hot right now, with a retail price over seventy thousand.

Three rich heirs—Gao Peng, Zeng Wei, and Chen Tao—all had their eyes set on luxury watches in the seventy to eighty thousand range.

Did that make Lin Ran the odd one out?

“Work hard. Maybe someday you’ll be able to get yourself a fine watch,” Gao Peng concluded, then called the sales associate over to settle his balance.

Lin Ran set down his plate, wiped his mouth, and began to browse the store.

Vivian and the other girls wandered off to the women’s watches section.

Lin Ran’s main impression of the Rolex brand was from an old Hong Kong gangster film: before Chicken ran off, Chan Ho Nam gave him a Rolex, saying, “If you need cash, pawn it.” Back then, this brand was as good as hard currency.

He’d never looked into it deeply, but this old luxury brand still held its reputation.

He’d eaten well, flirted with the girls—now it was time to continue his transformation into a man of distinction.

A fine watch was an essential accessory for any self-made man.

Lin Ran stopped in front of one.

Cosmograph Daytona series, model M116519ln-0027, grey rubber strap.

Price: 320,000.

Just within budget. The style was excellent, too.

“Could you please take this one out for me to see?”

“Certainly.”

Assuming he was with Gao Peng, the sales associate brought out the watch. “Would you like to try it on?”

“Yes, please.”

She helped Lin Ran put it on.

Lin Ran examined the watch—it suited his current style perfectly. And as he became wealthier, his aura would only grow.

The girls, Vivian included, walked over.

Lin Ran raised his wrist. “Does it look good on me?”

Vivian was supportive. “Very handsome.”

“Really?”

“Of course.”

Vivian was never one to embarrass a man—not the type to say, “If you won’t buy it, don’t try it on.” A free test fit, a little encouragement—why not?

On the other side, Gao Peng had just settled his bill. “There’s another watch I like—truly beautiful—but it’s over three hundred thousand. Out of my league.”

Zeng Wei asked, “Which one?”

Gao Peng replied, “Miss, could you bring over the 027 model for us to see?”

“I’m sorry, Mr. Gao,” the associate said, “but your friend Mr. Lin is currently trying it on.”

Gao Peng looked over—sure enough, Lin Ran was wearing it.

“Really, Zeng Wei, why did your girlfriend try to set him up with Vivian? Isn’t it obvious he’s just a nobody—nothing to his name but a slick tongue.”

Awkward silence.

Zeng Wei had no response.

Gao Peng strode over.

“Lin Ran, don’t say I didn’t warn you. That watch is extremely expensive. Don’t try it on carelessly—if you damage it, you won’t be able to pay for it. If you like watches, there’s a Tissot boutique not far from here—maybe you could swing an installment plan.”

Tissot and installments—he couldn’t have been more condescending.

“Who do you think you’re looking down on?” Vivian, usually gentle, suddenly bristled.

Lin Ran was her guest; she’d stand up for him on that basis alone.

Vivian, a Chengdu girl, could be soft as water, or hard as concrete.

“The staff haven’t said a word—why do you have to?” Jiang Shuyao chimed in, loyal as ever.

She was Vivian’s little shadow—the very woman Lin Ran would praise as “beautiful, bright as the moon when she smiles.”

Gao Peng hadn’t expected both women to take Lin Ran’s side.

“I’m not looking down on him. I just don’t want him to break it and be liable,” Gao Peng replied.

“We don’t need you worrying about us,” Vivian said coolly.

Lu Man agreed that Gao Peng had gone too far.

“Alright, enough from everyone,” she mediated. “Gao Peng, you were out of line. Lin Ran is just trying it on—you didn’t need to go on about Tissot and installments. Liking something doesn’t mean you have to buy it. Sometimes you just want to try it on, set yourself a goal for the future—isn’t that fine?”

Turning to Lin Ran, Lu Man smiled, “You can do it, Lin Ran! Three hundred thousand or so—we believe you’ll have one someday!”

Gao Peng only sneered, “Some things you’re born with. If you’re not, you’ll never have them.”

Everyone was speechless—such arrogance, the very picture of a spoiled heir, belittling ordinary people as worthless.

“It’s just a watch,” Lin Ran replied coolly. “It’s not a matter of being born with it or not. Miss, I’ll take this one—put it on my card.”