Volume 5: Twenty Undoubted Chapter 277: Yuan Xudong, a poor but determined man
"Welcome to the Misia store. Do you two need any help?"
In a specialty store , a sweet-looking salesperson looked at Yuan Xudong and Jiang Xiaoguo who were walking towards them and smiled.
"No, no, we'll just take a look!"
"Okay, please come in, both of you!"
"Thanks!"
Looking at the salesperson and nodding slightly, Jiang Xiaoguo took Yuan Xudong into the store. While looking for clothes of the same style as the coat that Yuan Xudong had soiled, she was the first to speak with a smile:
"The salespeople here are quite friendly, but the clothes they sell are a bit expensive!"
“It’s quite expensive!”
Yuan Xudong casually flipped through the label of a pair of jeans. A pair of ripped jeans actually cost 1,499 yuan. It might as well be priced at 1,500 yuan. One dollar less is uncomfortable, especially for people with integer obsession, like Yuan Xudong. He hates such prices very much. Wouldn't it be better to make it an integer? Is the last dollar what I lack?
“Found it!”
Jiang Xiaoguo picked up a light green coat from the hanger, waved to Yuan Xudong and said happily:
"It's this one. It's the same size, style, and color. Would you like to take a look?"
"No need, just find it!"
Yuan Xudong smiled and said:
"I'm planning to buy two pieces of clothing. If you're not in a hurry to go back, how about you give me some advice?"
"But I have to go to school tomorrow..."
Without waiting for Jiang Xiaoguo to finish speaking, Yuan Xudong spoke directly:
"I'll treat you to a meal later. Steak, barbecue, or Japanese food is fine!"
When Jiang Xiaoguo heard Yuan Xudong say that he would treat her to a meal later, steak, barbecue, or Japanese food would be fine, she slightly widened her eyes and abruptly changed the topic:
"Actually, I'm not that anxious. It's no big deal to go back later. Come on, I'll go clothes shopping with you and give you some advice!"
"Okay, thanks!"
"You are welcome!"
…
On the second floor of the Misia store, in the men's clothing area, Yuan Xudong picked out a black slim-fit suit and put it on. He turned left and right in front of Jiang Xiaoguo and said:
"How about this suit? Isn't it handsome?"
"It's OK!"
Seeing Yuan Xudong completely shed his immaturity and become mature and steady, Jiang Xiaoguo was stunned for a moment, then turned away without leaving a trace, lifted his hair with his right hand, and said with a dodging look:
"This black suit is a little too formal and not suitable for everyday wear. How about you change to one of a different color?"
"No, I just like black. I don't like other fancy colors!"
After taking a look in the mirror, Yuan Xudong saw that he was still missing a tie. He looked at Jiang Xiaoguo next to him and said:
"I need a tie, what color do you think would be best?"
"black?"
"don't want!"
"Don't you like black?"
"Just because I like black suits doesn't mean I like everything black, like skin. I like fair skin, not shiny dark skin!"
After saying that, he glanced at Jiang Xiaoguo, and a smile appeared on Yuan Xudong's lips.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean anything else!"
"What do you mean?"
"It's meaningless!"
Giving Yuan Xudong a strange look, Jiang Xiaoguo was about to help him pick out a tie of a different color, when she suddenly noticed that the female salespeople in the store were all grinning at her. She couldn't help but say in surprise:
"What are you laughing at?"
"No, sorry, we didn't laugh!"
A tall, fair-skinned saleswoman came over and handed Jiang Xiaoguo a sky blue striped tie and said with a smile:
"How about this sky blue tie? It matches this gentleman's skin tone and temperament very well!"
"Let me see!"
After taking the tie from the saleswoman and taking a look at it, Jiang Xiaoguo handed it to Yuan Xudong and said:
"I think it looks pretty good, would you like to try it?"
"good!"
After taking the tie and glancing at the saleswoman not far away, Yuan Xudong walked over to Jiang Xiaoguo and whispered in her ear:
"Um... I don't know how to tie a tie, can you...?"
"Huh? Why did you buy a suit if you can't tie a tie?"
Jiang Xiaoguo gave Yuan Xudong a blank look, took the tie from him and said:
"Forget it, I'll help you tie it. Watch carefully and I'll teach you this time!"
"Okay, I'll learn it after reading it once, thank you!"
"You're welcome!"
Seeing Jiang Xiaoguo standing on tiptoes to help him tie his tie, Yuan Xudong leaned forward slightly and bent over to cooperate with her. Looking at Jiang Xiaoguo who was so close, smelling her unique fragrance that belonged to a young girl, Yuan Xudong looked into her big black and white eyes and smiled:
"Jiang Xiaoguo, your name is quite cute. Does it have any special meaning?"
"No!"
"Where are you from?"
"From the Northeast, what about you?"
"You're from Anhui, what are your hobbies?"
"Do I like money?"
"Well, I like money too. By the way, where are you now..."
Without waiting for Yuan Xudong to finish, Jiang Xiaoguo tied his tie and quickly stepped back two steps, distanced himself from Yuan Xudong and said:
"Okay, take a look!"
"Okay, thank you!"
With a slight nod of thanks, Yuan Xudong looked left and right in the mirror and said with satisfaction:
"I want these, and get me another set of the same!"
"Okay, wait a moment!"
After the saleswoman left, Yuan Xudong changed his suit and tie, then looked at Jiang Xiaoguo and said with a smile:
"Let's go to the women's clothing section!"
"ah?"
"Ah what? Hurry up!"
“Here it comes!”
Taking Jiang Xiaoguo to the first floor of the Misia store, Yuan Xudong took her into the women's clothing area and said:
"I want to buy a dress for my sister. She has a similar figure to you, and her skin color and age are similar. How about you help me pick out something you like?"
"But I..."
"How about an extra dinner?"
"make a deal!"
Hearing that Yuan Xudong agreed to another dinner, Jiang Xiaoguo immediately smiled and said:
"I'd like to state in advance that if your sister doesn't like the clothes I picked, I won't be responsible."
"Okay, no problem!"
“Oh!”
After getting Yuan Xudong's affirmation, Jiang Xiaoguo happily ran into the women's clothing area and started to choose carefully. Although she was not buying clothes for herself, it was still possible to enjoy the pleasure of shopping.
After choosing for a while, Jiang Xiaoguo took a white dress and tried it on her body, then looked at Yuan Xudong and smiled:
"Yuan Xudong, what do you think of this dress?"
"Not very good, too conservative. You dress like a child. Do you still have a childish nature?"
"Forget it then!"
Putting down the white dress in her hand, Jiang Xiaoguo looked around, then picked up a white suspender skirt and tried it on herself twice, saying with a smile:
"This one, isn't it a bit too conservative?"
Looking at the suspender skirt with two thin straps holding two pieces of light gauze, Yuan Xudong couldn't help but complain:
"You are so short, with small arms and legs, and bad skin. Are you trying to expose your flaws by wearing this dress?"
"Pfft, I'm 1.65 meters tall, how am I short?"
Jiang Xiaoguo rolled her eyes at Yuan Xudong and put the white suspender skirt back on the hanger. She wandered around for a while, looking at the white suit on the plastic model, and said with longing eyes:
"What do you think of this suit? Do you think it looks good?"
After taking a look at the white suit on Jiang Xiaoguo and then the white suit on the plastic model, Yuan Xudong smiled and said:
"I don't think it's the suit that looks good, it's the model's figure that looks good in anything!"
"Who said that?"
"Why don't you try it?"
"Just try it, I still don't believe it!"
Giving Yuan Xudong a blank look, Jiang Xiaoguo called the clerk and asked to try on the suit on the model. After she took the suit into the dressing room, Yuan Xudong sat on the sofa in the hall and waited for her to come out. After a while, Jiang Xiaoguo came out after changing into new clothes. Seeing Yuan Xudong sitting on the sofa in the hall playing with his phone, she walked over, turned left and right in front of him, and said with a smile:
"How is it? Isn't it beautiful?"
The off-white suit was slim and well-fitting, with a white shirt underneath and a black and white tie tied under the collar. She had neat short hair, neat bangs, big eyes, a high nose bridge, and a cherry mouth. The only flaw was her height, which did not show off her tall figure, but she was cute and energetic. Being with her, Yuan Xudong felt that he had become much younger. Although he and Jiang Xiaoguo were about the same age, their mentalities were worlds apart. One was twenty and had no doubts, while the other was thirty and established. Thinking of this, Yuan Xudong looked at Jiang Xiaoguo, who had a proud look in her eyes, and smiled:
“It’s not pretty at all!”
"ah?"
I didn't expect Yuan Xudong to say that. Jiang Xiaoguo, who was extremely satisfied with the suit, said a little depressed:
"What's that look in your eyes?"
"Would you listen to what I have to say?"
"Okay, go ahead, I'm listening!"
"Although it's not pretty, it's cute, but..."
"But what?"
"There's still something missing!"
Yuan Xudong looked Jiang Xiaoguo up and down, and finally glanced at the slightly dirty white canvas shoes she was wearing and said:
"These shoes are ugly, change them to a better-looking pair!"
"Why do you ask for so much?"
Jiang Xiaoguo rolled his eyes at Yuan Xudong and said directly:
"Is this outfit okay? If not, forget it. It's getting late. I need to go back!"
"Why are you in such a hurry?"
After looking at Jiang Xiaoguo, Yuan Xudong checked the time and said:
"It's only 7:45, it's still early. Besides, I haven't treated you to dinner yet!"
After that, without waiting for Jiang Xiaoguo to speak, Yuan Xudong stood up from the sofa and took her to the counter where high heels were displayed.
"Let's go, buy another pair of high heels and go back!"
"ah?"
"Ah what? Hurry up and go, aren't you hungry?"
"Hungry!"
"Hurry up if you're hungry. Don't dawdle. You have no sense at all and you're so clumsy. You'll definitely fail your internship!"
"I haven't been promoted yet, how did you know?"
"Guess!"
…
Taking Jiang Xiaoguo to the high-heeled shoes counter and looking at the various high-heeled shoes, Yuan Xudong said directly:
"I'm not very good at this, you can choose it yourself!"
"ah?"
Looking at Yuan Xudong, who was acting like a hands-off boss, Jiang Xiaoguo slightly widened his eyes and said:
"What size shoes does your sister wear, and what colors and styles does she like?"
“Same as you!”
"Like me?"
"Yes, same as you. Any questions?"
“No more!”
"That's good, go choose!"
“Oh~~”
After looking at Yuan Xudong, Jiang Xiaoguo really wanted to ask him if he bought it for her, but after thinking about it, she felt that it was unlikely. The clothes in this store were so expensive, why would someone buy clothes for herself? What if she was just being sentimental? That would be too embarrassing, right?
With her mind full of random thoughts, Jiang Xiaoguo glanced at the dazzling array of high heels. She walked straight towards a pair of black high heels that she had long been eyeing and had included in her college wish list, but she had never had the money to buy them. She took the black high heels off the shoe rack, sat down next to them and tried them on. They fit her feet quite well. She walked up to Yuan Xudong in the black high heels and said a little embarrassedly:
"What do you think, doesn't it look good?"
"It's OK!"
After looking at Jiang Xiaoguo, Yuan Xudong nodded slightly and said:
"Just barely 59 points, but don't worry, I never make friends based on their looks, because none of them are as pretty as me anyway!"
"Bah, you're too beautiful to die!"
Giving Yuan Xudong a blank look , Jiang Xiaoguo took off her high heels, put on her canvas shoes, and went to the dressing room to change back into her own clothes. After the store staff packed up the clothes and shoes that Yuan Xudong and Jiang Xiaoguo had bought, Yuan Xudong and Jiang Xiaoguo walked to the shopping counter with their bags of clothes. After the clerk calculated the bill, the sweet-looking cashier looked at Yuan Xudong and smiled:
"Sir, the total is 36,589 yuan. Would you like to pay by card, Alipay, or WeChat?"
After taking a look at the sweet-looking cashier, Yuan Xudong opened Alipay on his phone and said directly:
"I don't have money, can I use Ant Huabei?"
"Yes, credit cards are also acceptable. If you use a CCB credit card, you can participate in corresponding activities!"
"I would like to use a CCB credit card, but unfortunately there is no such thing!"
After showing the payment QR code to the cashier, Yuan Xudong suddenly said:
"I used Ant Huabei to buy clothes from you and then applied for a return. Can you give me a cash refund?"
Hearing Yuan Xudong say this, Jiang Xiaoguo next to him slightly widened her eyes. Before she could say anything, the sweet-looking cashier smiled politely and said:
"Sir, if there is no quality problem, generally speaking, our store does not allow customers to return the goods. Of course, if you really insist on returning the goods, there may be a certain loss in the price. And if you use Ant Huabei, the funds will only be returned by the original route, so we cannot refund you in cash. Do you still want to buy it?"
"Of course, I was kidding you!"
"Sir, you are so humorous!"
…
After paying the bill, Yuan Xudong and Jiang Xiaoguo walked out of the Misia store carrying large and small bags of clothes. Jiang Xiaoguo looked at Yuan Xudong and said:
"I'll transfer the money for the clothes to you via WeChat when I get back!"
"Okay, no hurry!"
Standing on the roadside, Yuan Xudong hailed a taxi and opened the door for Jiang Xiaoguo.
"Let's go, eat first, and then go back!"
"good!"
After Jiang Xiaoguo got into the car and sat down, Yuan Xudong closed the door, walked around to the other side, opened the door and got in, then told the taxi driver to drive to the north gate of South China University of Finance and Economics, where there are many guesthouses and hotels nearby, offering everything they want to eat.
Arriving at the destination, Yuan Xudong and Jiang Xiaoguo got out of the taxi chatting and laughing. The two communicated all the way. They were like-minded in the field of how to make and save money, and they regarded each other as confidants. The general conclusion they came to was that if they wanted to make their wealth one digit or even several digits more than their bank card password, they must increase their income and reduce their expenditure, never miss out on any money they can earn, and never spend any money they can save.
Walking near the north gate of the school, Jiang Xiaoguo looked at Yuan Xudong and taught him his money-saving strategy:
"For example, for dinner, eating instant noodles is the most economical, the kind that comes in a bag, but eating instant noodles all the time will make you get irritated, and your body can't stand it. What should I do?"
"What to do, drink more water?"
"Wrong, the best way is not to eat instant noodles!"
"I……"
Glancing at Yuan Xudong, Jiang Xiaoguo pointed at the vendor selling roasted sweet potatoes at the north gate of the school and said:
"See that vendor selling roasted sweet potatoes?"
"I saw it. What happened to him?"
"Roasted sweet potatoes are delicious and nutritious, at least much better than instant noodles. The big ones are eight yuan, and the smaller ones are six yuan. When he is about to close the stall, the big ones are four yuan and the small ones are three yuan. I only need to spend three yuan to eat a full meal. Isn't it amazing?"
“It’s really amazing!”
Looking at the complacent Jiang Xiaoguo, Yuan Xudong changed the subject and said:
"From now on, I will also try to save money. How about I treat you to baked sweet potatoes tonight?"
"ah?"
Hearing that his dinner would suddenly change from steak, barbecue, and Japanese food to roasted sweet potatoes every day, Jiang Xiaoguo said with a bitter face:
"No, can you try to save money starting tomorrow?"
"Is this okay?"
"Okay, please trust my judgment!"
"Okay, then let's start saving money from tomorrow. By the way, what do you want to eat?"
"steak!"
"Okay, let's go!"
"Come on, I know where steaks are cheap, 25 off for every 55 you spend!"
“There are still such cheap steaks?”
“It’s a must!”
…
Yuan Xudong accompanied Jiang Xiaoguo to eat two steaks and drink a bottle of red wine. For this, Jiang Xiaoguo provided a 50-yuan discount coupon, and Yuan Xudong provided more than 200 yuan in RMB. To be honest, Yuan Xudong thought the steak was quite delicious and the red wine was also very tasty, just like a red drink, tasting sour and sweet, and not intoxicating at all.
After having a good meal and a good drink, Yuan Xudong sent Jiang Xiaoguo to the downstairs of the girls' dormitory where she lived. Looking at Jiang Xiaoguo, whose face looked flushed but whose consciousness was still clear, Yuan Xudong waved his hand and said:
"Go back quickly and have some rest. I'll treat you to baked sweet potatoes next time!"
"Okay, you go back too, bye!"
"Well, bye!"
After watching Jiang Xiaoguo disappear into the corridor carrying her newly bought coat, Yuan Xudong found the dormitory manager in the reception room downstairs of the girls' dormitory and said with a smile:
"Hello, Auntie!"
"Hello, what can I do for you?"
Looking at the handsome Yuan Xudong carrying many bags of clothes, the dormitory manager gave him a heads-up:
"Men are not allowed in the girls' dormitory, even if you beg me, it's no use!"
"I know, I'm not going into the girls' dormitory!"
"So what are you going to do?"
"It's like this, could you please give these things to the girl just now? I'm afraid she would be embarrassed to accept them if I give them directly!"
"Jiang Xiaoguo?"
"Yes, yes, it's Jiang Xiaoguo!"
"Okay, leave your stuff here with me, and I'll bring it up to you when I check the dorm later!"
"Okay, thank you, Auntie. Goodbye!"
"goodbye!"
…
After leaving the girls' dormitory, Yuan Xudong returned to his own dormitory. Xu Ji was playing League of Legends, clacking on the keyboard and mouse while cursing at his teammates for giving away kills into the microphone. Liu Xuejian was playing Dungeon Fighter and did not see Chen Qiang.
Yuan Xudong put the clothes he had just bought on the bed, turned on his computer, and prepared to write a novel of several thousand words to earn some money. He looked at Liu Xuejian and asked:
"Liu Xuejian, where is Chen Qiang?"
"I went to check into a room with a girl and won't be back tonight!"
"Fuck, he has a girlfriend, how come I didn't know?"
"His high school classmate and first girlfriend!"
"Traitor, this is a blatant betrayal. What happened to our agreement to be single together?"
"Where have you been?"
"I went shopping with my girlfriend!"
"What?"
When Liu Xuejian heard Yuan Xudong say that he went shopping with a girl, he was a little shocked:
"You stay in your dorm room all day, so when did you meet this girl?"
"yesterday!"
“Developing so fast?”
"I stained her clothes. I will go shopping for her some clothes today. Xu Ji knows!"
"Jiang Xiaoguo?"
"Yes, it's Jiang Xiaoguo!"
"She's quite short and a little small. Do you have the same taste as Chen Qiang?"
"I think she's cute, but her roommate Liang Shuang is also my type. I don't know which one to choose!"
"Fuck, you beast!"
Looking at the arrogant Yuan Xudong, Liu Xuejian said with a smile:
"Just brag in the dormitory, don't tell anyone. It's possible for you to pursue Jiang Xiaoguo, but Liang Shuang already has a boyfriend, a rich second-generation guy, and drives a BMW 7 Series. Do you understand what a BMW 7 Series is?"
"What concept?"
"More than three million. When you graduate and earn one hundred thousand a year, not considering the impact of currency depreciation and rising prices, you will have to work hard for thirty years to be able to afford the car that others drive now. How can you compete with them?"
Before Yuan Xudong could speak, Xu Ji beside him said:
"That's right. Beautiful women all belong to rich people. You poor bastard, just accept your fate. It's good enough that you can find a girlfriend. If you are still picky, be careful that you will end up with nothing. You won't even be able to catch up with Jiang Xiaoguo!"
"Fuck, that's too cruel. Can you guys say something nice to encourage me?"
"Go to sleep, dreams can hold anything!"
"You can write novels, too. You're the author and you're awesome. You can write whatever you want. Billionaires, private jets, luxury cars, beautiful women, and everything else!"
After that, without waiting for Yuan Xudong to speak, Xu Ji continued:
"By the way, how's your novel going? Is anyone reading it?"
"It's OK!"
Yuan Xudong answered Xu Ji while typing on his computer:
"I have written 276 chapters. Today I will update chapter 277. I will see how many readers are following me. There are still 136 readers!"
"Rubbish, why write a novel? Go move bricks instead!"
"roll!"