Volume 1, Chapter 45: Encountering Several Acquaintances

Just as the group was about to walk into the VIP lounge, Li Yan noticed Gong Leilei looking at him as if she wanted to say something but hesitated.

Li Yan understood immediately.

Manager Luo knew that Li Yan had the intention of buying a car, which was why she came forward to receive him. In other words, as long as this sale went through, it would have nothing to do with Gong Leilei at all.

Li Yan stopped at the entrance and said, "Excuse me, are you Manager Luo?"

Manager Luo stood at the door, smiled, and nodded. "Yes, Mr. Li. You can just call me little Luo."

Li Yan pointed at Gong Leilei and said, "Gong Leilei is my classmate. If this sale goes through, does it count toward her record?"

Hearing this, Manager Luo froze. She looked from Gong Leilei to Li Yan. A flash of displeasure crossed her eyes. If this sale went through, the commission would be substantial. Gong Leilei was merely a summer intern earning a basic wage; what right did she have to a commission?

Measuring her words, Manager Luo said, "Mr. Li, Gong Leilei is only here for a part-time job and is not a formal employee of ours. Her duty is greeting guests. Strictly speaking, she is not one of our sales representatives."

Li Yan frowned and glanced at Gong Leilei.

Gong Leilei’s eyes flickered, and she turned an appeal-filled gaze toward Luo Jiasuang. She was indeed here for a part-time job, but the supervisor had explicitly told her that as long as she closed a deal, she would receive the commission. However, constrained by her status as a summer temp, she did not dare to talk back to Manager Luo.

Luo Jiasuang looked at Li Yan and said, "Li Yan, shall we just not buy it here?"

She felt a sense of injustice for her best friend, but since Li Yan was the one buying the car, it wasn't appropriate for her to speak too bluntly.

Li Yan said indifferently, "I came here to bring sales performance to my classmate. Why don't you go ask your supervisor?"

He certainly wasn't going to pamper or indulge this Manager Luo. Making money was fine, but bullying people was not, especially not his own classmate.

Manager Luo’s polite smile vanished instantly. She could tell from Li Yan's gaze that he was not someone easily fooled.

Glaring at Gong Leilei, Manager Luo said, "Mr. Li, there is nothing I can do about this. The store's regulations are set this way. I understand you want to look after your classmate, but our store has its own rules."

Manager Luo was still attempting to brush the matter aside by invoking store regulations. After all, nobody liked seeing a ready duck fly right out of their mouth.

Li Yan shook his head. "Forget it then. It's not like we must buy from your place."

He turned to Gong Leilei and said, "Why don't you go ask your supervisor?"

Gong Leilei hesitated. She genuinely wanted to close a sale, but if she really did that, she would offend Manager Luo, and her remaining days here would likely be difficult.

Just as the three parties were at a stalemate, Li Yan and the others suddenly heard someone calling out to Luo Jiasuang.

"Hey, Luo Jiasuang, what are you doing here?"

The newcomer was a middle-aged woman with short hair, a slightly plump figure, and a pair of glasses.

Li Yan turned to look and felt that this person looked somewhat familiar. It seemed he had seen her somewhere before, but he couldn't recall immediately.

On the other hand, the moment Gong Leilei saw the person, she greeted her very respectfully, "Teacher Yang, why are you here?"

After a long while, Li Yan finally remembered who this person was: their high school history teacher.

It had been over a decade, so it was truly hard to remember.

Luo Jiasuang also took a good while to recognize the middle-aged woman. Smiling, she nodded at Teacher Yang and asked, "Teacher Yang, are you here to buy a car?"

Teacher Yang completely ignored Gong Leilei and Li Yan, walking straight up to Luo Jiasuang. Patting Luo Jiasuang on the shoulder, she said, "The college entrance exams are over. Why aren't you resting properly at home instead of running around here?"

Luo Jiasuang tugged at Li Yan's clothes and said, "Teacher Yang, I accompanied Li Yan here to look at cars."

Only then did Teacher Yang look at Li Yan. With a look of disbelief, she said, "You accompanied Li Yan to buy a car? What is going on between you two?"

Seeing Luo Jiasuang holding onto Li Yan's right arm with both hands, the expression on Teacher Yang's face turned somewhat complicated.

Luo Jiasuang naturally replied with complete openness, "Hehehe, Teacher Yang, Li Yan and I are dating. We've graduated from high school, so we're allowed to fall in love now."

If she were the naive Luo Jiasuang from right after graduation in her past life, she certainly wouldn't have dared to admit it so openly, and might even have hidden away out of fear upon seeing a teacher.

But who was Luo Jiasuang? She was a person reborn. The timidity and shyness of a high school girl had long since vanished.

Hearing Luo Jiasuang's words, Teacher Yang looked Li Yan and Luo Jiasuang up and down.

In her heart, there was only one thought: they were mismatched; a fine flower stuck in cow dung.

Sensing Teacher Yang's appraising gaze, Li Yan suddenly remembered why he had no impression of this high school history teacher. It was because her invisible "judgment glasses" were practically carved into her bones.

In Teacher Yang's eyes, the students in her class were divided into two distinct categories: city kids—especially those whose parents worked in the civil service or government-backed institutions—were forever the objects of her preferential care. Whenever those students approached her with questions, she could always put aside whatever she was doing and patiently explain; but if a student from the countryside raised their hand, she would mostly pretend not to see it and turn to handle "more important" matters.

Society always harbored certain hidden circles, such as the salaried class with government-backed secure jobs, who sometimes tacitly assumed themselves to be a "special group" within the city. Teacher Yang was clearly well-versed in this. Encountering children from those "inner circles," she often chatted with a smile: "Oh, are your parents busy lately? Have some time to invite them over to the house for a chat." Though it sounded like casual banter with a child, it was actually a quiet, effortless way of consolidating her own social circle.

Li Yan had always believed that some teachers deserved the title of educator, while others merely used the profession as a tool for stratifying society. The Teacher Yang before him clearly belonged to the latter.

There was no helping it; Luo Jiasuang was a city girl, living in a detached villa in the neighboring city, no less. Her father also seemed to be an insider in the establishment, so naturally, she was categorized by Teacher Yang into their exclusive circle.

Li Yan and Gong Leilei were both country kids, and thus they were cast outside the circle.

Teacher Yang's expression hardened slightly, and she said earnestly to Luo Jiasuang, "Jiasuang, your family background and all aspects of your life are quite good, and your studies are excellent. Rushing into a relationship now will affect your future studies. You can wait until after college graduation and strive to land a position in a good work unit. By the time you reach that point, it won't be too late to date."

Li Yan frowned as he listened.

Her words carried hidden implications. The underlying meaning was that because his family background wasn't good, he wasn't worthy?

He didn't speak, choosing instead to look at Luo Jiasuang to see how this girl would handle it.

Hearing this, Luo Jiasuang felt somewhat displeased in her heart as well. However, her father and Teacher Yang kept in touch from time to time, and falling out completely wouldn't be good.

Therefore, she smiled and said, "Oh, Teacher Yang, I understand. But Li Yan is wonderful, and he won't affect my studies."

Seeing Luo Jiasuang's attitude, Teacher Yang knew that the girl was undoubtedly young, inexperienced, unaware of the gravity of the situation, and most likely deceived by Li Yan.

As a "teacher," she knew that trying to persuade Luo Jiasuang right now would be useless, especially since she was merely an outsider. Consequently, she decided in her heart to have a serious talk with Luo Jiasuang's father the next time she saw him. Children from families like theirs certainly could not hook up with rural kids; the best pairing was for both sides to be within the secure establishment, a powerful alliance.

Manager Luo had been watching the drama unfold the entire time. Seeing that the situation was about settled, she smiled and said to Teacher Yang, "Teacher Yang, are you here today to check out that Mazda 6 I recommended to you earlier?"

This Teacher Yang from the No. 1 High School of the neighboring city was a client Manager Luo had cultivated for a long time. She had notified Manager Luo this morning that she would come to look at cars, and there was an eighty percent chance the deal would close today.

Reflecting that given Li Yan's attitude just now, that Cadillac sale was probably not going to happen, Manager Luo quickly made her choice: she would host and cater to Teacher Yang, who came from a well-to-do family from the No. 1 High School.

Since Li Yan's deal wasn't going to be hers anyway, her attitude toward Li Yan underwent a 180-degree turn.

"Gong Leilei, go entertain your classmates over there. I'll take Teacher Yang to look at cars first."

Gong Leilei, still looking bewildered and clueless, nodded and said, "Oh, okay."

With that, Manager Luo led Teacher Yang away toward the red Mazda 6, leaving Li Yan and the two girls standing at the entrance of the VIP reception room.

After walking a short distance with Manager Luo, Teacher Yang suddenly recalled Luo Jiasuang's words.

Li Yan was here to look at cars? Could he even afford one?

"Little Luo, are those students of mine here to buy a car?" she asked Manager Luo.

Manager Luo nodded. "Well, your student's family background seems quite good. Fresh out of high school and they're already looking at Cadillacs."

Teacher Yang frowned and said, "Little Luo, your judgment leaves much to be desired. I know that student's family situation. Forget about buying a Cadillac; affording an electric bicycle would be a stretch for them. They're just too idle during the vacation and came to your store to mess around."

She didn't speak in a low voice; at the very least, Li Yan and Luo Jiasuang could hear her clearly. Perhaps she had said it intentionally for Li Yan to hear.

"Ah?" Manager Luo paused.

Looking back at Li Yan, she felt as though she had been played for a fool just now. Indeed, for a high school student to come alone to buy a Cadillac—wasn't that sheer nonsense? She had almost been made a fool of.

At this thought, anger surged up in Manager Luo. She shouted at Gong Leilei, "Gong Leilei, what are you standing there frozen for? Hurry up and pour a glass of water for Teacher Yang."

Gong Leilei was stunned once more, completely oblivious to what had just transpired. She had no choice but to obediently go pour the water.

Li Yan and Luo Jiasuang stood in place like two neglected children, speechless and looking at each other.

"Well, so much for being completely ignored," Luo Jiasuang said, feeling somewhat disgusted as she vented, "Shall we just go back? Why didn't I realize she was this kind of person before?"

Li Yan let out a long breath and said, "You meet all kinds of people. Just treat it as an early introduction to society."

Luo Jiasuang pulled Li Yan by the hand and started walking toward the exit, saying as they moved, "Let's go. What kind of people are these? The cars here probably aren't any good either."

However, just as the two of them reached the store entrance, Li Yan ran into another acquaintance.

At that moment, Zhang Wenfeng was walking over in the company of a middle-aged, bald-headed man.

He spotted Li Yan at a glance.

"Ah, President Li! What brings you here? What a coincidence!"

He trotted over proactively, extending both hands for a handshake.

Feeling somewhat surprised, Li Yan extended one hand to shake Zhang Wenfeng's and said, "What a coincidence, President Li. Are you here to buy a car?"

Zhang Wenfeng was the general manager of the marketing department for Liqiang Group, and his financial strength went without saying; coming here meant an eighty percent chance he was buying a car.

"Hahahaha, President Li, let me introduce you. This is President Sun of Fengtai Auto City. This store actually belongs to President Sun. The two of us are friends of many years, and I happened to drop by his place today to drink tea and chat about some business. I never expected to run into President Li here. Ah, you tell me, isn't this a coincidence?"

Seeing Zhang Wenfeng address a young man so respectfully as "President Li" and proactively go over to shake his hand, President Sun—a seasoned veteran of the commercial world—quickly realized that the young man before him was far from ordinary. There were very few young people in the entire city who could command such respectful treatment from Zhang Wenfeng.

Hence, President Sun's face blossomed into smiles as he extended both hands to greet him. "Ah, I never imagined President Li would be so young yet look so exceptionally talented. Wenfeng mentioned to me before that President Li is young, promising, and a rare talent indeed."

Regardless of whether Zhang Wenfeng had actually mentioned Li Yan to him beforehand, saying this sort of thing was guaranteed to be safe.

Li Yan gave a faint smile and said, "Hello there, President Sun, nice to meet you."

Luo Jiasuang, standing nearby, felt her mind flooded with questions. Yet she had just heard that this middle-aged man was actually the owner of this very store—undoubtedly a heavyweight figure. Yet here he was, greeting Li Yan with such deference. How had Li Yan managed this?

Though she harbored doubts, the look she cast at Li Yan was filled with starry-eyed admiration.

As expected, Li Yan's future was destined to be extraordinary. Right now, she could already catch a glimpse of the imposing demeanor Li Yan possessed in her past life as he commanded the business world.

"Ah, President Li, it's my fault for failing to host you properly. Come, please, follow me to my office for a cup of tea," President Sun said, taking a step forward to invite Li Yan to his office. He didn't ask why Li Yan had come to his store, nor did he need to. For now, maintaining a good relationship with this extraordinary young man was all that mattered.

Zhang Wenfeng also wished to cultivate a deeper relationship with Li Yan. As long as he could cement that bond, he could secure a connection to Secretary Liu's network, which would undoubtedly benefit his future career development. At least, that was how he saw it.

Li Yan had no desire to drink tea. Drinking tea with these two men would require him to be extremely cautious, since he was the only one who truly knew whether he had any backing or connections. If he accidentally slipped up and exposed the truth, it would spell trouble.

Therefore, he declined: "President Zhang, President Sun, we'll pass on the tea for now. My girlfriend has a restless streak, and I just came by today to take a look at cars."

"Ah? Looking at cars?" President Sun was not surprised by Li Yan's polite refusal; if he had agreed too easily, it would only make his status seem lower.

Li Yan nodded, maintaining a calm and unruffled expression. Instead of taking up President Sun's thread, he said, "President Sun, this Gong Leilei here is my high school classmate who recently started working a part-time job at your store. I wanted to bring some sales performance her way, but I heard that your company doesn't count commissions for non-regular employees?"

President Sun paused, but quickly figured out what was going on behind the scenes.

"Oh, nonsense! In our company, any employee's own clients count for commissions. If a part-timer can close a deal, it proves your classmate has excellent business acumen—she's a treasure to our company! Rest assured, President Li, the commission is definitely there." President Sun was adept with his words, smoothing over any potential problems effortlessly.

Li Yan nodded. "That's good. In that case, President Sun, please have Gong Leilei show me around the cars. If it's a good fit, I'll buy it today."

President Sun smiled and nodded. "Alright, no problem."

"Little Gong, hurry up and take President Li to look at the cars. Be sure to introduce them thoroughly. President Li coming to our store to look at cars does us a great honor. Set up the VIP package and everything, you understand?"

Gong Leilei's brain was completely overloaded today; what on earth was happening? She obediently uttered an "oh" and stood behind Li Yan in a daze.

President Sun seemingly felt that this arrangement was still not quite appropriate, so he shouted over to Manager Luo, who was currently introducing a car to Teacher Yang: "Little Luo, what are you people doing? President Li came to look at cars, and this is how you host him? Never mind, go call Supervisor Feng and have him guide President Li through the cars. Little Gong only started a few days ago and isn't very familiar with the models yet. Oh, by the way, Little Gong did a good job; newcomers need to be properly nurtured."

This arrangement gave Li Yan both dignity and face in full measure.

Li Yan gave a slight nod, indicating his satisfaction. Smiling, he said, "President Sun, President Zhang, I won't join you for tea. I'll check out the cars first, and we can have a meal together sometime later if there's an opportunity."

President Sun looked at Zhang Wenfeng, trying to gauge his attitude.

Assuming Li Yan was adopting a low profile due to a sensitive identity and preferred not to mingle too openly with them here, Zhang Wenfeng smiled and said, "That sounds wonderful, President Li. We won't disturb you while you look at the cars then. I'll host a dinner another day, and we can all get together."

Li Yan smiled at Zhang Wenfeng, neither agreeing nor refusing outright.

Consequently, President Sun and Zhang Wenfeng took their leave with great tact.

Teacher Yang and Manager Luo watched this entire scene in stupefaction, Teacher Yang in particular wearing an expression of utter astonishment.