Darkstone Code
Chapter 166 - 0165 Unexpected extra update [Book friend: Muyi Yang Hua sponsored extra update - 3/5]

Chapter 166: 0165 Unexpected extra update [Book friend: Muyi Yang Hua sponsored extra update - 3/5]

In a society like the Bail Federal, how much you spend is equivalent to the level of service you enjoy; this phenomenon has already been integrated into people’s values and worldview, and nobody sees anything wrong with it.

Indeed, there are some resentments against the wealthy in society, yet more people still fervently pursue the issue of wealth.

Catherine’s mother feels this deeply, as some neighbors are gathering around her. Anyone can see that Catherine has left with a wealthy individual. They can’t cozy up to Catherine or that unknown rich person, but cozying up to Catherine’s mother doesn’t seem to be much of a problem.

Who knows, maybe one day, her mother could offer these people a good job?

At this moment, Catherine failed to notice a detail. After Lynch registered her membership, another clerk closed the store door and hung a sign that said "Serving VIP Guests," prompting potential customers to wait a bit at the cafe next door.

The drinks and pastries they consume at the café will be covered by this clothing brand store, but they must show their membership card from this brand store.

Internally, the Ultimate Level enjoyment satisfies the exclusive atmosphere created by money.

Externally, this kindness also stimulates some people’s yearning for membership identity, and of course, pleases other members.

At the very least, someone who can afford membership wouldn’t stoop to getting a free coffee and pancake; that would be too humiliating.

Those who really want to take advantage of it won’t have such an opportunity.

The entire second floor of the hotel is filled with such stores, differing from some ’luxury brand stores’ in shopping centers. In some people’s eyes, shops selling one-size-fits-all clothes are not luxury, or at most, luxury for the common people; they lack depth.

During Catherine’s selection, she picked out two sets of summer clothes and four sets of autumn clothes.

September is approaching, and after October, Curilan City will gradually cool down, reducing the opportunity to wear summer clothes.

Autumn will last for a while, roughly two months or so, followed by winter.

Currently, there’s no clear trend in winter fashion, so by November, the winter fashion designs will be finalized, and Catherine will need to make another visit then.

After selecting the clothes, all that remained was to wait. Catherine’s requests would be sent to headquarters, and a specialized high-end tailor would custom make her ordered clothes according to her requirements, once she confirmed them several times.

In fact, it’s not as daunting as it sounds; the so-called craftsmanship is essentially a gimmick.

Stores that expand nationwide are essentially not the top tier; they use prefabricated parts for tailoring according to size. In terms of craftsmanship, the difference between handmade and assembly line is just the final step.

Despite this, many people still favor such services.

Upon leaving, the clerk presented Catherine with a member gift, which included some high-end cosmetics and women’s items, things that are particularly trendy lately.

If the newly registered member is male, they would give ties, belts, wallets, and similar items as gifts.

With all the store staff seeing them off, the two left the store, the sign on the door changed back to "Open for Business," and everything returned to how it was before.

"It’s quite scary; can you tell me how much all this costs?" Catherine asked softly, "Do I need to take a deep breath?"

During this process, Lynch didn’t tell Catherine how much he spent, and Catherine didn’t actively inquire. This would be embarrassing for both of them; she knew how to maintain Lynch’s dignity.

Now, after leaving the store, curiosity got the better of her, and she wanted to know what kind of number it was, whether it was as suffocating as she imagined.

"Not much, twelve thousand dollars." This amount is of little concern to Lynch. He chose this brand primarily for its influence among young people, especially those trendy guys and gals.

Never underestimate a university, nor its complexity. In this era, only two types of people can afford university.

The first type is those who haven’t yet entered university but have already secured direct admission and full scholarships with various research grants. These individuals, often labeled as ’pre-scientists,’ tower over ’bookworms’ by much more than half.

These people will inevitably appear in high-end research institutes in the future, leading experiments that alter the course of human development.

The other type is families with some background, mainly the Middle Class, and those about to enter the Middle Class. Otherwise, even if they bought education insurance, it wouldn’t cover the entire college expense, unless they sold their house, and even that might not be enough.

Families of the latter type have an understanding and appreciation for trends, fashion, and dressing that surpasses ordinary families.

For many children from ordinary families, some brands may not necessarily be familiar. They might occasionally hear of or recognize them, but owning them is another matter.

When Catherine occasionally appears in public wearing these kinds of clothes, anyone considering bullying her must think twice, contemplating whether they can afford the unpleasant consequences and pay the price.

People who can readily shell out twelve thousand annually just for membership fees, and who buy clothes costing thousands to tens of thousands, can just as easily spend money to make someone regret their actions, and they do it effortlessly.

Kids in the Lower City, if you give them a thousand, they’ll take a dagger and stab someone in the middle of the night.

With just twenty or thirty thousand, thirty or fifty thousand, they’d dare to kill someone.

So whether these people respect Catherine or not, at least they fear her. Lynch can do very little for her, but he can ensure this.

Upon hearing Lynch’s words, the girl rolled her eyes, "I don’t even know if I’ll be able to save up ten thousand in my lifetime, how am I supposed to repay you?"

"You’ve already repaid a part of it..." Lynch looked at her, "Happiness is the best repayment. The number of times I laughed today is almost the total of the past three months, maybe more. That’s the best reward."

"Isn’t there a saying, happiness is the universal elixir?" When the economy is good, people become optimistic, embracing countless philosophies. Pursuing happiness seems to be the consensus which mainstream society hasn’t abandoned, and that’s why things keep worsening; they haven’t become vigilant yet.

Lynch led the girl by the hand to the next store. He didn’t tell her those clothes actually required additional payment, "I’m giving you a perfect start. Whether you can walk towards a perfect ending depends solely on you!"

Just a day later, at Curilan City’s Sports Stadium, Catherine witnessed a scene perhaps unforgettable for a lifetime.

Maybe Richard was determined to make a big splash outside of Sabin City, or to quickly catch up with Lynch and avoid falling behind, he was very attentive.

He arranged for the auction seats to accommodate six thousand positions, making this auction larger than that in Sabin City, even though there were only a thousand more actual participants.

Of course, apart from the chance to get a free belt, these people hoped to witness a miracle up close—a downtown apartment starting at one dollar, currently valued at over fifty thousand. Everyone thought they might have a chance, which is why they were there.

Right from the beginning, the atmosphere was very lively, and the auctioneer had yet to warm things up; the atmosphere naturally surged.

Catherine had never seen so many crazy people. They gathered not for a sports event, but merely to spend money. Sometimes, the more you know, the more powerless you feel.

Even more powerless was that she had to keep smiling, as reporters frequently came by to photograph them. Her cheeks were beginning to cramp from her continuous smiling.

"Well done, Richard." Lynch, standing next to Richard, tossed him a cigar, a $49.9 cigar, a luxury item.

Of course, he actually had another cigar in his pocket worth only about twenty dollars.

If Richard had done poorly, he would have gotten the twenty-dollar cigar, but he did indeed do well, so he deserved better treatment.

Richard’s smile stretched from ear to ear, repeatedly thanking Lynch for his promotion. Despite being several years older than Lynch, sometimes Richard’s shamelessness made Lynch wonder if he’d cry out "Daddy" without hesitation.

Smoking the high-end cigar, gazing at the bustling crowd below, he inhaled—the sports stadium was filled with the intoxicating aroma of wealth!

A five percent personal commission; with a single day like today, Richard’s income might exceed twenty thousand, perhaps even more.

No matter how much Richard earns, Lynch earns even more. Having subordinates like Richard, Lynch doesn’t mind sharing a portion of the profits with him.

"Among all my partners, Richard, you’re the one I have the highest hopes for."

"Only you give me peace of mind, and only from you can I see a gleam, as bright as gold."

"In a month..." Lynch held up a finger, "Within a month, if the transaction volume of four auction events shows no significant decline, I will arrange for you to take charge of the branch in the capital!"

Suddenly, an overwhelming surge of excitement rushed from Richard’s lower body to his head; the capital is the only tier-one city in the state, with a larger market, a wider audience, and... more considerable profits!

He felt all his blood boiling within, and those who regarded him as a parasite or rubbish would ultimately regret their short-sightedness, for he would become the second successful person besides Lynch, proving them wrong.

At that point, he must fulfill his dream!

To throw both his cousin and former desk mate onto the bed and thrash them until they cry and whimper!