Taming The Hidden Bigshot By Kissing Him
Chapter 449: Huo Xingzhou is Like a Turtle in the Wishing Pool

Chapter 449: Chapter 449: Huo Xingzhou is Like a Turtle in the Wishing Pool

Old Chen followed behind Qiao Xi and Sun Weimeng, sensing some unusual movement.

He stepped forward to remind, "Young Madam, it seems someone is following us. When you choose a dress later, try not to act alone. It’s a pity... Miss Jiaojiao isn’t by your side, and both Sun and I are men, which is inconvenient."

Qiao Xi slowed her pace upon hearing his words, her rosy lips parting, "I’ve been missing Jiaojiao too, maybe she will come to the Imperial Capital soon."

She always felt that Jiaojiao wasn’t the type to obediently stay in Haicheng.

Sun Weimeng got a bit jealous, "Am I not good enough? You want a sister, I can be your sister. I’ll help you come up with ideas when picking a dress later."

Old Chen chuckled naively, "Young Master Sun, you can’t follow into the fitting room. Otherwise, Young Master... will really turn you into a eunuch."

"You... are vicious!"

Sun Weimeng crossed his arms protectively, "Don’t even think about taking my pride!"

Ever since curing his impotence, he had become especially popular at the Haicheng Club, and even those dandies didn’t dare to look down on him. After all, he had connections with Qiao, the miraculous doctor, and could get his hands on great health products.

If Qiao Xi could make some little pills to restore vigor, they would definitely sell like crazy!

Qiao Xi glanced at them without comment.

They took the escalator up through the mall, leisurely browsing the shops around. However, the several dozen clothing stores on the ground floor sold only ordinary brands for everyday wear, and representing the Huo Family’s face, they couldn’t simply attend the Guan Family’s birthday feast wearing any of those.

Suddenly recalling the medicinal herb matter, Qiao Xi asked Old Chen, "Last night, when you went to fix the car, I asked you to inquire about the herbal medicine shops in the Imperial Capital. How did it go?"

Old Chen wore a grim expression, "Young Madam, they all refused to sell! As soon as they saw my face, they said they were out of stock! Our arrival in the Imperial Capital has already spread, and over ninety percent of the large pharmacies there are controlled by the Lu Family."

The Lu Family was responsible for the business of herbal medicines, while the Xiang Family managed Western medical equipment and drugs.

These two families had joined hands, monopolizing both Eastern and Western medicine, hardly leaving room for others. That’s why they could rise so rapidly, becoming a force that could not be ignored in the Imperial Capital within twenty years. The Xiang Family had even used this to worm their way into the ranks of the Four Great Families.

The Trial of Needles had ended, and the next January would be the decennial ranking evaluation of the families.

The Lu Family was full of ambition.

The Xiang Family wanted to replace the third-ranked Guan Family, and the Lu Family aimed for the fourth spot.

If they succeeded, they would be able to do as they pleased in the Imperial Capital even more.

The resources of the great families were superior, and their reputations were well-known. Such a hierarchy of power was a silently acknowledged existence in the upper echelons of the Imperial Capital, with distinctions of high and low, noble and common.

Some big cakes, by default, were shared only among the Four Great Families, monopolizing top-tier resources. Others could only sip some soup, never holding the initiative unless a brilliant new generation emerged to chart a new path and lead the family to break into the inner circle.

Everyone wanted to squeeze into the pinnacle of the Imperial Capital’s pyramid!

The smile on Qiao Xi’s face faded slightly upon hearing Old Chen’s words. The Lu Family’s actions also indicated that the grudge between Lu Bannong and Grandpa Cheng was deep. They were very vengeful, even refusing to sell her medicinal herbs.

Not at all like the great philanthropist and female Huatuo, the living Guanyin, as rumors suggested.

Young Master Sun complained, "So petty in their actions! Lacking any sense of vision, they seem so scared of you becoming powerful! This also shows that they are as nervous about you and Mr. Cheng as if facing a formidable enemy!"

"Right."

Qiao Xi nodded, "They take me too seriously."

They stood on the mall’s escalator, moving to the upper floor. The topmost floor, however, required access through a private elevator, which was a paradise for luxury goods, all high-end custom products from luxury brands, not everyone qualified to make a purchase.

They had even installed a rather preposterous wealth check at this level’s entrance.

To maintain order in the mall and improve service quality, customers needed to have personal assets exceeding ten million to access the top floor. This tactic was common in extremely high-end malls to prevent customers without the ability to purchase from entering at random, wasting the sales staff’s time.

Both Qiao Xi and Young Master Sun provided the necessary proof, passing the wealth check before they could take the private elevator to the top floor.

However, they hadn’t expected Old Chen’s bank savings to exceed ten million as well, considering he was a bodyguard with a monthly salary of one hundred thousand, plus extra allowances.

"Old Chen, you’re rolling in dough!"

Inside the private elevator, Sun Weimeng drooled over Old Chen, "I want to buy a sports car, but I’m a bit short on cash. My parents are against me buying one, so they don’t want to give me the money. Can you lend me five million first?"

Old Chen pinched his bank card and shook his head: "Young Master Sun, I’m just a humble working man. As the son of a real estate tycoon, do you have the heart to exploit me?"

"I’ll definitely pay you back once I have money!"

"Young Master Sun, all my savings are in fixed deposits."

"I’ll compensate you with interest," Sun Weimeng gritted his teeth and said, "How about a ten percent interest rate? I’m just temporarily short on cash, this amount isn’t even enough for my expenses."

Old Chen firmly refused to part with any money.

Qiao Xi’s eyes curved in amusement and she said, "Young Master Sun, don’t make it hard on Old Chen."

Sun Weimeng pursed his lips, "Fine. We don’t need a sports car in the Imperial Capital anyway." His mind had already begun to contemplate inviting Huo Xingzhou to his birthday party next year, making a wish in front of him, wondering if it would come true!

Huo Xingzhou would surely satisfy his wish, considering how obsequious he was acting.

He was like the turtle in the Wishing Pool.

Oh wait.

Qiao Xi had said Huo Xingzhou was Aladdin’s lamp! As long as you make a wish, it would come true.

A turtle isn’t grand enough.

Sun Weimeng sneaked a glance at Qiao Xi, thinking to himself that the couple did have some fun.

"Please, this way."

The doors of the private elevator opened.

A world of dazzling light and pristine luxury unfolded before them. The saleswomen all wore uniforms marked with the store’s emblem, each costing almost thirty or forty thousand, their faces adorned with formulaic smiles.

Sun Weimeng exclaimed, "Wow."

Not because the luxury goods here were rare and expensive, but because there were so many beauties.

The top floor of the mall had a linear arrangement of stores, all in clear view. The central atrium featured a display stand, extravagantly decorated.

"This is where the most famous twenty brands worldwide offer their high-end custom designs, ranging from jewelry, luxury watches, accessories to clothing and perfumes. It’s the go-to place for the Imperial Capital’s high society to prepare for banquets. But today there should be a twenty-first..."

Sun Weimeng whispered to Qiao Xi, boasting about his expertise in pleasure-seeking.

He glanced at the largest store at the end, the doors closed, thinking how the twenty-first store still hadn’t opened.

What a letdown!

So he said, "Today we’re here to pick out evening dresses, and Master Irina has released quite a few new pieces recently. They’re limited releases in the country, and I think they should be available here."

Sun Weimeng looked around, "And here they are!"

He pulled Qiao Xi forward, her gaze falling inside the store.

The place was decked in high-end cream white European decor, with the lights sparkling like stars on the clean and bright floor, offering an incredibly cozy feeling. Inside, it showcased Master Irina’s previous creations, Naicai.

Qiao Xi had owned a piece before; she really liked this designer’s style.

A row of well-poised and graceful saleswomen stood in line.

Spotting her and Sun Weimeng, they exchanged covert glances with each other.

Finally, after a contest of looks, the most beautiful of them approached Qiao Xi.