After buying the suit, the two walked quietly down the corridor of the mall.
Without realizing it, they had wandered into the women’s clothing section.
“You can look around this store for a bit,” Simon Min said, stopping in front of a boutique. “I’m going to the restroom.”
Vivian Wen nodded.
While Simon was gone, she stepped inside—and her gaze was instantly drawn to a gown displayed in the shop window.
It was a pure white evening dress, sparkling with silver crystals along the waist and hem.
Under the soft lights, it shimmered like the Milky Way itself—breathtaking and ethereal.
But one glance told her it was far beyond what she could afford.
She sighed and was about to leave when a shrill female voice called from behind.
“Well, if it isn’t Vivian Wen!”
Vivian turned, and her smile instantly froze.
A woman in a tight strapless dress was strutting toward her, hips cocked dramatically.
Of course—just her luck.
Her old high school rival, Tiffany Liu.
Back in school, Vivian had been voted class beauty, outshining Tiffany and fueling her jealousy.
To make things worse, the boy Tiffany liked had fallen for Vivian instead. From then on, Tiffany had gone out of her way to pick fights and cause trouble.
After graduation, Vivian got into a top university while Tiffany failed her exams.
They hadn’t seen each other since—until now.
“Vivian Wen, long time no see,” Tiffany said, her lips painted a garish blood-red.
Noticing the gown Vivian had been admiring, she smirked. “Why don’t you buy it?”
Then, as if remembering something, she covered her mouth in mock apology.
“Oh, right, I forgot. Everything in here is really expensive. You probably can’t afford it.”
Vivian smiled coolly.
“Tiffany Liu, I didn’t expect your mouth to still smell like the same garbage it did back in high school.”
“You—!” Tiffany’s face turned crimson with anger, but before she could lash out, her attention shifted.
Through the glass storefront, a tall, strikingly handsome man was walking toward them.
Tiffany’s breath caught. His looks and presence were magnetic.
She quickly composed herself, flipping her hair and flashing her best smile, hoping to catch his eye.
But to her shock, he didn’t even glance at her.
Instead, Simon Min walked straight past her and stopped beside Vivian.
“Vivian Wen, and this is…?” Tiffany asked, forcing a polite tone.
Vivian leaned toward Simon, looping her arm through his affectionately.
“He’s my boyfriend,” she said sweetly. “Handsome, isn’t he?”
Simon lowered his eyes to her but said nothing.
Tiffany was dumbfounded.
Vivian Wen—plain, boring Vivian Wen—had landed a man like this?
Her mind instantly flashed to her own boyfriend—middle-aged, balding, and overweight—and jealousy burned hot in her chest.
Her eyes drifted over Simon again, and this time she noticed his worn brown leather jacket.
A mocking smile curved her lips.
“Looks don’t mean much,” she said snidely. “What matters is money.
Otherwise, a woman ends up eating plain rice with him—can’t even buy the clothes she likes. What kind of life is that?”
Then, with deliberate flourish, she pulled a bank card from her purse and waved it between two fingers.
“See this? My boyfriend insists I buy more clothes even though my closet’s already full. He gave me this card and told me to spend whatever I want. I can’t even use it all.”
Hearing this, the shop assistants immediately swarmed around Tiffany, enthusiastically showing her the newest designs.
Tiffany basked in their attention, pride swelling in her chest—but her eyes kept darting toward Simon.
To her growing irritation, he never once looked at her.
His gaze stayed on Vivian the entire time.
What did that woman have that she didn’t?
Vivian straightened, her tone suddenly sharp.
“A woman has her own hands and feet. Why should she rely on a man to feed her?”
Then she tugged at Simon’s arm.
“Mr. Min, don’t bother with her. Let’s go.”
“Leaving already?” Tiffany’s voice rose in mock surprise.
“If you’re broke, what are you doing in a place like this?”
Her shrill laughter echoed through the boutique.
Even the clerks began to glance at Vivian with disdain.
Vivian clenched her teeth, unwilling to stoop to Tiffany’s level.
She was about to leave when Simon’s hand caught her arm, stopping her.
“Mr. Min?” she asked, blinking at him in confusion.
Simon’s tone remained calm, his face unreadable.
“It’s true—I don’t have that much cash on me. But someone gave me a card before. It happens to be for this mall. Maybe it’ll come in handy.”
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a sleek gold card.
Tiffany’s eyes widened in disbelief.
That—
that was the Wanrun International Black Gold VIP Card!
Rumor had it that only customers who spent over five million a year were eligible to have one.
But… how could that be possible?
He was dressed so plainly, so cheaply—
How could a man like him own that card?!