Chapter 81: Chapter 77: I’m Tall, Rich, and Handsome. Do I Still Need to Make the First Move?

With that, Tan Hua strode toward the elevators, her high heels CLICK-CLACKING on the floor.

Since she lived at National Gold Mansion, her commute to work was only five minutes.

Tan Hua arrived at the store right on the dot.

Her colleagues at the store were all giving her strange looks.

"Huahua, over here."

Xu Ying waved Tan Hua over and led her into the locker room.

"Yingying, why is everyone looking at me so strangely?"

Tan Hua asked curiously as she changed into her uniform.

"Girl, did you not look at your phone at all yesterday?"

"You have no idea how crazy it got in the International Gold Center’s sales associates group chat yesterday."

"Every sales associate in the mall now knows your boyfriend bought you a 1.7 million Roger Dubuis."

"So now, everyone is green with envy."

Seeing Tan Hua’s clueless expression, Xu Ying knew that Qi Sheng must have really worn her out last night.

Otherwise, Tan Hua wouldn’t be so surprised today. It was obvious she hadn’t even had time to look at her phone yesterday.

"By the way, where’s that Roger Dubuis of yours?"

Xu Ying couldn’t hide her disappointment when she saw that Tan Hua was still wearing her Cartier Ballon Bleu.

’That was a 1.7 million watch, and Qi Sheng bought it for Tan Hua just like that!’

’That kind of staggering wealth made even Xu Ying shudder.’

’Forget 1.7 million—if a man gave her a 170,000 watch, she’d happily throw herself into his arms.’

’There’s just no comparison, none at all!’

"A watch that expensive should definitely be kept at home."

As Tan Hua recalled the moment Qi Sheng bought her the watch, her heart swelled with sweetness.

Even the unpleasant memories of how that certain someone had "bullied" her didn’t seem to matter anymore.

’If another girl received a 1.7 million watch, who knows what lengths she would go to.’

When Tan Hua finished changing and came out of the locker room,

her other colleagues immediately gathered around, all chattering at once, eager for the latest gossip.

"Huahua, what does it feel like to wear a 1.7 million watch?"

"My God, that’s an entire apartment in Chengdu on your wrist! I couldn’t even dream of that."

"Huahua, when you get a chance, you should have Qi Sheng organize a get-together. Tell him to bring some of his rich friends. I definitely won’t forget it if you do."

The store manager, Miduo, couldn’t take it anymore and snapped with a cold expression.

"That’s enough. It’s working hours. If I hear any more gossiping, you can forget about your rotation in the handbag section this month."

Seeing the manager lose her temper, the sales associates all quieted down.

But only they knew what they were really thinking.

A few of the sales associates who considered themselves quite attractive were even thinking of finding a chance to secretly get in touch with Qi Sheng.

’Who says a man with a girlfriend won’t play the field?’

’Even if they couldn’t be his long-term girlfriend, being a temporary one would be fine too.’

’It’s all just sleeping around, so why not do it with someone tall, rich, and handsome like Qi Sheng? Isn’t that better?’

Seeing her colleagues, with whom she’d always gotten along, now secretly plotting to steal her boyfriend left a bad taste in Tan Hua’s mouth.

"Huahua, don’t pay any attention to them. They should take a good look in the mirror before thinking they can compete with you for a man."

Xu Ying comforted Tan Hua. "Honestly, the reason everyone’s acting so different has to do with the wealth Qi Sheng suddenly put on display."

"That’s just how society is. Everyone is obsessed with getting rich, but all the avenues are blocked."

"For women, especially for sales associates like us, the easiest way to get rich is to use our looks to find a wealthy man."

"Huahua, you’re so lucky. You managed to land a real catch like Qi Sheng. Don’t forget me when you’re rich and famous!"

Tan Hua was in a good mood. Seeing Xu Ying joking around, she smiled and nodded. "Don’t worry, I’ll always have a spot reserved for you as the family maid."

"Tch, stingy."

Xu Ying secretly rolled her eyes and went back to busily calling her clients.

...

「National Gold Mansion, The Gym」

Qi Sheng looked at the somewhat weary Zong Rui and asked with concern, "You look like you haven’t been resting well."

"I was just trying to make up sessions for my other clients. I haven’t taken a single day off this whole National Day week, just making up classes every day. But I’m finally done."

Zong Rui said languidly, doing a chest stretch.

Her already tight sports bra suddenly looked as if it were about to burst.

"Let’s just do one session today. You should go home and get some proper rest."

Qi Sheng also noticed a few men glaring at him with dissatisfaction.

But when their gazes swept over the Roger Dubuis on his wrist, their expressions changed drastically.

They quickly averted their eyes, afraid of attracting his attention.

To those in the know, a man who could afford a Roger Dubuis with a retail price of 1.58 million had a social status and financial power far beyond their reach.

With Zong Rui’s looks, being noticed by a man like that was as good as a declaration of his claim on her.

Zong Rui only recognized a few of the most popular watch models. Seeing the rather beautiful piece on Qi Sheng’s wrist, she asked curiously, "Mr. Qi, did you get a new watch?"

"Yes, I just got it yesterday. Do you like it?"

Qi Sheng gave his wrist a little shake, clearly quite fond of the watch himself.

’In his past life, he would never have dreamed he’d one day be wearing a watch worth over a million.’

"It’s beautiful. May I take a closer look?"

Zong Rui really liked the watch’s aesthetic.

The ocean-blue tones gave it a vibrant look that paired quite well with Qi Sheng’s handsome face.

Huh?

’Wait a minute,’ Zong Rui realized, ’has Qi Sheng gotten more handsome?’

His charming, almond-shaped eyes were long and narrow, utterly captivating.

His face was lean and resolute, yet his smile was gentle and full of sunshine.

The high arches of his eyebrows made him look all the more dashing.

He had a straight, prominent nose with a barely perceptible aquiline curve at the tip.

But instead of looking aggressive, it gave him a rather refined air.

To describe him in a phrase: sharp brows, star-like eyes, and a divinely handsome bearing.

Zong Rui’s mind suddenly felt a bit fuzzy. ’Has Qi Sheng always been this handsome?’

’He couldn’t have gone to South Korea for plastic surgery in just half a month, could he?’

Her heart, once as still as a tranquil lake, now had ripples spreading across its surface.

When the System made a move, it was no different from plastic surgery, only its work was far more masterful.

"You don’t need to work out with me today. Just watch from the sidelines and give me instructions."

Qi Sheng unclasped the Roger Dubuis from his wrist and handed it to Zong Rui, letting her admire it.

"Roger Dubuis?"

Zong Rui looked at the logo on the dial and, out of curiosity, pulled out her phone to search for it.

Soon, the price of the watch appeared before her eyes.

"1,580,000?"

Zong Rui gulped, staring at the long string of numbers in disbelief.

The carbon-fiber watch, which wasn’t actually heavy, suddenly felt like it weighed a ton.

’According to the employment contract Qi Sheng gave her, she would have to work for nearly three years, without spending a dime, just to afford it.’

’When she signed the contract with Qi Sheng, she knew he must have been interested in her.’

’Otherwise, why would he? Did he just have too much money and nowhere to spend it?’

’Spending 600,000 just to hire her to be his gym partner for a year?’

’But back then, she’d had no idea just how wealthy he was.’

’Regardless of whether Qi Sheng was just pretending to be rich, she knew she wouldn’t be on the losing end of the deal.’

’But now, seeing that a watch he wore so casually was worth almost two million...’

’His true net worth had to be over a hundred million.’

’Faced with a hundred-millionaire in his twenties who was also incredibly handsome...’

’...how many women wouldn’t have their hearts stirred?’

’What was the point of earning money, if not for a better life?’

’A female fitness instructor’s prime earning years were limited, at best.’

’Zong Rui’s original plan had been to work for three to five years, save as much as she could, and build a safety net for her future.’

’But in the face of Qi Sheng’s terrifying wealth...’

’...becoming his girlfriend was a far better prospect than just being his fitness coach.’

’Zong Rui was very confident in her ability to capture his heart.’

’Between her incredible figure and the fiery look Qi Sheng gave her the first time they met...’

’...she was certain Qi Sheng was very interested in her.’

’Otherwise, he wouldn’t have spent 600,000 just to have her all to himself.’

’The most important thing now was to figure out whether or not he had a girlfriend.’

An idea sparked in Zong Rui’s mind. She carefully held on to the watch, worth nearly two million.

When Qi Sheng finished his run and took a break, she attentively handed him a towel and a bottle of water.

"What are you up to?"

Seeing Zong Rui being so solicitous, Qi Sheng instinctively grew wary.

"Mr. Qi, I’ve noticed you always work out by yourself. Doesn’t your girlfriend have time to join you?"

Zong Rui was finally showing her true colors, starting to probe for information indirectly.

"She’s rather busy. My work is mostly in investments, so my schedule is pretty flexible."

Qi Sheng said, mixing truth with fiction.

The corners of his lips curved up slightly; he had clearly guessed what this woman was thinking.

’As expected,’ he thought, ’a man’s power is far more important than his looks.’

’Just being handsome isn’t enough for a top-tier beauty like Zong Rui.’

’You have to be tall, rich, AND handsome to make them swoon!’