Chapter 6

Door shut.
Chen Yufei checked the mirror. “Mr. Bai—where first?”
Bai Xu had wanted to wander alone. Then he remembered—new to Dijing, original’s memories thin.
Fine. He took Xie Qi’s offer. Driver-bodyguard Chen Yufei came along.
No fixed spot. “Your call. Nearest mall district.”
Out meant shopping. Shopping meant buying.
Chen Yufei was quiet, square. Engine on. “Yes, sir.”
The estate sat far from central Dijing. Elevated highway nearby—drive was easy.
Ex-military, Chen Yufei had worked for the Shangs seven years. Knew the malls.
Under an hour. Underground parking at a commercial hub.
---
“Mr. Bai—we’re here.”
Bai Xu read the sign on the wall. “Jinbai Mall?”
Chen Yufei from experience: “Fourth Young Master came here a lot with his wife. Should fit what you need.”
Bai Xu caught the first part. Reflex. “Fourth Young Master? Shang Queyan?”
Chen Yufei nodded. “Yes.”
Bai Xu casual. “How’s he doing?”
Chen Yufei shook his head. Didn’t dare say much.
Since the crash he’d watched Yanxiao. Heard Queyan lost a leg in surgery to live.
Hard for anyone. Worse for a racer.
Chen Yufei didn’t spell it out. Bai Xu could guess. Topic dropped. Door open. “Let’s go. You too.”
Already here—didn’t mind the tail.
…
Jinbai was the biggest cluster around.
B1 parking to retail direct—five floors of mid-luxury and luxury brands.
They took the elevator.
Chen Yufei on point, pressed two.
Bai Xu pushed his too-long bangs aside. Glass reflection—self-check—
Looked a little pitiful. Soft. Beaten-down vibe.
Doors opened. Brand names everywhere. Money smell.
Fictional world—but labels matched reality.
Bai Xu had taste. Eyes swept the floor, locked on one store.
Uniformed associate rushed up. “Hello, wel—”
Warmth died mid-word. “Welcome.”
Old clothes on Bai Xu. Flat. “What do you need?”
Bai Xu glanced at the badge—assistant manager. Calm. “I’ll browse. Call you if I need you.”
Disdain swallowed, they were shown in. “Help yourselves.”
Back to the main counter.
Intern saw guests, moved to pour tea. Assistant manager hissed her back. “Where you going?”
“T-tea for the guests?”
“Pour what tea.”
Back turned to Bai Xu, voice low. “Look at that cheap trash. Won’t buy. Why bother?”
Slow season. Finally foot traffic—and window shoppers. Store vibe ruined.
Chen Yufei watched the assistant manager’s back. Didn’t like the vibe. “Mr. Bai—another store?”
“No.”
Bai Xu picked through racks, easy. “Good style here. We came for clothes. Why care what they think?”
No eye for people in service—ceiling’s low. Different league. Not worth the fight.
Bai Xu nodded at the lounge. “Sit. I’ll take my time.”
Chen Yufei nodded. “Yes, sir.”
Heels on tile.
The intern still brought tea. Friendly. “Sir—these are new spring pieces. See if anything works.”
“Thanks.”
Bai Xu took the cup, pointed at five or six items. “These. No try-on.”
Then: “Limited runway pieces in yet? You still do the designer collab line, right?”
“……”
She didn’t expect him to know the catalog. Half beat. “Yes. Want to see?”
Bai Xu nodded. “Mm. Show me.”
She read money under the calm. “One moment!”
At the door the assistant manager’s voice boomed again. “Young Master Chen! Long time! Welcome!”
Bai Xu and the associate looked—
Three young men. Lead wore sunglasses, loud fit. “Mm.”
“Bring out all the limited stock. Me and my boys are shopping hard.”
Finger spin. “Move. I’m booking the store this afternoon.”
Assistant manager lit up. “No problem!”
Chen Shaoxuan—Jinbai Property heir. This mall was family chain. Big spender. One visit could carry a month’s numbers.
He ushered them in, shouting, “Zhao—limited pieces to the VIP room. Also—”
Eyes on Bai Xu and Chen Yufei, who’d been quiet since entry. Ruder now. “Show those two out. Young Master Chen booked the store.”
“……”
The associate hesitated. “Manager—this gentleman just asked for the limited line.”
Commission was individual.
She didn’t want to lose a whale.
Before the manager answered, Chen Shaoxuan noticed.
He stared. Sunglasses down with a snap. Like he’d found a zoo exhibit. “Well, well. Old classmate. Rare sight.”
---
“……”
Those mean eyes hit memory that wasn’t his—chest cold.
Years ago the Bais kept up appearances. Original went to a top private high in Dijing.
Rich kids everywhere. Chen Shaoxuan led the pack—bored, cruel, loved a punchline.
Tore up homework. Group isolation. Lighter on his hair. Dirty water dump. Lunch knocked over. Locked in the dark equipment room all night.
The more the original didn’t fight back, the nastier they got. Chen Shaoxuan’s crew—three years of nightmare.
“……”
“Old classmate” landed like a slap. Bai Xu clocked the type. Phone out. Quick text sent.
Chen Shaoxuan swaggered over, look not friendly. “What? Don’t remember me? Still squatting at the Bais on charity?”
“Why would I need to know you? Or talk to you?”
Phone away. Bai Xu returned the stare, lazy. “Actually—you—”
No fear from high school. Just a light challenge.
Chen Shaoxuan’s eyes narrowed. “What’s that mean?”
Bai Xu smiled. “Nothing. You’re not much.”
“Not much?”
Chen Shaoxuan laughed angry. Sunglasses pointed him head to toe. “Security’s slipping. I’ll talk to management.”
Looked down. “What kind of trash gets in? Manager—does he look like he can afford a hanger?”
Friend piled on. “Looks like he came for free tea.”
“I said book the store.”
Chen Shaoxuan to the assistant manager, chin high. “I don’t wear the same label as gutter trash.”
Malice naked. The associate frowned but couldn’t cross the big client. Looked at Bai Xu, softening.
“Sir, I can ring these up now—you can pick them up when—”
Assistant manager cut in. “Enough. Sir, please leave. We’re closed to you.”
Chen Shaoxuan was real money.
Bai Xu’s face meant nothing. Good riddance.
Bai Xu looked at the matching ugly faces. Thoughtful smile. “Oh~ trash wears trash brands? You’re right. This label suits you. All of you.”
Chen Shaoxuan’s face dropped. “What’s that mean?”
“Huh?”
Bai Xu fake shock. Pity in the eyes. “Still don’t get it? School really didn’t take?”
“……”
Faces darker.
“My meaning—” Smile gone. Soft features turned cold. No room to talk back:
“You’re all garbage.”