C15 Don't be too Arrogant When You Are a Human

"Diamond card?"

"You're a diamond VIP here?"

Chen Mengyao's jaw dropped so far it looked like she could swallow an egg whole.

"Of course. Feel better now?" Chu Fann said with an eye roll.

"But... how did you get this? I heard that diamond VIPs here need to spend like 300,000 or 500,000? That's an astronomical amount!" Although Chen Mengyao had never used the Ivy Pavilion's membership services, she had a rough idea.

She didn't know that getting a diamond card required an initial million yuan top-up, or she would have been even more shocked.

"Enough chit-chat, come on."

Chu Fann tugged her over to the pawnshop area's counter.

At that moment, several couples were perusing treasures, monopolizing the service desk.

In the Ivy Pavilion, some people preferred shopping in the pawnshop area rather than the regular treasure trading zone. It was a hotspot for finding exceptional items since many cash-strapped individuals pawned their valuable possessions, presenting opportunities for savvy buyers.

"Honey, this bracelet is perfect for me! It's only 120,000 yuan. Buy it for me, please? I've set my heart on it!"

"I promise, if you buy it for me, I won't spend another dime for two months!"

A flamboyantly dressed middle-aged woman with heavy makeup was sweet-talking her companion, a man in a suit and leather shoes who seemed reluctant, clearly struggling with the price.

"You just splurged on that gold-threaded silver bead necklace a few days ago, and now you want another piece..." The man complained.

"Mr. Chu Fann, it's that bracelet they're holding..." Chen Mengyao indicated the ice jade bracelet in the middle-aged woman's hand.

"I'll take this jade bracelet."

As the middle-aged man wavered, Chu Fann decisively called out his offer.

His bold move, however, did not sit well with the couple.

"Who is this guy? So presumptuous? My wife saw the bracelet first. What do you think you're doing?" The middle-aged man shot Chu Fann a glare.

"Yeah, what do you want? You think you can afford it, you loser?"

The middle-aged woman also turned to Chu Fann and Chen Mengyao, raising her voice as if to make a point, "The Ivy Pavilion has really gone downhill! How can they let two broke students in here? Dressed like that, they dare to browse luxury items? They're just ruining the shopping experience for actual paying customers like us!"

Chu Fann had no desire to debate the topic with her. He approached directly and said, "You've been eyeing it for quite some time without making a decision. Is there a problem with me making an offer?"

"Are you going to buy it? Can you even afford it?" The middle-aged woman burst into laughter upon hearing his words.

The commotion drew the attention of the other customers, who stopped their shopping to watch the unfolding scene.

It was an unusual sight—a dispute in a boutique known for its treasures. Could there be a special story behind this bracelet?

"Honey, buy it for me, quick! We don't want to become a laughingstock!" The middle-aged woman owed this young man a debt of gratitude. She knew her husband took great pride in his image, and without Chu Fann's provocation, she might never have secured the bracelet.

"Fine, we'll buy it. I'm paying now!" The man said, his resolve firm as he pulled out his platinum card.

"I bid 150,000," Chu Fann announced.

"Bidding is open in both the pawnshop and auction sections, right? The item goes to the highest bidder," Chu Fann confirmed with the counter attendant.

"Absolutely, bidding is open," the attendant replied with a sweet smile.

Chu Fann's bid had clearly ruffled the middle-aged couple, and even Chen Mengyao couldn't resist pulling him aside, shooting him a discreet, cautionary glance.

But Chu Fann was there for one reason—to help Mengyao reclaim her jade bracelet. There was no way he was backing down now. After all, what business was it of this old lady if Mengyao had been wearing that bracelet for over a decade?

"He's just here to cause trouble. I want him out of here, or I swear I'll never set foot in Ivy Pavilion again!" the middle-aged man blustered.

"Mr. Wang, the auction is a legitimate process. If he fails to pay, we'll involve the authorities. This matter is for Ivy Pavilion to handle. You must outbid him if you wish to take the jade bracelet. Those are the rules here at Ivy Pavilion," the attendant explained with patience.

"We'll bid 160,000!" Mrs. Wang interjected before her husband could speak, slamming her hand on the table and glaring defiantly at Chu Fann.

"Two hundred thousand," Chu Fann declared, holding up two fingers.

"You!" Mrs. Wang's face turned beet red as she glared at Chu Fann, her eyes nearly bulging out of their sockets.

"Mr. Chu Fann, maybe we should just let it go... This is getting too intense." Chen Mengyao was pale as a ghost.

Two hundred thousand? She scoffed internally. There was no way she believed Chu Fann had that kind of money.

"I'm going to get that jade bracelet back for you today, no matter what. If it ends up in their hands, who knows where it could end up? Trying to get it back then would be a nightmare," Chu Fann declared with unwavering determination.

"Two hundred and ten thousand!" Mr. Wang inhaled sharply, his fury mounting. The price had skyrocketed from one hundred and twenty thousand to two hundred and ten thousand, all thanks to this infuriating young man. He was so livid he felt like his lungs might burst.

"Three hundred thousand!" Chu Fann stated coolly, unfazed.

"I demand to see your manager! Bring them here! I'm certain he's the one behind all this chaos! He can't possibly afford it. If Ivy Pavilion can't even discern that much, you might as well shut down for good!" Mr. Wang spat out the words through clenched teeth.

"Exactly! Have your manager come out, or have him show proof of his assets! He's just inflating the price to make us miserable. We won't stand for this kind of business practice! How do we know this isn't some scheme concocted by Ivy Pavilion?" Mrs. Wang was on the verge of unleashing a torrent of curses.

The service staff member was in a tough spot, turning to Chu Fann. "Sir, could you please present your membership card? Once we verify your payment capability, you're welcome to continue with the auction."

After a brief pause, Chu Fann, under the scornful scrutiny of the couple, produced his dazzling diamond card and laid it on the table.

"A diamond card!"

"Good heavens, there can't be more than ten people in Jing'an District with an Ivy Pavilion diamond card, can there? Each one of them is a top-tier tycoon with a net worth in the billions!"

"Is this guy some kind of rich second-generation heir?"

A myriad of subtle glances were cast Chu Fann's way, filled with curiosity, speculation, and even a few that were tinged with envy and malice.

"Beep!"

The card reader confirmed the diamond card's status, but the balance displayed was zero yuan.

The room fell into a brief hush.

Then, Mrs. Wang burst into raucous laughter, bending over as she struggled to regain her composure.

"Hahaha, this is too much! Where did you scrounge up that card? You've got some nerve, flashing an empty card around. How does a nobody like you get their hands on a diamond VIP card? Picked up a dud, did you? With no money on it, how do you plan to pay?"

Both Mr. and Mrs. Wang were thoroughly entertained. They had been momentarily startled when Chu Fann produced the card, fearing they had crossed a high roller. But it turned out he was nothing but a bluff. Flaunting a found, empty card as if it were a trophy? His true nature was now laid bare.

"I forgot to top it up..." Chu Fann mumbled, scratching his head. He had dropped a million yuan on the card and had just spent the same amount on a bronze bracelet. His account was bone dry.

"Is that so? You have that kind of money?"

"Why haven't you thrown him out yet? Isn't it clear? This guy's just a con artist!" Mrs. Wang was relentless.

"I... Our boss has arrived; let's let her deal with this..." The server, caught in her own quandary, suddenly brightened as she spotted a tall woman approaching. She quickly interjected.

The woman, clad in a stunning red dress and seven-centimeter heels, with her face delicately made up, was a vision of beauty. Her presence immediately drew all eyes to her.

"Mr. and Mrs. Wang, such fiery tempers you have!"

"Hmph, your Ivy Pavilion has really gone downhill, hasn't it? No wonder I'm upset," Mrs. Wang retorted, lips pursed and arms defiantly crossed.

The Ivy Pavilion's elegant owner in red merely offered a slight smile at the remark. She gracefully approached Chu Fann, her demeanor courteous. "You must be Mr. Chu, correct?"