How can I justify myself as a Magnate if I don't indulge myself?

Chapter 49 - 48: You Haven’t Asked the Price Yet

The journey of over 20 kilometers wasn’t far...

After a bit more than half an hour, following the directions from the navigation system, the two arrived at the Babai Ban Shopping Center in Xingjia City.

Fang Xun was driving again this time.

However, compared to yesterday, she was noticeably more relaxed and no longer restrained.

Especially when the Bentley Flying Spur stopped in the open-air parking lot of the shopping center, the envious glances from the people around made her feel somewhat elated...

Though, she was well aware that it wasn’t her they envied, but Gu Heng sitting in the back seat.

But that feeling was truly addictive... even if it was just for a moment...

If she could always live like this in the future, she dared not imagine how happy she would be...

"What are you thinking about?"

When Gu Heng got out of the back seat and saw Fang Xun standing there in a daze, he couldn’t help but reach out and wave his hand in front of her face. That’s when she suddenly snapped back to reality...

Then, feeling a bit guilty, she shook her head and changed the subject, "Gu Heng, what are you doing at the shopping center?"

But as soon as she finished asking, she felt like her question was a bit stupid. Of course, one comes to a shopping center to buy things...

However, Gu Heng pondered for a moment and then seriously replied, "Here to stock up."

"Stock up?"

Fang Xun was bewildered.

But Gu Heng didn’t continue to engage with her and just walked towards the inside of the shopping center, following the flow of people.

....

....

As soon as they entered the square, a giant billboard caught Gu Heng’s eye...

On the billboard, a model dressed like a successful person made a great show of the wristwatch on their wrist for all to see, accompanied by an ad copy full of prestige.

[Quality and exquisite craftsmanship—Rolex, the essence of eternity.]

Looking at the billboard, Gu Heng subconsciously touched his bare left wrist...

He had been feeling as if he was missing something these past few days, and now he realized that what he lacked was a wristwatch—a staple of successful people...

To be honest,

In Gu Heng’s eyes, wristwatches really weren’t practical.

To check the time, all you needed to do was reach into your pocket, and as long as you have a network, isn’t the time displayed on your phone far more accurate than on a watch?

But he was also very clear.

Only someone like him, a country bumpkin, would value the practicality of a wristwatch...

In the eyes of many people, a wristwatch is actually an accessory, and some even match a watch with each outfit they wear.

And for the wealthy, wristwatches are even more of a symbol of prestige...

You can get an idea from the saying "those with less money fuss over cars, those with more money fuss over watches"...

Thinking this, Gu Heng temporarily shelved the idea of stocking up at luxury brand stores and followed the directions on the billboard towards the Rolex official store, with Fang Xun obediently following at his side...

In about two minutes, Gu Heng could see Rolex’s large crown LOGO, wedged right between a Cartier and a Longines...

Gu Heng had no interest in even glancing at Cartier and Longines and went straight into the Rolex official store.

He admitted he was a bumpkin, but he was a bumpkin who often surfed the internet...

Though Cartier and Longines were also quite famous luxury watch brands, in terms of prestige, didn’t Rolex surpass them by several streets?

Why was he buying a watch, if not to elevate his own stature and make it easier to show off?

Unless Vacheron Constantin or Patek Philippe were next door, Gu Heng might have hesitantly considered which store to visit...

"Welcome, how may I assist you both?" As soon as they walked in, a sales associate greeted them warmly.

But in the past two days, Gu Heng had grown used to the professional attitude of the staff at these upscale venues. His heart remained unfazed, and his tone was calm as he said, "Show me the men’s watches in your store."

"Could you tell me your budget, sir? Because the prices of our watches vary greatly, if you tell me your budget, I can help you select a watch that suits you better."

The sales associate spoke politely, but in the next second, she couldn’t help but tremble her eyelids...

"No budget, just show me around first."

Gu Heng said this casually...

It was the truth, after all. He had come to the Rolex store on a whim; how could he have a budget?

Moreover, although he had never bought a Rolex, he was somewhat aware of the price range—the popular Submariner and Daytona series are all a few hundred thousand RMB, right? At most, they would be around a million, right?

As for those collectibles worth tens or hundreds of millions, even if Gu Heng wanted to buy them, would an ordinary city store have them?

Having plenty in store makes one’s heart calm. With more than ten million RMB on him, there was no way he would encounter the awkward situation he had in the 4S store.

Although the sales associate thought it very likely that Gu Heng was just browsing like other customers, she quickly adjusted her mood and began to show Gu Heng around the various display cases in the store.

Fang Xun, who had been silent at Gu Heng’s side, occasionally glanced at his face...

She had visited plenty of luxury stores herself.

But she had never been as indifferent as Gu Heng—and for a simple reason: those pricey luxuries would cost her an arm and a leg. She wanted to be indifferent, but could she?

"If I could be Gu Heng’s girlfriend, would I also be able to stroll through luxury stores so casually?"

A random thought popped up in her mind, but she quickly remembered her soon-to-be-ex-boyfriend, who was "lacking ambition," and a strong sense of morality welled up inside her...

Suddenly, Gu Heng’s voice sounded at her ear, interrupting her wild thoughts.

"Fang Xun, what do you think of this watch?"

Upon hearing this, Fang Xun hurriedly followed the direction Gu Heng was pointing, and a wristwatch with an ice-blue dial appeared before her.

Before she could offer her opinion, the sales associate spoke first: "Sir, you have great taste. This Ice Blue Daytona is the 50th Anniversary Edition of the Daytona released in 2013, also jokingly referred to by timepiece enthusiasts as the ’Rolex graduation model Daytona’."

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Gu Heng didn’t really have discerning taste, he didn’t even have what one would call taste, but he did feel that this watch looked several notches better than the others.

He then said, "Let me try it on."

"Of course, sir, one moment please."

The sales associate hurried to the other side of the display case and carefully took out the Ice Blue Daytona...

"Sir, let me help you put it on."

Gu Heng obediently extended his left hand and silently watched the sales associate put the watch on his wrist.

For a single watch, the sales associate took over half a minute to put it on Gu Heng’s wrist, terrified of handling it too roughly and causing any issues. Thinking about the price of the watch, she reckoned she’d have to sell abalones at sea to afford it if anything happened...

"Sir, the watchband fits your wrist perfectly, no adjustment needed."

Ignoring the sales associate’s flattery, Gu Heng raised his hand for a closer look, then snapped his fingers gently and said, "I’ll take this one, wrap it up for me."

The sales associate, ready to employ her professional skills, was momentarily taken aback by Gu Heng’s request, despite her training...

She wasn’t the only one; Fang Xun, standing by Gu Heng’s side, was also stunned...

Fang Xun was the first to recover, pushing down her emotions and nudging Gu Heng with her shoulder: "You haven’t asked the price yet..."

Gu Heng realized that he might have gotten a bit carried away and smiled awkwardly, "Sorry, I just really like this watch. So, how much is it?"

According to Rolex headquarters in Geneva’s latest price list on January 15, 2024, the official price of the Ice Blue Daytona is equivalent to 645,500 RMB..."

"Then it’s settled, wrap it up for me."

Sales Associate: "..."

Was he just going through the motions with that price inquiry? Isn’t he going to negotiate for a discount?

Even though there wasn’t much discount to give in the store, and the gifts that should be given would be provided regardless of whether Gu Heng asked or not, the process still felt off...

"Hold on a second."

Hearing Gu Heng’s "hold on a second," the sales associate thought he had finally remembered to ask for a discount, and this set her at ease...

"No need to wrap it, just invoice me. I don’t feel like taking it off."

Sales Associate: "???"

Fang Xun: "???"