Chapter Fifteen: My Father Played Matchmaker for Us

"Move aside, everyone, make way."
A middle-aged man's voice approached from a distance, deep and commanding.
"Manager, what brings you here?"
The saleswoman who had just mocked Yang Le hurried forward, her tone instantly becoming syrupy and deferential at the sight of Chu Zhong, her manager.
She didn't believe for a moment that Yang Le had summoned the manager; it was just his luck that Chu Zhong had happened to step out of his office for some fresh air.
"Step aside, don't block me," Chu Zhong said, irritation edging into his voice, which now sounded even more stern.
At his command, the saleswoman quickly moved out of the way.
"Yang Le, is it? I'm the manager here. I did indeed promise to gift you a car. However..."
Chu Zhong paused, letting suspense hang in the air.
Everyone began to imagine what would happen.
Pan Xiang thought that while Chu Zhong had agreed to give away a car, it would surely be the cheapest on the lot.
Xia Tingting mused that if she were still with Yang Le, she'd be the one driving that new car.
Li Yifei wondered why Yang Le had been so absurdly lucky lately—it was as if he’d stepped in something on the street to have such a streak of fortune. He even considered asking Yang Le exactly where he'd found that luck, hoping he might catch a little of it himself.
Song Feier noticed Chu Zhong’s attitude toward Yang Le: fawning, almost ingratiating. But she wasn't entirely sure what to make of it.
The saleswoman began to doubt whether Chu Zhong was really the manager. Or perhaps the man had lost his mind; after all, the cheapest car here started at two hundred thousand, and even giving away the least expensive would cost over a year’s salary for a manager.
"I’ve thought it over," Chu Zhong said, "You can have any car in this dealership under five million. If the price is less, I’ll make up the difference in cash."
This was all per the owner’s instructions; Chu Zhong would never dare to give away a car on his own authority—he had a family, a mortgage, responsibilities.
The owner had sent him several photos of Yang Le, so he wouldn’t mistake him when the time came.
"Unbelievable," Li Yifei seethed inwardly. "This is like winning the lottery."
"Manager Chu, look at me," Li Yifei said, his tone sickeningly obsequious.
Though Chu Zhong found Li Yifei’s tone grating, he glanced at him regardless.
Seeing Li Yifei’s bruised and battered face, Chu Zhong said, "What’s there to look at? Don’t tell me you’re trying to pull a scam, claiming you injured yourself on one of our Mercedes and want us to compensate you. We have surveillance cameras here; if you’re going to play victim, at least pick a better place."

Just looking at Li Yifei, Chu Zhong was sure he was up to something shady—he’d simply chosen the wrong place for it.
"Manager Chu, I’m not trying to scam you. I just wanted you to see if we have any connection. If you think we do, I don’t need five million, just fifty thousand would be enough."
Li Yifei hoped Chu Zhong would see them as kindred spirits and grant him a fifty-thousand quota; with his own hundred thousand, he could buy a much better car.
"Fate, is it? Well, perhaps we do share a connection," Chu Zhong replied, "but I’m afraid my father only gave me a single five-million quota, so there’s no chance for you."
Li Yifei brightened at the mention of fate, but at the word "but," disappointment flooded him. He had no choice but to let it go.
Pan Xiang was stung—how could he lose out to this country bumpkin? Five million! What car couldn’t he buy with that?
But the most aggrieved of all was Xia Tingting. Five million! Even after buying a car for a million, she’d have three million left to spend as she pleased—if only she hadn’t broken up with Yang Le.
True, being with Pan Xiang meant she could enjoy the finer things in life, but the thrill never lasted long with him, leaving her empty and unsatisfied.
It was a sorrow entirely of her own making.
"I’ll take the top-of-the-line Maybach S-Class," Yang Le declared.
He had already decided what car to buy; though expensive, it would bring him prestige.
Upon hearing his choice, Chu Zhong replied at once, "Of course, Mr. Yang Le. I’ll prepare the contract for you. The car is 3.09 million, with insurance and registration—"
"Can you just give me the remaining 1.8 million in cash? Eleven thousand should be enough for the registration and insurance," Yang Le interrupted.
He knew those fees couldn’t possibly total eleven thousand unless they managed to get him a premium license plate—which he didn’t need. Yang Le just wanted a comfortable ride. The leftover money, he intended to give to Chu Zhong, mostly because the manager had played along with his charade so well today.
"More than enough," Chu Zhong beamed.
"I’ll pick up the car this afternoon. Have the 1.8 million ready for me then. And one more thing: this is a branded 4S dealership—be careful whom you hire. If things go on like today, this store will go under and you’ll have no one to blame but yourself."
Yang Le couldn’t stand the saleswoman’s acerbic attitude, so he offered Chu Zhong a word of advice. What Chu Zhong did with it, though, was none of his concern.
With that, Yang Le left the dealership with a dazed Song Feier at his side.
The people who had mocked him earlier could only watch him go, envy burning in their eyes.
"Come with me to buy a few new clothes," Yang Le said, glancing down at his worn outfit. He did look nothing like a wealthy man. Today, with Song Feier’s company and her keen eye, he was confident she’d help him choose something smart and well-fitted.
"Of course! You really do need a new wardrobe," Song Feier replied cheerfully.

At the entrance of Century Jiahua Department Store, Yang Le and Song Feier walked in side by side.
"Feier, what brings you here? Didn’t you say you weren’t going out today?"
The speaker was Cao Xun, son of Mayor Cao Chang.
"And who is this? Some poor country relative of yours?"
Before Song Feier could reply, Cao Xun pointed at Yang Le and pressed her.
"Cao Xun, this is my boyfriend, Yang Le—not the poor relation you think," Song Feier replied.
Cao Xun had been pursuing her for some time, and since their families were well matched, he often visited her home. He was notorious around town as a playboy, always surrounded by beautiful women—something Song Yiming, her father, was well aware of.
Though Song Yiming did not care for Cao Xun, it wasn’t wise to offend another powerful family, so he simply warned his daughter to keep her distance from him.
Song Feier had taken her father’s advice to heart and did her best to avoid Cao Xun, but he refused to give up, calling her constantly whenever she was on break. She always found an excuse to avoid him.
"This is your boyfriend? Dressed in those old rags? Even if you don’t like me, couldn’t you have chosen someone better?"
Cao Xun was incensed. What did Yang Le have that he didn’t? His father was the mayor, he was handsome and well-connected—how could he lose out to this pauper?
"I like him just the way he is. And don’t say he’s poor—he drives a car you couldn’t even dream of. He may not look like much now, but we’re on our way to buy clothes," Song Feier said pointedly, hoping Cao Xun would finally give up. She found him unbearable, calling her every day as if they were close.
"You’re barely grown up and already have a boyfriend? Does Uncle Song know about this?"
When Song Feier didn’t back down, Cao Xun tried to invoke her father.
"My dad? Don’t even start—he’s the one who set us up. If you don’t believe me, call him. I have to go help my boyfriend pick out clothes, so I won’t chat with you," Song Feier replied, pulling Yang Le away.
Cao Xun, fuming, dialed Song Yiming as he trailed behind with two hangers-on.
"Uncle Song, did you know Feier is dating someone?" he blurted as soon as Song Yiming answered.
"You know and you approve? Fine, whatever, I have things to do," Cao Xun said, stunned by Song Yiming’s response, and rudely hung up without another word.