Chapter 44

Wei Xue’s case had been full of twists and turns, but with this recent progress, Xu Shijia was already quietly celebrating.

Negotiating with people from all walks of life? Xu Shijia was simply inexperienced, not incapable. With his quick learning ability, of course, he could pick things up faster than others.

The case had been handled perfectly.

He secured every right that needed protection, and Wei Xue herself now had a more hopeful life—and had even sincerely gifted him a bag of potatoes!

Most importantly, the flexibility he demonstrated in this case was bound to impress.

His older brother, Wang Yizhou, had always criticized him for not knowing “the harshness of life,” saying he didn’t have the life skills needed to manage well. But now, Xu Shijia felt he could finally stand tall and proudly refute his brother’s evaluation.

If he still didn’t know how to handle things, then no one in the world did!

After all that meticulous price-comparison, who else but Xu Shijia could pull this off?

Sure, he had been swindled by an unreliable driver on the way there, but hadn’t he immediately found an alternative?

The train tickets back for the May Day holiday had already sold out, but he’d thought outside the box, joined a tour group, and even found the cheapest one, now comfortably seated on the steadily moving bus. How could this not be the very definition of satisfaction?

Lin Shu, that ungrateful woman! He’d gone through all this trouble to make things easy for her, and yet she dared to give him that distrustful look, her expression practically shouting, “It’s over.”

“How could it be over?”

Xu Shijia was feeling quite confident.

He was certain he’d picked a good tour. After all, when he signed up, the middle-aged female tour guide had been incredibly friendly to him. With his looks, he was basically a hard currency—wasn’t it inevitable he’d charm these older ladies? How could they possibly treat him poorly? Just moments ago, she was practically glued to him, calling him “little brother” with boundless enthusiasm.

Xu Shijia glanced around. Seeing that the rest of the tour group was made up of middle-aged and elderly folks only boosted his confidence further.

Not a single guy here could match his looks; he was, without a doubt, the most striking one on this bus.

But soon, he had to laugh at himself.

There was really no need to worry about any of this. After all, it’s not like he and Lin Shu were planning to actually go on a full-day tour in Rong City. They were just hitching a ride on the tour bus back. Once they arrived in Rong City, they’d leave the group, so there was no need to worry about the tour guide’s attitude or the service.

However, when the bus finally wobbled its way to Rong City, and Xu Shijia was just about to lead Lin Shu off the bus, someone grabbed him forcefully by the sleeve.

He turned around to find it was the tour guide herself. She was now frowning, her expression impatient. Though she still called him “little brother,” the warmth was gone, replaced by a scowl. Her gaze was as fierce as a tigress’s.

“Little brother, where are you going?”

“I’m getting off here.” Xu Shijia pulled her hand off and stepped back subtly, suppressing his displeasure. But he remained polite, “We won’t be joining the rest of the tour. We have other things to do, so we’re getting off here. Is there a form to sign if we need to forfeit the later parts of the tour?”

Unfortunately, the moment he mentioned leaving the group, the tour guide’s demeanor turned hostile. The sly smile vanished, her face now entirely unpleasant. “Leave the group? Not a chance! Our group sticks together, no one in, no one out!”

“We’re a team here! Every sight, every stop, we go together, no one missing! Plus, our insurance for this trip covers everyone’s safety. If you go off on your own and something happens, guess who’ll be held responsible? That’s on me! Absolutely not!”

The guide’s loud voice immediately caught the attention of all the seniors on the bus, who quickly gathered around, and she began guilt-tripping Xu Shijia in front of them. “Everyone, this young man here doesn’t want to participate in the tour. We all agreed to stick together, right? If he refuses, then everyone’s plans today will be delayed!”

Immediately, a few elderly folks, eager not to waste time or disrupt their schedule, began scolding Xu Shijia.

Sure, he could have just walked away—but he’d put the bag of potatoes that Wei Xue had given him in the luggage compartment under the bus before getting on, and now it was clear that if he tried to leave, the tour guide wasn’t going to give his luggage back.

What kind of person was this?

First, he’d gotten stuck with an unreliable driver on the way over, and now, thinking he’d caught a lucky break, he realized the tour guide was just the same kind of person. Xu Shijia was furious, but when he turned to look at Lin Shu, she looked calm, as if she had expected all of this and wasn’t surprised at all.

Of course, Lin Shu had prepared herself mentally.

Since learning that Xu Shijia had signed up for a budget tour, she knew trouble was inevitable.

And sure enough, while Xu Shijia was still naively planning to leave the group as soon as they reached Rong City, the tour guide was already giving him a harsh lesson in reality.

Xu Shijia was dumbfounded, unable to believe it. He stood his ground, determined to verbally battle these seniors.

But those seniors had years of experience! Trying to argue with them was basically asking for trouble.

Sure enough, he managed to say one sentence before the seniors retorted with a dozen.

Finally, Lin Shu couldn’t take it anymore and pulled the defeated, frazzled Xu Shijia back. “Forget it; let’s just consider it a day trip in Rong City. There are some places I haven’t been to here anyway.”

Just moments ago, Xu Shijia had been basking in pride for finding a low-cost tour, but now he couldn’t muster up any joy. His face darkened, his eyes filled with reluctance.

While this experience had humbled him a little, not much. Deep down, he still had the pride of a prince. Angrily, he said, “If I’m not joining the rest of the tour, doesn’t that save her costs? I won’t eat the meals included, and I won’t visit the sights, so that should reduce her expenses, right? And still, she won’t let me go? What’s wrong with these people? Don’t they have any brains?”

Lin Shu almost felt sorry for him.

How could he underestimate the collective wisdom of ordinary people?

If only one person here was lacking in intelligence, it definitely wasn’t the tour guide.

“Do you think these budget tours make their money by charging low prices? It’s the holiday season; all the tickets back to Rong City are sold out, and the cost of chartering a bus is double the usual. Do you think these tour companies are just being charitable, charging less than market price?”

“Isn’t it just that they make up for it with volume? The more people who sign up, the more they can lower the price.”

“Even with high volume, splitting the cost of a bus trip to Rong City among everyone wouldn’t make it this cheap. The guide doesn’t care if you eat the meals or go to the sights; she makes her money another way.”

Xu Shijia looked puzzled. “Not from the sightseeing? Then how do they make money?”

It’s from taking you to shopping spots!

But Xu Shijia had no concept of how budget tours worked. He said confidently, “Well, then I’ll just not buy anything! They can’t force me to buy stuff, can they?”

Stubbornly, he continued, “As long as we don’t spend money, the budget tour won’t be able to exploit us. When I signed up for this tour, I didn’t look into it too closely, but I was already aware that budget tours have these sorts of tricks. But that doesn’t matter, because we won’t spend anything, so rather than the tour scamming us, it’s us using the budget tour to save money on our return to Rong City.”

“Of course, they can’t outright force you to buy, but low-cost tour guides specialize in ruthless tactics. If you don’t buy anything, they’ll hurl insults at you until you wish you could dig a hole and hide.

Lin Shu was naturally immune to this kind of aggressive sales pitch, but Xu Shijia, having grown up in a sheltered environment, might not handle this verbal abuse well. She worried his pride would make him snap and, just to prove himself, he might fall for their bait and spend money he didn’t intend to.

Afraid Xu Shijia might lack the thick skin needed to withstand this, Lin Shu gave him a bit of a heads-up. No sooner had she finished speaking than the bus stopped in front of a so-called ‘Jade Sculpture Exhibition Center.’

“Everyone, it’s time to visit the Jade Sculpture Exhibition Center here in Rong City. We’ll meet back at the entrance in three hours. You’re free to explore now!”

It was called an exhibition center, but there were barely any displays—a fifteen-minute visit was more than enough. Behind the tiny showroom, however, was a vast jade and gemstone shopping mall, packed with tourists from other tour groups.

Lin Shu, who had grown up in Rong City, knew all too well there were no actual jade artisans here. Most of the jade bangles had likely been processed elsewhere and shipped here, and even an amateur could tell the materials weren’t top quality. However, despite the average quality, the prices were sky-high—this place was clearly designed to gouge tourists.

Sure enough, before long, the tour guide ‘casually’ led the entire group into the jade shop.

“Rong City’s most famous product is its jade bangles! Each one here is handmade by top artisans, unique and rare! There’s even a legend that if you buy a bangle from this exhibition center, you’ll live a long and prosperous life!”

“Auntie, take a look at this jade belt—it’s excellent for reducing humidity in the body! Perfect for someone your age. Jade truly nourishes the body!”

“And because you’re part of our tour group, all jade purchases here come with a 12% discount! You can’t get this deal anywhere else!”

In no time, with the tour guide’s persuasive sales talk and her use of scarcity tactics, many of the elderly tour members eagerly opened their wallets. Lin Shu tried to stop them, but it was useless.

Fortunately, Xu Shijia wasn’t swayed.

However, his and Lin Shu’s refusal to buy anything soon attracted the guide’s attention.

“Little brother, why not buy your girlfriend a bangle or two?”

At first, the guide tried to persuade Xu Shijia gently, but after a while, seeing he had no intention of buying anything, she noticed a few other older couples were also staying firm.

Her patience wore thin, and she began rolling her eyes at Xu Shijia in obvious disdain.

Lin Shu ignored this completely, and Xu Shijia seemed unfazed as well.

Time passed quickly, and soon it was nearly time to gather. Lin Shu, feeling relieved, started to pull Xu Shijia toward the exit when she noticed the guide’s expression darken after a brief conversation at the checkout counter—the group hadn’t met her sales expectations.

Trouble was coming.

Indeed, the guide’s expression quickly turned fierce and malicious.

“People need a sense of shame, but it’s clear some in our group lack any pride or conscience!”

“I’m here on this hot holiday, sacrificing time with my family to work hard and guide this tour. I’m not asking for much, but when you’re given such great discounts here at this beautiful jade gallery and still don’t buy anything… it’s embarrassing! Truly shameful! The staff here have worked hard to serve you, and you can’t be bothered to buy even a small item? You’re saving your money for what, a coffin?”

“This better be the first and last time! I assumed you’d understand decency, but apparently, I need to set some rules. Now listen up! We still have half an hour before meeting time, so spend that time reflecting. Think about whether this behavior is humane. When you’ve thought it over, decide if you’re going to buy a bangle.”

As the guide continued her tirade, Xu Shijia stepped forward before Lin Shu could intervene.

“The quality of the jade here is subpar, and the prices are vastly inflated. Nobody here has money to burn. You could be spending the holiday with your family if you don’t want this job—no one’s forcing you. Don’t guilt-trip us; we aren’t responsible for your work conditions.”

If Xu Shijia hadn’t spoken up, perhaps the guide would have let it go. But now, she was entirely focused on him.

“You! Look at you, young and all dressed up, traveling with such a pretty girl, and yet you’re here freeloading? I see right through you! You haven’t bought anything, barely even looked at the displays, and then you slander the jade here, saying it’s overpriced. You know what that says? It says you’re broke! These fine jade bangles are too good for you; you’re too poor even to look at them! How embarrassing!”

When everyone stays quiet, it’s easier to ignore it. But when someone stands up to them, guides like this will ruthlessly assert their authority.

Lin Shu watched quietly, curious to see how Xu Shijia would handle this situation.

It seemed the guide felt that shaming Xu Shijia alone wasn’t enough, and with a quick change of expression, she turned to Lin Shu, her face full of false sympathy.

“Young lady, listen to your big sister here—take my advice: a man like this is no good! Cheap, broke, and unreliable! He’s all show and no substance. Just look at him, broke and yet so righteous. If I were him, I’d just stay quiet. No self-respecting man would dare make a scene like this. You’re so pretty; you deserve the finest bangle here. But with him? You’re in for a lifetime of misery!”

She leaned in with feigned sincerity, saying, “Don’t be fooled by his good looks now; being poor ages a man fast. In five years, he’ll be balding, and just looking at him will feel like a curse! Men who can’t afford self-care develop all sorts of ailments—prostate issues, hemorrhoids, kidney stones. Other men stay strong, but he’ll be worn out in no time. Marry him, and you’ll be left living like a widow!”

This guide clearly had a wealth of experience in cursing people out; she insulted and insinuated with precision and venom. Calling him poor was bad enough, but she even attacked his masculinity, likely because her commission fell short and she wanted to drag others down with her.

Xu Shijia, a ‘prince’ of the credit union, was used to being treated with respect. This was probably the first time in his life he’d encountered such a scene. Knowing his temper, Lin Shu suspected that if there were a table in front of him, he might have flipped it.

Lin Shu readied herself, recording video on her phone as discreetly as possible for evidence, prepared to calm him down if necessary to prevent things from escalating.

To her surprise, Xu Shijia remained completely calm despite the personal insults. His face remained indifferent, neither refuting nor clarifying. Had Lin Shu not known him, she might’ve thought he was entirely unbothered by the guide’s tirade.

Seeing her words met with no reaction, the guide finally gave up, her anger twisted on her face, and she stomped off to try pressuring other tourists.

The guide, unaware of Xu Shijia’s background, assumed he was putting up with her insults because he was poor, but Lin Shu was impressed.

“Aren’t you angry?” she asked.

Xu Shijia glanced at her. “What, you think I should blow up, curse her out, and flip the place upside down?”

Lin Shu replied tactfully, “Given your personality, it’s surprising you’re able to tolerate this. It seems you’ve improved your self-restraint…”

“What choice do I have?” Xu Shijia responded dryly. “If I did flip the place, she’d force me to pay for damages. These jade sculptures aren’t selling anyway; she’d just use it as an excuse to shake me down.”

“She can look down on me and insult me all she wants, as long as she doesn’t make me spend a dime. Insults are cheap; how can pride compare to money?”

He added calmly, “There’s no such thing as being naturally calm and good-natured. The more people lack money, the more they learn to keep their heads down. Politeness, ‘personal growth’—these are just dressed-up ways of saying people have no choice but to put up with things.”

“I advised a few kind old folks not to buy anything earlier, but there were some who sided with that guide when I suggested leaving the group. They deserve to be conned.”

He cast Lin Shu a sidelong glance. “I noticed you were recording. Send me the video, and I’ll report her once we’re back.”

Standing there, sharp in his black suit, his tall frame and composed manner only added to his appeal. Watching his mature handling of the situation, Lin Shu felt a renewed admiration for him.

Sensing her gaze, Xu Shijia offered a small smile. “People grow up. Like I said, if you don’t buy anything, this isn’t a cheap tour scamming you; it’s you taking advantage of the cheap tour. Life is all about turning disadvantages into strengths.”

Lin Shu was moved; Xu Shijia had truly matured.

Life isn’t always filled with roses; facing setbacks or negative comments requires a calm, level-headed approach. Stirring up a fuss is rarely the right choice. Life demands patience.

Seeing Xu Shijia understand this—and put it into practice—gave Lin Shu a sense of pride. Her guidance hadn’t been in vain; he had grown in emotional intelligence and was no longer that spoiled ‘young prince.’

—

In the warm glow of Lin Shu’s approving look, Xu Shijia kept his calm on the surface.

But inside, he was fuming, ready to tear into that obnoxious tour guide.

Calling him poor was one thing, but bald and riddled with health issues? He couldn’t wait to shut down this pathetic tour company!

Mature? Calm? Rational?

Not even close.

It was all an act.

This was Xu Shijia’s first experience with a cheap tour scam, but after telling Lin Shu he was here to take advantage of it, he had to keep up appearances, like he had everything under control. He couldn’t let himself look like a fool, tricked by both a scam driver and a shady tour.

Plus, Xu Shijia was genuinely low on funds; this case for Wei Xue was pro bono, and aside from a few expense reimbursements, he wasn’t making any income.

So, he had no choice but to endure.

As the guide’s words lured more elderly tourists into buying jade, Lin Shu, seeing that Xu Shijia was fine, turned to warn the elderly away.

Now left alone, Xu Shijia finally dropped the act, glaring fiercely at the tour guide.

But the guide had thick skin and ignored his looks entirely, fawning over a middle-aged man nearby.

Was she lining up another victim?

To prevent further scams, Xu Shijia edged closer inconspicuously.

“Brother, you’re the picture of charm! Did you see that young lady over there? She’s far too young and has clearly made a mistake—she’s with some broke, stingy lowlife who wouldn’t even buy her anything here. But not you! You bought gifts for your mom, aunts, and everyone else! We women, we admire men like you!”

The guide, all smiles, motioned toward Lin Shu as she spoke.

“Brother, people call me a real-life saint because I can’t stand seeing a rose wither on a weed. Your ex-wife didn’t appreciate you, but I’m telling you, there are women who will. This must be fate that you joined my tour group. I simply must introduce you to someone as gorgeous as that young lady! You two would make the perfect match!”

Xu Shijia nearly twisted his nose in anger.

This cursed tour guide! It wasn’t enough to belittle him; now she was actually trying to set Lin Shu up with someone else?

Oblivious to the daggers Xu Shijia was shooting at her from behind, the guide continued with her fabricated story. “Brother, that best jade bracelet? That girl took several glances at it, really seemed like she wanted it, but that man dragged her away without buying it. I could barely stand to watch! Poor thing looked like she was about to cry!”

“Brother, if you buy it for her now, believe me, she’ll remember your kindness. I’ll be right there to sing your praises and help you two exchange contact info. Just think—you work on this for a few months, and who knows, you might be inviting me to your wedding!”

With a wink, the guide added, “She’s got good taste, too. That bracelet? It’s the store’s prized piece—the most expensive one!”

Wasn’t that the truth?

Xu Shijia glanced at the price tag. A bracelet that at most should be worth 20,000 yuan was marked at 100,000.

That price hike was outrageous.

And yet, the middle-aged man was clearly falling for it. He glanced over at Lin Shu, his gaze so lustful it was practically oozing.

“I’d like to buy it, but I’ve already spent most of my cash here. The rest of my money’s tied up in investments and funds, and my credit card limit isn’t that high…”

“No worries, brother! There’s always consumer loans! Let me help you sort it out. With a couple more, you’ll easily get a credit limit in the hundreds of thousands—no sweat!”

“And when you buy that pretty girl the bracelet, I’ll be sure to put in a few good words and really sing your praises so she remembers you!”

With these words, the middle-aged man stopped hesitating and started heading toward the bracelet.

That ugly bracelet? Lin Shu would never like it. In fact, she didn’t even wear jewelry.

Sure, she glanced at it, but likely because the price was ridiculous.

And as for that middle-aged man—no chance. Lin Shu wasn’t interested in looks or wealth alone, and she certainly wouldn’t be swayed by this.

Just because he was facing some financial challenges didn’t mean he should throw himself into debt to show off.

He had said it himself: today, Xu Shijia was here to take advantage of the cheap tour, not to let the tour group and guide rip him off.

…

Xu Shijia knew this logically, but if people followed logic perfectly, far fewer would struggle through life.

Before he realized it, Xu Shijia’s hands and feet acted faster than his mind. He walked over to the jade bracelet and picked it up without a word.

Looking at the guide, his voice was icily calm.

“How does this consumer loan work? Teach me.”

Glaring at the bracelet, he added, “I’m buying it.”

He lifted his chin defiantly. “Make sure you really praise me in front of her.”