Chapter 4: Selling Things

Fan Shengmei froze for a moment. She hadn’t expected Xiao Guan and Andy to be so perceptive, noticing her shift right away. She chuckled softly.

“I just suddenly realized—there’s no point hiding the truth. In the end, I have to stand on my own two feet.”

“Like last night with Qu Xiaoxiao—if it had been Andy or Xiao Guan in my place, she never would’ve acted that way. She dared to mock me so recklessly because she looks down on me. In her eyes, I’m just a gold-digger. She doesn’t think offending me will cost her anything, so she doesn’t care. It was only for a moment that I felt bitter, but… I need to change.”

Guan Ju’er immediately leaned forward, clasping Shengmei’s hand in both of hers, offering warmth and encouragement.

“Sister Fan, please don’t think that way. You’re wonderful. Yingying and I—so much of how we live, how we work, how we deal with people—that’s all thanks to you. You’re a good person, don’t let Qu Xiaoxiao make you doubt yourself.”

Qiu Yingying grew emotional, too.

“Exactly, Sister Fan! Don’t let that vixen get to you. You’re beautiful, capable, like a fairy! How could she compare to you?”

Andy couldn’t find the right words, but nodded firmly in agreement.

Shengmei smiled, squeezing Guan Ju’er’s hand.

“I know what you mean. Don’t worry, I wasn’t overthinking, and I’d never do anything foolish. It’s just—now that I’m thirty, I know it’s time to let go of certain things, to change some things.”

The car rolled steadily forward, scenery passing from roadside greenery to the cold gleam of towering skyscrapers.

She had simply been struck by a thought.

The world outside had changed. She had to change, too.

Back in Shanghai, work resumed.

While fulfilling her job, Shengmei also kept an eye on the market.

In recent years, technology has surged forward, spawning all sorts of entertainment apps. The moment was ripe with opportunity. The word “internet celebrity” hadn’t even been coined yet.

Shengmei began to wonder—where should she start?

She ordered some professional lighting equipment online, along with other tools.

And then there was Bitcoin. At its current price, it was practically as cheap as vegetables compared to what it would one day become. Shengmei decisively bought some.

Afterward, she put it out of her mind. She would wait until it soared, then cash in.

Still, even with her foresight, she didn’t dare buy too much. With no real experience, she was cautious.

Even a little profit is enough. That alone would make me satisfied.

That afternoon, after work, she received a call from the saleswoman she often dealt with for second-hand luxury goods.

“Sis, I’ve already made the arrangements. Are you really sure you want to sell so many at once?”

Shengmei had decided to sell off the luxury items she had accumulated.

“I’m sure. Same place as always.” She added firmly, “And listen—I know the market prices. Don’t think that just because I’m selling so much at once, you can lowball me. If you do, I’ll just find someone else.”

On the other end came hurried assurances.

“Sis, don’t worry. We’ve been trading for so long. You know you can trust me.”

Back at Joy of Life, Shengmei began sorting her items. Most of them were A goods—high-quality counterfeits—but those had their own market too. She’d deal with them separately later.

At that moment, Guan Ju’er came home from work. Seeing the living room piled high with bags, the door wide open, she froze. For a second, she thought the place had been robbed.

“Sister Fan, what on earth is going on here?”

She stepped in just as Shengmei was stuffing more luxury goods into a large bag.

Shengmei looked up calmly.

“I’ve decided to sell these.”

Carrying her bags out, Fan Shengmei was joined by Andy, who had come back with Guan Ju’er. They both helped her lift the heavy loads, surprised by what she’d just said.

“Sell them?” Andy asked, startled.

Guan Ju’er was equally shocked.

“Sister Fan, you’re going to sell all of these?”

Having lived with her for so long, Guan Ju’er knew how much Shengmei had once liked these things. Why was she suddenly determined to sell them now?

Unbidden, her thoughts turned to Qu Xiaoxiao. Could it be that Shengmei had been provoked by her?

She exchanged a worried glance with Andy. Clearly, Andy had the same concern.

But Shengmei explained calmly,

“These are just things outside of myself. I used to spend far too much money on them. It’s time to sell them off and turn them into cash.”

At that, Guan Ju’er’s worry deepened. She blurted out,

“Sister Fan, if you’re short on money, I’ve saved some—I can lend it to you.”

Andy quickly added,

“Shengmei, I have some as well. If you need it, I can help.”

Shengmei could see they had misunderstood, but their concern warmed her heart. She explained patiently,

“Really, I’m fine. I’m not desperate for money. I just want to change the way I live. Don’t worry, I’m truly fine.”

Still, seeing the lingering worry on their faces, she only asked Andy for one thing.

“Actually, I could use your car. That way, I don’t have to spend extra on transportation.”

Andy agreed and drove Shengmei to the arranged meeting place.

When they arrived, the woman buyer was already waiting. Shengmei carried her bags up to the pedestrian bridge. The woman checked over the goods and quickly handed over the money.

She had originally planned to haggle, but after seeing the car Shengmei had stepped out of, her attitude shifted. Casting a cautious glance, she asked in a low voice:

“Sis… are you…?”

Following her gaze, Shengmei understood the misunderstanding. But since it was a flattering one, there was no need to correct it.

“If I bring you more things in the future, you’d better give me a fair price, alright?”

“Of course, of course!” the woman replied eagerly.

She had done plenty of business with Shengmei over the years. Many of the A goods she’d sold went through Shengmei, and many genuine luxury items had passed back out the same way. Women like Shengmei were no rarity—self-confident, indulgent, hoping to marry a richer man and change their fate. But this time…

Her eyes lingered on the luxury car. She couldn’t help but click her tongue.

Looks like she really did manage it. Though… how long can she keep it up? She’s not that young anymore.

With a dismissive purse of her lips, the woman hefted her bags and left the bridge.

Back in the car, Shengmei counted the money, a smile spreading across her face. Another sum earned.

At any time, having money in hand was happiness.

Andy looked like she wanted to say something, but before she could, Shengmei’s phone rang. Andy closed her mouth and focused back on the road.

It was a familiar contact—one of her regular A-goods sellers.

“Sis, a new batch just came in. The quality’s good, the styles are the latest, really well-made. The price is cheap too. Do you want to come take a look?”

In the past, Shengmei would have rushed over immediately, afraid the best pieces would be gone before she got there.

But now… she didn’t need it anymore.

“Thanks, but no. I’m not planning to buy anything these days. If I need something later, I’ll come to you.”

She hung up, a faint wistfulness in her chest.