Chapter Five: Ridiculed

Lin Ye was momentarily stunned as the humiliations he endured during his university days flooded back to him.

He simply couldn't understand how a girl who appeared so normal could be so utterly incapable of speaking like a reasonable person.

However, in a good mood, he decided to ignore Xu Xiaowei, closed the car door, fiddled with the controls, and retorted, “Is this how your store treats customers?”

“Customers?” she sneered.

“You know your own background. This car’s on-the-road price is 980,000 yuan. You don’t seriously think you can afford it, do you?”

Watching Lin Ye search left and right, unable to find the start button, Xu Xiaowei let out a derisive laugh.

His cheap business suit made it obvious: he was just a poor nobody.

With that in mind, the contempt in Xu Xiaowei’s eyes grew more blatant.

How dare a pauper like him come here seeking a sense of superiority? She had no intention of indulging him!

At that moment, Lin Ye felt a deep embarrassment.

He had wanted to test out his new ride, but after fiddling around for a long while, he still couldn’t make sense of anything.

Though he found the start button, he didn’t know how to start the car. To make matters worse, the person before him was someone he wished to avoid.

Still, Xu Xiaowei was right on one point: if it weren’t for the accidental “marriage” to Su Qing, he wouldn’t even know where his next meal was coming from, let alone be in a position to afford this car.

“Mr. Lin, this car is designed for wealthy clients. If you really don’t understand the various buttons and functions inside, please don’t force yourself,” she said.

“My suggestion is that you turn right when you leave here; next door is a dealership for Wuling cars. You’re sure to find one there that suits you.”

“Most importantly, those cars perfectly match your temperament,” she added with a mocking laugh.

As she spoke, Xu Xiaowei’s scorn grew, certain that Lin Ye could never afford any model from the Mercedes-Benz lineup.

The more she looked at him, the more grateful she felt.

A man’s looks alone meant nothing, especially someone like Lin Ye, who was utterly useless, broke even after all these years since graduation, and couldn’t provide any material satisfaction.

Thinking of this, a flicker of relief crossed Xu Xiaowei’s heart.

Thankfully, this pauper hadn’t accepted her back then; otherwise, she would have suffered plenty of hardship following him.

Lin Ye’s face flushed with a mix of anger and shame.

He glanced at Xu Xiaowei’s name tag and said through gritted teeth, “This is my car. What you need to do now is explain this car’s features to me!”

“I’m sorry. Although I’m a salesperson, I have the right not to serve you.”

“Besides, I seriously doubt where you heard I work here. Are you deliberately harassing me?”

“Mr. Campus Heartthrob Lin, have you just realized you actually like me?”

“Look at you, so poor and shabby. Don’t come near me—I’m afraid I’ll catch your poverty.”

Covering her mouth, Xu Xiaowei laughed scornfully, barely holding back from calling him a “pauper.”

“...Since you refuse to serve me, I’ll have to speak with your sales manager,” Lin Ye said without anger, a cold smile curling his lips.

At that moment, Wang Qing, having finished the paperwork with a sycophantic expression, approached.

This time, his commission was substantial. To him, this young man named Lin Ye was like a god.

Most importantly, Lin Ye had the backing of Director Li.

Director Li had personally called to emphasize the importance of this young man, showing the high regard he held for him. Wang Qing was determined to make Lin Ye feel like a valued guest.

Seeing Wang Qing approach, a wicked glint flashed across Xu Xiaowei’s face.

“Lin Ye, since you can’t see reality for yourself, I’ll help you recognize your true place.”

“Manager Wang, you’re finally here! This man is my university classmate. He pursued me back then, but I refused. I don’t know how he found out I work here, but he came to harass me. Please help me…”

She rushed to Wang Qing and grabbed his arm. Her ample bosom pressed shamelessly against him.

Under normal circumstances, Wang Qing would have been thrilled to take advantage of the moment. But now, his expression darkened. His sharp eyes showed an apologetic glance toward Lin Ye before he quickly pulled his arm away.

“Xu Xiaowei, are you out of your mind?”

“Mr. Lin is here to pick up his car!”

“Pick up his car? Manager Wang, are you sure you’re not mistaken?” Xu Xiaowei forced a strained smile, though her clenched fists betrayed her emotions. “We were university classmates, and there’s no way he could afford this car.”

“Are you sure he’s not deceiving you?”

The moment those words left her mouth, Xu Xiaowei seemed to realize something. Her face darkened as she glared at Lin Ye, her tone dripping with bitterness and schadenfreude.

“So, Lin Ye, you dare to commit fraud in the dealership? I’m calling the police right now!”

Wang Qing was stunned, unable to react for a long moment.

Lin Ye remained composed. He didn’t take back his ID but rather smiled wryly.

“Manager Wang, as you see, I probably can’t drive this car off today.”

“In that case, since I haven’t test-driven it or had the chance to understand its performance, just refund the money.”

Refunding was out of the question; Lin Ye’s real aim was to put pressure on Wang Qing.

Sure enough, Wang Qing’s expression stiffened. In the next second, he turned and slapped Xu Xiaowei across the face.

“Open your eyes and see clearly! Mr. Lin is a premium client of our dealership, not a fraud! If you keep spouting nonsense, pack up your things and get out!”

Had Xu Xiaowei lost her mind?

Offending Mr. Lin was the same as offending Director Li. When that happened, not only would she be fired, but even Wang Qing, the department manager, might be shown the door.

The angrier Wang Qing grew, the more he wished Lin Ye was there so he could strike again.

Premium client?

Xu Xiaowei was dumbfounded.

She never expected that the once penniless pauper, now dressed in shabby clothes, could actually be wealthy.

“Manager Wang, this is a mis—misunderstanding…” Xu Xiaowei hurriedly approached, ignoring the phone that had fallen to the ground and the burning pain on her face. “Mr. Lin, please, for old times’ sake, help explain this…”

This job was hard to come by, and if she performed well, she could become permanent next month. She couldn’t afford to be fired now.

Lin Ye looked at her without a shred of sympathy.

Back in university, she had made his life miserable, making him a laughingstock. Everyone pointed fingers at him because of her twisted lies, nearly causing him to fail graduation.

Now that things weren’t going her way, she wanted him to explain for her?

Fine, he would help her.

“Manager Wang, Miss Xu and I are indeed classmates,” he said.

Seeing Wang Qing’s attitude soften, Lin Ye glanced at Xu Xiaowei with a teasing glint in his eyes.