Buying Rings at Fengs – Part 2
Tuesday, continued …
Hou Yi and Anna overheard Yang Lin’s raised voice, brimming with entitlement and fury. “I am a very important client and demand to be served only by the manager. Furthermore, the VIP room you’re leading me to is not the premier one. I insist you make that room available immediately, or I’ll make sure this store is shut down. Don’t test me—I have the power to do it.”
Lu Jinhu, standing at her side, echoed her arrogance. “My wife is right. We demand the manager, not some useless assistant. You are clearly incompetent. We are your most significant customers, and we will have what we want. Refuse, and I’ll ensure this store’s destruction.”
Hou Yi glanced at Anna, noticing her trembling. Of all the people to encounter, it had to be these two—the same individuals who had bullied and humiliated her. Seeing his wife upset was intolerable.
Turning to Manager Yong, Hou Yi calmly instructed, “My wife cannot bear the sight of those two. Please ensure they don’t realize we’re here. For the sake of the store, we won’t demand they be thrown out. Handle them discreetly, and any staff member assisting us will be fine.”
He paused, gauging Anna’s reaction. Her trembling had subsided slightly. “That said,” he continued, “we’re comfortable here and won’t move rooms to accommodate them. Please have whoever assists us bring in matching wedding ring sets, engagement rings, simple but elegant gold chains, and perhaps a pendant featuring an Australian opal, as it’s my wife’s birthstone—or a diamond, as it’s mine.”
Manager Yong nodded and left, ensuring the unwelcome duo wouldn’t spot them. Once the door closed, Hou Yi knelt before Anna, gently taking her hands in his. “I won’t let them hurt you. With Manager Yong dealing with them, we should have peace while we choose our items.”
Anna’s gaze met his as he added, “You asked me earlier how I knew your birthstone. When I glanced at our marriage certificate, I saw your birthday was in October. My mother’s best friend also has an October birthday, and her daughter—who I think of as a cousin—shares my April birthday. I’ve often been tasked with buying birthday jewelry for them, so I’ve become familiar with the birthstones.”
Despite his reassurances, Anna’s hands still shook. Hou Yi repeated, his voice firm yet soothing, “I’ll make sure they can’t hurt you. And more importantly, I’ll help you get the justice you deserve.”
He stood and returned to his seat, holding her hand and gently rubbing it, a silent reminder that she wasn’t alone.
The couple’s attention shifted to the slightly ajar door, where Yang Lin’s voice rang out again. “Manager Yong, why did you keep us waiting? I told you we’d be here, yet you weren’t ready to serve me as you should.”
Her tone had softened slightly but remained laced with irritation.
“Madam Lu,” Manager Yong replied calmly, “I was assisting our other VIP clients.”
“Well, get them out of my room!” Yang Lin snapped. “I must be in that room—it’s the best in the store, and I deserve nothing less. You know I can shut this place down if you don’t comply.”
“Madam Lu, please,” Manager Yong said firmly. “Our other clients are still using the room. While I can’t afford to offend you, they’re in the middle of selecting their items. However, they’ve graciously agreed to let another staff member assist them so I can personally serve you. That said, the Young Madam in there is a bit shaken, so they won’t be moving.”
Yang Lin’s anger boiled over. “Well, my wife has made it clear—they must move! You have two minutes to comply, or I’ll make a call and have this store shut down within five minutes,” Lu Jinhu threatened.
“Master Lu, Madam Lu, I’m afraid this is one request I simply cannot fulfill,” Manager Yong replied, his voice steady despite the tension.
“Then I’m making that call,” Lu Jinhu retorted. “Prepare for this store to be closed and for yourself to be arrested and dealt with by the authorities.”
Desperation tinged Manager Yong’s voice. “Madam Lu, please—what if, in addition to the standard discount, I offer you an extra fifteen percent off your purchases today if you use the second VIP room? Would that be an acceptable compromise?”
Lu Jinhu’s greed shone through as he responded sharply, “Make it thirty-five percent off, and throw in a necklace my wife likes at no charge. Then we’ll accept your demeaning second VIP room. And I won’t make that call.”
From their room, Anna and Hou Yi exchanged knowing looks. Anna could hear the same greed in Lu Jinhu’s tone that he had displayed when boasting about what he’d done to her in Australia.
