The higher-level workers looked at them with a hint of judgement as well as with hidden malicious speculations.
It is true that two of a trade seldom agree.
Zhang Zian had a weird, itchy feeling under his skin when all the ladies in the store stared at him at the same time. He wanted to scratch. For some reason, this time he didn’t feel good at all when all these pretty women were looking at him. His gold-digging cat seemed to be friendlier than these girls.
Was this a special skill all damn singles have – feeling ashamed of themselves?
In short, all he wanted was to end it quickly and then go back to his land. Although old and broken, it was a very comfortable and comforting place.
Su Min also felt the tension in the air but she got used to it. She smiled and asked, "What are you looking for? A ring, a necklace, or something else?"
Zhang Zian thought for a moment. Fina was fond of shiny things, so diamonds would be her first choice. She might not like other stones. Diamonds would be a safe bet. Although he could not afford a diamond necklace, he could get a diamond ring.
"I would like to look at the diamond rings please," he asked.
Su Min took him to the diamond ring counter.
"Do you have any preference in brand?"
"No, not really," he shook his head. He did not even know what brands were on the market.
"Your budget?"
He paused for a second. The last purchase was around 4000. This time should be a bit more.
"Between 5000 and 6000."
This was the most he could afford because he did not want to suck up the store’s working capital. He was also planning to restock with more pets shortly. He could buy something better when sales increased and the store became more prosperous.
Su Min showed him an area in the counter and suggested, "These are all products that meet your requirements. You may choose from those, or of course, we can customize a ring for you."
Zhang Zian looked in the display counter. There were so many dazzling pieces of jewelry that choosing one was overwhelming.
"Whatever," he said.
"What?" Su Min’s mouth was wide open. She could not believe what she just heard.
"I don’t know about jewelry. You can help me pick one out," he said.
He thought it was a normal practice. In his pet store he helped customers pick out the most suitable pet for them. A jewelry store should provide the same service. He did not know a thing about jewelry. If he had to pick something, he would make a blindfolded decision. He would rather listen to the store’s recommendations. This was merely basic trust in the store. Why was it that difficult to comprehend?
Su Min was shocked at first, but then she forced a smile. Who would buy jewelry like that?
"Mr. Zhang, if you are not sure about the style, maybe you can tell me what the ring is for? I might be able to provide some recommendations if I know more details," she said patiently.
What for? Zhang Zian had to stop and think. I could not tell her that I am buying a diamond ring for my cat, could I?
"Nothing," he said.
"Eh…"
The other girls in the jewelry store who had been watching them the whole time started whispering. They all agreed that Zhang Zian was playing a joke on Su Min. Who knew when Su Min might have offended him?
The whole situation made Su Min very uncomfortable. She looked down and spoke lightly, "I mean, are you selecting wedding bands, an engagement ring, or a gift?"
Zhang Zian wanted to say that he was picking out wedding bands, although it was at the expense of betrayal to the FFF Group. He did not even have a girlfriend. Claiming that he was getting married was absolutely contrary to what a damn single should do!
"Well, I would say it is a present," he replied.
Su Min relaxed a bit and said, "In that case, you need to provide an accurate size. Do you know the size of her finger? If you are not sure, we can provide measurement tools for you to take back. You could have her try it on."
Zhang Zian remained silent. Su Min kept saying "She" or "her" which made it sound like as if he really had a girlfriend.
If possible, he would rather have been buying a men's diamond ring. That would’ve saved a lot of trouble, since men’s diamond rings were extremely limited. However, the diamonds would have been too small as well. All of the choices would not have met Fina’s standard.
"Size doesn’t matter," he spoke seriously. Not to mention whether the ring would fit Fina. Even if the ring fit, it would be an absolute torture for a cat to wear a ring.
"Eh…"
Su Min’s coworkers started laughing even harder. Su Min's forehead began to exude some sweat.
"In that case, it's quite hard for me to do that," she whispered.
Zhang Zian didn’t understand what was wrong with her. She looked like he was bullying her around or something. Obviously, she was the one who repeatedly said "she" or "her", which greatly hurt his feelings as a single man.
He thought for a moment, raised his hand and gestured, "Well, her finger is as thick as my pinkie finger."
That was a release for Su Min. "Fantastic. Would you like to look at the styles first?"
Zhang Zian was speechless. She came back to the same topic again.
He understood. Choosing jewelry was greatly subjective. People usually want to pick out their favorite style within the budget. However, the problem was that Fina could not come to pick it out herself and he was not great at this task.
"Why don’t you pick one out for me?" he said it again.
His facial expression looked like he was saying that I am the best customer. Please praise me!
If someone walked into his pet shop and asked him to recommend a pet, he would be more than happy to help. He was confident in his ability to satisfy customers.
However, Su Min refused shaking her head, "I'm sorry, sir. We have rules that we are unable to select jewelry for the customers."
"There are too many rules in your store! No pictures. No recommendations…" he could not help but to complain and sigh.
"I'm so sorry," Su Min bowed down her head.
"I am not blaming you." He understood this feeling of working for someone and having to follow the rules.
He chose to resign from his old job and inherited the pet shop because he was longing for freedom.
Finally, he thought of a way that might work.
"Okay. I do not need your help to pick out the style," he first emphasized and confirmed she fully understood, and then continued, "but assuming that you were to buy a diamond ring, in the price range of 5000 to 6000, which one would you choose?"
Su Min was stunned.
As a clerk who worked in a jewelry store, someone who did not have great performance, and a person who could only watch the senior coworkers steal the high-quality customers, she was looking at the bright and shiny diamond rings all day and always fantasized about the ring she would wear in her wedding.
She dared not to even think about wearing an expensive ring. Therefore, she had always focused on the rings that cost less than ten thousand. She always compared the rings. She looked at the diamond shape, color, weight, clarity and cut to the ring’s style, material, color and mosaic process. After countless comparisons, she secretly selected several rings that were the most cost-effective. Afterwards, she chose her favorite one out of her selections. She always fantasized one day there would be a boyfriend to give her this ring, although she could not even picture that boyfriend’s face.
She reached out and carefully pointed to a ring in the corner.
"If...if I was buying a ring, I would choose this."
This was probably not a violation to the rules, right?
The diamond ring she referred to was, in her opinion, the best one priced within 6000.
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