Julia beamed with pride, inquiring, "Isn't it delectable?" Max was not used to eating street food and definitely not these noodles. He suppressed his revulsion and swallowed, washing it down with a sip of the milked tea. "This is indeed delightful," he remarked, his palate surprisingly pleased by the sweet, creamy beverage.
Kelvin, standing nearby, chuckled and commiserated, "Bro, I'm not fond of these noodles either." Max, though not pleased with the noodles, found himself captivated with the milked tea, a refreshing departure from the bitter coffee he typically consumed.
Before Julia returned, Max had nearly finished his drink. She was diligent in her efforts, tending to their business and catering to her husband's needs. Max felt a bit of guilt, sensing he was not contributing sufficiently. He offered assistance multiple times, but Julia insisted he rest, assuring him she had everything under control.
Just as Max was contemplating on ways to help Julia explore her talent, a familiar voice resonated above him. "Max, is that really you? What are you doing at the fair?" Sean's incredulity was noticeable, having been dragged to the night market by his new girlfriend and stumbling upon Max's unexpected venture.
A CEO of a prominent group, selling at a trade fair? Life was truly full of surprises, indeed. Sean was impressed by his brother's dedication to winning Julia's heart. Max, however, viewed Sean as a fortunate opportunity, exclaiming, "These exquisite, beautiful outfits were made by my wife. Won't you buy some for your girlfriend?" Though phrased as a question, Max's tone implied an order, and Sean knew better than to decline.
Sean's sister-in-law had meticulously designed these exquisite outfits, and he felt a sense of familial duty to support her entrepreneurial ventures. "Indeed, these pieces are breathtakingly beautiful, Jessy. Please, select a few that catch your eye." When the young woman heard the term "girlfriend," she beamed with delight, thrilled to be acknowledged, and enthusiastically chose a few. "These are truly stunning; I adore them!" Max seized the opportunity to extol the virtues of each piece, "Then you should acquire them all! Each one is unique, like this chiffon two-piece set, symbolizing the serendipity of pairs, perfectly suited for you. And this red dress represents ardent passion, a fitting emblem for your blossoming relationship..."
Julia, standing nearby, struggled to restrain her admiration for Max's remarkable salesmanship. His words were purely improvisational, yet convincing enough to captivate Sean's girlfriend. "Sean, I love them all! May I please have them?" she asked, unaware of the complex dynamics between Sean, Max, and Julia.
Sean, with a generous wave of his hand, assented, "Of course, my dear. Take them all." Julia, cognizant of Sean's affluence and his distant familial connection to Max, felt a twinge of embarrassment about accepting the payment. She smiled graciously, "I'll package them for you, and you can have them. Though secretly, she was disconcerted, having invested two months of meticulous labor into crafting these dozens of clothes. However, she chose not to reveal her concerns, opting instead to redouble her efforts and create even more exceptional pieces in the future.
As the transaction concluded, Max's silver tongue had not only secured a sale but also forged a connection between the couple and Julia, who was now inspired to create even more extraordinary pieces.
Just then, Sean took out his card to make payment. Julia quickly declined.Max implored, "You devoted nights to crafting these exquisite pieces. How can you possibly refuse payment? Sean and I are merely distant relations, hardly close acquaintances. Don't be embarrassed; every penny counts, especially since we're saving for a new home. So, please, accept the payment."
Sean struggled to stifle an eye-roll. Max, with his numerous villas and recent acquisition of a three-bedroom apartment in the prestigious Villa Park Estate, was hardly in need of another residence. He couldn't help but wonder when Max's duplicity would be exposed and how Julia would react. With a courteous smile, he said, "Julia, Max is right; you should accept the payment. I can't acquire these masterpieces for free. They're the fruit of your labor, and you deserve fair compensation. What's the total?"
Julia waved her hand, smiling, "I really can't accept money from you; it's not worth much..." Despite their need to save for a house, she couldn't bring herself to accept payment from Max's relatives. Max revealed, "Here's her PayPal information; the total sum up to six thousand, five hundred dollars." As the price was announced, her eyes widened in shock, and she instinctively glanced at Max, sensing something amiss. This was extortion! The price had been inflated tenfold. If reported, she risked arrest. Moreover, cheating acquaintances and distant relatives was unacceptable. "Max" she began to protest, but Sean had already initiated the transfer, remarking with a smile, "What a fantastic deal! The payment has been made."
As soon as Sean transferred the money, Julia received a notification. Max revealed his PayPal account, saying, ''you should take your leave now. You can escort your girlfriend to shop elsewhere." The subtext was clear: it was time for them to depart. Sean still hoped to curry favor with his sister-in-law, knowing that a good relationship with her would grant him protection.
Sean opened his phone with a charming smile, "Julia, can I have your number please?" Max had just exploited Sean, making it impossible for Julia to decline his request. As she gazed at Sean, she saw a man who had been cheated yet still wore a warm smile. Sean was overjoyed to connect with his sister-in-law. As they parted ways, he bid her a warm farewell, filling her with guilt. The piece had been sold out, and Max announced, "Time to head home. Her employees were already packing up." Julia inquired, "Max, why did you quote such an exorbitant price earlier? If Sean discovers this, he'll detest you. You designed those pieces yourself; even if the price were multiplied by a hundred, they'd still be worth it." Max replied in a deep, mysterious tone, "Don't feel guilty; he owed me eight hundred dollars a few years ago and never repaid the debt." Julia raised an eyebrow, "Really? I doubt he's short on funds; why would he owe you money and fail to repay?" Max responded solemnly, "Perhaps he forgot, but I'm too embarrassed to remind him, so I seized the opportunity to collect what's owed." Julia scrutinized Max, sensing deception. When he quoted the outrageous price earlier, he didn't seem like a man embarrassed about reclaiming his due.
To divert Julia's thoughts, Max changed the subject, "We needn't return here tomorrow. Your mother has never visited our home since our marriage; let's invite her for lunch, along with your friend. We didn't have a wedding, but a meal together is long overdue." Julia nodded, "I had the same idea, but you were too occupied previously. So, you won't be working tomorrow, right? I'll call Samantha and my mother later." Max suggested, "Why not extend the invitation to my aunt and Sean as well? I'm sure they'll be delighted to join us." Julia agreed, and the plan was set.
Remembering to call his aunt, Max notified his mother and sent a message to Sean. He then called the general secretary of the company, instructing the HR department to announce the recruitment of designers with relaxed requirements, accepting high school diplomas. The general secretary was stunned, confirming, "Mr. Wellington, you mean to recruit designers from outside with only a high school diploma?" Max replied succinctly, "I'll review the job posting tomorrow." The general secretary followed the order without further questions.