“Alright, stop with all the sentimental stuff, things aren't bad now, are they? You got your mom living in a big house, sitting at home every day waiting for you to give her money to spend. Look, how many doctors and lawyers are better off than you? You step out the door, and a bunch of little brothers are following behind you. We'll grow bigger and stronger in the future, get your mom a villa, won't that be more glamorous than those doctors and lawyers?”
“Let's go. My aunt is having a birthday tomorrow. Help me pick out a gift for my cousin.”
Chen Dong patted Ah Bao on the shoulder, trying to console him. Though these words sounded like the kind of stuff he used to coax his younger brothers, Ah Bao seemed to like hearing it.
Ah Bao was a very filial son. When he and his boss, Tong Shu, took over the two streets in Mong Kok, Tong Shu gave him 500,000, and Ah Bao got 300,000. Instead of spending the money on himself, the guy bought a house for his mother the next day, and most of the money he made over the past two years was given to her to manage.
In his own words, “It’s a dog-eat-dog world out here, we don’t know when we’ll get stabbed to death on the street. At least while I’m still alive, I’ll make some money for my old lady to live on.”
“Forget it! What's there to see, just the same old gold necklaces and bracelets.”
Ah Bao rolled his eyes, speechless.
“.... Boss, my aunt is an official’s wife. She hangs out in high-class places. Gold necklaces and bracelets are a bit too…common, don’t you think?”
Chen Dong glanced at him, realizing that he probably shouldn't ask this idiot for advice. Maybe he should do as he said and find a steady girlfriend…
But then he thought about it. This is a movie world. There are so many forests to explore. He's still young. Isn't it too early to settle down with a girlfriend? He was a man who valued family, although this world didn't stick to the one-man-one-wife system. His boss, Tong Shu, had four wives. But if he were to find a steady girlfriend, it would definitely be with the intention of marriage. Getting married then going out to fool around wouldn't be good. His boss was a perfect example. He fooled around until he slept with a high-ranking police officer’s wife. Then, things went wrong…
Besides, he hadn't met anyone he wanted to marry yet. Although the girls were all very beautiful and had amazing figures, it was fine to hang out with them and occasionally have a friendly match. But marriage? No way.
Maybe he just hadn't encountered the right person at this level yet. After all, most of the low-level gangsters he knew either hung out with dancers or teenage girls. Occasionally there would be a few decent ones, but they were married women or older women.
One step at a time. With money, what kind of girl couldn't he get?
........
“Sir, what kind of style are you looking for…?”
After browsing for hours, they finally came to a Chow Tai Fook jewelry store.
The saleswoman looked at the handsome man in front of her, completely ignoring the thug-looking Ah Bao, who was clearly a highly skilled gang member, standing behind him.
Even though the man in front of her was wearing a black vest, jeans, and a glimpse of tattoos on his bulging chest muscles, the standard uniform of a gang member, he was still so handsome.
“I’m looking for gifts for an elder and a niece. Anything you recommend? Money isn’t an issue. I just want something appropriate.”
Chen Dong, seeing the saleswoman, who was not a celebrity face, but still pretty, with a curvy figure, a mature charm, and dressed in a uniform that would score a nine out of ten, gave her a charming smile.
“If you’re buying gifts, please follow me this way. These are some of the new products we just released this year…”
The saleswoman’s eyes lit up as she heard this. She bent slightly and invited him to a different counter, but she bent too low, allowing Chen Dong to see the depth of the canyon in front of him.
Chen Dong didn't shy away, but instead held a steady gaze at the nine-out-of-ten saleswoman. It was okay. She was the one who offered the view.
“.......Boss, I’ll wait for you outside.”
Seeing the little action between the two of them, Ah Bao, who had been following behind his boss, pursed his lips, speechless. He had been following his boss for so long, he could recite this routine blindfolded.
Being handsome really does give you an advantage...
“No need for introductions, Miss. Just those two. I trust your taste. Pack them up for me.”
The saleswoman had been bending down, non-stop, giving her introduction. But Chen Dong's eyes had been focused on the depths of the canyon, and he hadn't been listening to anything she said. Feeling like he had had enough, he pointed to the most expensive women's diamond watch and necklace, took out a card, and said to the hardworking saleswoman who had been bending over for over half an hour, “Just charge it.”
“Okay, Mr. Chen, please wait a moment…”
The saleswoman took the card, a look of certainty on her face. She hooked a finger in Chen Dong’s palm and turned to leave.
“Mr. Chen, here’s your card. Do you want us to deliver it to your house or would you like to take it with you?”
Not long after, the nine-out-of-ten saleswoman came back with two gift boxes and the card, asking.
“Huh? You guys actually do deliveries? Then send it to my place. Here’s the address… But I’m usually not home. I only go back home after midnight. If your delivery guys come, it’s best to come around then.”
Chen Dong acted surprised, then gave the nine-out-of-ten saleswoman his home address, and with a worried expression, reminded her that he might not be home when they delivered.
“Okay, Mr. Chen, our shipping department is professional.”
The nine-out-of-ten saleswoman nodded dutifully, indicating that she had taken note.
........
“......Boss, when are you gonna teach me how to do that? Being with you makes me look like such a loser.”
As soon as Chen Dong stepped out of the jewelry store, Ah Bao, who had watched the whole show from the outside, spoke in a speechless tone.
He had seen this countless times, ever since middle school. He had never seen his boss make a move first. He wanted to have this kind of divine passive ability, too.
He used to go to these high-end places and people would know he was a gangster, so they would give him weird looks. But when his boss went, everyone completely ignored the industry hierarchy. Chow Tai Fook jewelry even did deliveries?
He had never heard of that!
“.....That's a natural talent. You can't learn it. You’re the type who’s more suited to normal spending.”
Chen Dong patted Ah Bao on the shoulder.
With that face of yours, even if you wore a suit and tie, you could only play a villain. You’re just not meant for the face game.
“Stop! Don’t run… Kill him for me…”
“Stop… ”
As Chen Dong and Ah Bao were strolling down the street, drinking milk tea and chatting, a commotion broke out across the street.
You didn’t even need to hear it to know it was gangsters attacking someone.
“Wow! This is a scene straight out of “The Runaway Couple”! Hey! That guy is kind of handsome. He’s almost as handsome as me. He’s only a little less handsome than you, Boss.”
The two looked over and saw a group of people with weapons chasing after a young couple. Ah Bao was surprised to see the handsome face of the boy holding the girl’s hand.
To be honest, besides Jimmy, he hadn’t seen anyone else as handsome as his boss, not even movie stars. The young man in front of him was a little less handsome than his boss, but not by much.