The three of them sat down.
Gu Jia immediately introduced the cake she had made, hoping that Mrs. Wang would try it.
Mrs. Wang naturally wouldn't be polite. She liked to eat cakes, and as for how Gu Jia knew her preference, someone must have told her.
But it didn't matter. When you ask for help, you have to understand the other person's preferences. If Gu Jia couldn't even do this, then she would really be terrible.
Gu Jia cut a piece for Mrs. Wang to eat first, but Mrs. Wang asked Lin Fan to have it: "You try it first."
Lin Fan refused: "Sister Wang, don't be polite. I already ate one at Gu Jia's house."
"Really? It seems delicious."
"It's really good. You should try it."
"Then I won't be polite."
Mrs. Wang took a bite, immediately giving a thumbs up: "It's really good. This is the best cake I've ever had."
Gu Jia was very satisfied to receive Mrs. Wang's praise.
Making the other party happy was the key to success in the future.
However, Mrs. Wang only ate one piece before stopping, fearing that she would gain weight.
Women like her, although rich, could afford any delicacies, but they were very disciplined and had strict control over their figures.
Putting the cake away, the three of them chatted for a while.
Gu Jia happily shared the good news that her son had been admitted to school.
Mrs. Wang was curious how Gu Jia managed to get Lin Fan to help, but she didn't ask directly.
The chat became a bit boring after a while, so Mrs. Wang suggested playing cards.
After playing for over an hour, Gu Jia became a little anxious and kept giving Lin Fan winks.
They didn't come here purely for fun, they had a purpose.
When Lin Fan saw the time was right, he finished the last round and put down his cards: "Sister Wang, there's something small I need your help with."
Mrs. Wang nodded: "Tell me."
"It's just that Sister Gu Jia wants to join your circle of wives, and she needs you to introduce her."
Mrs. Wang smiled meaningfully, finally revealing the ultimate goal.
However, she was happy to let Gu Jia join their circle, because Gu Jia was a smart person.
"No problem, but I have a little suggestion."
Lin Fan glanced at Gu Jia: "Please tell us, Sister Wang."
Mrs. Wang's gaze focused on Gu Jia and she spoke frankly: "Our circle of wives is a circle. If you want to join, you have to have the strength to become one of us. Of course, you don't need to prove your strength through investment or other means. But you have to look the part. For example, the clothes you're wearing are not high-end enough. Your jewelry, your bag, they all need to be expensive enough to convince everyone before you can better integrate. Otherwise, you'll just be a marginal character."
While it sounds superficial, that's how it is when you're mixing in circles.
If people can't prove your strength through your outward appearance, they won't want to play with you.
Gu Jia humbly accepted Mrs. Wang's suggestion: "Don't worry, I'll make changes."
"Good. When you become more outstanding, come find me anytime."
"Understood."
The two left Mrs. Wang's house.
Back on the 12th floor, standing at the door, Gu Jia was lost in thought and forgot to open the door.
Lin Fan knew what she was thinking and suddenly suggested: "Why don't I go downstairs with you to Mi'sia? If you buy a high-end bag, it'll be your ticket in."
Gu Jia snapped out of her thoughts. That's what she was thinking too.
"I can go down myself."
"Don't be polite. I know the sales associate there. Let me take you."
"Then I'll trouble you."
Lin Fan patted her again: "What's with the formality?"
Gu Jia retorted with a slap, Lin Fan covering his backside: "So exciting."
She shuddered, goosebumps rising on her skin: "You're so disgusting."
They went downstairs, heading straight to Mi'sia. Lin Fan called Wang Man Ni to take care of them.
Seeing Lin Fan again, and with another unfamiliar woman, Wang Man Ni knew that the money god was here to bring her business.
At this point, Wang Man Ni wasn't yet best friends with Gu Jia, so she didn't recognize her.
"Mr. Lin, welcome."
"Don't be so polite. This is Mrs. Gu. She wants to look at bags. You can help her introduce them."
Wang Man Ni extended her hand to shake Gu Jia's: "Mrs. Gu, this way please."
Since it was Lin Fan's client, Wang Man Ni naturally wouldn't introduce inexpensive bags.
But she apparently overestimated Gu Jia's purchasing power.
She started by introducing a limited edition Prada, priced at over 200,000 yuan, a mid-to-high-end item.
Gu Jia was taken aback. While she could live in Junyue Mansion and her family owned a fireworks company, she couldn't afford a bag costing 200,000 yuan without blinking.
Just as she was about to politely decline, Lin Fan intervened: "This bag is not pretty, not high-end enough."
Gu Jia's jaw almost dropped to the floor. 200,000 yuan isn't high-end enough? She couldn't afford it.
Wang Man Ni understood and introduced the store's signature bag, the Birkin 25 Cargo: "This is our most expensive bag, costing 320,000 yuan."
This time, Gu Jia couldn't help but intervene: "That's too expensive. Let's look at something else!"
But Lin Fan refused, asking Wang Man Ni to wait while he took Gu Jia aside: "It's the signature bag. If you buy it, you'll become the envy of the other wives in the circle. Why not buy it?"
"But a bag costs over 300,000 yuan. I can't afford that much right now."
"Is that a lot?"
"Isn't it?"
"Then I'll lend you the money."
"Ah?"
"Don't be polite. Just pay me back slowly later."
The entire store was his, and besides, he had money. Lending Gu Jia the money to buy a bag was no big deal.
Back in front of Wang Man Ni, without giving Gu Jia a chance to refuse, Lin Fan told her to wrap it up, then called the manager and asked him to come out.
After explaining Gu Jia's situation, he guaranteed her, allowing her to buy the bag on installment.
Only then did Gu Jia realize that Lin Fan was actually the behind-the-scenes owner of Mi'sia.
Ultimately, she paid 120,000 yuan upfront, and the remaining 200,000 yuan would be paid in six months.
Seeing them out, Wang Man Ni was also a bit bewildered by Lin Fan's identity: "Boss, are you satisfied with my service?"
Lin Fan laughed: "Of course I'm satisfied. But don't overthink it. I don't like being called boss. Just treat me as a friend from now on."
"I wouldn't dare."
"Is this an order?"
"Alright. Mr. Lin, I'll listen to you."
Lin Fan and Gu Jia began to head back. As they entered the lobby, Gu Jia was still in a daze: "How many industries do you actually have?"
As far as she knew, he was a board member of DePu, a shareholder of Da Di Investment, and now there's also the Mi'sia high-end luxury store.
Lin Fan responded casually: "Not many industries. I just do a little business."
It's annoying when people know too much. For example, he's also the behind-the-scenes owner of VG. If Lin Shao Tao, Jian Ai, Jia Kuan, and Liu Ying Xia knew, they would annoy him to death.
He wouldn't show off unless necessary.
Gu Jia pouted: "Then if I don't pay back the remaining 200,000 yuan, you'll be at a loss."
Lin Fan grinned: "If you don't pay, you can repay me in another way."
Gu Jia rolled her eyes: "Shameless."
They went upstairs to the 12th floor and went their separate ways.
When Xu Huanshan came home in the evening, Gu Jia immediately shared the good news: her son had been admitted to DePu and Lin Fan had also lent her money to buy a name-brand bag, which would help her break into the circle of wives.
Xu Huanshan was conflicted. He didn't want Gu Jia to get too close to Lin Fan.
But Lin Fan had indeed solved the difficulties they were facing.
After grumbling about the bag being too expensive, Xu Huanshan still felt they should treat Lin Fan to dinner.
They should treat him to dinner, if nothing else, for helping their son get into school.
"Let's treat Lin Fan to dinner tonight. Do you want to do it at home or go out?"
Gu Jia thought for a moment and then smiled: "Let's do it at home. I'll cook."
"Alright, go call him then."
"Okay, I'll go now."
Gu Jia skipped out the door.