Reborn with Consumption System

Blah, blah, blah...

Old Du seemed to possess the gift of gab; he was incredibly talkative. Han Lie had never encountered a foreigner who could talk so much.

However, this attitude was rather comforting.

Having the foreign head of a luxury brand earnestly fawn over you right from the start—how could that not be satisfying?

But Han Lie found it very strange.

Was Cartier's Magic Capital office a sieve or something?

The morning's meeting hadn't been conducted with much fanfare, so how did Du Lande seem to know even the minute details?

During their conversation, Han Lie intentionally broached the subject. Du Lande didn't try to hide anything, replying meaningfully, "Dear Mr. Han, in China, there are only a few high-end circles where foreigners work. Sometimes we are enemies, sometimes we are friends. Once this deal is truly done, I believe you will immediately become a common VIP client of the three major luxury groups..."

He still didn't explain where the information came from, but Han Lie had already guessed.

Du Lande's implication was that the news had originated from Cartier, hinting that the source was high up within the Swiss Historique Peak Group.

But... it was clearly the branch manager of J.P. Morgan!

That fellow had previously wanted Han Lie to make a fixed-term deposit, offering an interest rate as high as 6%—denominated in US Dollars, which was truly outrageous.

Han Lie casually explained, "I'm about to spend this money. I'm thinking of buying a couple of rare gemstones for my girlfriend."

Then the two briefly chatted about this, touching upon the experience of viewing gemstones that morning.

Less than half an hour after he left, the executives at Bvlgari knew.

Hmph, this circle of yours is certainly interesting...

Han Lie silently resolved that if he ever received another unexpected windfall, he would definitely switch to a different bank for his foreign exchange platform interface.

J.P. Morgan? Get lost! Unless one day I decide to go to the US mainland to cause some major trouble and need you to take the fall, we won't be doing business again...

The information leak genuinely angered Han Lie, so he barely smiled all afternoon.

Bvlgari's gemstone inventory wasn't bad, but he no longer wanted to do business with them.

So, after a cursory glance at the catalogs, he bid them adieu.

Du Lande was thoroughly bewildered. Even by the end, he couldn't pinpoint the problem. We're business competitors; isn't it perfectly normal for me to try and undermine them?

Actually, there was nothing wrong with trying to undermine a competitor, but Du Lande had grossly underestimated Han Lie's astuteness and his grasp of human nature and micro-expressions.

His age, twenty, was indeed quite misleading at times...

Disheartened by the Bvlgari experience, Han Lie wasn't discouraged. The next day, he met with executives from Tiffany & Co. and Van Cleef & Arpels.

It's just spending money, right? Then I'll splurge!

He paid each company a deposit of $5 million USD, with an agreement to view the gemstones the following week.

Consequently, three private jewelry exhibitions were arranged.

Negotiations with the latter two companies proceeded without any pressure at all, going so smoothly it astonished everyone. This was because Cartier had already agreed.

Thanks again, Lu Yisi, you're a true brother.

Of course, special mention also had to go to Du Lande. Upon discovering Bvlgari was out of the running, he'd shamelessly spread the word to the other two: "Young Master Han is loaded and naive! Brothers, let's team up and crush Cartier!"

Furthermore, each jewelry brand maintained a high-end clientele in the Magic Capital. Since Han Lie was willing to pay, and it was only for a single day...

Since we're all here anyway, why not seize the opportunity to invite a few super VIP clients for a small, private exhibition afterward? Wouldn't that kill two birds with one stone? Even selling just one more gem would be pure profit at no additional cost... And even if nothing more sold, simply displaying the gems could, at the very least, boost customer loyalty, right?

And so, word quietly spread. Naturally and inevitably, it reached Zhao Anni's ears.

Of course, they kept Han Lie's name strictly confidential. Even Bvlgari, the shit-stirrer, didn't want to cause unnecessary complications.

The battles between these giants followed an unwritten rule: compete fiercely, but don't destroy each other. There were only a few of them operating at this level in the circle, all on equal footing. Clients circulated among them, so eventually, everyone got a chance.

If someone actually broke a taboo and deeply offended a client, then nobody would profit.

Even Bvlgari, that shit-stirrer, only stirred things up internally; to the outside world, it maintained a high-and-mighty facade.

So, every socialite knew a private gem exhibition was happening, but none of them knew who this mysterious, rich sucker was.

And Zhao Anni, as soon as she got home, shared the news with her daughter.

"Sweetie, some rich fool has booked personal gemstone exhibitions with the three top jewelry giants. Next week, Tiffany & Co., Cartier, and Van Cleef & Arpels will be escorting a batch of top-tier gemstones to Shanghai. After they're done with him, Mommy will take you to their salon viewings, how about that?"

Pan Ge adored gemstones, so she happily agreed, "Great! That saves us a trip abroad. So convenient!"

She wasn't curious about the "rich fool," but she was still miffed that Han Lie hadn't contacted her for two days.

That scumbag... there's a jewelry exhibition next week. I dare you to take me!

After much deliberation, she still didn't send the message.

Forget it. He's busy starting his business and probably doesn't have much money right now. I shouldn't make things difficult for him...

Pan Ge refused to admit she was actually chickening out. She thoughtfully found an excuse for Han Lie's silence and began to look forward to the following week.

Meanwhile, Yu Yun was also buzzing with anticipation. Brother Lie asked me what kind of gemstones I like! MUAHAHAHA! Xi Luting, Little Xi, it's finally my turn to call the shots, isn't it?! Just you wait! Even a small gemstone is way better than that crappy car of yours!

In fact, the impact of this incident was only just beginning to ripple outward; the waves were stirring but had yet to reach their crest.

And Han Lie was oblivious to it all.

****

Another chapter blocked, and I've happily earned another demerit point +1.