American Adventure: My Uncle is Don Quixote

"No rush, whenever you’re free is fine. The Super Bowl is in two weeks, and I plan on wearing it to the press conference," Li Wei said, his tone suddenly shifting. "Are you busy today?"

"No, no," Jin Heon denied immediately. "It’s just... it’s Saturday, so I wasn’t planning on going out."

"Oh? So you wanted to slack off this weekend?" Li Wei chuckled.

"Of course not!"

"Please, help me out," Li Wei suddenly pleaded. "That suit of mine has been sitting there for over a week. If I don’t get it soon, Emma’s going to chew me out. You’re the only one I can count on right now."

Jin Heon had originally planned to take the day off. Going tomorrow wouldn’t be too late.

But those words, "You’re the only one I can count on," were like a splash of warm water on the cold, heavy feeling in her chest. They silently warmed it, melted it, and let it escape with her breath.

It wasn’t some earth-shattering revelation—she wasn’t even sure if Li Wei had just said it casually.

But at this particular moment, after she had just spent the entire morning confirming how powerless, pathetic, and meaningless she was, someone was telling her: I need you.

That was more effective than an 8,000 USD bag.

"If you’re really busy, then forget it," Li Wei added. "I’ll just take the scolding. I’ll have Emma bring it to me."

Emma.

Jin Heon didn’t know who this person was, but she didn’t want to be replaced by some "Emma."

"No need," Jin Heon said, snapping her seat back upright and starting the car. "I’m on my way now."

"So eager?" Li Wei laughed.

"Of course!" Jin Heon said. "Because I’m the boss’s most capable Xiaojin."

"Thanks for the trouble, then," Li Wei said. "After you pick it up, just drop it off at my place. And grab the tickets while you’re there."

After hanging up, Jin Heon glanced in the rearview mirror.

The person in the mirror had slightly swollen eyes and chapped lips. Yesterday’s makeup was completely ruined, the foundation as mottled as half-peeled wallpaper.

’I’ll take it off when I get back to my dorm.’ She couldn’t be bothered to stop on the side of the road.

The 911 finally came to a stop at the corner of Madison Avenue and East 61st Street.

When Jin Heon got out of the car, the cold winter wind shot right into her open coat, making her shiver. But it also seemed to blow away some of the clutter in her mind.

She looked up at the two-story, pearl-white standalone building before her. Through the glass display windows on the first floor, she could see various luxury brand bags and clothes arranged inside.

There were no conspicuous signs or logos. If Li Wei hadn’t given her the address, she might have mistaken it for a private art gallery.

The security guard at the door had clearly been notified, and he let Jin Heon straight in.

Pushing the door open, she was greeted by a wave of warmth, a scent mixed with leather and woody fragrances.

There wasn’t a single customer in the shop. It was very quiet, and a thick carpet swallowed the sound of her footsteps.

"Hello? Is anyone here?"

No one was behind the counter, but a set of light footsteps echoed from the direction of the second-floor staircase, followed by a woman’s voice with a distinct Eastern European accent:

"Coming, coming~ Oh! You must be Jin Heon, right?"

A tall, blonde woman with exquisite makeup walked briskly down the stairs.

She looked quite a bit older than Jin Heon, with fair skin, distinctly Eastern European features, and eyes that were a color somewhere between gray and blue.

"I’m Emma," she said, striding over and looking Jin Heon up and down. "Li Wei sent you to get the clothes? Said you’re his COO?"

"Yes, I’m Jin Heon," Jin Heon replied with a polite nod. "Mr. Li Wei said he’s been rather busy lately—"

"I know, I know. He’s a big star now, a real big shot," Emma said, cutting her off and heading inside, waving for her to follow. "Come with me. The clothes you’re here for are on the second floor."

Jin Heon followed Emma upstairs.

The second floor felt more private than the first. The lighting was dimmed, and the display cases held jewelry and accessories that, while brandless, had a look of high quality.

Jin Heon found it strange. It was the weekend, a time when rich wives would be out shopping, yet this luxury boutique, occupying such a prime location, was completely deserted. ’Do they not advertise at all?’

Emma pushed open the door to a VIP room inside. In the very center of the room, a dark suit bag hung from a clothing rack.

"Here," Emma said, unzipping the suit bag. "This is the one he had custom-made."

Jin Heon couldn’t tell if it was good or bad, but she nodded.

"He sure is extravagant," Emma said, crossing her arms and leaning against the doorframe. "14k gold-brushed thread, all hand-stitched. This suit alone costs 60,000 USD."

"My boss said it’s for the Super Bowl press conference."

"Right. But he’s got good taste," Emma smiled. "Back when we used to work here together, he was really good at coaxing the rich wives into a good mood. His tips were way higher than mine."

Jin Heon’s fingers moved away from the cuff.

"Wait," she said, looking at Emma. "He used to work here?"

"Of course. You didn’t know?" Emma’s expression was one of disbelief, as if she’d heard something incredible. "He worked here part-time in high school, as a sales associate. Sold everything in the store."

"He... worked as a sales associate?" Jin Heon found it hard to imagine. "Li Wei? Here? Selling clothes?"

"Yeah, and a damn good one, too," Emma said, zipping the suit bag back up and straightening it as she reminisced. "He had a knack. Whenever a customer was hesitating, he could always say something that would make them happily hand over their money. We used to say his words were like Magic."