Chapter 10

Wang Ge's life should not have intersected with such a bustling area. He came here to buy a reward for his sister.

His sister had been accepted into Starry Sky University, which was the most celebratory event since the passing of their parents. Therefore, Wang Ge came to a place he hadn't visited in five years. When his parents were alive, they occasionally brought Wang Ge and Wang Fei to see the world, but those memories were now very faint.

What Wang Ge remembered were the arrogant and cold faces, and the high and cold demeanor that seemed to be violated even by speaking to them. To be honest, Wang Ge disliked this place even more than Meteor Street.

The dirt on Meteor Street was on the surface, but in reality, it was just a group of pitiful people struggling to survive. The dirt here was internal, hidden beneath a fresh and luxurious exterior.

Wang Ge walked to a pastry chain store according to his memory, named "Superior Magic Pastry." As the name suggested, their pastries had a magical allure, and the prices were so high that ordinary people could not afford them.

He specifically chose this place because when Wang Fei was in elementary school, she won first place in the "Mountain City Base Children's Star War Knowledge Competition." Their parents were so happy that they specially went to the "Superior Magic Pastry" on North City Sky Street to buy a "Charming Family Portrait," which included sixteen different flavors such as Kama Treasure, Coffee Pudding, Flower Delicacy, Matcha Donut, and more. At that time, Wang Ge and Wang Fei almost bit their tongues off from the deliciousness.

At that moment, little Wang Fei hugged Wang Ge happily and said it was the best pastry she had ever eaten. However, they never had the chance to eat it again because their parents passed away.

So, Wang Ge came here again, standing in front of the crystal display window, where the bright lights made the cakes look like exquisite works of art.

Wang Ge subconsciously touched his pocket, which contained 2,000 sun coins, the money he earned from selling Snake Tongue Grass.

Because he had to accompany Wang Fei to study at Starry Sky University, every penny was planned. The 2,000 sun coins were unexpected wealth; otherwise, he would never carry such a large sum of money.

2,000 sun coins... should be enough, right? Wang Ge thought, straightened his chest, and walked into the door of Superior Magic Pastry.

"Welcome!" When the door was pushed open, the pleasant chime of the wind chime sounded, and every employee bowed reflexively, speaking in unison. Their bows were perfectly synchronized, as if it had become a habit.

All of them were over 1.65 meters tall, and their faces were at least pretty. Their well-tailored and carefully made uniforms made them look like models or flight attendants, raising their standards.

So when they looked up and saw Wang Ge standing at the door, wearing a faded blue denim jacket and pants, and scuffed work boots, with a somewhat messy half-long black hair, their high spirits instantly deflated like a punctured balloon.

Another bumpkin coming to see the world!

The employees maintained their standard smiles but had already mentally written Wang Ge off. No one was willing to come up to him.

The few closest to Wang Ge looked at each other, and after a few exchanges of glances, a store employee with finely arched eyebrows finally approached, smiling and said, "Sir, may I ask what kind of pastries you would like to see?"

On the surface, there was no problem, but from the rhythm of her steps, the sincerity of her smile, and the pitch of her voice, one could sense her reluctance.

Wang Ge did not mind her service attitude. His parents had always advised him to "keep a low profile," and although he did not agree with this from the bottom of his heart, he had to endure it when he lacked the strength.

"I want to see the Charming Family Portrait," Wang Ge said. Although he had only eaten it once, he clearly remembered the name of the pastry set.

"What?" The finely arched eyebrow employee looked puzzled and turned to look at her colleagues, "Do we have a 'Charming Family Portrait' product?"

"Never heard of it!"

"Definitely not!"

Her colleagues all shook their heads with a hint of disdain and contempt in their eyes.

"How can it not be there?" Wang Ge frowned, "Eight years ago, my parents bought it here..."

"Oh—eight years ago?" The employees quickly lowered their heads or covered their faces, hiding their uncontrollable laughter—Superior Magic Pastry was known for its high-quality service.

"Sorry, sir, products from eight years ago can only be specially ordered, or you can come on the last day of the month for 'Classic Review Day,'" the finely arched eyebrow employee said politely. Eating Superior Magic Pastry only once every eight years was enough to determine that this was not a target customer. If it weren't for the store rules, she would have kicked this bumpkin out.

"Is that so? How much would it cost to order?" It was the beginning of the month, and Wang Ge couldn't wait until the end of the month.

"It depends on the original price of the pastry, plus a 50% customization fee," the finely arched eyebrow employee said politely, then glanced back at the cashier, who slowly typed "Charming Family Portrait" into the optical computer, which instantly searched for it.

"Charming Family Portrait, priced at 300 sun coins, plus a 50% customization fee, totaling 450 sun coins," the cashier said, with a hint of mockery in her smile.

Wang Ge's heart sank. He had 450 sun coins, but he usually earned only 190 sun coins a day, and that was without deductions.

Although he had the intention to splurge, Wang Ge was still shocked by the high price.

The money he earned by working hard for a day was not enough to buy one piece of cake. He really didn't understand the world of the rich.

"No need to order, do you have something similar?" Wang Ge asked hesitantly. His money was hard-earned.

The finely arched eyebrow employee quickly pursed her lips and quickly switched to a professional smile, "How about this product, 'Eighteen Scholars'? The eight large pieces in the middle are tea-flavored, and the ten smaller pieces on the sides have different flavors, such as jasmine, rose, osmanthus, and more. It's very suitable for young people."

This is good! Wang Ge looked at the "Eighteen Scholars," which were as small as chess pieces and looked like exquisite works of art, and was truly tempted. However, when he saw the price tag, his face changed.

Eighteen Scholars, priced at 380 sun coins.

This was exactly equal to Wang Ge's total income for two days without eating or drinking. Wang Ge hesitated. He wasn't short of money, but thinking about the future costs of going to Starry Sky University with his sister, he decided to save where he could.

"Is there any discount?" Wang Ge asked tentatively. In the civilian area, whether it was a pastry shop or a market, there were always discounts in the evening.

"Sorry, sir, deliciousness does not come with a discount," the finely arched eyebrow employee's professional smile gradually turned cold. Although she herself might not be able to afford it, it didn't stop her from looking down on Wang Ge, who also couldn't afford it. "We at Superior Magic Pastry never sell discounted products because all the pastries presented to customers are the best and freshest."

Wang Ge lowered his eyelids, his gaze lingering on the Eighteen Scholars. It didn't matter to him whether he ate it or not, but he still remembered his sister's happy expression when she first ate the Charming Family Portrait. His sister had been accepted into Starry Sky University, so he decided to reward her with a treat.

So, Wang Ge gritted his teeth, put his hand into his pocket, and felt the two 1,000 sun coin bills, which were warm in his palm.

The finely arched eyebrow employee subtly pursed her lips—380 sun coins, and he was still so stingy, what a bumpkin!

Just as Wang Ge was about to take out a 1,000 sun coin bill and say he would buy it, he suddenly saw a store employee looking at him from behind the counter.

That employee was truly beautiful, the most beautiful among all the employees. Even the school beauty from Wang Ge's junior high school seemed like an ugly duckling in comparison.

She winked at Wang Ge, as if trying to convey something, then looked at the sun coins in his hand and shook her head.

Is she... hinting that I shouldn't buy it? Wang Ge was taken aback. The employee, thinking Wang Ge didn't understand, winked and shook her head again.

Then the employee turned and walked to the back of the store, took a few steps, and looked back at Wang Ge. Wang Ge noticed her small hand hanging by her side, beckoning him.

"Sir, do you need the Eighteen Scholars?" The finely arched eyebrow employee's smile and voice clearly carried a hint of impatience.

"No, thank you." Wang Ge felt he understood the beautiful employee's meaning and hurriedly walked out of Superior Magic Pastry under the disdainful gaze of the finely arched eyebrow employee.

As he walked out, the wind chime rang, and the employees bowed in unison, shouting, "We welcome you to visit us again!"

But their smiles were full of mockery and disdain as they bowed: This bumpkin is finally gone, coming to our place with no money and pretending to be someone important!

Wang Ge walked out of Superior Magic Pastry, circled along the wall, and finally reached the back door.

Sure enough, he saw the beautiful employee who had hinted to him. She had a face that made people feel comfortable, with big, moon-shaped eyes that curved when she smiled. She was holding a pink multi-functional preservation box and tiptoed, looking around.

Seeing Wang Ge, she smiled and waved her small hand, then ran over to him. Her running was unique, with a hop and a skip, making her high ponytail bounce happily.

"Here, this is the Eighteen Scholars you wanted," the girl with the moon-shaped eyes handed the pink preservation box to Wang Ge, "But there's no packaging box, as it would be too conspicuous and inconvenient."

"Ah?" Wang Ge never expected that this girl, who had stopped him, was actually stealing the pastries to give to him.

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