I'm A Baller - Chapter 21

Chapter 21: Sunglasses
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Just when Wang Yan was about to tease Liu Li, Lin Weiwei was already holding onto Liu Li and interrogating her.
“Is he the little puppy you just met?”
“What are you talking about? He’s a junior from the same province as me! Don’t be so direct!”
“He’s pretty average.”
“What? He’s just an acquaintance. Why do you care so much about his looks?”
“Woah, look at how you’re protecting him! Spill, how has the little puppy bewitched you?!”
“What are you talking about?! I’m not protecting him! Stop spouting nonsense!”
Realizing that Liu Li would never spill the beans, Lin Weiwei stopped questioning her. An entire afternoon was more than enough time for her to observe the situation.
‘In conclusion, as her best friend, I will be the one to take up the arduous task of preventing my little Liu Li from falling into the wrong hands,’ thought Lin Weiwei.
…
Wang Yan walked towards them and stood next to the two girls, smiling. He waited quietly for them to finish their conversation.
Men and women were indeed different. If a girl didn’t see her best friend for a week, they would have tons of stories to share with each other. However, if they didn’t meet for a year, that would mean that they had drifted apart.
Whereas for men…
They would have nothing to say if they met after a week, so they would just gather for a drink. Similarly, they would meet up to go drinking even if they hadn’t met for a year, or even five years.
After chattering for five minutes or so, Liu Li finally remembered Wang Yan. She pulled him over and introduced him.
“This is Wang Yan, my junior from the same province. We just met on the train. He’s really interesting.
“This is Lin Weiwei, my roommate and best friend. She’s from the capital and super loyal.”
“Hi.”
“Hi. Hop on, let’s get going!”
Wang Yan’s first impression of Lin Weiwei was that she was an extremely exuberant person.
On the other hand, Lin Weiwei felt that Wang Yan had a calm composure and great posture.
Just like Liu Li, she was very sensitive to such details. This was common to all who danced. It was almost ingrained in them.
However, his fashion sense made Lin Weiwei groan in distaste.
What was he wearing?
A basic Baleno shirt with a pair of secondhand capri pants and a Louis Vuitton duffle bag?
Was that duffle bag a replica of the classic version?
Her first reaction was that it had to be a high-end replica of the original version, as it looked nothing like a counterfeit item. The design and color were legitimate.
Then again, the authentic item cost around eighteen thousand dollars. There was no way anyone would pair it with an item from Baleno, which was very cheap.
However, even a high-end replica would cost from 3,000 to 5,000 dollars. Why would anyone buy it to pair with such inexpensive items?
Lin Weiwei didn’t want to make a rash judgment, but that didn’t leave a very good impression on her.
If the bag was an authentic item, he lacked fashion sense.
If the bag was a counterfeit item, he was vain and ostentatious.
Whatever the reason, it was unpresentable.
…
They finally ended the conversation and climbed into the car. Lin Weiwei sat in the driver seat, Liu Li sat in the front passenger seat, and Wang Yan sat in the back.
Wang Yan couldn’t control his smile as he got into the car.
Wang Yan’s dream car was a white Audi A4L.
Coincidentally, Lin Weiwei’s car was an Audi A4L, but it was red in color.
What a coincidence!
Since the two girls were engrossed in their conversation, Wang Yan didn’t ask about the car’s functions and drivability. He just sat there quietly, experiencing the car’s performance for himself…
Before driving out of the parking lot, the two ladies had planned out their route. They would take Wang Yan to his destination before heading back to their dorm to drop off Liu Li’s luggage.
Liu Li turned and asked, “Wang Wang, what are you buying?”
“A watch.”
Lin Weiwei followed up with, “Where are you heading to?”
“23 Ch’ien Men East Street.”
Liu Li didn’t feel anything was amiss but Lin Weiwei hit the brakes abruptly and turned back to look at Wang Yan with her eyes wide open. She cursed.
“What the f*ck! Maison Patek Philippe?!”
“I think so?” Wang Yan was unsure. “Baidu Maps indicated that it was an official store. When I called them up, they didn’t mention their store name…”
Wang Yan’s calm composure gave Liu Li the wrong impression.
She knew that Patek Philippe was expensive, but most of her classmates were wearing watches that cost up to ten thousand dollars. The only difference was the brand name.
As a result, she questioned ignorantly, “Weiwei, why are you overreacting?”
Lin Weiwei was taken aback. She tried desperately to suppress her words of “advice,” but it was to no avail.
“Junior, if you’re just buying a mid-range watch that costs under a hundred thousand dollars, there’s really no need to come all the way to the capital to purchase a Patek Philippe watch. Compared to other luxury brands, Patek Philippe’s lower-quality watches are lacking.”
Instead of giving advice, she sounded doubtful of him.
‘The ladies at the capital are just this frank! Fight me!’ she thought.
It was disgruntling to be looked down upon, and Wang Yan felt the same way. Nonetheless, he wasn’t oblivious enough to argue with Liu Li’s best friend. He smiled generously. “Thank you, Senior Lin. I am aware of that.”
Lin Weiwei didn’t continue the conversation. She merely kept quiet and continued driving.
A realization struck Liu Li belatedly. She turned abruptly towards Wang Yan. “Wang Wang, are you buying an exorbitantly expensive watch?”
Wang Yan thought for a second before giving an ambiguous reply. “I just wanted to buy a watch that I liked.”
Wang Yan was a quick learner. He knew to show off in front of a person who was money-minded and to keep a low-profile in front of someone who was not.
The distance between 23 Ch’ien Men and the train station was barely more than a mile. They reached the main entrance as they were chatting.
Looking up, it was a huge gray screen that had 23 Ch’ien Men written on it in English and Chinese. Apart from that, there was nothing else.
A grass field and five buildings that were two stories high—this was all of 23 Ch’ien Men.
It was low-profile and quiet. The ambiance was extraordinary.
Maison Patek Philippe was the first building on the right.
As they entered from the main entrance and parked the car, an unknown but aristocratic aura suffocated the three of them. This was different from malls that were packed like sardines. They were of two different levels.
While parking her car steadily, Lin Weiwei turned towards Wang Yan. “Do you mind if I follow to gain some experience?”
Wang Yan was stunned.
What was she talking about? Didn’t she want to take Liu Li back to the dorm to drop off her luggage?
‘Forget it, whatever floats her boat. It’s not like I’m doing something illegal!’ he thought.
Hence, he didn’t ask for a reason. He smiled politely. “That sounds great. It would be a little nerve-wracking if I went in alone.”
Upon reaching the main entrance, Wang Yan wasn’t nervous, but Liu Li was overwrought.
Walking up the steps and pushing the doors open, they were greeted by a wall. In front of the wall, there was a statue and two portraits hung on the wall.
Turning left, they reached the reception area. Its interior was comparable to a hotel lobby. Even though it wasn’t as extravagant as an actual lobby, it was much classier. Every furnishing emanated an artistic style.
On the right side was an information desk. On the wall was the name and logo of Patek Philippe. The logo consisted of a cross and a sword that formed a flower. It was also known as the Calatrava Cross.
At a glance, they didn’t see the counter. There were no watches in sight, and they didn’t see any customer service representatives. There was only a lady who was walking around with a smile and approaching guests politely.
Wang Yan took a step forward. “I’m Mr. Wang. I made an appointment this morning.”
“Mr. Wang, would you like to take a rest in the reception hall? I will share with you the history of Patek Philippe, our brand, and our services.”
Even though Wang Yan was interested, it was Lin Weiwei’s birthday, and all her friends would be waiting. He had no time to waste.
He denied regrettably, “Thank you, but I have my eyes settled on one of your watches. May I take a look at them?”
“Of course, we are at your service. This way, please.”
The three of them were brought to the second level, which was their showroom.
There were only two floors, yet they had to take the elevator up.
In the showroom, Wang Yan was served by a professional promoter. The middle-aged man was wearing a suit and his clothing was definitely more expensive than Wang Yan’s duffel bag. Nonetheless, he was extremely respectful towards Wang Yan, even when Wang Yan was wearing secondhand clothes.
“Mr. Wang, you mentioned that you had a watch in mind. May I ask if you remember the reference number? Do you need me to provide you with the pictures?”
“No, thank you.”
Wang Yan smiled in reply. How could he have forgotten the reference number of the watch that he’d had eyes on for so long?
“Complications Chronograph series, 5170J-001.”
The man smiled in approval and amazement, but there was a tinge of regret as he shook his head.
This might be a trap. The man definitely deserved an Oscar award.
“I sincerely admire your taste. I rarely see anyone choose a mechanical watch that has no calendar function, especially when it costs five hundred and fifty thousand dollars.”
“Even though 5170-J is not selling as well as the Nautilus collection, I regret to inform you that it is out of stock at our store. Do you mind waiting for a while longer as I contact our headquarters in Geneva?”
Liu Li squeezed Lin Weiwei’s arm, breathing heavily.
Lin Weiwei was no better as she stealthily placed her sunglasses over her nose bridge.
She thought to herself, “I must have looked so dumb, staring with my eyes wide open.”