The Billionaire's Hidden Affection-Chapter 522 - 519: The Word Husband Upside Down 1_1
She was so anxious. She’d lied to Liu Daqing last time, used all her little tricks—what a deceitful first impression she must have made! What was she going to do? Could Liu Daqing be here to settle accounts?
Liu Daqing, on the other hand, noticed Yan Xixi’s dazed expression but maintained a gentle demeanor, as if just wanting to chat. Her tone was casual as she asked, "How’s business?"
In a low voice, Yan Xixi replied, "It’s manageable."
"Nice ambiance. The display of your merchandise shows thoughtful arrangement."
"Thank you." Yan Xixi responded perfunctorily, feeling as if her scalp was about to explode from stress.
The attendant, mistaking Liu Daqing for a customer, enthusiastically poured some coffee. Yan Xixi took it, signaled the attendant to leave, and then handed the coffee to Liu Daqing. "Please, help yourself."
Liu Daqing took a sip, placed the coffee cup on the table, and continued to wander casually. Yan Xixi accompanied her, apprehensive and unsure of the purpose of her visit.
Liu Daqing examined each item intently, then paused before a handbag priced at over thirteen thousand. She mused, as if to herself, "Actually, I’ve always questioned the existence of luxury goods. Take this bag, for example. Apart from some specially custom-made ones, the materials are quite ordinary, and the production cost is likely no more than a few hundred. So why does it sell for such a high price? Moreover, why are so many women not only willing but also eager to relentlessly pursue these brand names? Isn’t their function just to hold things?"
Yan Xixi was taken aback and didn’t know how to respond. Indeed, apart from rare materials like crocodile or ostrich skin, which could take one and a half to three years to customize, the production cost of regular luxury handbags is shockingly low—especially when compared to their selling price. But why are women so fond of them? What sets a branded product apart from ordinary merchandise?
After contemplating for a moment, she answered earnestly, "I suppose it’s a symbol of social status? People tend to compare themselves with others in their own social class or look up to those above them; they rarely look down. They aspire to stand out within their peer group and perhaps gradually approach a higher level of lifestyle. Honestly, I don’t know for sure."
Those who carried LV wouldn’t aspire to bags like the few-yuan woven ones; on the contrary, they’d set their sights on Hermès.
Liu Daqing nodded. "That’s true. Otherwise, the luxury goods business couldn’t exist." She picked up her coffee cup again. "Xixi, may I sit in your office for a while?"
Yan Xixi replied very politely, "Please."
The office was merely a dozen or so square meters, with two desks facing each other. Xu Xiaoya wasn’t working today, so Yan Xixi was alone. Her desk was exceptionally neat and orderly, with pens and other stationery perfectly organized in their holder. The file cabinets opposite were filled with a dazzling assortment of materials on luxury goods. These included brochures, posters, information on the latest models and their release details, and, of course, details on their cultural backgrounds and the legends of their eras. There were also several books on macroeconomic trends, such as "Currency Wars," "International Situation," and "Financial Analysis." A quick glance at the open computer screen showed a webpage paused on an economic analysis.
Liu Daqing surveyed the room and then sat down.
The coffee had been replaced with black tea.
Liu Daqing was slightly surprised and silently applauded Yan Xixi for her observant nature. Liu Daqing had only taken two sips of the coffee and hadn’t said whether she liked it, yet Yan Xixi had promptly replaced it. She had always preferred black tea over coffee. Drinking coffee always caused a brief stimulating effect on the nerves in her scalp, making her feel anxious. Black tea, however, was much milder, more like a comforting habit.
