20: Buy buy buy

The revolving glass doors of the Oriental Grand Hotel refracted a rainbow-like halo under the midday sun.

Luxurious!

Grand!

The two lions flanking the entrance looked majestic and awe-inspiring.

As soon as Zhang Erwan entered, he was stunned by the high-ceilinged lobby and the bright, shimmering crystal chandeliers.

The red carpet beneath his feet was soft; stepping on it felt like walking on a pile of cotton, making his gait feel a bit unsteady.

But for the sake of showing off, he puffed out his chest and walked with a splayed-out stride.

He wore a punchable expression that suggested he was a regular at such places.

"Gentlemen, do you have a reservation?"

A greeting lady wearing a red qipao with a slit reaching up to her thigh approached them with a smile, her voice cloyingly sweet.

"We want a private room, the best one you have."

Lin Chuan spoke indifferently, casually pulling a big unity bill from his pocket and stuffing it into the greeting lady's hand.

"Of course, it must be the best!"

The greeting lady was pleasantly surprised; in this day and age, someone who could casually give a hundred-yuan tip was rare indeed.

Zhang Erwan looked at the money greedily, thinking to himself that Lin Chuan had truly struck it rich.

Giving that much just for a tip?

They entered a private room named Penglai Pavilion. A snow-white tablecloth covered the huge round table, and in the center of the lazy Susan was a miniature rockery landscape carved with dragons and phoenixes.

"Waiter, order!"

Lin Chuan pushed the menu in front of Zhang Erwan.

"Brother Erwan, you're a man of the world. Order whatever you want today, pick the most expensive items, and don't you dare try to save me money, or else you'll be looking down on me."

Zhang Erwan looked at the terrifying prices on the menu, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down.

A single Australian lobster was over a hundred yuan at market price!

A bottle of Feitian Moutai was over two hundred!

Normally, he couldn't afford a meal like this even if he sold himself.

"Then... then I won't stand on ceremony!"

Zhang Erwan rubbed his hands together, unable to hide the greed in his eyes.

In his heart, however, he was cursing: Where did this idiot Lin Chuan earn so much money?

To be able to order whatever he wanted in a place like this—he'd have to find a chance to ask.

Regardless, he had to fleece him for a fortune today.

"Get one of these big lobsters!

And this, steamed leopard coral grouper!

Abalone! Two for each person!

What's that one called, Buddha Jumps Over the Wall? Bring a whole pot!"

"And for drinks?" Lin Chuan asked with a smile.

"Liquor! It has to be the hard stuff!" Zhang Erwan said with grand bravado. "Bring two bottles of Moutai! We usually use this stuff to rinse our mouths!"

"Alright, and add two bottles of Wuliangye to wash it down."

Lin Chuan said to the waiter, "Bring the food as quickly as possible, my big brother here is hungry."

When the food and drinks were all served, it was truly a Manchu-Han Imperial Feast.

The Australian lobster lay bright red on the platter, its meat crystal clear.

The aroma of the Buddha Jumps Over the Wall wafted directly into their nostrils.

"Come! Brother Erwan! I toast this glass to you!"

Lin Chuan raised his glass, which was filled to the brim with high-proof Moutai.

"We might have had misunderstandings in the past, but once we drink this meal today, we're sworn brothers!

You're Yaoyao's biological brother, which makes you my own brother-in-law!

I'll have to rely on you to look out for me here in the city in the future!"

After being fed such a line of flattery, Zhang Erwan had long since lost his bearings.

"Of course! Don't you worry, little brother!

In this Harbin, mentioning the name Zhang Erwan carries weight!"

Zhang Erwan raised his glass and downed it all in one gulp.

"Good liquor! It's damn fragrant!"

"Lao Wu, Qiang Zi, don't just sit there. Each of you toast our Brother Erwan!" Lin Chuan gave them a meaningful look.

Long Wu and Qiang Zi understood immediately.

One of these two was as strong as an ox, and the other was a driver; their alcohol tolerances were bottomless pits.

"Brother Erwan, I toast you! This aura of yours, I'd say it's even better than those Hong Kong or Taiwan stars!" Qiang Zi began his flattery while holding a large glass.

"That's right! It's just that I didn't want to debut, otherwise, what would be left for Andy Lau?"

Zhang Erwan was praised until he felt like he was floating on air; he refused no one, glass after glass going down his throat.

"Brother Erwan, your capacity for alcohol is truly vast! I'll toast you one as well," Long Wu said in a booming voice, then tilted his head back and drained a glass.

Zhang Erwan refused to be outdone: "Drink! Who's afraid of whom!"

In less than half an hour...

The two bottles of Moutai were empty, and two more bottles of Wuliangye were opened.

Zhang Erwan's tongue was already tied, his eyes were unfocused, and his face was as red as a monkey's butt.

He draped an arm over Lin Chuan's shoulder and slurred:

"Little brother! *Hic!*

Don't you worry!

If Yaoyao dares to... dares to act up with you, I'll slap her silly!

From now on, the two of us are family!

Your money... is my money... hehe..."

"Right, family."

Lin Chuan gave a cold laugh and filled another glass for him.

"Come, for our family, bottoms up!"

"Bottoms up!"

Zhang Erwan gulped it down, his body swaying twice.

He finally couldn't hold on anymore.

His head lolled to the side, hitting the table with a thud, and he fell into a deep sleep.

His hand was still tightly clutching a half-eaten abalone.

His snoring sounded like a bellows, and drool leaked from the corner of his mouth onto the tablecloth.

"Boss, this grandson has drunk himself into a stupor."

Qiang Zi reached out and pushed Zhang Erwan; the guy was like a dead pig, not even letting out a grunt.

"Alright, let's eat."

Lin Chuan stood up, methodically straightened his shirt, and the smile on his face vanished instantly.

Subsequently, the three of them feasted like a whirlwind sweeping through clouds.

Qiang Zi said, "Brother Chuan, I want to go out and ask for a bowl of rice."

Lin Chuan replied, "Why eat a staple food? You can get full on seafood too."

"Ah! Fair enough!"

*Smack, smack!*

*Smack, smack!*

They ate for a full half-hour more before the three of them were completely stuffed.

"This meal was quite satisfying."

"Indeed! Eating this much for a hundred yuan, that's an average of 33 per person. Where else could you find such a good lobster buffet!" Lin Chuan laughed loudly.

"Let's go."

The three of them had no intention of paying the bill and swaggered out of the private room.

As they passed the front desk, Lin Chuan gave the cashier girl a slight smile and pointed toward the private room.

"My big brother is still in there drinking. He said he wants to add a few more dishes and that someone will come to pick him up later. He'll settle the bill once he wakes up. He's a regular here, and this meal is on him."

The cashier girl saw Lin Chuan's dignified appearance and had previously seen him tip the greeting lady a hundred-yuan bill.

How could she dare to doubt him?

"Alright, sir. Have a safe trip."

They stepped out of the hotel's main entrance.

Qiang Zi couldn't help but look back, suppressing a laugh as he said:

"Brother Chuan, this move is too wicked!

This meal must have cost at least two thousand yuan!

When that kid Zhang Erwan wakes up, he'll probably be crying for his parents. If he doesn't have the money to pay, won't he be kept here to wash dishes for half a year?"

"Wash dishes?" Lin Chuan sneered. "The background of this Oriental Grand Hotel is quite deep.

Daring to eat a meal without paying here?

He shouldn't think about getting out without losing a layer of skin.

Let his snobbish parents come to redeem him; it's a good chance to make their family bleed a little too."

This was just a small interlude.

Teaching a rascal a lesson was just a side task... The three of them crossed the road and headed straight for the No. 1 Department Store opposite.

In this era, the department store was the city's fashion center.

The first floor sold cosmetics and gold and silver jewelry, the second floor sold clothing, shoes, and hats, and only the third and fourth floors sold home appliances and general merchandise.

The escalator ascended slowly; this was a rare modern contraption at the time.

When they reached the men's clothing section, it was a feast for the eyes.

Pierre Cardin, Goldlion, Montagut... these big brands that were famous in the early 90s were all hanging in the most prominent positions.

"Sir, are you looking for a suit? How about this one? It's a new arrival!"

The saleswoman greeted them enthusiastically.

Lin Chuan didn't look at those gaudy styles and walked directly to a counter that specialized in high-end custom ready-to-wear.

"Take these few sets down for a try."

Lin Chuan pointed to the well-tailored imported suits on the window models.

Deep blue for Long Wu, black for himself, and gray for Qiang Zi.

"Oh! Young man, you have great taste! This is made of imported Italian fabric; one set costs nearly a thousand!"

The saleswoman praised them while carefully taking the clothes down.

The three of them took the clothes and entered the fitting rooms.

When they came out again.

The air around the entire counter seemed to freeze for a moment.

Lin Chuan was wearing that slim-fit black suit with a snow-white shirt underneath. He hadn't tied a necktie but had instead casually unbuttoned the top two buttons.

He had a tall and straight figure, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist.

This outfit on him shed some of his youthful greenness and added a touch of a mature man's steadiness and nobility.

Especially those eyes, deep as the stars, with a faint smile hanging on his lips.

He looked exactly like a noble young master from a rich family who had walked out of a Hong Kong movie.

Gentle as jade, yet with a pressing aura.

And Long Wu beside him.

His 1.9-meter tower-like frame was tightly wrapped in the deep blue suit, his muscle lines stretching the fabric taut as if it might burst at any moment.

He had also specially put on a pair of aviator sunglasses he had just bought downstairs.

With his hands behind his back, he stood expressionlessly behind Lin Chuan.

That murderous, fierce aura could make one's legs go weak from three meters away.

This was the legendary 'Suit Thug'!

The visual sense of a top-tier bodyguard!

Even Qiang Zi, who had been bowing and scraping, looked like a shrewd head secretary after changing into the gray suit, even if his aura was a bit lacking.

"My goodness!"

The saleswoman's eyes went wide as she covered her mouth in amazement.

"Young man, are you going to film a movie? This is too handsome!"

Several young girls and wives shopping nearby also frequently glanced over, their faces flushing as they stole looks at Lin Chuan.

"These clothes look like they grew on you! They fit too well!"

"I'll take them all."

Lin Chuan straightened his collar in the mirror and nodded with satisfaction.

"Also leather shoes, belts, and take a few more shirts for replacements."

"Right away! I'll pack them up for you immediately!"

The saleswoman was so happy her mouth wouldn't close; this was a massive order!

After this round of spending, several thousand more yuan were gone.

But Lin Chuan didn't care at all; there were still over six hundred billion in the system.

He couldn't spend it all, simply couldn't spend it all!

I worked so hard in my last life, what's wrong with enjoying myself in this one?

The effect of putting on new clothes was also immediate.

Walking through the mall, people around them would unconsciously make way for them.

Those envious and awe-filled gazes made Qiang Zi and Long Wu unconsciously straighten their backs... Next, the three of them took the escalator up to the fourth-floor appliance section.

This was the noisiest and most bustling place in the entire department store.

Rows of televisions were on, playing the same images—all static snow or blurry news broadcasts.

But even so, it was crowded with people watching the novelty.

"Hey! Isn't that Changhong? I heard they're really good!"

"They're good, but too expensive. One color TV costs several thousand; we can't afford it."

Lin Chuan ignored those ordinary domestic brands.

If he was going to buy, he'd buy the best!

Domestic products of this era were still a bit lacking.

He walked straight toward the imported appliance section at the very back.

This area was noticeably quieter, with only a few female clerks in uniforms chatting.

After all, the prices here were astronomical for an ordinary family in the early 90s.

"Welcome."

Seeing Lin Chuan's group approaching, the eyes of the clerks, who had been snacking on melon seeds, instantly lit up.

Anyone with eyes could tell that these gentlemen in this attire were definitely either rich or noble!

"Sir, looking for a TV? We have imported goods that just arrived, all original Japanese imports!"

A tall and sweet-looking clerk was the first to react and greeted them enthusiastically.

"I want the best one."

Lin Chuan was concise, his gaze scanning the display stands.

Finally, his eyes locked onto the big guy in the center, surrounded by a red velvet rope.

That TV had a pure black casing, a huge and flat screen, and even under strong light, the picture remained clear and sharp, the colors so saturated they seemed ready to overflow.

Sony!

Trinitron picture tube!

In those years, that was the Rolls-Royce of the appliance world!

"Is that the 29-inch King of Pictures Sony just released?"

Lin Chuan pointed to that TV.

A flash of surprise crossed the clerk's eyes; she hadn't expected this young noble to be so knowledgeable.

"Sir, you truly have great taste! You're an expert!"

She quickly opened the barrier and led Lin Chuan to the television, her tone carrying a hint of showing off and respect.

"This is the treasure of our store!

The Sony 29-inch Trinitron large color TV!

It's an original Japanese import, using the latest single-gun three-beam picture tube technology!

Look at this picture, these colors—it's clearer than a real person!

And it's also stereo; the effect when watching movies is just like being in a cinema!"

"There aren't many of these TVs in stock in all of Harbin right now!"

Lin Chuan reached out and touched the cold, smooth body of the machine, feeling the quality brought by technology.

He remembered very clearly that in '92, this thing was absolutely a top-tier luxury item.

Owning a TV like this was more impressive in social circles than driving a Ferrari would be in later generations.

Placed at home, it would be the center of conversation for the entire village or even the whole town.

"How much?"

Lin Chuan asked indifferently.

The clerk hesitated for a moment and carefully quoted a figure.

"Sir, because this TV is the top model and the tariffs are high... the selling price is exactly fifteen thousand yuan."

Fifteen thousand!

Qiang Zi, standing nearby, sucked in a breath of cold air, his eyes nearly popping out.

"My god! Fifteen thousand?

That's too expensive! In some areas, you could buy a small two-bedroom apartment with that!"

Long Wu's brow also twitched, but he didn't speak, only looking at Lin Chuan.

Several customers watching the excitement nearby also clicked their tongues.

"Fifteen thousand for a TV? Are they crazy?"

"Exactly, what couldn't you do with that money?"

However, Lin Chuan's expression didn't change in the slightest.

It was as if he had heard one yuan and fifty cents, rather than fifteen thousand.

"I'll take it."

Lin Chuan directly took out two bundles of unopened cash—one bundle of ten thousand, then pulled out five thousand more—and slapped them on the counter.

"Write the receipt."

This straightforwardness of throwing around gold completely stunned everyone present.

The clerk's hands were shaking with excitement, her cheeks flushed.

"Alright! Please wait a moment, sir! I'll write the receipt for you right now! You are truly so generous!"

This was a super large order! Her commission this month would be quite a lot!

"By the way, the installation and antenna reception of this thing require professional tuning, right?"

Lin Chuan pointed to the heavy television.

"Yes, sir! A professional technician must come to the house to tune it to achieve the best effect!"

The clerk nodded quickly. "Our department store provides VIP delivery service!

Leave your address, and we will have a special vehicle with two technicians deliver it to your door tomorrow morning.

Installation and tuning included, until you are satisfied!"

"Fine."

Lin Chuan picked up a pen and wrote the address for Red Mangrove Village on the delivery slip in a flamboyant script.

"Deliver it tomorrow morning, don't be late."

"Don't you worry! Come rain or shine!"

After writing the address, Lin Chuan turned around and looked at the dumbfounded Qiang Zi and the calm Long Wu.

"The TV is bought, but we haven't looked at refrigerators and washing machines yet."

"Since we're here, let's get everything at once."

"That Siemens double-door refrigerator next to it looks decent too."

"And that drum washing machine, I'll take them all."