Chapter 8
Early in the morning, Zhou Chao woke up in his spacious 80-square-meter bedroom. As he glanced outside, he observed the sunlight streaming through the towering branches of the trees and casting its gentle glow onto the balcony. In a state of complete relaxation, he lay on the bed, resembling a peaceful fish immersed in its own tranquil world.
“System check-in.”
“Check-in successful. Congratulations, Host, you have obtained the title ‘Radiant Gentleman’.”
“‘Radiant Gentleman’?” Zhou Chao sat up abruptly on the bed, looking at the check-in reward. “System, please explain.”
“The objective of this system is to cultivate genuine excellence. As a prospective elite, your journey to success doesn’t necessarily require public struggle, but it does demand a corresponding demeanor. It is crucial to avoid becoming a mere parvenu, someone who merely flaunts wealth without substance, ultimately leading to self-embarrassment.”
A flock of crows seemed to fly over Zhou Chao’s head… In the past, I could only be considered a homebody, not a loser. Zhou Chao inwardly retorted, feeling powerless.
“Claim.”
The moment the words left his lips, it felt as if a flood of information surged into Zhou Chao’s mind. Etiquette, speech patterns, and a multitude of knowledge ignited within him like a dazzling fireworks display. Reclining on the bed, Zhou Chao closed his eyes and willingly absorbed the wealth of knowledge imparted by the system.
As time trickled by, noon drew near, and Zhou Chao gently opened his eyes. It appeared as though two radiant beams of light were emanating from his gaze. Rising from the bed, he gracefully proceeded towards the dressing room, guided by an air of purpose.
In the dressing room, Zhou Chao stood before the mirror and gazed at his reflection. Outwardly, he remained the same person as the day before, yet the aura emanating from his eyes and countenance had undergone a remarkable transformation. Yesterday’s version of himself had blended into the crowd, an unremarkable onlooker. But today, he had become a captivating presence, drawing the attention of all those around him.
Zhou Chao smiled faintly, admiring himself in the mirror. He almost fell in love with his own reflection—bright and spirited eyes, a slight curve of the lips—he was the epitome of a TV drama protagonist.
After indulging in self-admiration for about ten minutes in the dressing room, he examined his hairstyle and attire. Feeling that they weren’t quite compatible, he took out his phone and searched online for Tony, a skilled stylist, and a suitable place for styling.
Zhou Chao gathered some information online, tidied up briefly, grabbed his keys, and set off. He planned to visit the IFC Guojin Center to browse around and buy a few sets of clothes. After all, he was still wearing clothes from before that didn’t quite match.
Before long, Zhou Chao reached the prestigious shopping destination of IFC Guojin Center in Modu. Accustomed to less luxurious shopping experiences, he felt uncertain about which store would cater to his needs. In a state of curiosity, he aimlessly strolled through the center, exploring the various options available.
“Hello, handsome. I’ve noticed you’ve been wandering around here for quite some time. May I assist you?” While Zhou Chao was aimlessly strolling, a mature voice with a touch of elegance came from beside him. He turned around to see a sophisticated woman standing behind him.
“Hello, I’m just casually looking to see if there’s anything suitable for me to wear.”
“What’s your surname, sir?”
“Zhou.”
“Mr. Zhou, nice to meet you. I am the store manager of Armani at IFC. Would you be interested in taking a look?”
Zhou Chao looked at the slender figure before him, the store manager of Armani exuding an elegant and mature charm, and said, “Sure, lead the way.”
“Please follow me.” Zhou Chao followed the store manager into the Armani store, taking in the array of clothing options. He turned to the store manager and said, “Please help me select a few suitable outfits based on my body type.”
The store manager didn’t say much and guided Zhou Chao to the fitting room. Within minutes, she skillfully curated several outfits for him. Zhou Chao, with his excellent physique and height of 181 centimeters, already exuded a handsome appearance. Now, with his unparalleled charm, he tried on a casual outfit and stepped out of the fitting room.
The store manager couldn’t help but stare at Zhou Chao, almost feeling a bit flustered, as if she wanted to devour him. Zhou Chao could only cough gently to break the silence. “Ahem, excuse me.”
Startled, the store manager snapped back to her senses. “I apologize, sir. When you wear this outfit, you look like a character stepped out of a painting, a graceful and radiant gentleman.”
Zhou Chao smiled gently. “Please help me select two sets each of casual, sporty, and formal attire. I trust your judgment.”
“Of course, please wait a moment.” The store manager soon returned with a sales assistant, who carried several sets of clothing. “Sir, please have a look. These are all in your size, based on what you tried on earlier. Let me know if there’s anything you don’t like.”
Zhou Chao briefly inspected the garments and was satisfied with the color combinations. He nodded and said, “I’ll take them all. Please pack them up for me.”
The store manager beamed with delight. “Very well, Mr. Zhou. Please wait a moment.”
Soon, the clothes were neatly packed. “Mr. Zhou, the total, after discounts, is 522,200 yuan. Will you be paying by card or mobile payment?” The store manager spoke respectfully.
“Card, please.” Zhou Chao took out his Huaxia Bank card and handed it over. The store manager swiftly processed the payment and returned the card to him.
“I’d like to change into one of the outfits. Can you deliver the rest to my home?”
“Certainly, Mr. Zhou. Could you please provide me with your address, phone number, and a convenient time? I will personally ensure the delivery.”
Zhou Chao nodded and provided his address and phone number to the store manager before leaving Armani.
Meanwhile, the sales associates at the Armani store gathered around the store manager, asking, “Sis, how did you discover this big customer? He’s handsome and wealthy.”
The store manager smiled mysteriously and replied, “It’s all about his aura, the deep gaze in his eyes. Alright, get back to work now, everyone. Focus on your tasks.”