Ye Feng drove Luo Yan to Liancheng's largest shopping mall, Liancheng Plaza.

The mall was located in the bustling city center, spanning five floors.

It was a massive leisure and commercial plaza that combined supermarkets, clothing, and electronics.

The hustle and bustle here was no less than that of shopping centers in first- and second-tier cities, with many luxury brand stores catering to high-end consumers.

As the year-end approached, the mall was crowded and bustling. After parking his electric scooter, Ye Feng entered with Luo Yan.

The items inside weren't cheap. Luo Yan, just a college freshman, didn't have much money and couldn't afford the pricier items.

So, they headed straight to the supermarket to buy some necessities for the New Year.

Although the mall was upscale, the supermarket prices weren't much different from outside, which was a major reason for the heavy foot traffic.

After an hour, they had bought quite a few items, with Ye Feng carrying several large bags.

"Brother Feng, let me take you to buy some new clothes for the New Year."

Luo Yan was in high spirits, hopping ahead like a little deer.

Ye Feng glanced at his own clothes, which were indeed quite worn out.

Back in high school, he would wear the same clothes for years, so he never felt self-conscious.

Often, a person's confidence doesn't come from appearance but from strong abilities and extensive knowledge.

But since he could afford it now, he didn't mind buying new clothes, so he nodded.

They took the escalator to the third floor, which was the clothing section, filled with various apparel stores, including some luxury brands.

With the year-end approaching, many financially capable people came here to buy fashion items.

Most were young people, including some bald businessmen with beautiful girls on their arms, whispering sweet nothings.

Luo Yan led Ye Feng into an unassuming clothing store, which was neatly and luxuriously decorated.

The store wasn't large, about forty to fifty square meters, but even so, the rent for such a space was tens of thousands a month.

The entire massive mall was like a giant treasure trove, with its valuation reaching billions.

As they walked, Ye Feng, with his old business acumen, carefully observed the mall's operating model.

This model was identical to the one he had planned when he was preparing to invest in Liancheng.

The company he co-invested in with his college roommate, he wondered how it had developed now.

His shares were probably divided up the moment he went to prison.

Thinking of that roommate, Ye Feng felt a surge of emotions. One day, he would reclaim everything that belonged to him!

Inside the store, it was somewhat deserted compared to the bustling shops outside.

Two stylish female sales clerks were expressionless, idly doing their nails or playing on their phones.

As Ye Feng and Luo Yan entered, one clerk looked up with a joyful expression.

But upon seeing Ye Feng's shabby attire, her face quickly dimmed.

Ye Feng instantly understood. With such salespeople, how could the store's business be good?

But he didn't say anything. He was here to buy clothes, and the rest wasn't his concern.

Another sales clerk lazily got up and said disinterestedly, "Take a look around yourselves."

Ye Feng and Luo Yan went to the racks, carefully selecting a few styles and comparing sizes.

"Brother Feng, this one looks great, very sunny and handsome," Luo Yan said, picking out a few items and pushing Ye Feng into the fitting room.

After trying them on, Ye Feng chose two pieces, leaving the rest on the rack. As Luo Yan was about to tidy them up, a sales clerk remarked sarcastically, "If you're not buying, don't try them on. It's a hassle to clean up."

Ye Feng frowned, but Luo Yan retorted angrily, "What's with your attitude? How would we know if they fit without trying them on?"

"Besides, isn't this your job?"

The sales clerk, seeing Luo Yan's anger, got annoyed and pointed at her, saying, "I've seen plenty like you who try but don't buy, just to find the same items online."

"You poor folks, what kind of attitude do you expect?"

"If you want good service, go to the luxury store next door. But looking at you, you can't even afford a button there."

The two sales clerks mocked Ye Feng and Luo Yan, not taking them seriously.

They had been in the industry long enough to judge people by their appearance. Ye Feng's shabby look didn't suggest wealth.

Luo Yan looked like a college freshman with no spending power, so they dared to speak this way.

Luo Yan was furious, not expecting to be treated this way while shopping.

She was about to argue, but Ye Feng stopped her, saying, "Xiao Yan, ignore them."

Find the original at bit.ly/3iBfjkV.

He was about to leave.

Such insignificant people, Ye Feng wouldn't have even glanced at them in the past, let alone argued.

The clerks smirked, continuing, "See, I was right. They never intended to buy, just wanted to try on clothes."

"What are you talking about?"

A fashionable woman walked in, hearing the clerks' words, her brows furrowed, face dark.

"Sister Wei..."

The two clerks immediately lowered their heads, their arrogance vanishing.

The woman was about to scold them when she saw Ye Feng and was stunned, showing disbelief.

"You... you're Ye Feng?"

"Susan Weiwei?"

Ye Feng never expected to meet an old acquaintance here.

Susan Weiwei was his high school classmate, sitting in front of him for three years.

She was very pretty and often passed notes to Ye Feng, expressing her feelings, but he never accepted them. However, they weren't on bad terms.

The two clerks, hearing this, felt a chill, their faces turning ugly.

They never imagined this seemingly insignificant poor guy knew the boss lady.

After the initial surprise, Susan Weiwei looked at Ye Feng's worn-out appearance and sighed.

She had heard about Ye Feng's imprisonment, never expecting the once-brilliant star to fall to such a state.

But she was puzzled. They said Ye Feng committed a serious crime, so how was he out in just five years?

"Weren't you already..."

Susan Weiwei hesitated, not finishing her question.

Ye Feng knew what she wanted to ask and changed the subject, "It's a long story, all in the past."

She smiled slightly, not pressing further, and said, "It's good you're out safely. Are you buying clothes?"

Ye Feng nodded, "Yes, is this your store?"

"After getting married, I've been running this store."

Susan Weiwei smiled wryly.

Ye Feng sighed, surprised she was married, but then realized he was almost thirty himself.

Time waits for no one!

"Pick any style you like, consider it a gift from an old classmate."