Chapter 9

Ernest raised his eyebrows. His anger vanished as fast as the way it showed up, and Ernest was conscious enough to realize his problem. He couldn't stand there and argue while the precious time was flying. He had another plan, but before leaving, he had to do something.

“Fine, now I understand the way you guys do business.” He looked at the big, sparkling banner on the rooftop, “Friesta? Good, this is the first brand that I have to keep in mind.”

“We will meet again.” If I couldn't survive tonight.

Ernest left that sentence with a mysterious smile before he turned away, heading to another shop.

Ernest wouldn't give up! He had six hours left, and there must be some shop where he could spend all his money!

But when Ernest was about to leave the crowd, he heard someone calling him. “Sir. Please, sir. I have something to talk about.”

Ernest was surprised, and so did the crowd. Since they all knew that Ernest had done nothing wrong, no one dared to scold him badly. Just look at his expression. Ernest was wearing a beggar costume, yes, but his eyes were full of pure indifference even if he was looking at you, as if you weren't worth his attention.

What if he was just a rich guy with a weird hobby of becoming a beggar for fun?

Of course Ernest himself didn't realize that. Now spending money was the only thing left in his mind, so when he glanced at the man coming, his look was more freezing than death.

“What can I help?” Ernest asked, staring at the man. He’d better show an important problem, or else Ernest himself didn't know what he would do after that.

He had only six hours left to survive!!!

The man who came was a middle-aged man with reddish hair and a careful look in his brown eyes. He wore an office outfit, and was just similar to the damn woman who had just made Ernest be scolded.

“I am Steven Smith. I'm currently working for the Aniston Stella Fashion Shop, over there.” The man introduced, hand pointing at the shop nearby.

Ernest followed his hand, seeing a shop which was decorated like a cozy house.

He nodded, and the man said, “I have just heard that you need to buy some clothes, right? My shop might not be as luxurious as Friesta, but… would you like to come and take a look?”

“Our products are all handmade, the material has been chosen carefully to make sure that it would still be beautiful after years. And of course, they're affordable.”

This time not only the crowd but also the woman employee was shocked. She stood at her shop with both eyes opened wide and jaws dropped. What happened? Didn't Steven realize that this young man was suspicious?

She shouted, “Are you crazy, Steven? This guy is not qualified to enter your shop! If he is actually a wealthy man, he would have shown something to prove that, not just standing and lying again and again!”

“She's right! You need to make sure that this guy won't remember the shop's location and go back to beg for money from your customers!”

Someone in the crowd shouted, and it was a spark throwing into the gasoline puddle. Other people started supporting the woman employee, forgetting that they had just accused Ernest for an inexistent crime.

“Just chase him away, sir!”

“He is just a scammer pretending to be a rich man!”

Ernest didn't give a damn about the crowd. He was just curious about Steven’s attitude. Of course, it was definitely the shop where Ernest would spend 1,000,000 USD and gain another week to live, but he needed to know something first.

“As you can see, everyone thinks that I'm gonna scam you, and you don't know if I will return to steal something in the future. Why do you think that I would buy it instead?”

Steven looked at Ernest, slowly shaking his head. Oh God, why did this guy ask him as if he was wealthy and tried to test the others’ kindness? Steven didn't support the employee's arrogant attitude, but it was obvious that Ernest wasn't rich. Admitting his poverty wouldn't kill, right?

Steven didn't understand, but it didn't affect his kindness. Steven wasn't rich. His fashion shop couldn't even earn well those days because of Friesta's appearance and his employee just slept on the sofa, but Steven purely wanted to help this beggar.

Look at his clothes. How long had he worn that hoodie? It's faded, tattered, smelly, and there were also a few dirty stains which he didn't know what exactly they were.

Wealthy? Nah, don't kidding. After thinking deeply, Steven guessed that the young man might have gone through some tragic event in his life, so that he was possessed with money and thought that he was rich.

That beggar could have some problem with his mental health, he was stuck in his own world, but he would never steal anything. His chaotic mind told that he was noble and he had his own dignity!

Steven understood this, and that beggar actually needed help from the others! Those people laughed, scolded him, but Steven would help that poor man!

Thinking so, Steven said with a gentle voice.

“You won't scam. Even though you can be penniless, your dignity won't allow you to commit any crime. I can see that in your eyes.”

“Even if you actually come to scam me, it's just fine. Your clothes are tattered, and I will be pleased if you can wear a better outfit.” Steven pointed at the crowd behind Ernest with a heartwarming smile, “At least you won't be scolded, right?”

Ernest smiled.

He turned at the woman employee who was still ‘advising’ Steven not to let him buy a thing. His voice was louder because he needed to let everyone hear.

“Miss, please don't talk about rights and qualifications.”

“If I have no rights to buy clothes, then I'm afraid that more than half of the people here have no choice but to be nude.”

“What do you mean?” The employee asked, but Ernest didn't reply.

Ernest smiled, and then, right in front of the others’ confused look, he took the black card from the pocket and gave it to Steven, who was as bewildered as the others.

“I need ten sets of outfit for all uses. Each of which must fit my body. I don't have time to measure, and deluxe accessories must be attached. Take this card, and I will get back later to receive the bill.”

Not until that moment did Steven understand what was happening. Now he was just similar to any person who had witnessed the event.

He had to recall everything.

At first Steven just came there to find the reason why there were so many people, especially when they gathered at his opponent's shop, Friesta Apparel Shop. Despite their short time of business, Friesta quickly took nearly all the customers who had used to shop in Aniston Stella—his shop.

Who could expect that Friesta's employee was bullying a poor man with mental disorders? But she wasn't the only one, there were lots of people bullying him too!

Steven was upset. Steven wanted to help that guy. And just a minute before, Steven had thought of what type of clothes he would give this guy without provoking his broken mind.

But who the hell could imagine that the poor beggar he was about to help was actually a rich, or maybe super rich, guy?

So he didn't have any mental disorder? Just a rich guy trying to test other people’s kindness?

What the hell was this plot twist???