Chapter 14 Harmony Isle
Chapter 14 Harmony Isle
The smile on Tang Lingyun's face almost faltered. As the eldest miss of the Tang family, Tang Lingyun was used to living an extravagant lifestyle. She was a successful actress at a young age and married into the prestigious Qin family. She should not have to feel restricted in spending any amount of money, especially on the things she liked.
However, that was not the case right now. Just last night, her husband warned her not to spend too much money on clothes and jewelry anymore. He said that the Qin family's business was facing some financial difficulties and they had not been earning profits in recent years.
Her husband, Qin Mo, said that the only reason that their business was still surviving was because of the support from the Xuan family and the Tang family. Without those families, they would have already been bankrupt. Their only hope now was the Old Madam's inheritance. The Old Madam's properties in the northern part of Hong Kong are worth hundreds of millions and selling some of these properties could potentially save the Qin family.
Qin Mo said that their financial situation was so dire that he couldn't even afford to pay off their credit card debts. Tang Lingyun and Qin Fei had never been concerned with money and had always been splurging and going on shopping sprees. Qin Mo even said that if their financial situation doesn't pick up by the end of this year, he would have to resort to selling all their properties abroad just to pay off their credit card debts.
To Tang Lingyun, this matter was so depressing that she decided to unwind and destress by shopping for jewelry for the Fashion Week. Who would have thought that the jewelry that she fancied would actually be that expensive. She looked at the jewelry one more time.
As Tang Lingyun continued to examine the jewelry in her hands, she became more and more reluctant to part with it.
After a few minutes, determination flashed in Tang Lingyun's eyes. 'Isn't this just money?' she thought. She used to be an A-list star with many awards. She could just go back to the industry and act again. Then, she would be able to earn a lot of money once more and she would no longer have to hesitate about buying a piece of jewelry that cost five million Hong kong dollars or even more.
"Alright, I'll take this," she said, while opening her pouch and fetching her credit card to pay.
"I'm sorry madam… but we don't accept credit card payment for our exclusive items." The smile on Tang Lingyun's face instantly vanished when she heard Fernando's words.
"How come? I have not heard of a store which does not accept credit cards. Are you trying to prank me?" she asked.
"I sincerely apologize madam. It is common knowledge among our VIPs that we do not accept credit cards as a payment method for our exclusive jewelry. I assumed that you would want to qualify for our esteemed VIP program because all you needed to do was to make a first purchase of five million dollars in cash. I was even going to prepare you a VIP card… but if you really insist on using a credit card then... It is also not a problem." Fernando pursed his lips, his eyes regretful. He then signaled his assistant to accept Tang Lingyun's credit card.
"Wait!" Tang Lingyun said. VIP card? Everyone would know that GC Jewels had a very exclusive VIP list. Only elite stars and models had been able to get this VIP card. Moreover, the benefits of the VIP card included invitations to the Fashion Week afterparty and exclusive island parties hosted by some of the most prominent people in the film and fashion industries.
Prominent people like international music directors, renowned film producers and editor in chief of popular fashion magazines, not rich and spoiled heirs or heiresses. To be on this VIP list was a dream for everyone in the film industry! Tang Lingyun's eyes shone with greed and excitement as she imagined herself socialising with these prominent people. She believed that not only would she be the envy of all her friends, it would also help her career as well as her daughter's.
"I will pay using my debit card then," she said while handing her savings card over to the assistant. What was five million dollars compared to the benefits of having the VIP card?
After a few more minutes, Tang Lingyun finally bought the diamond necklace that came with a matching pair of earrings. Lily then watched as the latter left the VIP room skipping away as if she had just won the lottery. Although the latter had just spent five million on some jewelry, she also walked away with a VIP Card of GC Jewels. She might be jumping for joy inside her heart right now.
Only when Tang Lingyun disappeared from her sight did Lily made her way out of the secret room and sat across Fernando who grinned slyly at her.
"You doubled the original price of the jewelry just now," Lily said after taking a seat. In response, Fernando only chuckled and gestured for his assistant to serve some tea.
"She deserved it," he said.
"You also gave her a VIP card of the lowest tier," Lily said. "Also, she would not be eligible for those exclusive invitations with that card." Fernando had given Tang Lingyun an orange VIP card.
GC Jewels had different tiers for their VIPs. The orange VIP card was the lowest tier, which would entitle the holder of the card to a five percent discount for every purchase. The next tier would be the blue VIP card which would entitle the card holder to request for private jewelry shows and biddings and a ten percent discount for every purchase.
The highest tier would be the black VIP card which Lily had. The black VIP card had the best privileges such as receiving exclusive invitations from prominent people for socialising and networking, priority service at private jewelry galas and events and a twenty percent discount for every purchase. A twenty percent discount was a significant discount especially when it came to jewelry bidding where the final selling price of the jewelry could be very inflated. In Lily's knowledge, there were only less than fifty holders of the elite black VIP card in the world.
Fernando shrugged in response. "She did not asked any questions about the privileges of her VIP card… so… that is not my problem anymore."
It was obvious that Tang Lingyun had difficulty parting with the money that she had spent just now. But she was finally convinced because of the VIP card that Fernando tempted her with. Tang Lingyun thought that she found a way to help her daughter's career because of that card. Lily wondered if this was because of the looming bankruptcy that the Qin family business was about to experience.
Was Tang Lingyun already looking for a way out of the bankruptcy? With the way Tang Lingyun's mind worked, that could be very possible.
"Cunning fox." Lily teased while rolling her eyes. "By the way, I want an invitation for Fashion Week," Lily said as she crossed her legs.
"Actually, I happen to be lacking an escort. Why don't you come with me instead?" Fernando asked. This demand was something that he already anticipated. "I have a VIP invitation so it would be more convenient. What do you think?"
"Hmm… okay. I think Ah Shan might insist on coming too… so prepare another invitation for her," she said.
"Shan Shan? Does she need to shoot a film here?"
"Maybe?" Lily shrugged as she watched Fernando's assistant serve them some refreshments. Lily Qin, Li Shanshan, and Fernando Kim were considered very close friends in Europe. A female CEO, an award-winning director and the heir of a jewelry empire. These unique individuals had attracted the attention of some magazines abroad. After knowing the trio's close relationship, many people started calling them The Golden Trio.
"The Fashion Week will be in two weeks," Fernando said before elegantly sipping on his tea. "How long are you going to stay here? That mall that you had recently acquired needs a lot of work. I don't think a month is enough."
"At least a month. Actually, that is one of the reasons why I am here. I wanted to ask you to move your store to our mall." Seeing the man raised an eyebrow at her, Lily continued, "Of course, I would only ask you to move over after I finish all the arrangements for my new Harmony Isle."
"You are going to rename the mall?"
Lily nodded. "That is only right."
"Alright, then." Fernando had full confidence in the woman across him. If there was someone who could save a business that was almost going bankrupt, that person would be none other than Lily Qin. "Father and I are also working on branching out into fashion. Once you have established the new Harmony Isle, I will make sure to open my first branch of clothing line in your retail mall."