Volume One, Chapter 14: The Black Card Incident
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Yan Chu instinctively looked up. She had intended to explain that the card was not hers and that the system’s facial-recognition software should not be able to identify her.
Before she could say a word, however, the machine emitted a rapid series of warning beeps.
The cashier stared at Yan Chu in surprise and quickly checked the system, confirming that the black card was valid.
Then she frowned, a trace of displeasure in her voice. “Miss, please try the facial scan again.”
Once bitten, twice denied.
The machine sounded again.
This time, the cashier was certain. “Miss, this card clearly isn’t yours. No wonder the scan wouldn’t go through!”
Yan Chu was at a loss as well.
Before Gu Chenxiao had given her the card, hadn’t he known that it required facial recognition for payment?
“This card was given to me by someone else,” Yan Chu said awkwardly. “He probably didn’t know it required facial verification when he gave it to me…”
Gu Chenxiao… surely he hadn’t known.
He wouldn’t deliberately put her in such an embarrassing position, would he?
The cashier’s expression softened, and she patiently explained, “Miss, here’s the situation. Our store recently installed this facial-recognition payment system because last month, a woman reported that her husband’s mistress had taken his black card without permission and used it here. That’s why we now require facial verification for card payments—to prevent unnecessary trouble for both the store and the cardholder.”
Yan Chu nodded in understanding.
“I see. Then I’ll call the cardholder.”
She had just taken out her phone when she remembered that Gu Chenxiao was probably at the office.
Would it be inappropriate to interrupt his work just so she could pay for a few clothes?
After thinking it over, Yan Chu slipped her phone back into her pocket.
“Please cancel the purchase for me. I don’t want them anymore.”
“You don’t?” The cashier was bewildered. “Weren’t you going to call the owner of the black card?”
“No need. He should be…”
“Can’t you tell? She obviously stole the card!” The speaker was the saleswoman who had looked down on Yan Chu because of her plainly dressed appearance.
“First, the facial scan failed, and then she refused to make the call. Anyone can see there’s something suspicious going on.”
Yan Chu’s expression changed slightly. She had not expected the saleswoman to jump in and accuse her at a time like this.
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She drew a deep breath and did her best to remain calm.
“Madam, don’t make reckless accusations without evidence.” Yan Chu’s voice was calm but firm.
The saleswoman had no intention of letting the matter go. She stared at Yan Chu provocatively.
“Evidence? You don’t even dare call the cardholder. Isn’t that proof that you’re guilty?”
The customers nearby began whispering among themselves, their glances filled with curiosity and suspicion.
Yan Chu felt a wave of embarrassment, but she knew she had to remain composed.
“I simply don’t want to disturb the cardholder while he’s working,” she explained.
She did not want Gu Chenxiao distracted over such a trivial matter.
“Who knows whether what you’re saying is true?” the saleswoman pressed.
Yan Chu ignored her and turned to the cashier. “Please return these clothes. I’m not buying them.”
The cashier looked troubled. She glanced at Yan Chu, then at the saleswoman, and finally nodded.
“All right, miss. Please wait a moment.”
“Wait!” the saleswoman interrupted.
Yan Chu frowned. “What is it? Does your store have a no-return policy?”
“Not exactly. It’s just that we previously received a complaint about someone pretending to be a cardholder and using a card. As it turned out, the person was a mistress, and the wife caused a huge scene in our store. To avoid any further trouble…” The saleswoman looked Yan Chu up and down with a mocking expression.
“We’ll have to take you to the police station and file a report. That way, if anyone comes after us later, we’ll have proof that we were deceived too. Don’t you agree?”
Yan Chu’s expression immediately darkened.
She was innocent, but she was no longer merely Yan Chu. She was also the young mistress of the Gu family.
If she entered a police station under that title, she would bring disgrace upon the entire Gu family.
And if Gu Chenxiao’s sisters seized upon the incident and made an issue of it, who knew what they might say about him behind his back?
She inhaled deeply and forced herself to stay calm. Then she said to the saleswoman, “I haven’t done anything illegal. You have neither evidence nor the authority to detain me. If you’re accusing me simply because I couldn’t call the cardholder to verify my identity, then I can contact him right now.”
Although Yan Chu’s voice remained calm, her words carried an unmistakable firmness.
Her composure clearly took the saleswoman by surprise.
“Oh, really? A mistress, yet so self-righteous. Then call him right now!” The saleswoman wanted to see what sort of stunt the young woman could pull.
Yan Chu took out her phone and dialed Gu Chenxiao’s number amid the surrounding whispers.
She deliberately turned on the speakerphone.
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Gu Chenxiao’s voice came through the phone, tinged with surprise. “Yan Chu, what’s wrong?”
“Gu Chenxiao, I ran into some trouble at a clothing store. They suspect I stole your card.”
“Stole my card?”
“Yes. The store has installed a facial-recognition payment system, and there’s been a problem on my end. Can you come here?”
“All right. I’m on my way.” Gu Chenxiao’s voice turned stern.
Yan Chu ended the call and looked at the saleswoman. “Are you satisfied now?”
She had intentionally used the speakerphone so everyone present would hear that she had not fabricated the call.
The saleswoman’s face turned unpleasant, while the customers around them began buzzing over the sudden turn of events.
“You… How can you prove that he’s really the cardholder? We haven’t even seen him!” The saleswoman folded her arms. “What if he’s just some actor you hired?”
“If you don’t believe me, then we’ll wait here.”
Yan Chu’s calmness threw the saleswoman into confusion.
If that man truly was the owner of the black card, wouldn’t she have to apologize to this young woman in front of all these people?
Where would that leave her dignity?
No. She had to drive the girl out before the man arrived.
“Security!” the saleswoman shouted.
The guards hurried over at the sound of her voice. Their eyes moved between Yan Chu and the saleswoman as they tried to determine what had happened.
The moment she saw them, the saleswoman pointed at Yan Chu and said sharply, “Throw her out! Not only did she steal the card, she’s trying to cause trouble here!”
Yan Chu’s brows drew tightly together. When the guards reached for her, she shifted aside and deftly avoided them.
“I’ve already called the cardholder, and he’s on his way. Why are you still being so aggressive?”
The saleswoman sneered. “It’s simple. I don’t trust you.”
“Girl, take a good look at yourself. You’re dressed like a beggar. What kind of decent person could you possibly have called here? He’s probably your sugar daddy. This is an upscale shopping mall—we have no place for someone as shameless and indecent as you!”
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