Chapter Eighty-three: The Auto Dealership

The area of a car dealership is always quite large. To save on rental costs, most dealerships are located in somewhat remote areas, but the transportation there is convenient enough that customers have no trouble finding them. Zhang Wei and Yang Guang spent forty minutes on the road before finally arriving near the dealership. Although Yang Guang’s recommendation to buy a BMW carried a hint of “the peddler praising his own wares,” Zhang Wei didn’t mind at all.

First of all, BMW is indeed a fine brand. Secondly, as long as it doesn’t harm anyone's interests, friends playing a little trick or two is perfectly normal—after all, no one’s a saint, and Zhang Wei himself is no exception.

Most car dealerships are clustered together, forming a multi-brand automobile market that attracts more customers to come and choose their cars. After the two of them got off the bus, the dealership was just a short distance away from the stop. Standing next to the signpost, Zhang Wei could already see the enormous car advertisements—BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Toyota, Volkswagen, and so on—dazzling and countless, making him feel overwhelmed even before he drew near.

On the bus, Zhang Wei had thought it over and decided to follow Yang Guang to the BMW dealership first. Since Yang Guang had suggested it, Zhang Wei didn’t want to embarrass him, and besides, Yang Guang knew much more about the industry’s ins and outs and would make sure he wasn’t taken advantage of.

As they walked, Yang Guang shared all sorts of information—about BMWs, about other brands, and about after-sales services and such—leaving Zhang Wei feeling quite enlightened.

When they arrived at the BMW dealership’s entrance, Zhang Wei’s eyes lit up. The entire place was festooned with decorations, and a striking banner hung above the main entrance, announcing a “Qixi Festival Grand Prize Lottery and Special Offers.”

On either side hung vertical banners: the one on the left read “Happy Qixi Festival,” while the one on the right declared “Hold On to Love.” Inside the showroom, right at the center, they had set up a one-meter tall platform, where several employees were installing audio equipment.

“Yang Guang, what are you all up to here? Looks more like a matchmaking event than a car dealership,” Zhang Wei remarked, puzzled.

“Didn’t you see the poster? Take a look for yourself,” Yang Guang said, pointing to his right without much interest. Zhang Wei turned and saw a bright, eye-catching poster, which read:

Qixi Festival Grand Prize Lottery and Special Offers:
First Prize: One BMW 7 Series.
Second Prize (two winners): One laptop each.
Third Prize (three winners): One Nokia phone each.

…

The poster was filled with nearly a thousand words. After reading it, Zhang Wei grasped the gist: the BMW dealership was using the Qixi Festival as a pretext to hold a lottery event, with the obvious aim of attracting more customers.

“A BMW 7 Series for the first prize? Is that for real?” Zhang Wei asked, skeptical.

“It’s all written there in black and white. If you can pull the first prize, of course it’s real,” Yang Guang replied, winking at Zhang Wei with a knowing look.

“Are you saying there’s some trick to it?” Zhang Wei raised his brows.

“I don’t know the specifics. But every holiday, our dealership runs some kind of promotion to draw in customers—if not ten times a year, then at least eight. But not once has anyone ever won the first prize,” Yang Guang said, patting Zhang Wei on the shoulder. “So, you’d better not set your sights on that BMW 730.”

Given Zhang Wei’s current financial status, even if he could afford a BMW, it would only be a 3 Series. The 7 Series—an ultra-luxurious car costing over a million yuan—was still out of reach. It wasn’t that he couldn’t afford it, just that his character would never let him spend all his assets on a single car.

Still, Zhang Wei was somewhat interested in the lottery. If it was a proper, fair draw, he doubted he’d be lucky enough to win. But if there were any tricks involved, he could use his mind-reading ability to see through it, and maybe, just maybe, get his hands on that BMW 730.

Of course, this was only a guess for now. He’d have to see how things actually played out.

“Zhang Wei, wait here for a bit. I need to clock in at the store. I’ll take you to see the display cars in a moment,” Yang Guang said, instructing Zhang Wei before hurrying inside.

“Go ahead,” Zhang Wei replied noncommittally, though his mind was still preoccupied with thoughts of the lottery.

Yang Guang peeked inside the store, then tiptoed in, skirting along the edge of the hall toward the reception desk, trying to minimize his presence. Unfortunately, his figure was far too conspicuous—whether from behind or in profile, he was easily recognized.

“Yang Guang, do you even know what time it is? You’re just now showing up to work?” a cold voice rang out from the hall, freezing Yang Guang in his tracks as if under a spell.

“Heh, Manager Zhang, I was picking up a client today, so I’m a bit late. It wasn’t intentional,” Yang Guang said, turning to face the woman who had spoken, explaining himself.

“A client? Where? I don’t see anyone!” The woman eyed Yang Guang suspiciously, clearly unconvinced.

The woman had a delicate, oval face, her long hair draped casually over her shoulders. She wore a white blouse and a black skirt, her long, bare legs pale and shapely—an absolute golden ratio, more alluring than even the models in the showroom.

This beautiful woman was none other than Zhang Wei’s cousin, Zhang Qi.

“He’s waiting outside. He’s a client I’ve been talking to for a while, and he’s very interested in buying a car—otherwise, he wouldn’t have asked me to pick him up so early,” Yang Guang said ingratiatingly.

Zhang Qi had seldom visited Zhang Wei’s house in recent years, and the two weren’t particularly close. Zhang Wei had never mentioned Zhang Qi to Yang Guang, so Yang Guang had no idea of their relationship.

At their company, work started at nine every day. Yang Guang, by nature, disliked being constrained by time and was often late. Today, however, he had Zhang Wei as his shield and thus a ready-made excuse, though he still felt a bit guilty in front of his boss.

“If he’s such a promising client, take me out to have a look,” Zhang Qi said, not waiting for a reply before heading straight outside, obviously still unconvinced and thinking Yang Guang was just making excuses.

Seeing Zhang Qi heading out, Yang Guang quickly followed, secretly relieved. “Thank goodness for Zhang Wei today. Otherwise, I’d be in real trouble—my salary can’t take another deduction.”

“So who’s your client? Take me over and introduce us,” Zhang Qi said as she reached the entrance, glancing at Yang Guang.

“It’s that man in the white shirt, looking at the ‘Grand Prize Lottery’ poster,” Yang Guang replied, pointing toward Zhang Wei and leading Zhang Qi in that direction.

Standing at the dealership entrance, Zhang Qi could only see Zhang Wei’s side and back. Though the figure looked familiar, it never crossed her mind that it might be Zhang Wei, so she followed behind Yang Guang.

At that moment, three female models stood before the ‘Grand Prize Lottery’ poster, dressed in skimpy outfits—tight tops and miniskirts—whispering among themselves about the prizes, while Zhang Wei stood behind them, eyes fixed ahead. Was he looking at the poster, or was he admiring the beauties?