Seeing the live chat filled with requests to open it up, Alice hesitated no more.
She bent down to pick up the note and eager to show her fans the content immediately, unfolded it and held it up to the camera.
When everyone saw the amount on the receipt, the entire live-stream went silent.
Alice noticed the quiet screen and was a bit curious.
A quick glance at the number left her stunned and she exclaimed the classic, "Oh my gosh!"
Her reaction seemed to trigger something.
The screen was instantly flooded with "Oh my gosh!"
At that moment, Alice's live-stream reached its peak.
The string of numbers was simply mesmerizing.
How many zeros was that?
Then, Alice found a second receipt and held it up.
The chat room erupted once more.
"Another string of numbers!"
"Wow, I thought they were just showing off, but they're the real deal!"
"This is a true big shot!"
"Over three million! What did they buy?"
"Didn't you see the writing? Patek Philippe!"
"Right, the watch he's wearing is a Patek Philippe. I thought it was a replica, but it's real!"
"Just casually interviewing someone turns out to be a big shot? This place really is a paradise for the wealthy!"
"I'm so envious! I knew they weren't ordinary, but I didn't expect this!"
"I did the math. Two receipts totaling over five million. That means he spent over five million today!"
The comments section immediately flipped its opinion.
Earlier, they had mocked Charles, thinking he was just bragging, but now they realized he had been telling the truth all along!
The streamer, too, felt her mouth twitch, filled with regret, she had noticed the watch on Charles' wrist earlier but assumed it was a cheap knockoff. Forgive her for not recognizing a Patek Philippe; she had only heard of it, never seen one.
She felt like she had missed a chance to marry into wealth. Her expression was now a mix of disbelief and regret.
"Ha ha, look at the streamer, she's regretting it so much!"
"Her face could be turned into an animated video!"
"Ha ha ha, streamer, you missed a chance to marry rich! And you didn't even get his contact info, truly an example for us all!"
Alice felt even more regretful after seeing the comments. "Ah! I just left the mall, but I'm heading back now, I have to find that handsome guy!"
"Don't bother, I'm already at the mall! Only someone as handsome and rich as him deserves me!"
"Exactly, exactly!"
Alice raised an eyebrow at the comments.
"What are you all doing?"
"If anyone's going after him, it should be me!"
"Who do you think you are, you bunch of clowns!"
She turned on her heel and ran, no way was she letting a rich heir with such looks slip through her fingers!
Besides, what if he actually liked her? wouldn't it be great to become a wealthy wife? who cares about selling stuff or doing live streams? how much money could that even make?
The sharp click-clack of high heels echoed in the streaming room.
Meanwhile, Charles was unaware of all this and even if he knew, he wouldn't care. He was about to check his shopping card expenses and reached for the receipt.
"Huh? Where's my receipt?"
"Did I lose it?"
It didn't matter anyway, he figured there wasn't much left on the card and he didn't really need anything else.
So, he decided to leave.
Just then, Alice, the streamer, found Charles but realized he was about to leave, she couldn't let that happen! She hurried after him. But she was a step too late, by the time she got outside, she saw Charles getting into a taxi and the live-stream camera caught the whole scene.
"Wow, a millionaire taking a taxi! Is this how simple their lives are?"
"Rich people are so low-key!"
"Oh no! I just got to the mall and he's gone!"
"Wearing a million-dollar watch, spending millions daily, yet riding in a cheap taxi—this is the life of a rich kid?" My mom asked why I was watching on my knees, I said I'm only a taxi ride away from being a millionaire!"
"Haha, you're dreaming!"
The live-stream chat was buzzing with comments and jokes. After all, watching was the closest they could get to such wealth.
Some even posted about it on social media platforms.
"A millionaire spotted at Grand Shopping Mall, spending five million a day, yet leaving in a taxi!" The post went viral instantly, garnering nearly a million views and comments!
This unexpected fame caught Charles by surprise.
Charles returned to his rented apartment.
He shared this place with a few colleagues, but now that he had his own house, he didn't need to rent anymore. Plus, he didn't have to work as a delivery guy either.
He had only done it to earn some extra cash, but now he didn't need to work so hard. It seemed like he didn't have much to pack!
He had already bought plenty of clothes and his new place at the luxury estate was fully furnished, ready for him to move in.
So, Charles packed up his personal items, fitting everything into a single suitcase.
As he looked around the place he'd lived in for over a year, Charles felt a twinge of nostalgia.
However, he was destined not to belong here, even without the mutated online shopping.
He opened his phone contacts, scrolled to the number saved as Delivery Manager and dialed it.
A few seconds later, the call connected. "Hello?"
"Hey George, it's me, Charles!"
Hearing the familiar voice, Charles smiled.
"Oh, it's you! What made you call? I heard you took the day off. Is everything okay?"
George was momentarily surprised, then his hearty voice came through.
"Well... George, I'm calling to resign today!"
Charles hesitated for a moment, then said it cheerfully. To Charles's surprise, George didn't try to persuade him to stay.
"It seems like you've overcome your challenges, I always knew you were special and wouldn't stay here long. A dragon is still a dragon, even when it's on the shore. Once the storm hits, it will soar."
"Haha, Charles, I accept your resignation, I won't hold you back, but before you go, how about we get together for a farewell?"
George paused for a moment, then spoke loudly, his voice full of emotion. Charles was deeply touched, as George had helped him a lot over the past year. Without thinking, he agreed, "No problem, but this one's on me!"
He had a good relationship with a few colleagues, so having a get-together before leaving seemed like a great idea.
"Alright! It's settled then, no time like the present, let's do it tonight! We'll head to the usual spot after they get off work!"
"Sounds good!" Charles agreed happily. The "usual spot" Manager Sterling mentioned was a place Charles knew well, a popular street food joint they often visited for gatherings.
After a few more words, they hung up the phone.
Charles then sent a message in the group chat with his roommates.
"Guys, I'm resigning from the job today, let's meet at the usual spot tonight!"
He hit send.
The group chat instantly buzzed with activity. "Come on, it's not April Fool's Day, that's not a funny joke, Charlie!"
"Wow, Charlie, what's going on? This is the first time I've seen you take a day off!"
"Yeah, yeah! If there's any trouble, let us know, we're here to help!"
Seeing the quick responses, Charles felt deeply moved. Even though they were all at the bottom rung of society, they never hesitated to support each other.
"No worries! Your dad here has made it big, but I'll never forget my sons!" Despite the sentiment, he couldn't resist a bit of playful banter.
"Get lost! You rascal!"
"Charlie, is that how you talk to your dad?"
"Exactly, one day away and you need a good talking to!"
The quick replies came in, but they all understood that Charles was really leaving. There was a bit of sadness, having lived together for over a year.
"Got it, got a job, see you tonight!"
"Alright, see you tonight!" Charles smiled as he replied to the message, then, he closed the door and headed downstairs.
Charles hailed a taxi and gave the driver the address. "Riverside Avenue, One Hyde Park!"
"Got it!"
The driver, who looked to be in his thirties, seemed like an energetic guy who couldn't sit still, as soon as Charles sat down, the driver started chatting.
"Hey buddy, with all that suitcase, are you moving?" "Yeah!" Charles nodded, he had noticed that taxi drivers loved to chat.
"Don't tell me you're moving to One Hyde Park?"
"Yep!" Charles admitted straightforwardly.
The driver was taken aback for a moment, then burst out laughing. "Buddy, that's not a very funny joke!"
Charles was momentarily speechless, unsure of what to say, why does no one believe me when I'm telling the truth? I was a straight-A student growing up, the future leader of society.
But he didn't bother to explain, the conversation ended, and the car fell into a temporary silence, with only the hum of the engine filling the space.
However, it was clear the driver wasn't one to enjoy silence, not talking for a while seemed to make him uncomfortable.
As he waited at the red light, Benson's eyes caught a glimpse of the watch on Charles' left wrist, his eyes lit up and an excited expression spread across his face.
"Hey, buddy, you into watches too?"
Charles glanced at his wristwatch and nodded, "yeah, I am!"
"What a coincidence! I'm pretty into watches myself, your watch looks really nice, how much did it cost? Maybe I'll get one too," the taxi driver continued to chat.