93 I Just Wanted to Kiss You, Alright? 2 (1/2)
”How much would those of top quality cost?”
Noticing how calm her tone was, the man explained, ”The most expensive one was handcrafted by our old master, who's already passed on. It's the one and only piece we have, made out of the best material. It's sold at a price of two million dollars, no bargaining.”
”Let me have a look at it. I'll decide if it's worth that price,” said An Xiaoning.
”It definitely is, you'll understand when you see it, Missy.”
An Xiaoning sat on a stool and waited. Meanwhile, he entered the innermost room hidden deep inside the store and returned with the mask not long after.
He had in his hands a wooden box which he carried carefully before placing it on the table.
”There's a mirror here, you may try the mask on and see how you look,” he said. An Xiaoning watched as he opened the box.
”Will I really see the effects just from trying it on?” she asked apprehensively.
”You'll know once you try it. This is the only mask which is 99% realistic. You may adjust your expressions freely and even put some makeup on. It's almost just like real human skin,” he said confidently.
An Xiaoning picked up the mask and instantly thought it felt exactly like human skin. It was realistic to the touch, with extremely defined and natural-looking creases, as well as realistic skin pores. An Xiaoning fitted the mask onto one half of her face. To her astonishment, the mask looked incredibly realistic.
”I want it.”
”Alright, this is only the base material. I'll have to customize and tailor it to your facial features. I can sculpt the mask into any face you'd like.”
”Just make it pretty. Please give me your bank account number, I'll transfer the money to you now,” she said as she stood up.
”Alright, since you're so quick to decide, I shall make it quick too. I'll get it ready by today,” he said while writing his name and bank account number on a piece of paper.
”Thank you, boss.”
”Don't mention it, it's just a transaction. Out of all the customers I've had in the past, you're the first to be so kind and polite.”
”I hope you won't disappoint me and the end product will be worth the hefty price I paid.”
”That goes without saying. Oh, I forgot to tell you earlier, the reason why this material is so expensive and valuable. Not only is it extremely realistic, it's also very durable and has a long shelf life — it'll remain intact for up to 50 years.”
”I'll verify what you just said. If I find out that you've cheated me of my money, you shall face dire consequences,” she warned.
”You may feel free to do so, Missy. If what I've mentioned is not true, I'm willing to compensate you triple the amount that you paid. I've been selling this for years, I wouldn't have had so many patrons if I weren't credible.”
”To be safe, I've recorded our conversation. I'm going to transfer you the money now, get it ready as soon as possible,” she said, raising up her mobile phone in her hands.
Watching her figure recede, the owner of the store said indistinctly, ”How is this little lass so alert and sharp?”
By noon, the mask was ready to be collected. An Xiaoning was surprised at how quick the owner had managed to sculpt the mask. Yet, she had also felt the pinch of its cost.
It was worth every cent, though.
She proceeded to bring the remaining bits of material for verification. Indeed, it was exactly like what the owner had described.
In order to test the results, she put on the mask and headed to her clothing store. Not only did Mei Yangyang fail to recognize her, the other two store assistants could not tell her identity as well.
At last, she was relieved.
Jin Qingyan had already returned home by the time she did. Upon her arrival, he asked, ”Any progress?”
”No,” she said calmly while stretching her arm. ”There are only a few people anyway, I'll just investigate slowly.”