A Billion Dollar Exchange

Xin Yong finished in the company earlier than other days; she called to tell Liling that she had something on and left quickly. Actually, she really had something on, it was a week to Jin Yue's birthday and she had planned to surprise him.

She drove around the city, thinking of what to get for him, her mind in a mess. She quickly slammed on the breaks as her eyes saw a very beautiful neck tie on a show glass.

She immediately packed her car and strode into the shop.

''Please can I take a look at that neck tie?'' She smiled, pointing at the neck tie on the show glass.

''Okay Ma'am.'' The attendant hurriedly took out the neck tie from the show glass and walked over to where Xin Yong was standing.

''Ma' am we have new arrivals, I am positive that you would like them.'' The attendant smiled as she handed the neck tie to her.

''Alright, let me see them.''

''Right away, Ma'am '' The attendant replied happily and raced to get the new ties.

Xin Yong was lost admiring the neck ties that she didn't realize that someone had walked into the shop.

''Xin Yong? '' Xin Yong, who just heard her name turned to look at the direction of the voice, a frown appeared on her fore head when she saw that she did not recognize the person.

''I was correct, wow! So beautiful, my nephew really has good eyes!'' Xin Yong was flabbergasted as the lady walked up to her with wide smiles and hugged her tightly.

Nephew? Jin Yue did not tell her of any nephew who was a mixed race.

Xin Yong was still quiet, staring dumbly at the lady.

''Hi, it's very nice to finally meet you. Jin Yue had told me a lot about you and I've been dying to meet you in person. Who would have thought that we would meet in a tie shop? Ha-ha''

The lady smiled, making Xin Yong smile too.

''It's nice to meet you…''

''Freya, that's my name, Freya. ''

The lady introduced herself with a toothy smile. She was so warm that Xin Yong who had been tense in the beginning, loosened up a little.

''Oh, So what are you doing here?'' The lady asked, looking surprised.

''Uhm… Jin Yue's birthday is just a week away, I came to get a gift for him…''

''Oh my! That's so thoughtful of you! I just came back to China two days ago and Jin Yue doesn't know yet, I plan on surprising him but I haven't gotten the perfect opportunity. Now you've said so, why don't we get gifts for him and surprise him on his birthday, what do you think?''

The lady's eyes shone brightly as the idea popped into her head. She blinked her eyes severally at Xin Yong, waiting for her approval.

Xin Yong thought about it and smiled. Jin Yue would be really glad that she remembered his birthday and would even be gladder to see his niece. Just imagining how flabbergasted he would look, made a faint blush appear on her cheeks.

She nodded immediately.

''That would be great! ''

Almost immediately, the attendant came running with a big box filled with various little boxes.

''Ma'am, here are the neck ties.'' She dropped the box in front of the two women and greeted the new face accordingly. 

  ''Wow, these are so pretty.'' Xin Yong exclaimed as she picked up a few square shaped boxes and opened them.

''Yeah, they are!''

The lady was quiet for a while, as though deep in thought. After a moment, she spoke up.

''Why don't we go back today and come back tomorrow. I'll come with my hubby, I'm sure he'll know male preferences better, what do you think?''

Xin Yong was surprised to hear her say hubby. She looked so young; maybe around the same age as her, she was surprised to know that someone that young was already married.

Thinking about what she said, that would be the perfect idea because right now she was confused as to what to choose. She did not want to buy what he would not like. 

''Yeah, that would be great. ''

''Awesome! So give me your number, so I'll give you a call.'' The lady said and Xin Yong immediately called out her digits.

The lady called the number immediately and only cut the call when she saw Xin Yong's phone lit up.

Smiling, she pulled her in for a quick hug.

''Don't tell him you saw me, okay? Let's surprise him on his birthday.''

Xin Yong nodded and the lady broke out into a smile.

''Alright I'll be heading out now, see you tomorrow, bye! ''

The lady waved her good bye and left the shop. Xin Yong waved her back and did not move until she had entered her glass tinted car.

''Ma'am, are you not buying the ties anymore?'' The attendant, who had overheard the whole discussion, asked.

Xin Yong turned to look at her with a smile.

''We'll come back tomorrow, keep them for now.''

The attendant smiled dryly and picked up the box. They had not made any sales since morning and now she was about to make her first sale, that witch of a lady came in and spoilt her work in progress. She was not sure if they would return the next day as they said, but there was nothing she could do about it.

Waving Xin Yong good bye, she carried the box back to where she had brought it from.