A 10,000-fold Increase System, Picking Up Garbage and Becoming a Technology Giant

20: Chapter 20: A New Outfit to Slap the Face of the Snobbish Shop Assistant, and a Bouquet of Flowers for a Date with the Goddess!Wang Defu was taken aback. He looked down at his old, faded work clothes, washed until the fabric was pale and stained with a few grease spots, and quickly waved his hands. ”Oh, Little Chen, no need, no need! This old man has clothes to wear, aren’t these just fine? Don’t waste your money!”

”We must go,” Chen Fan’s tone brooked no argument. ”In the future, our ’Panshi Foundation’ will need to interact with the outside world. Image is important. Besides, you’re one of my people now. You can’t keep dressing like...” He paused, not voicing the words ’a ragpicker,’ but Wang Defu understood his meaning. A surge of warmth filled his heart, and he offered no further protest.

Early the next morning, the two arrived at a fairly large shopping mall in the city center. As soon as they entered, the polished mirror-like floors, bright lights, and the fragrance lingering in the air created a world of difference from the environment of the scrapyard. Wang Deffu seemed somewhat ill at ease, feeling completely out of place.

They walked into a men’s clothing store specializing in smart-casual styles. The clerk was a young woman with meticulously applied makeup. Seeing the two who entered—one a young man in a dusty old T-shirt with messy hair, the other an old man in obviously worn-out work clothes for manual labor, carrying a faint scent of metal and machine oil—the professional smile on her face instantly faded. She lazily muttered, ”Feel free to look around,” and lowered her head to continue playing on her phone, showing no intention of offering service.

Chen Fan frowned slightly but didn’t make a scene. He walked straight to the clothing racks and, judging by his and Wang Defu’s builds, quickly selected several outfits, including shirts, casual pants, and polo shirts.

”Try these on,” Chen Fan said, handing the clothes to Wang Defu. He picked out a few sets for himself and walked into a fitting room.

After Wang Defu put on the comfortable polo shirt and casual pants, he looked ten times more energetic. His back unconsciously straightened, and seeing in the mirror a version of himself that seemed years younger, he grinned widely.

Chen Fan asked Wang Defu, ”Uncle Wang, how do they feel? If they fit, we’ll take them all.” He then pointed to several other sets in different colors and styles. ”These, in his size, wrap them all up.”

”Huh? This many?” Wang Defu was stunned.

”To wear in rotation,” Chen Fan said calmly, then took out his bank card and handed it to the clerk, whose eyes were now shining. ”Checkout.”

The clerk’s attitude did a complete 180-degree turn. Her expression instantly became obsequious. ”Of course, sir,” she said, her tone now exceedingly enthusiastic.

”Also,” Chen Fan pointed to the well-tailored dark gray suit on the mannequin nearby, ”that set, in my size, wrap it up too.”

Carrying numerous shopping bags, they left the store. Chen Fan led Wang Defu straight to a trash can and, without hesitation, threw all their old, worn-out clothes inside.

”Little Chen, this...” Wang Defu felt a bit reluctant. That old work uniform had been with him for many years.

”Out with the old, in with the new,” Chen Fan said firmly. ”From the inside out, change everything.”

Next, they went to a shoe store and each bought two pairs of leather shoes and sneakers. Their haul of large and small bags was quite substantial.

After that, they found what looked like a high-end barbershop. Chen Fan not only got his overly long hair cut and his face shaved but also had a deep scalp treatment, thoroughly washing away the fatigue and grime of the past half-month. At his insistence, Wang Defu also experienced his first professional haircut in his life, getting a neat, short cut that made him look even more spirited.

”Uncle Wang, all dressed up like this, you look just like a business owner,” Chen Fan teased. It really was true: clothes make the man.

Finally, Chen Fan went into a boutique and selected a bottle of crisp, light, and elegant men’s cologne, spraying a little on his wrists and the sides of his neck.