Chapter 369
The salesperson smiled and said, “Although the shoes in our store are a bit more expensive, the quality is definitely top-notch. Most of our customers are repeat buyers. Once you wear our shoes, you’ll understand. We also offer a lifetime warranty and free cleaning. If there’s a quality issue within two months, you can even exchange for a new pair.”
Celeste took out a card, “I’ll take this pair.
Sean frowned and said, “I don’t want them.”
After saying this, he took off the shoes, put on his old ones, and headed for the exit.
Celeste said something to the salesperson and then got up and followed him.
She found Sean was leaning against the railing, looking down at the floor below.
She walked over and stood next to him, “Not happy with the gift?”
Sean pursed his lips and said after a while, “It’s not something I can afford. If I wear them, I will just stand out and be ridiculed.”
Celeste was taken aback, having completely forgotten to consider this point.
Although Sean wasn’t talkative, he was sensitive and mature.
She gave him such an expensive gift, but unlike other kids, he wasn’t happy to accept it. Instead, he felt scared and uneasy, as if it didn’t belong to him, and that he wasn’t worthy of such a gift.
Celeste gently said, “It’s your 18th birthday, and I just wanted to give you an extra present. Who would ridicule someone for receiving a gift? They should be envious and jealous. Just because you can’t afford it now doesn’t mean you won’t be able to afford it in the future. People shouldn’t only look at the road they’ve walked, but also the road ahead and the sky above.”
Sean was stunned and touched. He held back the sour feeling in his nose and whispered, “You do make a lot of sense.”
Celeste twitched the corner of her mouth and smacked him on the head, “I’m a brilliant student who got into the University of T! Don’t laugh at me until you get into that school too!”
Sean smiled, “Where did your husband graduate from?”
“The University of T.”
“You guys are alumni?”
“Yeah, what’s the problem?”
“It’s just that he seems more cultured than you.”
Celeste was speechless.
In the end, Celeste exchanged the shoes for a pair of $90 sneakers for Sean. He told her to exchange the original $800 shoes for this pair and keep the change in cash for him.
This was the first time Celeste had met someone who loved money more than herself.
However, it wasn’t long before she discovered that Sean wasn’t greedy but rather frugal.
When selecting gifts for the orphanage director and the kids, Sean always chose cost-effective items. He refused anything too pricey, and it wasn’t until he picked up two cheap cans of milk powder that Celeste couldn’t help but say, “This is adult milk powder. Hugo and the others can’t drink this. Let’s go back to the previous milk powder.”
“Children’s milk powder is too expensive. It costs hundreds of dollars per can. That money could cover the orphanage’s food expenses for three days. And Hugo is almost six years old, and he’ll be starting school soon, so the expenses will be even higher. Save where we can, so the director can have an easier time.”
Celeste frowned, “What do you mean’so the director can have an easier time?”
Sean’s expression changed slightly, and he avoided her gaze, “It’s no big deal. I just think if we spend less, the director can provide for more kids.”
Celeste wasn’t easily fooled, “What happened to the director? Why is she always stressed about saving money? Is there not enough funding? Or is there some sort of problem?”
