My cousin-in-law helped me achieve my ambitions.

Hearing this, Su Ming nodded with some understanding. The hesitation in his eyes slowly faded, replaced by a clear-headed realization: "It seems this car really is necessary. After buying it, people will believe that I have money of my own, instead of thinking that I took benefits from the company. This is a strategic move, not for enjoyment, but to shut people up."

Lin Shumei smiled with satisfaction, reached out and patted his cheek, as if rewarding a student who had answered a question correctly: "That's right, that's exactly the point. You're quick-witted, you get it right away."

She smiled, puffed out her chest, and pushed open the car door. Her high heels clicked crisply on the polished marble floor in front of the dealership. She turned and beckoned to Su Ming, who was still in the passenger seat, and said with a smile, "Come on, let's go inside and look at the cars."

Su Ming took a deep breath, opened the car door, got out, and straightened his collar. Lin Shumei walked over and naturally took his arm, and the two walked side by side toward the gleaming glass door of the Mercedes-Benz 4S store. Through the glass, they could see a black Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan parked in the showroom, its three-pointed star emblem shining brightly under the spotlights. The car's lines were smooth and elegant, like a silent and proud gentleman, quietly waiting for its owner.

The two pushed open the gleaming glass door, and were greeted by a faint scent of leather and the unique aroma of a new car. The air conditioning in the showroom was on full blast, a stark contrast to the sweltering afternoon heat outside.

A male salesman in a white shirt and black trousers was leaning against the reception desk, playing on his phone. Hearing the door open, he glanced up. Seeing a young woman and a young man in his early twenties enter, he didn't even look up. He slowly put his phone in his pocket, walked over unhurriedly, a professional fake smile on his face, but his tone was somewhat perfunctory: "Just browsing. Call me if you need anything."

Lin Shumei ignored him and walked straight to the black Mercedes E240 in the center of the showroom. She opened the passenger door, glanced inside, then walked around to the back of the car for a look. She then sat down on the leather sofa in the lounge area, crossed her legs, and put her handbag aside. She looked up and, in a commanding tone, called out to the salesperson—her voice not loud, but with an air of unyielding composure that commanded respect—"Two cups of hot coffee, please."

The salesperson paused for a moment. He'd worked at this 4S dealership for several years and seen all sorts of customers. Those who truly had the financial means to buy a car were often the type who didn't waste time with small talk and took the initiative from the start. He quickly re-evaluated Lin Shumei. She wore a light blue dress, the cut was perfect, and she exuded a composed demeanor. The bag she carried, though the brand was unclear, was made of high-quality leather. As for the young man beside her, although dressed simply, he stood there neither servile nor arrogant, his eyes calm; he didn't seem like a lackey.

The salesperson's attitude immediately did a complete 180-degree turn. A smile spread across his face, he bowed and gestured for her to enter, then jogged to the break room. In less than two minutes, he returned with two cups of hot coffee, carefully placed them on the coffee table, and then half-squatted in front of Lin Shumei, beginning his enthusiastic introduction: "Ms. Lin, this E240 is equipped with a 2.6-liter V6 engine, producing a maximum power of 170 horsepower, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in just over nine seconds, with a full leather interior, and heated and ventilated front seats..."

Lin Shumei picked up her coffee, took a sip, waved her hand to interrupt his rambling, and said in a calm but unquestionable tone, "I've ridden in and driven this car before, you don't need to memorize the specs. Just take me for a test drive!"

The salesperson was slightly taken aback at first. He knew these parameters by heart and could always impress customers, but he hadn't expected this customer to shut him down so easily. However, he quickly recovered, his smile widening. He stood up, made a gesture of invitation, and said with genuine respect, "Okay, this way please."

He turned and took the keys from the counter, jogged to the door, drove the test drive car over, and parked it steadily at the showroom entrance. He then personally opened the driver's side door, blocking the top of the door frame with his hand, waiting for Lin Shumei to get in. Lin Shumei got into the driver's seat, Su Ming got into the passenger seat, and the salesperson tactfully sat in the back.

Lin Shumei started the car, shifted gears, released the handbrake, and the car silently glided out of the parking space and onto the highway. She drove with ease. On a straight road with less traffic, she pressed the accelerator; the V6 engine emitted a deep, resonant roar. The acceleration wasn't violent, but it was smooth and gentle, like an invisible hand steadily pushing you forward. When cornering, the car remained stable, the chassis solid, with almost no body roll.

Su Ming sat in the passenger seat, his hand resting on the door panel, enjoying the smooth feel of the leather seats against his skin. He watched the elegant hands of the clock slowly turn, and inhaled the faint scent of leather and walnut wood mingling inside the car. He felt a surge of emotion. This thing was a completely different world from the driving school's training car; sitting inside made him feel incredibly valuable.

Lin Shumei drove for a while, then turned around at an intersection and steadily drove the car back to the 4S store. She turned off the engine, got out of the car, and handed the keys to the salesperson. The whole process was smooth and efficient, without a single unnecessary word.

The salesperson took the keys and immediately greeted her warmly with a hopeful smile, asking, "Ms. Lin, how do you feel about the car? Are you satisfied with the power, handling, and comfort?"

Lin Shumei brushed off non-existent dust from her hands and replied casually with two words: "Not bad!"

The salesperson's smile froze for a moment. Having worked in sales for so many years, he knew all too well that the calmer the customer, the harder they were to deal with; but conversely, those who truly wanted to buy were often the same type who didn't easily reveal their emotions. Suppressing his eagerness, he smiled again and asked, "Ms. Lin, would you like to place an order? If you do now, I can help you apply for some discounts, like free full car window tinting and floor mats..."

Lin Shumei didn't answer him directly. Instead, she smiled and turned to look at Su Ming beside her, her tone gentle as if she were discussing dinner with her husband: "Su Ming, what do you think of this car?"

The salesperson's gaze followed Lin Shumei's to Su Ming, and his heart skipped a beat. He had initially assumed this young man was just Lin Shumei's brother or driver, but this assertive female customer was actually seeking his opinion. He couldn't help but re-evaluate Su Ming. In his early twenties, dressed plainly, but sitting there with impeccable posture and no sense of unease about his position, he was clearly no ordinary person. The salesperson's eyes immediately held a newfound respect for Su Ming.

Feeling a little embarrassed by the simultaneous stares of the two people, Su Ming scratched his head, thought for a moment, and honestly replied, "This car is quite comfortable. It's comfortable to sit in, and you seem to drive it very smoothly. Anyway, it's better than any car I've ever ridden in."