Chapter 46
"Then… may I apply for a membership card?" Gu Xi asked, feigning innocence.
"This…" The doorman looked awkward. Lanzhi Club's members were highly selective, and while he didn't know the specifics of how the manager vetted applicants, he did know one thing. "The entry fee for a membership card is 500,000 yuan."
Gu Xi blinked. "So, if I pay 500,000, I can get in?"
"It should be possible. I'll go call the manager for you." The doorman's eyes lit up. A girl who didn't even flinch at the mention of half a million? She was definitely someone important. He respectfully invited her to sit at the entrance while he ran inside to inform the manager.
Gu Xi sat down gracefully, watching the doorman's hurried figure disappear inside. Things were going smoother than she had expected. In the future, Lanzhi Club had stopped accepting new members altogether, and even an ordinary membership card was being sold for millions on the black market.
Now, joining for just 500,000 felt like a steal.
Just as Gu Xi was silently celebrating her progress, the doorman returned, this time with a man in a tailored suit. Gu Xi's smile faded slightly as she glanced at the manager—he wasn't Manager Xie, the man she knew would oversee Lanzhi in the future. This man was unfamiliar.
"Madam, thank you very much for your interest in Lanzhi Club," the manager said with a polite smile. He sized her up with professional ease—her refined demeanor and luxurious appearance easily matched the elite women of Beijing's top families. Yet, there was hesitation in his eyes.
"Hello. May I ask your name?" Gu Xi asked calmly.
"My surname is Wang. I'm the duty manager on shift today," he replied courteously.
"Manager Wang, I'd like to apply for a Lanzhi membership card. Would that be possible?" Gu Xi could already sense a shift in tone. The doorman standing behind Manager Wang looked sheepish. Clearly, something had changed.
"I'm terribly sorry, Madam," Manager Wang said with a contrite expression. "At the moment, our internal services are undergoing renovation and system upgrades. Membership applications have been temporarily suspended. If you're still interested, you can return in about two weeks. But… please note, you'll also need a sponsor."
"A sponsor?" Gu Xi's heart sank.
"Yes."
"And what exactly is a sponsor?" she asked, eyebrows slightly raised.
"A sponsor is an existing member of Lanzhi Club—or someone who meets the club's internal criteria—who can vouch for you during the application process."
A qualified sponsor… That was practically the same as saying: You need connections. If she had the kind of powerful backing required to get a sponsor from Lanzhi's ranks, would she still be standing outside the door offering cash?
Gu Xi's mood dipped. Her carefully laid plan was being blocked at the very first step.
Just as she was racking her brain for a new strategy, the hum of an approaching engine caught her attention.
A sleek, luxury car glided down the ramp toward the entrance of the club.
Its body gleamed under the lights, and the shining angel hood ornament immediately gave away the brand: Rolls-Royce.
Gu Xi didn't know who was in the car, but the shift in atmosphere was instant. Manager Wang and the doorman both straightened their backs, their faces suddenly tense and respectful.
As the car rolled closer, Manager Wang gave a discreet cough, adjusted his tie, and bent slightly at the waist with a fawning smile. Before the car even came to a complete stop, he had already trotted forward, ready to open the door like a loyal attendant.
"Step back, please!" The doorman quickly pushed Gu Xi aside. Though small in stature, he stood tall and upright, like a soldier awaiting inspection from a superior officer.