novelhk Chapter 122 The Sachs' "Golden Hour"
Chapter 122 The Sachs' "Golden Hour"
"Young master, did you sleep well last night? The weather is fine today, perfect for a stroll around the neighborhood to familiarize yourself with the surroundings." Butler Charles, dressed in a crisp morning suit, stood at the entrance of the dining room, his tone respectful and attentive.
After finishing his exquisite breakfast, Lin Yan took the hot towel Wang Yuling handed him, wiped his hands, and nodded: "Thank you for your trouble, Charles. It's time to see the neighbors and get to know them."
"It is my pleasure, sir." Charles bowed slightly. "The carriage is ready, and we can stroll along the street and take our time. Please follow me."
As the group walked out of the villa's imposing gilded gate, two black Lincoln Continentals were already waiting by the roadside.
"Your residence is located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, at the intersection of Madison Avenue and 70th Street. This is the heart of the Upper East Side's undisputed 'Gold Coast,'" Charles explained.
The streets are lined with shady trees, mostly five- or six-story pre-war cooperative apartments or renovated brownstone townhouses, their exteriors understated yet luxurious, their porches impeccably clean. Occasionally, a uniformed nanny or maid walks by with her pet dog, or an elegantly dressed resident departs in a luxury car. The air is filled with the scent of tranquility, money, and order.
“Young master, if we go west, less than two blocks away is Fifth Avenue.” Charles pointed westward. “That’s not only the kingdom of luxury goods, but also the location of the ‘Museum Mile.’ You can see world-class art institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Guggenheim Museum. The people who can afford to live in apartments along that line are all extremely wealthy and powerful, many of them being ‘old money’ families that have been passed down for generations.”
He lowered his voice slightly, as if sharing a consensus within the industry, "Take Mr. Walter Jarvis at 820 Fifth Avenue, for example. He's the third-generation head of Jarvis Investment Bank. The co-op council in his building wields incredible power. It's said that even Hollywood stars and emerging tech billionaires might be turned away when they apply. What they value is... well... lineage and those 'invisible' rules."
The vehicle slowly drove eastward, crossing Madison Avenue.
"We are now passing through Madison Avenue, which is known for its high-end retail stores, art galleries and designer boutiques."
Charles continued, "You see over there, that beautiful brownstone house at the corner of Madison Avenue and 71st Street? That's the home of the famous Dr. Stone. He's a leading authority in cardiac surgery at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. He's very low-key, but his social circle consists mostly of top figures in the medical field and important people who need his superb medical skills."
Continuing east, past Lexington Avenue, Charles's tone became slightly flattering:
"Starting from Third Avenue, the residential density increases, and the apartment buildings are relatively older. There are more single professionals and young couples living here. It has a more vibrant atmosphere, and the restaurants and cafes are more diverse. For example, in that new apartment building near Third Avenue, there lives a fashion designer named Maria Scott. She has her own brand and is very popular with some trendy celebrities. She is considered a relatively active figure in the 'new money' circle."
"Further east, around Second Avenue and 75th Street, you can see some newly built condominiums. There lives a young man named David Chen there; I heard his electronics company just went public, he's very wealthy, and he bought a penthouse. However, tech upstarts like him might not be very popular with the established Co-op committees on the west side." Charles's words carried a subtle sense of boundaries.
"At the far east are East End Avenue and the East River," Charles concluded, pointing eastward. "Land prices there have been rising in recent years because of the waterfront. However, our location is undoubtedly the very heart of the heart."
Charles also mentioned representatives from academia: "Professor Whittaker of Columbia University lives in a university-provided apartment near Lexington Avenue and 69th Street. He is a leading figure in economics and has previously served as an advisor in Washington. Scholars and politicians often visit his home to discuss issues."
Charles concluded, "To put it simply, sir, in the Upper East Side:"
Fifth Avenue represents the pinnacle of culture, old-money prestige, and the most expensive co-op apartments, typical of veteran bankers like Mr. Jarvis.
Park Avenue is known for its tree-lined boulevards, luxurious pre-war apartments, and illustrious family names; heirs and socialites like Mrs. Vanderbilt were the main figures there.
Madison Avenue is the heart of high-end shopping, art, and commerce, a place where professionals like Dr. Stone would choose to live.
Lexington Avenue and eastwards, the community gradually transitions, revealing fashionable individuals like Ms. Scott, tech whizzes like Mr. Chen, and scholars like Professor Whittaker. The further east you go, the more diverse the community becomes, and the more vibrant the atmosphere of daily life.
Charles concluded by saying, "Young master, this is a general overview of your surroundings. People here value privacy and boundaries, but they also weave a complex and intricate network of social relationships. For a first meeting, a nod and a smile are sufficient; deeper interactions require time and opportunity."
After listening to Charles's detailed introduction, Lin Yan's gaze swept over the quiet and expensive buildings outside the car window again, a faint smile appearing on his lips. Everything here was not fundamentally different from the Wall Street jungle law he knew from his previous life, only it was wrapped up more exquisitely and paid more attention to "heritage" and "rules".
"It's a great place," he said softly, as if to himself and the others in the car. "Clear hierarchy, well-defined rules. Knowing the game area and the players makes things much easier."
He instructed Charles, "Go back. Lin Er, we didn't bring any luggage to New York this time. Get ready, we'll go downtown this afternoon."
"Yes, young master."
Fifth Avenue in the afternoon exudes an aura of money and fashion. Lin Yan strode out of the Lincoln Continental, his simple white shirt and khaki trousers accentuating his tall, 188cm frame, creating an effect comparable to a fashion model. His strikingly handsome Eastern face instantly attracted the attention of many at the entrance of Saks Fifth Avenue.
Arthur, a seasoned sales associate with an eagle's intuition, immediately sensed something unusual from Lin Yan's composed gait and the silent, solemn silence of his three entourage. He strode forward, his smile warm but not obsequious: "Good afternoon, sir. Welcome to Saxophone. How may I help you?"
The three followed Arthur into the men's clothing section of the mall. Lin Yan calmly glanced at the magnificent store display and spoke in fluent and pure English: "I need to buy a complete set of outfits for myself and my colleagues, from the inside out, for all occasions and all seasons."
Arthur was startled, but his smile widened. "Of course, sir! It would be our pleasure. Please follow me to the VIP room, where we can leisurely..."
"No need," Lin Yan interrupted him, his tone gentle yet carrying an undeniable sense of efficiency. "Just look here. My time is limited, so I hope your people can be quick."
Over the next few hours, Saks Fifth Avenue's menswear department witnessed a buying frenzy.
Lin Yan's actions were swift, accurate, and ruthless, as if he had a complete checklist in his mind.
He first headed towards the suit section.
"Can you take measurements now for Hickey-Freeman's custom services?" he asked directly.
"Of course! I'll call the head tailor right away!" Arthur quickly waved his hand.
"Very good. Scabal Super 150s fabric, navy blue, charcoal gray, and dark gray pinstripes… I'll order 12 sets first. Including vests." Lin Yan rattled off a series of requests, as if he were ordering food. The head tailor rushed over, respectfully taking his measurements and recording the exact inches. This alone was estimated to cost over $11,000. The surrounding shop assistants gasped.
Before the tailor could finish taking his measurements, he had already moved on to the shirt section.
His fingers traced rows of high-quality cotton yarn. "Turnbull & Asser, 20 white shirts, 15 light blue ones, 5 with French cuffs. Hilditch & Key striped and plaid shirts, 5 each." He didn't even need to look at the price tags. Another order nearing $2,000.
He glanced at the tie counter. "Charvet's navy blue jacquard, burgundy polka dots... this one from Drake's... this one from Hermès..." He picked out 30 ties almost at a rate of one per second. $1,100+
This is only his formal attire.
Then he turned to Lin Er, Lin Gang, and Wang Yuling.
"Please order 8 Brooks Brothers Golden Fleece suits for him (Lin Er). Take his measurements."
"Get him (Lin Gang) four Southwick ready-to-wear suits, size... plus two blazers."
"We will tailor 6 women's suit skirts, 10 Adele Simpson dresses, and 15 silk shirts for Ms. Wang. We will also take her measurements."
He was clear about his style requirements: "Understated, high-quality, and well-fitting." This easily added another $12,000 to the purchase for these three people.
The entire menswear department crowded around, not to watch, but forced to join this frenzied "battle." Shop assistants ran back and forth carrying mountains of high-end clothing, and the recorder's hand nearly cramped from writing. Arthur's smile had shifted from professional to an incredulous ecstasy mixed with a hint of exhaustion.
"Knitting area," Lin Yan ordered.
Loro Piana's virgin cashmere V-neck sweaters, 3 each in light grey, camel, and dark blue. "Pringle of Scotland's quilted cashmere cardigans, 2 pieces." $1,500+
"Recreation area".
20 Lacoste polo shirts in various colors. 10 more Fred Perry laurel polo shirts. 10 pairs of J. Press khaki pants. $1,000+
A curvaceous blonde saleswoman with bright red lipstick handed Lin Yan a cashmere sweater, her fingers "casually" brushing against the back of his hand. Her azure eyes boldly met his gaze, and her voice was sweet and cloying: "Sir, your taste is truly...unparalleled. If you need someone to give you a detailed introduction to these clothes tonight...or to New York's nightlife, I'd be happy to oblige." She discreetly slipped a piece of paper with a phone number onto a shirt pocket. Lin Yan merely glanced at her indifferently, nodded slightly, and without any further comment, continued to Arthur: "Shoes section."
At the Church's counter, he sat down to try it on.
"I need two pairs of these black three-piece Oxfords, size 8.5."
"Brown suede derby, same size, 1 pair."
"Gucci horsebit loafers, one pair in black and one pair in brown."
After trying them on and confirming their excellent comfort, he immediately ordered four pairs of top-quality leather shoes in different styles for Lin Er and Lin Gang, and three pairs of Ferragamo high heels and flats for Wang Yuling. The total cost of the shoes approached $4,000.
Finally, he arrived at the watch salon.
At the Patek Philippe counter, he pointed to the Ref. 570 Calatrava, "This one, platinum case."
The manager took it out himself, put it on his wrist, looked at it, and nodded: "Wrap it up." $4,200.
Without pausing, I walked to the Rolex counter and said, "Submariner, Ref. 5508, black dial." $150.
He glanced at the Vacheron Constantin display case again and pointed to a minimalist gold watch: "And this one." $3,000+.
Next, an Omega Constellation ($350) was chosen for Lin Er, a Longines military watch ($120) for Lin Gang, and a Cartier Tank ($1,100) for Wang Yuling. The total value of the watches exceeded $9,000.
Throughout the entire process, managers from other departments and curious customers, having heard the commotion, kept peeking from a distance. Whispers never stopped:
"God...how much did he actually spend?"
"I think Arthur is about to faint, a blissful dizziness!"
"He didn't even ask the price?"
"Look at that Eastern butler next to him, he doesn't even blink when he writes checks!"
"He looks just like a prince from my dreams... I wonder if he has a girlfriend?" another female shop assistant whispered to her companion, her eyes glazed over.
Finally, when Lin Er handed Arthur the check for $52,000, the entire area seemed to fall silent for a moment. The department manager also rushed over, took the check with both hands, his voice trembling slightly: "Mr. Lin, thank you for your unparalleled trust! All the staff at Saks Fifth Avenue extend our highest respect to you! All your belongings will be packed with the utmost care and delivered directly to your home by security vehicles!"
Lin Yan simply gave a curt "Mmm," as if he were merely paying for lunch. He straightened his cuffs and said to Lin Er and the others, "Let's go."
Amidst the almost reverential gazes of the store clerks, he calmly walked out of Saks Fifth Avenue. The female clerk who had handed him her phone number, watching his tall, aloof figure, ultimately didn't dare take another step forward.
Once inside the car, Lin Yan let out a soft sigh of relief and said to Lin Er, "Alright, the basic living issues are resolved. Let's go back."
The convoy drove off Fifth Avenue, leaving behind a rumor about a mysterious, wealthy, and impeccably tasteful young Eastern tycoon.