The Freebie Whisperer: My Husband’s Secret Superpower

Many people know who my husband is, Zhangyi is pretty famous in his own circle, people know who he is, and what he does. Few people know about his secret superpower, so I’m here to share it. For some strange unexplainable reason, Zhangyi gets free stuff wherever he goes. And I have observed that it occurs at a once-a-month frequency, and it could take place anywhere and anyhow.

I first encountered this when we were having lunch with some YST colleagues at West Coast Plaza. We were having zichar with our usual order of drinks. Near the end of our meal, our drinks were empty and the zichar auntie asked if we wanted more drinks. I don't remember the details, but perhaps someone’s drink (probably ice water or chinese tea) could be refilled so that's why she came around to ask us if we needed anything.

Zhangyi joked with the auntie, with his usual boyish charm, “ice lemon tea can refill”? Auntie was a bit taken aback by the off-hand remark and said “har? Ice lemon tea cannot lah!”

We had a good laugh at his tease at the auntie. I remember thinking Zhangyi was trying to flex his charms at her, and felt second-hand embarrassment for him.

The auntie came back in a minute,  with a full cup of ice lemon tea, she might have winked at Zhangyi, “actually cannot ah, don’t tell other people ah, secret ah”. She was even pretending to be 鬼鬼祟祟, it was a hilarious moment and the table was in disbelief that Zhangyi could get that free drink.

Thereafter, I started to notice all the little frequent incidents that happened to Zhangyi, where he got a freebie out of the blue, that it has become a running joke in our family and my parents don’t even bat an eyelid when he gets free food or drinks anymore. 

长毅有个容易骗阿姨的脸。But trust me it works on men too. He has been deliberately exercising this superpower more recently when we are dining out, or making big purchases. 

Another incident I witnessed was when we went to get gas at the Tampines East SPC. He came back from paying for the gas with two bottles of mineral water. I gave him an incredulous look. “Like that you can also get free stuff ah!” “Oh because apparently we are the tenth car to patronise this newly opened SPC”. “Did you flirt with the auntie??” “No, it was a male worker.”

So apparently it works on both genders. Does he have a “please bless me with some freebies?” face? I don’t get that same treatment in the exact situation!

Another time, it was a free tissue box from another petrol kiosk. I think this is quite common, but man it never happens to me though.

Moving on… Earlier this year, he went to Tampines Mart’s 7-Eleven to get some snacks and drinks. He came back with two glasses with the FuseTea branding printed on it. Each glass even had a silicon lid and a reusable metal straw. Those were some nice glasses, and they were free again. My dad goes to that 7-Eleven every day for his coffee, and he never gets anything free.

We went for a lovely dinner date at Cosford Container Park (near the airport, hence near our place). Midway through our dinner, a host at the venue started giving out bingo cards. We were going to be playing bingo. Zhangyi asked me how bingo was played. I’m thinking to myself, “unbelievable, this man does not know how to play bingo, and I bet he is going to be the one to win it all”. Prizes for winning the Cosford Bingo game were some pretty cool Coca Cola merchandise. 

This was his bingo ticket, by the way. HOW TO NOT WIN?? This man had plenty of ways (4!!!)  to win while I barely had 1. And I was not surprised when he did win, because I already knew he would! These things always happen to him! It was great fun though, we had a good laugh and we won a bendy reusable Coca Cola straw and holder.

And just 3 hours ago today, we went to SPC again. And he came back with yet another free bottle of water. I don’t get surprised anymore at the rate it’s happening.

“They keep giving me free water!”

P/S: Zhangyi insists I show you guys the straw.

Do you also get freebies frequently?

• Change Image

  0%Yes I do!! (#teamzy)
• Change Image

  0%No, nobody gives me anything. :'( (#teamwynne)