Chapter 228: Chapter 136: You Should Work Hard to Win Over a Girl This Good

Soon, she noticed something else out of place.

There was a pair of men’s slippers by the door, and in the bathroom, there were two cups and two toothbrushes.

She didn’t live alone. There was a man here too!

’Could it be Xu Yun?’

Soon, Ning Qian came out, having changed into some casual clothes that perfectly showcased her figure.

Looking at Ning Qian’s alluring figure, Li Jinshu thought about the lecherous Xu Yun. ’It’s entirely possible he’s already made a move on her.’

Ning Qian, unaware she was already under suspicion, smiled and asked, "What do you want to eat tonight? I can cook."

"You can cook?"

"Just a little bit."

Ning Qian opened the refrigerator and said, "But I only know how to make some simple, home-style dishes."

"That’s still very impressive."

Li Jinshu replied, "Just make whatever. I’m not a picky eater."

"Okay."

"By the way."

Li Jinshu, curious, called out to Ning Qian in the kitchen, "Do you live here all by yourself?"

"Yes, I do."

Li Jinshu asked doubtfully, "But I saw men’s slippers by the door and two cups in the bathroom."

"Oh, those are my boyfriend’s."

Ning Qian paused for a moment before explaining calmly, "He stays over here sometimes."

"You have a boyfriend? You never mentioned it before."

Li Jinshu, still in the living room, glanced at a photo of Xu Yun and continued to probe, "What does he look like? Do you have a picture? I’d love to see."

"No."

Ning Qian denied it. "He doesn’t really like having his picture taken."

"Oh."

Li Jinshu put Xu Yun’s photo back in its place and said, "Well, maybe you can introduce us next time you get a chance."

"Okay."

After that, the two fell silent, each lost in their own thoughts.

As Ning Qian cooked, she worried that Li Jinshu would discover her relationship with Xu Yun.

Meanwhile, Li Jinshu was trying to figure out the nature of Xu Yun and Ning Qian’s relationship, wondering if her suspicions were correct.

In a Suzhou embroidery shop, Liang Yan stood alone.

She had been here since last night, watching over a group of master artisans. She had paid a high price, selected the shop’s finest materials, and had them work overtime in shifts to hand-embroider a set of twelve silk scarves, each with a different design.

So far, eight designs were complete, with four remaining.

They should all be finished before tomorrow.

"The peach tree is young and elegant, its blossoms are brilliant and bright."

Liang Yan held up one of the completed pieces—the "Brilliant Peach Blossoms" design—and couldn’t bear to put it down.

Its color arrangement was exquisite and elegant, just like a peach tree in full bloom.

The silk threads of the leaves and petals were tightly woven with natural transitions, and the control of light and shadow was masterful.

The scarf was adorned as if with budding peach blossoms, shimmering with vibrant light—a shade of pink that was lovely, not garish.

Furthermore, each scarf would be packaged in an exquisite box, complete with a few small matching items.

Once they were all finished, there would be a total of twelve such gift boxes to give to Auntie.

In her mind, wealthy people appreciated these kinds of elegant, traditional works of intangible cultural heritage more.

She was sure that her gift this time would definitely outshine Su Mu’s!

...

「Back in Xu Yun’s hometown.」

Xu Yun had no idea that several of the women in his life had already made a pact to surprise him tomorrow.

After he and Chen Xin finished their meal, they started wandering around the small county town.

Ever since graduating from college—or rather, since he’d left for college—he hadn’t really spent much time exploring this small town.

Every time he came back, his visits were always rushed.

Now, ten years later, walking with Chen Xin down once-familiar streets, he could feel how much had changed around him.

It was much more bustling than it had been back in high school.

Xu Yun asked curiously, "What made you decide to come live here for a while?"

"I read a novel that mentioned this place, so I came to check it out."

Chen Xin explained, "We novelists tend to stay in one place for a while and then move on to the next."

"To find new inspiration?"

"Maybe."

Chen Xin laughed. "But as a struggling author, I’m a bit embarrassed to say things like that. I’m just trying to make a living."

Speaking of novels, Xu Yun was reminded of the short-form drama scripts.

He asked, "Can you write short-form drama scripts?"

"You mean those cheesy melodramas on short-video platforms?"

"Yeah. Su Mu wants to get into that recently."

Xu Yun said, "Want to give it a try? You write it, I’ll pay you for the rights, and then I’ll have someone film and sell it."

"Can I really do that?"

"Just give it a shot. You can also ask your writer friends. If they’re interested, they can submit scripts too."

Xu Yun promised, "The pay will be more than fair."

"Okay, I’ll ask around for you."

"Let’s go."

Xu Yun said with a smile, "We still have some time before dinner. I’ll go buy you a birthday present."

"Where are we going?"

"A jewelry store."

Xu Yun said, "I think every girl should have a little jewelry. Your hands and neck are bare."

"Oh."

The two made their way to the best jewelry store in town, where Xu Yun told Chen Xin to pick whatever she wanted.

There were rings and necklaces laid out before her.

Chen Xin looked for a long time but couldn’t make a decision.

She was terribly indecisive.

She tried on several pieces, but whenever Xu Yun asked for her opinion, she just said she didn’t know.

Just as Chen Xin was struggling to choose, Xu Yun said, "How about I pick one for you?"

"Okay."

Xu Yun turned to the saleswoman and asked, "Out of these four, which one is the cheapest?"

"Sir, the price is really secondary."

The saleswoman, seeing that Xu Yun’s first question was about the cheapest option, smiled. "If you want to talk about meaning, well, this one basically says ’I love you.’"

"No, just tell me which one is the cheapest."

Chen Xin stood to the side, silent.

Although she didn’t really care whether the ring was expensive or cheap, hearing Xu Yun say that still made her feel a little disappointed.

She felt it meant Xu Yun didn’t like her. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

"The cheapest, huh~"

The saleswoman hadn’t expected Xu Yun to be so blunt.

She thought for a moment, and instead of pointing out the cheapest one, she introduced the most expensive one.

"They’re all about the same price. This one with the single diamond is just a little more, but it looks absolutely beautiful on her."

"Then not this one. Show me another."

The saleswoman was speechless. "..."

The two went back and forth for a bit longer.

Just when both the saleswoman and Chen Xin thought Xu Yun was going to buy the cheapest ring, he suddenly picked up the most expensive one.

"Do a lot of people wear this one?"

"Not many people wear this one, no. It’s quite rare."

The saleswoman replied, "After all, it’s the most expensive one in the store!"

Xu Yun turned to Chen Xin and asked, "Which finger do you usually like to wear rings on?"

"My ring finger."

Xu Yun reached out, immediately slipped it onto her finger, and then said to the saleswoman with a smile, "Ring it up."

The saleswoman was speechless again. "..."

Chen Xin watched Xu Yun’s slick move, feeling touched and conflicted.

She said, "If you keep this up, I’m really going to end up falling for you."

"For real?"

"For real."

Upon hearing that, Xu Yun immediately turned to the saleswoman and said, "In that case, I’ll buy them all."

The saleswoman: "!!!"

Just as she thought she was about to hit a massive commission, Chen Xin quickly stopped him. "No, no!"

Xu Yun asked with a laugh, "Why not?"

"It’s too expensive."

Chen Xin said, "This one ring is enough. I don’t want to fall for you."

"Alright, then." Xu Yun pouted.

After buying the gift and paying the bill—a total of 65,000 yuan—they left the store.

They walked side by side.

Chen Xin suddenly said, "Xu Yun, you’ve changed since you came back this time."

"How have I changed?"

"You’ve started flirting with me."

Xu Yun denied it. "I am not flirting with you."

After saying that, he deliberately clicked his tongue.

"See? You’re teasing me again."

Chen Xin said shyly, "I’m not a kitten for you to tease."

"But you are my princess."

Chen Xin was speechless. "..."

AHHHHHH~

’What am I going to do? He’s handsome, he’s nice, he buys me things, and he’s deliberately flirting with me.’

’Who could possibly resist this?!’

’It’s over. I think I’m falling in love.’

’Chen Xin, hold on! Don’t be fooled by him.’

’He’s just a player who has tons of women. He’s nice to everyone.’

’He doesn’t really like you.’

Xu Yun watched Chen Xin’s conflicted expression, feeling pleased.

’A great girl like this is worth the effort to win over.’

’That was just a small test. There’s a bigger surprise in store for tonight. I refuse to believe Chen Xin will be able to resist.’

Next, the two went to get Häagen-Dazs ice cream together.

They also went to an arcade, played all sorts of games, and tried the claw machines.

Because she liked a pig-headed plushie, Xu Yun bought five large baskets of game tokens—an uncountable number.

He had Chen Xin play again and again until she had completely emptied the machine of all the pig-headed plushies.

Outside, the sky had grown dark.

Chen Xin didn’t keep any of them, giving them all away to the children who were there.

Then she said, "Let’s go. It’s about time. I’ll take you out for a big dinner."

"Okay."

Half an hour later, in the best hotel in the county, a huge spread of food covered a table meant for just the two of them.

Chen Xin poured a glass of juice for herself and Xu Yun, then raised her glass. "Happy birthday to me!"

"Happy birthday to you."

After saying that, Xu Yun glanced at a message on his phone.

"Boss, the firework show is ready."