Wiping away her tears, she felt a hundred tis more energetic. She threw herself into her tasks with three hundred percent of her usual energy. Work, it’s truly wonderful. For a woman, it can sotis be far more reliable and loyal than love, family, or friendship. It never entirely lets you down; any effort you put in always yields so reward.
「Work was over.」
She ran so fast that she didn’t stop until she’d passed three bus stops. Huang Xiaojue’s car hadn’t arrived yet. Leaning against the bus stop sign, panting heavily, she was indeed afraid. She feared being seen by colleagues and having her office romance discovered, especially with such a high-paying salary slip tucked in her bag. If it were made public, she would undoubtedly have to resign.
No, I don’t want to quit at all. And I’m determined not to, no matter what!
When Huang Xiaojue’s car pulled up, he saw her standing in the cold wind, vigorously rubbing her hands together. For every date, she always ran so far to wait for him. He sighed deeply to himself but still smiled pleasantly at her. "Xixi, get in the car quickly."
She sat down, her cheeks flushed and eyes sparkling. "Xiaojue, let’s stop by the mall first to buy so things, shall we?"
"I’ve already bought Pu’er tea; you don’t need to bring another gift."
She suddenly reached out, placing her already ward hands gently on his. Her voice, unable to conceal her proud delight, said, "Xiaojue, I want to buy you a gift."
He laughed. "Is today so kind of special occasion?"
"I got my salary today! Xiaojue, guess how much?"
"How much?"
"Over fifty thousand!"
Huang Xiaojue laughed heartily. "So, what gift are you thinking of getting ?"
"I’m not sure yet. Let’s go to the mall and see."
Once inside the mall, Huang Xiaojue took her hand, and she naturally clasped his. They looked around excitedly as they walked. In the scarf section, she stopped, her eyes imdiately drawn to a gray cashre scarf. Its feel, texture, and brand were all top-notch. "Xiaojue, look, this one is lovely."
A sales assistant approached, smiling. "Miss, this scarf is 2,999. If you buy it today, we’ll include a pair of gloves worth 699 for free."
"This one then. We’ll take three."
Huang Xiaojue was startled. "Why three?"
"One for your mom and one for your dad. Xiaojue, help pick out theirs, okay?"
"That’s too expensive!"
"Not at all! I’ve wanted to give you a proper gift for a very, very long ti."
Huang Xiaojue smiled and readily picked out two more.
When it was ti to pay, Yan Xixi had never felt so excited. The money seed to fly from her hands; it was an indescribably thrilling sensation. No more counting every single cent, no more needing to stretch every penny! Best of all, this was the first ti she was giving Huang Xiaojue a gift. She had depended on him for so many years, from their university days until now. Finally, she could give him a decent present bought with her own earnings.
All the way there, she was in high spirits, full of joyful chatter and laughter, completely forgetting the nervousness she’d felt about eting Huang Xiaojue’s mother.
During occasional red lights, Huang Xiaojue would gaze at her. Ah, Xixi’s eyes are truly dazzling today, he thought. In all these years, I’ve never seen them shine so brightly, so sparklingly clear. It makes her seem almost transparent, like a radiant, luminous being.
It wasn’t until they got out of the car and a gust of wind blew past that Yan Xixi finally snapped out of her euphoric state. Yet, her cheeks remained hot, the exhilarating excitent still impossible to suppress.
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