Chapter 57 Part 1 一 After Ruan Yōu fiercely tore up Cheng Guyuan’s photo.
The influence of male models fashion show on the internet continues.
The most direct impact is that there is a noticeable increase in male celebrities wearing deep V-neck outfits on the red carpet.
In the winter, it’s not just female celebrities who suffer from the cold, but also male celebrities who showcase their bodies and engage in crazy trends.
There’s nothing they can do; the audience just loves watching this kind of thing!
Ruan Yōu, who benefits women throughout the internet and hides her accomplishments and fame, stayed in the study for nine days.
In front of the desk, there is a large whiteboard, like in a detective drama, neatly covered with a lot of information and data related to Cheng Guyuan.
It included information about the Cheng family’s assets and status, ongoing projects, Cheng Guyuan’s father’s connections, and Cheng Guyuan’s current situation, and so on.
During this period, Ruan Yōu made a series of preparations targeting the Cheng family in the name of the initial user. Now that the tasks are completed and no longer needed, Ruan Yōu wanted to tidy up and end the seclusion. However, just as she was about to leave, the doorbell rang.
In the display screen, Gu Fuchen stood at the door with a plate of snacks.
Ruan Yōu glanced at the whiteboard covered with information and photos of Cheng Guyuan, walked to the door, personally opened it, and stood halfway blocking the entrance, asking, “What’s the matter?”
“Grab a bite while you’re busy.”
Ruan Yōu: “There’s nothing worth being busy about.”
These past few days, she had been eating well, drinking well, and sleeping super soundly.
Gu Fuchen didn’t believe her, but this time he came prepared. He would definitely make Ruan Yōu end her embarrassment and go out properly.
“Jiang Huai’s birthday is in three days. Lu Jin plans to organize a simple birthday party for him. I’ve been too busy during this time and haven’t prepared a gift yet. Can you help me prepare a gift?” Gu Fuchen added, “It’s just a simple gift between friends. It doesn’t need to be too expensive, but it should make him happy and feel everyone’s intentions. Lu Xuan will accompany you, and Lu Jin’s gift isn’t ready either.”
Gu Fuchen said it calmly on the surface, but the actual situation was not as simple as that.
Jiang Huai always liked money. His birthday is one of the few days when he can receive expensive gifts without lifting a finger. Every year, Gu Fuchen, Fu Jiazhan, and Lu Jin prepare valuable birthday gifts for him. Once, Gu Fuchen even directly gave him some shares of the Jiang Airlines Company. Jiang Huai was so happy that he spent the whole night holding onto the stock certificate and didn’t even bother to look at the cake.
Gu Fuchen told Ruan Yōu that the gift didn’t have to be too expensive, but it should show their intentions. He purely wanted Ruan Yōu to put more thought into this matter.
Such gifts were not easy to find.
Ruan Yōu should invest more effort in this matter and naturally wouldn’t have the extra energy to think about the male models show that made her feel embarrassed.
Ruan Yōu had been in the study for so long that she was almost going moldy. She thought it would be a good idea to go out and breathe some fresh air. Without hesitation, she nodded and asked seriously, “Who will be attending Jiang Huai’s birthday party?”
She needed to determine the value of the gift based on the number of attendees and the scale of the event.
“It’s just the four of us, plus you and Lu Xuan. If you want, you can invite Qi Zhiyan as well.”
The birthday party holds great significance for Jiang Huai.
He valued friendship a lot, and on such an important day as his birthday, he didn’t like social obligations or inviting superficial friends who weren’t that familiar. It made him feel uncomfortable to say forced celebratory words.
So starting from high school, the participants in Jiang Huai’s birthday party were only Gu Fuchen, Fu Jiazhan, Lu Jin, and himself. They would have a small gathering every year.
Gu Fuchen knew that his sister had been getting close to Qi Zhiyan lately, so if Ruanruan wanted, they could invite Qi Zhiyan as well.
Having more people would make it livelier then.
Ruan Yōu had a general understanding.
“After Lu Xuan and I buy the gifts, I will personally talk to Qi Zhiyan about it.”
Apart from formal banquets and dinners, Qi Zhiyan rarely had the opportunity to attend small gatherings among friends.
In the novel, she always maintained a cool and aloof image, and even after returning to the country from studying abroad, she didn’t make friends and remained single. In her life, it was all about work and more work.
Her life has improved a lot now. Elder Qi said she comes home twice a week for a meal, her attitude is milder than before, and sometimes they even watch TV together.
Not only that, but she also appeared in the embarrassing <The Lone Warrior> choir yesterday.
Qi Zhiyan seemed to be tightly held by an invisible hand, gradually entering the top wealthy families small circle.
From a mere acquaintance before, they have developed into a group that can sing together and have fun.
Qi Zhiyan must be brought along to Jiang Huai’s birthday party.
Maybe Ruan Yōu is more sensitive.
She would worry that if she doesn’t invite Qi Zhiyan, on the day of the birthday party, Qi Zhiyan would watch them having fun and can’t help but think too much. If Lu Ming doesn’t bring her to the birthday party, she would spend the whole night feeling sad, staring at her friends’ circle alone.
Seeing that Ruan Yōu readily agreed without hesitation, Gu Fuchen slightly raised the corners of his lips. He suppressed his inner joy and excitement, pretending to be calm, and said, “I’ll let Lu Jin tell Lu Xuan.”
“Mm!”
Ruan Yōu closed the study door smoothly and went to the cloakroom to change her clothes. When she came downstairs, she encountered Ruan Liuyu and Gu Youqian on the first floor.
The two stood at the entrance of the main building, whispering to each other. Gu Youqian furrowed his brows, his eyes filled with deep concern.
Ruan Yōu didn’t understand, so she slowed down and walked up, tilting her head to see what her parents were mysteriously discussing.
Suddenly, a face full of suspicion appeared in their field of vision. Gu Youqian and Ruan Liuyu were startled and exclaimed, “Yōuyōu?!”
Ruan Liuyu placed a hand on her chest and upon seeing Ruan Yōu, the tense strings finally relaxed, and she let out a deep breath.
They had been worried for a long time, fearing that Gu Fuchen’s plan would fail. They had to personally go downstairs and feel at ease upon seeing Ruan Yōu leave the house.
“Did I scare you?” Ruan Yōu scratched her head, feeling a little embarrassed.
Ruan Liuyu smiled gently, “No, we were engrossed in our conversation. It had nothing to do with you. Are you planning to go out?”
Ruan Yōu nodded firmly.
“Brother said he hasn’t prepared Jiang Huai’s birthday gift yet, so I’m going out with Lu Xuan to do some shopping.”
Gu Youqian had a smile on his face, “Going shopping is great, very good. Go now.”
The two of them looked at Ruan Yōu with joy in their voices, “Hurry, hurry, go quickly. Come back early. The air quality is good today, so spend some time outside. The chef at home is off, and we won’t have dinner tonight. It’s better to have dinner outside before returning.”
Gu Youqian and Ruan Liuyu urged Ruan Yōu to leave quickly, and the driver swiftly brought the car over. They each supported Ruan Yōu and anxiously helped her into the car.
Ruan Yōu: …?
Once she was pushed into the car, her dad personally closed the door for her. As she sat in the car, still not fully comprehending what had just happened, she looked out through the window, completely bewildered.
Mom and Dad were brimming with joy, waving happily at her. Seeing their expressions, she felt they were so delighted that they almost wanted to buy some firecrackers to celebrate and add to the excitement.
Today is a good day, everything you wish for can come true~
As the driver drove, Gu Youqian and Ruan Liuyu’s smiling faces gradually disappeared from sight. Ruan Yōu turned her gaze back, feeling doubtful, and started chatting with Lu Xuan on WeChat.
【Lu Xuan: Have you decided what to give Jiang Huai?】
【Fat Cat: Not yet, let’s go shopping first. Their requirements are quite high.】
【Fat Cat: By the way, my parents are acting strangely today.】
【Lu Xuan: What happened to them?】
【Fat Cat: They know that I’m about to go out, and they are exceptionally happy. I find it strange.】
Lu Xuan was momentarily unsure how to respond.
Many of the wealthy families in the city knew she was going out today and were quite happy about it _(:з」∠)_
After hesitating for a while, Lu Xuan cautiously replied: 【Maybe they’re in a good mood today.】
Ruan Yōu didn’t think much about it and arranged to meet Lu Xuan at a designated location.
They went to an ordinary department store.
Since Gu Fuchen said there was no need to buy anything too expensive, Ruan Yōu didn’t choose places like antique shops.
With 25 days left until the Spring Festival, the mall was already filled with a festive atmosphere, and small red lanterns were hung in front of each brand store.
Lu Xuan had no experience buying gifts. Previously, she would give her girlfriends luxurious handbags, jewelry, and such as birthday gifts. She didn’t need to prepare gifts for Jiang Huai, Fu Jiazhan, and Gu Fuchen; her brother, Lu Jin, would take care of everything.
Lu Jin didn’t tell his sister Lu Xuan that Jiang Huai’s preferred birthday gift was actually something related to stocks and money. He was afraid that Lu Xuan would not act sincerely when shopping with Ruan Yōu. Furthermore, ever since Lu Xuan was deceived by a scumbag last time, Lu Jin had been finding ways to keep her busy and fill her life with activities.
As long as she was busy, she wouldn’t have time for bad thoughts.
Lu Jin used the excuse of Gu Fuchen persuading Ruan Yōu to go out and buy gifts, and also persuaded Lu Xuan to go out.
Lu Xuan really thought she was going to prepare a thoughtful gift for brother Jiang Huai, and happily went out with Ruan Yōu.
However, her role was not significant; everything relied on Ruan Yōu.
This time, Ruan Yōu didn’t know what to give either. After wandering around without inspiration, they simply stopped shopping and went to a bubble tea shop in the mall for an afternoon tea.
The milk tea was warm, fragrant, and sweet, and it warmed their whole bodies with one sip.
Lu Xuan had never walked such a long distance before. She rubbed her sore legs and complained in a pitiful manner, “Their requirements are so high. They don’t want anything expensive, but it has to show thoughtfulness, and Jiang Huai only likes money.”
“Why can’t we just give him an empty check and let him fill in the amount? That would show sincerity and thoughtfulness, right!” Lu Xuan said.
Ruan Yōu replied, “He might fill in 99,999,999 yuan and 99 cents.”
“That’s impossible.” Lu Xuan subconsciously smiled and shook her head. She took a sip of milk tea, pondered for a moment, and then felt that this was something Jiang Huai might actually do. Her resolute attitude began to waver, and she hesitated and said, “He probably wouldn’t ask for 99 cents, right?”
Ruan Yōu remained silent.
After a while, Lan Xuan sighed.
“Well, Brother Jiang Huai will probably ask for it.”
Ruan Yōu chuckled lightly, “Was the gift from previous years prepared by Lu Jin?”
“Yes,” Lu Xuan supported her chin with one hand and said with great disappointment, “If I had known, I would have gone with my brother when he invited me to the gathering in the past. Then I could have seen what everyone else was giving.”
A few years ago, Lu Jin had invited her, but at the thought of being the only girl in the small gathering without anyone to talk to, Lu Xuan found it boring and decisively declined her brother’s invitation.
Being together with them didn’t mean just eating and drinking, there was no fun in it at all.
Now, thinking back, Lu Xuan regretted it.
If she had gone once, she wouldn’t have to worry so much now.
Lu Xuan pouted, “It seems like besides birthdays, they also exchange New Year gifts. Does that mean we have to buy another gift then? It’s so difficult, I don’t even know what to give for a birthday present, and the Lunar New Year is only twenty-something days away.”
Ruan Yōu’s eyes flashed with a hint of complexity, and after a moment of hesitation, she asked softly, “How did Jiang Huai spend the Lunar New Year before?”
Last year, Father Jiang and his illegitimate son Jiang Wei were still at the Jiang family. They were filial to their father, so Jiang Huai must have been the neglected one.
“For example, will he go to Gu Fuchen’s, Fu Jiazhan’s, or Lu Jin’s house to celebrate the Lunar New Year together?”
Lu Xuan shook her head.
“He’s probably hiding in the study dealing with official matters alone. My brother said that in the past two years, he was busy with Jiang… No, it’s the Qiao Airlines’ affairs, and he was engrossed in work every day, hardly having any time to rest. During the Lunar New Year, he’s most likely alone in the study, looking at documents.”
As she said that, Lu Xuan suddenly felt a bit sorry for Jiang Huai.
While his father and half-brother celebrated the New Year together, he could only hide in the study, contemplating how to regain his mother’s business.
Ruan Yōu had no words to respond.
It is very uncomfortable to spend the New Year alone.
Although the festive atmosphere hasn’t been as strong in recent years, it’s fine to celebrate alone. But when I think about how Lu Ming, other friends, and people I’ve seen during the day can all reunite with their families, raise a toast to celebrate the New Year, decorate their homes with window paper-cuts, have a sumptuous New Year’s Eve dinner, or watch the Spring Festival Gala together, Lu Ming and the others can do all of these things together.
Just the thought of it is enough to make Ruan Yōu feel envious.