"Mr. Yuan, thank you for lunch. I should be going back now!"
As they walked out of the elegant French restaurant together, Su Yingxia reluctantly bid farewell to Yuan Shaoping.
The French restaurant, named Bin Shang, was the premier establishment in Hangzhou, possessing an extraordinary ambiance.
Of course, it was also quite expensive, with a minimum charge of eight thousand per person.
For just the two of them, the meal had cost no less than a hundred thousand.
If it were Jiang Shaolong, while not entirely unaffordable, such an experience would be a rare treat, perhaps once every two or three months.
Unfortunately, since their marriage, Jiang Shaolong had never taken her to such a romantic, elegant, and sophisticated place.
Unconsciously, she had begun comparing Jiang Shaolong to Yuan Shaoping.
Yuan Shaoping smiled gently and asked, "Miss Su, do you have urgent matters to attend to?"
"Not exactly," Su Yingxia hesitated before replying.
"Then, Miss Su, you still haven't fulfilled your promise to show me around Hangzhou," Yuan Shaoping said with a smile. "If you don't have any pressing engagements, I'm hosting a small banquet tonight. Besides Young Master Xu, I've also invited Miss Tang, the eldest young master of the Peng family, the eldest young master of the Lin family, and other members of the younger generation."
Su Yingxia's heart fluttered.
"My sister will also be attending. She's been in Hangzhou for a while but isn't very familiar with the place yet. How about you keep her company, Miss Su?"
"Alright... I suppose so!"
Su Yingxia couldn't refuse.
The Tang, Peng, and Lin families were all top-tier local families in Hangzhou.
The Su family wasn't even worthy of being mentioned in their presence.
Even the Jiang family wasn't qualified to converse with these families on equal footing.
Being able to meet or befriend these influential young men and women would bring immense benefits to the Su family.
Perhaps a casual collaboration at the banquet could revive the Su family from the brink of ruin.
Besides, she hadn't really wanted to go home anyway, only feeling a bit guilty about leaving Jiang Shaolong, who had just returned, at home.
Now that Yuan Shaoping had added such significant leverage, Su Yingxia's internal scales tipped decisively.
"Miss Su, please get in the car!"
Seeing Su Yingxia's hesitant acceptance, a hint of triumph flickered in Yuan Shaoping's eyes.
"Oh, Mr. Yuan, I still need to go back and change my clothes!"
Once in the car, Su Yingxia remembered something and looked down at her rather ordinary attire.
"It's fine. Miss Su, you are naturally beautiful and look lovely in anything you wear!" Yuan Shaoping complimented. "However, a more exquisite outfit would undoubtedly make you even more radiant. Don't worry, I'll arrange it."
Su Yingxia was taken aback, feeling a mixture of apprehension and anticipation.
Not long after, the car arrived at Century Center.
"Mr. Yuan?" Su Yingxia asked, puzzled.
"You're still calling me Mr. Yuan?" Yuan Shaoping feigned displeasure. "I believe we're friends now, aren't we?"
Su Yingxia's heart leaped with joy at his words and she nodded enthusiastically.
"In that case, I'll call you Yingxia, and you can call me by my name directly." Yuan Shaoping suggested.
Su Yingxia's heart pounded like a drum at Yuan Shaoping's intimate tone.
At the same time, a sense of distress crept in. If the esteemed Mr. Yuan had romantic intentions towards her, what would she do? What about her and Jiang Shaolong?
"Let's go, Yingxia."
They walked side-by-side into a high-end department store. Soon, they entered a jewelry shop.
"This necklace looks nice, let me see it!" After browsing for a while, Yuan Shaoping stopped at a counter.
"Certainly, sir. You have excellent taste. This is our treasure, called 'Rose's Heart.'" The sales assistant presented the exquisite necklace. It sparkled brilliantly, captivating the eye.
"Yingxia, let me try it on you," Yuan Shaoping said gracefully, fastening the necklace around Su Yingxia's neck.
Su Yingxia gazed at the jewelry in the mirror, utterly stunned. It was breathtakingly beautiful. How much could it cost?
"It's perfect. It complements your temperament and beauty flawlessly," Yuan Shaoping murmured, standing close behind her and looking at her reflection. "This is the one. Don't take it off. We'll pay by card."
The sales assistant exclaimed with delight, "That will be three million one hundred and eighty thousand, sir."
Su Yingxia was shocked. Over three million for jewelry, and Mr. Yuan bought it without a second thought. He was truly extravagant. He was indeed the most prominent young master in Jiangbei, worthy of being called the foremost young master of Jiangbei.
Su Yingxia quickly removed the necklace and handed it back to the sales assistant to be packaged.
"Yingxia, why are you taking it off?" Yuan Shaoping's hand naturally rested on Su Yingxia's shoulder. He said intimately, "You'll need to wear it to the banquet. Taking it off and putting it on again would be too troublesome, wouldn't it?"
"Me?" Su Yingxia could hardly believe it.
Yuan Shaoping smiled warmly. "Yingxia, I actually wanted to say that this is for you, but I feared I might be too forward. Wear it for now to the banquets today and tomorrow. If you still refuse to accept it afterwards, you can return it to me then!"
Su Yingxia felt her heart pounding out of her chest. An indescribable sense of surprise and happiness washed over her. This was jewelry worth over three million, and Mr. Yuan intended to give it to her? She hadn't received such a valuable piece of jewelry even when she married Jiang Shaolong. And since their marriage, it was even less likely; Jiang Shaolong would be lucky not to vent his anger on her, let alone buy her any gifts. Moreover, Mr. Yuan was so gentlemanly and truly understood how to consider a woman's feelings.
Su Yingxia desperately wanted to say she wouldn't refuse, but she stopped herself, maintaining a semblance of modesty. However, she had no intention of refusing. Without missing a beat, she changed the subject and asked softly, "I thought, Yuan... Liangping, you were buying it for your wife or girlfriend."
"I'm not married yet, nor do I have a girlfriend," Yuan Shaoping said calmly, a subtle curve to his lips, his eyes gleaming with increased triumph. He had been with too many women to count; seeing Su Yingxia's reaction, he knew he had already achieved at least six-tenths of his goal, and winning her over wouldn't be too difficult.
He lowered his voice, his tone magnetic as he spoke near Su Yingxia's ear, "Jewelry is merely an adornment, and this piece merely serves to enhance your beauty, Yingxia!"
Su Yingxia's breathing quickened, her cheeks flushing. If only the man she married was Mr. Yuan, not Jiang Shaolong, how wonderful that would be! Such a thought unbidden entered her mind. At this moment, she had completely forgotten her eagerness to divorce Chen Fan and marry Jiang Shaolong.
"Let's go, Yingxia. We'll pick out a gown and shoes next!" Yuan Shaoping instructed his attendant to pick up the packaged jewelry. He smiled and extended his hand. "Tonight, you will be the center of attention, the most dazzling pearl at the banquet!"
Su Yingxia naturally placed her hand on Yuan Shaoping's fingertips. They walked out of the jewelry store side-by-side with graceful steps, like a perfectly matched couple.