CIATB Chapter 106 This cheap outfit really didn't suit her appearance.
Chapter 106 This cheap outfit really didn't suit her appearance.
Lu Chenyuan secretly breathed a sigh of relief, his fists, which were tightly clenched at his sides, quietly loosened, and the white marks on his knuckles from the exertion slowly faded.
He walked around to the passenger side and gentlemanly opened the car door for her.
All of his colleagues' eyes fell on the black G-Class, and they all gasped in amazement, their voices full of envy.
"My God, this is the top-of-the-line model? It doesn't look cheap!"
"Su Wan's got some nerve! She's kept it well hidden, finding such a wealthy boyfriend. This car definitely isn't rented!"
All eyes were once again focused on Lu Chenyuan, and this time, they looked at him more closely.
He was not only handsome and tall, but also exuded an innate nobility.
Every gesture he made carried a noble and composed air that was different from that of ordinary people, something that could not be cultivated in an ordinary family.
One of Su Wan's colleagues, Yu Xin, who loved gossip the most, caught up with her in a few steps, took her arm, and teased her in a tone.
"Wanwan, your boyfriend seems so rich. Next month for your birthday, don't be stingy like last year and treat us to mala tang (spicy hot pot). Let him splurge and treat us to a fancy seafood feast, how about that?"
Yu Xin wasn't a bad person; she was just a chatterbox who loved to joke around. Whenever someone in the company got a boyfriend, she would tease them about it, but she didn't mean any harm.
Upon hearing this, Su Wan abruptly stopped, feeling somewhat embarrassed.
This Yu Xin really loves to make random jokes.
Also, her birthday is still a month away, why bring it up now!
Lu Chenyuan paused slightly as he opened the car door, then turned to look at Su Wan, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.
Her birthday is in a month?
In his life, birthdays, which require a sense of ritual, have always been something he doesn't really need.
He himself never participates in, and rarely gets involved in, other people's.
But he vaguely knew that girls seemed to value this, liked receiving gifts, and liked being remembered.
"Is this okay, Su Wan?"
Yu Xin continued to press the matter relentlessly.
"How about a seafood feast, like lobster, abalone, and king crab? Let your boyfriend treat us!"
As soon as she spoke, her other colleagues echoed her sentiments.
"Yeah, yeah! We want the expensive stuff; we don't care about the cheap stuff!"
"If you want to eat it, I'll treat you myself!"
Su Wan's cheeks flushed with anxiety, and she quickly waved her hands to explain.
"He's not my boyfriend, I've already told you all, he's just a very ordinary friend."
After today, I'm afraid we won't even be able to be ordinary friends anymore.
Su Wan secretly made up her mind.
This meal was the last meal she shared with Lu Chenyuan.
Once in the car, Lu Chenyuan started the engine and drove steadily toward International Plaza.
Looking at the familiar route ahead, Su Wan finally asked a question.
Where are you taking me to eat?
"Let's go to one of my favorite shops."
Lu Chenyuan lied almost without thinking.
He initially wanted to be honest and say, "Let's go to your favorite store," but then he realized that revealing his intention to deliberately find out her preferences would only make her more resistant and push her further away.
He needs to calm down and give her some time and space to breathe.
"oh."
Su Wan responded faintly, then turned her head to look out the window, saying nothing more.
But as the car approached the business district, the surrounding buildings and road signs became increasingly familiar, and the doubts in my heart couldn't help but quietly surge up.
It wasn't until Lu Chenyuan drove the car into the underground parking lot of the International Plaza and stopped it, gesturing for her to get out and take the elevator, that Su Wan finally couldn't hold back, her tone carrying a hint of hesitation and resistance.
"Where are you taking me? Why are we coming to such an expensive place? I usually just have a bowl of noodles for lunch."
Her lunch budget never exceeded twenty dollars.
A bowl of noodles, a glass of mineral water, and occasionally a braised egg—that's the ultimate luxury.
The cost of living here is far beyond what she usually considers.
Lu Chenyuan's hand, which was pressing the elevator button, suddenly stopped, and he turned to look at her.
The parking lot lights fell on her; a faded canvas bag was slung over her shoulder, and cheap work clothes covered her slender body.
He felt a sharp, inexplicable pain in his heart.
He had already figured out her situation.
I usually just have a makeshift lunch; I only treat myself when I close a big deal.
When I meet up with my best friends, we always split the bill; I never take advantage of anyone.
He still has an outstanding mortgage, and the car he drives is an old model he bought from the used car market.
She lived a clear-headed and frugal life, spending every penny wisely, yet never complaining to outsiders.
Lu Chenyuan took a deep breath, suppressing the bitterness in his heart, and pressed his fingertip directly on the number "8".
That tripe hot pot restaurant is on the eighth floor.
He opened his mouth, as if to say something, but his throat inexplicably felt dry, and a faint sourness rose in the tip of his nose.
Her cheap outfit really didn't suit her appearance.
The black canvas bag had worn-out edges, clearly having been washed countless times; it was obviously a common style that could be bought for a few dozen yuan in the subway entrance underpass.
He suddenly remembered that her house was piled with many bags, but none of them were from any brand he could name; they were all such affordable and good quality items.
In contrast, my mother and sister-in-law Shuyue changed their designer bags in the walk-in closet again and again. When they got tired of the old ones, they would just throw them to the servants. They never cherished an item like this.
The elevator was moving slowly upwards.
It was peak dining time, and people kept coming in, mostly diners who had come to eat after shopping.
There were mothers and daughters together, and couples cuddling.
A young couple stood side by side in front of them. The boy affectionately put his arm around the girl's waist, lowered his head and planted a tender kiss on the top of her head, speaking in a doting tone.
"Baby, I'll buy you anything you want."
The girl's eyes lit up as she shook the shopping bag in her hand.
"Really? Then how about you buy me the Cartier necklace you were eyeing earlier?"
"sure."
The boy smiled and gently brushed the tip of her nose.
"Let's go downstairs and continue shopping after we finish eating."
The girl was about the same age as Su Wan, and her clothes were all designer brands that Lu Chenyuan could recognize at a glance.
Dressed exquisitely and fashionably, the heavy makeup obscured her original appearance, making her far less lively and attractive than Su Wan when she wore simple or light makeup.
In his eyes, Su Wan was more beautiful than any woman he had ever seen, whether she was dressed up or not.
Lu Chenyuan stared blankly at Su Wan's profile.
She never looked at him.
As soon as she entered the elevator, her gaze was drawn to the girl.
Regardless of appearance or physique, attention was solely focused on the new Saint Laurent bag in the other person's hand.
That was a style she had tried on at a department store, priced at nearly 40,000 yuan, a number that was out of reach for her; even a replica seemed too extravagant.
That classic black is versatile and sophisticated. It makes you look capable when paired with work clothes, and adds a touch of elegance when paired with casual wear. A girl's temperament is also elevated by this bag.
Then look at the orange Hermès H series bracelet on the girl's wrist; it's a style she once had her eye on.
The price of over seven thousand was enough for her to pay off a month's mortgage, but after trying it on, she ultimately couldn't bring herself to buy it.
Which girl doesn't yearn for these exquisite items?
Just like how she once wholeheartedly loved Lu Chenyuan, being moved is an instinct.
But she knew that these were luxuries that were out of her reach, while for the wealthy they might just be everyday items.
She was poor, had to pay her mortgage, and struggled to make a living; these things never truly belonged to her.
Just as she now clearly realizes, she and Lu Chenyuan were never from the same world.
He was a luxury in her heart, and besides, that affection had long since been worn away and disappeared.
She can calmly appreciate what others have, suppress the stirrings in her heart, and let the longing gradually fade until it returns to peace.
Just because you once liked someone doesn't mean you have to possess them.
Su Wan had a faint smile on her lips. After looking at it for a moment, she looked away and her emotions gradually calmed down.
Little did she know, all her actions had been observed by Lu Chenyuan.
The elevator gave a soft "ding," indicating that we had arrived at the eighth floor.
Lu Chenyuan stepped out of the sedan chair first, followed closely by Su Wan.
As the elevator doors closed, he glanced back at the girl's bag and bracelet, silently noting their styles.