Since Yin Shixiong asked, Gu Nianzhi smiled and shrugged, “I’d have to disappoint Big Brother Xiong then; there wouldn’t be anything for you to carry. Some people wouldn’t sell it to me even if I wanted it.” She glanced at her favorite Hermes flagship store and shook her head disappointedly.
“What do you want to buy?” Huo Shaoheng noticed that Gu Nianzhi was still carrying a Chanel paper bag, and none from Hermes. “They don’t have what you want anymore? Should we go to the main store in Europe?”
Gu Nianzhi shrugged and said sarcastically: “They wouldn’t sell it to you even if they have it, even if you were to go to the main store.”
“What exactly happened?” Yin Shixiong knew that Gu Nianzhi wasn’t a petty person. Something must have caused her to behave like this.
Gu Nianzhi nodded towards the Hermes flagship store, and began to explain herself: “There, it was just that I really like the newly released Pearl blue bucket bag. They have one last one in the display cabinet, but they said that it was reserved. That’s fine. I asked if I could pre order or be put on the waiting list, and even offered to place a deposit, and she could inform me when new stocks arrived or something, but she totally ignored me.”
It was really something though, to have such attitude towards their customers.
Huo Shaoheng understood. He gently massaged Gu Nianzhi’s shoulders with one hand, and assured: “Pearl blue bucket bag? Let me take a look.”
He entered the Hermes flagship store.
The eyes of the beautiful saleswoman who didn’t give two hoots about Gu Nianzhi lighted up immediately. She walked to the entrance quickly, and greeted the tall and charismatic man in shades who just entered the store. “Good day, Sir, may I help you?”
Huo Shaoheng stood in the middle of the store, and looked casually around. He pointed at the Pearl blue bucket bag and asked, “this bag. With this exact color. Any available stocks?”
“…We do not have ready stocks for that, but we do have…” the saleswoman intended to promote some other trinkets from Hermes, like belts, scarves or things like that to gloss him over. Just then, Huo Shaoheng took out a card that was normal looking, and waved it in front of the saleswoman. “Any available stocks?”
Hermes International Celebrity VIP card!
This is not any ordinary VIP card… This was issued by the Hermes main store in Europe… There’re less than 100 of these cards internationally…
She didn’t expect someone from the Huaxia Empire to own one!
The saleswoman felt blood rushing to her face. Her attitude became extremely full of respect immediately, “Yes, we do have ready stocks. May I know if you’d like to have it please?”
“How many do you have?”
“Er…” The saleswoman went to check her stock list quickly, and jogged back to inform Huo Shaoheng, “Including the one in the display cabinet, we have 4 of them.”
“Isn’t this reserved?” Huo Shaoheng put his hands in the pockets of his blazer, observing the bag with narrowed eyes.
The design of the bag was clean and simple, with fine craftsmanship. It had intricate details, which was really classy. It was a new design, unlike the classic Birkins series bag they were known for, which already had imitations all over the streets.
“No no, it isn’t reserved,” the saleswoman emphasized. “Would you like to have it please?”
“I want all 4 of them,” replied Huo Shaoheng casually, “including the one in the display cabinet.”
“Ah? All of the same color?” the saleswoman wanted to reconfirm.
“Yes,” Huo Shaoheng did not even look at her.
The saleswoman was defeated. “Please hold on, sir, I will proceed to pack the bags for you.” She proceeded to take the bag from the display, walked to the store at the back, and gave all 4 of the bucket bags a detailed check. After ensuring that there were no defects, she proceeded to pack them into the anti-dust bag before putting them into the Hermes paper bag.
“May I know how to address you, sir?” The sales woman walked out from the store with 4 nicely packed bags, “These are the Pearl blue bucket bags you wanted. There’re 4 of them in total, and it’s all that were released in the country.” She continued to persuade Huo Shaoheng, “But why do you want to get 4 identical bags, though? We have the bucket bags in other colors. For example, Coral and Peach; they’re all really pretty colors as well…”
It’d be easier to match bigger bags that are in duller colors, but for ladies, small bags look nicer in brighter colors. It’s common knowledge.
Huo Shaoheng, however, didn’t care about things like that. She handed the card to the saleswoman before saying: “I’ll be putting it on credit.”
The saleswoman’s eyes widened. She was trembling as she took the card from Huo Shaoheng.
Like she wasn’t already shocked by the international celebrity VIP card; she was about to faint upon hearing that Huo Shaoheng was putting the bill on credit.
You can never put bills on credit in Hermes. However, there’s an exclusive list of members who are able to do that. There’re less than 10 names on the list, and these people on the list are not named; they are represented by numbers.
And Huo Shaoheng was number 6 on the list.
Which means, this man in front of her, wasn’t just rich – He was the cream of the crop; one of the most powerful persons around.
By now, the managers and store supervisors all assembled in the storefront and greeted Huo Shaoheng respectfully.
The saleswoman tried to get Huo Shaoheng’s attention, but to no avail.
He took the bill, signed it, and waved to Gu Nianzhi who was standing outside.
Gu Nianzhi entered the shop happily, her eyes fixed on the 4 bags in Huo Shaoheng’s hand.
“For you,” Huo Shaoheng handed her the 4 Hermes paper bags, “Got you 4 pearl blue bucket bags. Would that be enough for you?”
Gu Nianzhi was speechless.
Whatever would I need 4 for?
1 would be enough, wouldn’t it?
Gu Nianzhi kept quiet. She glanced suspiciously at Huo Shaoheng, and took the paper bags.
The saleswoman immediately recognized Gu Nianzhi as the lady whom she chased away just now. All she wanted to do right then was to make herself disappear. She was so embarrassed.
Huo Shaoheng didn’t speak further. He took the bags from Gu Nianzhi with one hand, and held Gu Nianzhi’s hand in another. Without looking at anyone, he led her out of the shop.
Sometimes, showing someone how much you despise them by ignoring them with silent treatment, works way stronger than humiliating them with words. Huo Shaoheng did just that.
The saleswoman swayed a little, and almost collapsed onto the ground.
The managers in the flagship store began educating their sales people the moment Huo Shaoheng and Gu Nianzhi left. “Remember that card the man had. In the future, report immediately to us if anyone comes in with this card. Also, if a customer enquires about a product, make sure to find out who the person is before you decide to ignore them. We’d be doomed if there’s a next time.”
The managers could only hope that the man would let them off this time round. If not, the only thing they could do to express their apologies would be to fire the saleswoman.
The saleswoman who was all smiles just now, was so devastated at this point of time…
…
Upon exiting the flagship store of Hermes, Huo Shaoheng handed all the bags to Yin Shixiong.
Since Yin Shixiong was nominally there to be their porter, he smiled as he took all the bags. They weren’t heavy anyway. Yin Shixiong used the opportunity to talk to Gu Nianzhi: “Nianzhi, so what did you buy?”
Gu Nianzhi pointed at the Chanel paper bag: “This is for Auntie Song, those 2 are mine, from Huo Shao.”
She asked Huo Shaoheng with a smile on her face: “Huo Shao, why did you get 4 identical bags?”
“I thought you didn’t like to have the same bags as others?” Huo Shaoheng explained casually, “I have bought all the bucket bags they have in this color. This way, you wouldn’t meet anyone with the same bag as you.”
Gu Nianzhi: “!!!”
Oh, my, god. That. Was. Toooooo. Generous!
There was only passion left in Gu Nianzhi’s eyes. Even though they were out in broad daylight, she really wanted to give Huo Shaoheng a hug and a kiss.
The only thing was, Yin Shixiong was glaring covetously at them. Even if she were to be bold, she wouldn’t dare to show public display of affection in front of people she knew.
Huo Shaoheng checked the time, “Where else do we need to go?”
“There’re still gifts we haven’t bought,” Gu Nianzhi quickly replied. “Brother Xiong, where will you be spending your new year? I want to get Brother Xiong, Brother Ze, 3 of my University roommates, and Senior Huang from the Law faculty presents as well.”
Actually, she also intended to get gifts for Huo shaoheng’s family and relatives. She just kept mum about it.
Yin Shixiong quickly replied: “I will not be going home this year. I will spend my new year with you guys.” He pondered for a while and continued: “Little Ze will not be going home as well; it will be so much fun this year!”
Yin Shixiong walked on the other side of Gu Nianzhi; Gu Nianzhi walked in the middle, holding Huo Shaoheng’s hand.
She already planned what to get for everyone a long time ago, so she quickly went to the shops and grabbed the things she wanted to buy: neckties, belts, woolen scarves, gloves, and the newly released iPad-mini and iPad-air.
Eventually, the amount of bags was too much, even Huo Shaoheng had his hands full.
Huo Shaoheng checked the time again: “Do you want lunch?”
It was actually already 3 in the afternoon; they could have reunion dinner immediately after getting home.
Gu Nianzhi shook her head: “I’m not hungry.” She asked the guys: “Are you guys hungry?”
Yin Shixiong shook his head as well, “I already had a pizza when you guys were shopping just now.”
“Nope.” Huo Shaoheng replied flatly.
“Then let’s go back; let’s go back for our sumptuous dinner,” Gu Nianzhi remembered the lotus root she bought: “I want to have braised lotus root with ribs!”
“Let’s go back then.” Huo Shaoheng walked towards the lift.
Yin Shixiong looked at the things he was carrying and snorted: “Nianzhi, you really know how to spend money huh, all these cost the initial downpayment of a 2 room apartment in Si Huan district.”
Gu Nianzhi got embarrassed upon hearing that. “Huo Shao, let’s take it as a loan? I’ll return the money to you once I take on part time jobs when I return to school,” she grumbled.
Huo Shaoheng glared at Yin Shixiong. Holding Gu Nianzhi’s hand, he told her gently: “These are your salary. There’s no need to return them to me.”
“I earned them?” Gu Nianzhi was elated, “all I did was to win a lawsuit, winning a lawsuit earns this much? Then wouldn’t I be able to afford a house really soon?”
“Why on earth would you need a house for?” Huo Shaoheng asked coldly.
The lift doors opened. The three of them entered the lift, and went down to the basement immediately.
Gu Nianzhi looked at Huo Shaoheng playfully while Yin Shixiong wasn’t paying attention, “Get a house to marry a handsome guy, of course… Handsome, would you go home with me?”
Huo Shaoheng stifled a laugh, and pulled on her ears lightly. “How dare you tease me? You’ve grown up and become bold, huh?”
“That’s all your doing! I like it.” Gu Nianzhi hugged his arm and swayed left and right. Yin Shixiong saw what was going on, and felt his eyelids twitching. Coughing, he told Gu Nianzhi: “Nianzhi, we’re outside now. Image.”
“What image?” Gu Nianzhi was slightly annoyed, “I didn’t do anything wrong or shameful, did I? Right, Huo Shao?”
Even though Huo Shaoheng agreed with Gu Nianzhi, he still removed his arm from her embrace and stood at attention, never entertaining her again.
Yin Shixiong sighed. He stood in between Huo Shaoheng and Gu Nianzhi on purpose to separate them, and tried to strike a conversation with Gu Nianzhi: “Nianzhi wants to get a house? Most likely you’ll be getting it in Di Capital, wouldn’t you? Didn’t Mr. Huo give you a house in C City?”
Yin Shixiong reminded Gu Nianzhi of that penthouse. All the memories when Huo Shaoheng lived with her. Even though it wasn’t for long, but the memories were enough to last her for a long time. She nodded: “Yes he gave it to me, but since you guys will be staying in Di Capital permanently, how can I stay at C City alone? Right, Huo Shao?”
Huo Shaoheng felt that those were merely rubbish, so he did not even respond to them. Gu Nianzhi and Yin Shixiong were both chatterboxes; others wouldn’t have a chance to speak the moment the two of them meet. Huo Shaoheng had since been used to it.
However, when Huo Shaoheng didn’t reply, Yin Shixiong remembered Zhao Liangze’s analysis: it was a one sided love on Gu Nianzhi’s side…
For someone like Huo Shaoheng, judging by his age and social status, how could he have fallen for someone as young as Gu Nianzhi?
Yin Shixiong felt that he had been right about his boss; his mood immediately became much better.
However, Gu Nianzhi felt even happier as she knew that Huo Shaoheng was merely being quiet out of habit. He would have protested if he didn’t agree with anything.
Now Yin Shixiong and Gu Nianzhi were in even higher spirits than before; they continued chatting non stop…
But due to the fact that they had conflicting perspectives, their conversations usually ended with one party frowning. This time, Gu Nianzhi had already frown a good number of times.
What was wrong with Brother Xiong today? He kept attacking her…
Huo Shaoheng just listened on quietly, not taking anything seriously.
He was thinking about the work that had to be kickstarted after the New Year. One of which will be the investigation for the research in the army. Even though he was one of the in-charge of the investigation team, he couldn’t make decisions on his own. Another thing would be to look for Gu Nianzhi’s father, Gu Xiangwen’s whereabouts…
From time to time, he couldn’t help but to let his gaze fall on Gu Nianzhi’s radiant face, with a smile creeping onto his lips.
The lift reached the basement really soon. “Ding!”
The three exited the lift and found Huo Shaoheng’s car. Yin Shixiong placed the paper bags into the boot of the car, and asked, “Nianzhi, do you want to take Brother Xiong’s car?”
“Nope!” Gu Nianzhi shook her head, “I’ll take Huo Shao’s.”
Huo Shaoheng glanced sideways at Yin Shixiong, “Just go get your car, stop being so wishy washy.”
Yin Shixiong almost wanted to cry heroic tears.
Now who was the one who was offended huh?
Wishy washy?!
Gu Nianzhi boarded Huo Shaoheng’s car smilingly. She was silent, as she felt shy initially.
Huo Shaoheng did not have the habit to initiate conversations. Thus, it was just silence in the car. Gu Nianzhi only began to grumble when they hit the expressway: “Huo Shao, don’t you think Brother Xiong was weird today?”
Huo Shaoheng continued driving, “Perhaps it’s his ‘time of the month’, and thus is throwing a tantrum.”
Wha–!
Gu Nianzhi almost choked on her own laughter; her mood lifted a lot as compared to just now. Turning to look at the perfect side profile of Huo Shaoheng, she commented: “Didn’t expect Huo Shao to have such a great sense of humor!”
“How great?” Huo Shaoheng glanced at her with smiling eyes. Even though it wasn’t like the flirty eyes He Zhichu has, they were clear and deep. They could totally mesmerize anyone if he wanted.
“I almost died laughing!” Gu Nianzhi continued laughing, using her hands to cover her mouth. “How isn’t that great?”
A slight smile crept up the corners of Huo Shaoheng’s lips. He changed lanes expertly on the expressway while changing the topic: “We will most likely be having our reunion dinner once we get back. You go have a shower first; I got to go to the office block for a bit.”
Gu Nianzhi agreed, and returned to her cheerful self in no time. She continued blabbering in the car on the way home.
All Huo Shaoheng did was to have little responses, like “Mm; Yes; Oh”, and Gu Nianzhi would be contented.
Even though she loves being stuck together with Huo Shaoheng, she really didn’t need him to take care of her. All she wanted was to remain by his side; that’d be more than enough for her.
She doesn’t need him to pacify her; she’s able to do that on her own.
Huo Shaoheng couldn’t help himself but to caress her hair, “Not tired yet?”
“Of course not!” Gu Nianzhi flexed her ‘muscles’. Huo Shaoheng remained silent, and tightened his arms. His muscles showed beautifully and almost destroyed his leather jacket. They were so firm and big!
Gu Nianzhi looked at his muscles, and back to hers. Keeping her arms to herself abruptly, she sat up, straighter than before, pushing her chest out.
Are we comparing sizes now?
Fine!
Huo Shaoheng saw Gu Nianzhi pushing her chest out with the corner of his eyes. This time round, he smiled. It was a sincere smile.
That smile spread across his face, looking like the beautiful spring, which took over a horrible winter.
Gu Nianzhi was transfixed. Thinking secretly, if not for the fact that they were in the car now, she really wouldn’t be able to control herself. She’d definitely ‘eat’ Huo Shao up.
With such a perfect man in front of her, it was already a feat to not take advantage of him physically. It’s okay to have feelings for him though, so let’s just let it be…
Gu Nianzhi continued to ogle at Huo Shaoheng all the way, feeling happier each time Huo Shaoheng turned to look at her.
…
The two cars arrived together at the Special Operations Forces Headquarters together. It was already 5 in the evening.
In Di Capital, it would be all dark by 5pm during the first lunar month.
It was really cold, but looking at the clear skies, snow was unlikely.
All the dried leaves were swept off the streets by the continual gusts of cold and dry wind, but the wind felt somewhat cosy.
Most probably it was due to the fact that billions of people felt happy about spending the New Year with their loved ones; their happiness already spread across everywhere.
The brightly lit mansion slowly appeared in front of Gu Nianzhi. She breathed out a small sigh, feeling like she had been staying here her entire life, when she had only been here for a couple of days.
Clenching her fists, she decided that she had to strive to work harder, so that she could be the one staying here with Huo Shaoheng forever…