The year-end was approaching, and the streets were decorated with lanterns.
Shop entrances were adorned with lanterns and auspicious decorations, along with Christmas trees that hadn't been taken down yet, creating a festive atmosphere.
Zhan Jingchun rarely went shopping, and when she did, her driver would take her directly to her destination. It was the first time she noticed how strong the New Year's spirit was in Nancheng.
It was her first time, and Peng Fei's too.
Like country bumpkins entering the city, the two young people walked along, looking around with great interest, and it took them over 20 minutes to arrive.
Upon entering the supermarket, the New Year's atmosphere intensified.
Loud festive music blared from the speakers, and people were rushing to buy New Year's goods.
They pushed their shopping carts back and forth, creating a bustling scene that resembled something from television.
This was Zhan Jingchun's first time experiencing such a scene. She was jostled as soon as she entered.
Peng Fei, startled, quickly reached out and grabbed her.
"Are you okay? What's going on in this supermarket? Why are there so many people?"
Zhan Jingchun wanted to laugh at his lack of worldly experience, but then she thought, even though she was born and raised in Nancheng, how much better was she than him?
"It's almost New Year's, isn't it? Everyone's in a hurry to buy New Year's goods. You're fine, it wasn't intentional. Let's go."
The end of the year was a peak season for weddings. When they reached the second floor, they were greeted by various jewelry and accessory counters.
In front of the counters, young couples, either standing or sitting, were browsing styles, creating quite a sight.
Zhan Jingchun wasn't interested in jewelry. She glanced at them and intended to walk past them further inside.
However, she was constantly called out to by enthusiastic sales assistants.
"Miss, would you like to take a look? These are the latest styles, and we have year-end promotions. You can get a discount."
"Sir, bring your girlfriend to take a look. Miss is so beautiful, and you two are so well-matched. Couples can get a 20% discount!"
Peng Fei, entering such a high-end place for the first time, was dazzled by the myriad of accessories even through the glass.
He thought to himself that if he, a man, was so interested in these things, Zhan Jingchun would surely like them too.
As they walked, he tugged her arm.
"Let's take a look, let's take a look too."
Seeing them stop, a sales assistant hurried over from behind the counter.
"Sir, please take a look at our collection. These are all new styles, and since you two are so well-matched, you must be getting married soon. I can ask the store manager for a bigger discount. I'll get you whatever you like, please take a look."
Peng Fei turned Zhan Jingchun's head towards the counter.
Inside were various rings, necklaces, and earrings, all sparkling and beautiful.
Zhan Jingchun knew Peng Fei didn't have much money. Even if he wanted to, he couldn't afford them, so she glanced at them and said,
"I don't like these. I already have so many at home. I don't need them. Let's go, let's go."
Peng Fei obediently let her pull him along because he had also seen the price tags.
Several zeros, it was terrifying.
He once again realized his poverty.
He really had to work harder and harder.
There were too many capable men in Nancheng. They could buy things for their girlfriends, but he couldn't. Sigh!
Seeing him pulled back, with a somewhat embarrassed and disappointed expression, Zhan Jingchun couldn't help but think of the past.
The first time he took her to town, Zhan Jingchun looked at everything, while Peng Fei, clutching the few dozen yuan he had, had the same expression.
Zhan Jingchun knew that people couldn't choose their background, and his hardships weren't his fault. She shouldn't look down on him in this regard, so she patted his arm.
"These are all fake. Haven't you heard a female celebrity say that small diamonds are worthless, they're just used to deceive people? Don't say you won't buy me one, even if you did, I wouldn't bother wearing them, it's all a consumer trap. If you really want to give me something, buy me a 50-carat pink diamond. I want to outshine everyone when I go out. Who would bother comparing themselves to these people?"
Peng Fei felt somewhat better, having been given such face by her.
He secretly encouraged himself: he would, he would get rich someday, and he would definitely buy her a 50-carat pink diamond ring!
As the two walked towards the cosmetics counters, they were also greeted enthusiastically by sales assistants.
Zhan Jingchun kept her gaze straight ahead and went directly to a nail studio.
Seeing handsome men and beautiful women enter, the staff immediately greeted them warmly, asking if they had reservations.
Zhan Jingchun said no.
"It's okay if you don't have a reservation. I can add a spot for you. Do you have a style you'd like to do?"
Zhan Jingchun didn't have a specific style in mind. She started searching on her phone and found a very cute and fresh set.
The staff member looked and then took her finger to examine it.
"This color is the most flattering. It's good. And the style you chose is a 'sister style.' If you have this design done on your hand, another customer can have the other design done on their hand. Would you like to get a membership card and invite a friend? We have discounts at the end of the year. It's very affordable."
Zhan Jingchun didn't have a friend to invite. Hearing the staff member say it, she realized that the picture was indeed a sister style.
On her hand was a little rabbit, and on the other person's hand was a little pig.
On her hand was a flower, and on the other person's hand was a seashell.
It was really cute.
"How much does it cost for the sister style?"
"Well, we have a promotion now. If you deposit 1000, you get 300 extra. This is 888 yuan."
"888 for two hands is really a great deal. You can consider depositing more to get more bonus, which means this time is free."
Zhan Jingchun nodded without thinking.
"No membership card, just 888. Do it for both of us."
Peng Fei was tall, handsome, and refined. For such a good-looking young man to get his nails done with her?
The staff member was surprised: Could it be? Is this handsome guy a sister?
Peng Fei hadn't understood what Zhan Jingchun meant, nor did he understand what they were doing by painting on nails.
He only knew that 888 was quite expensive, and he was going to feel the pinch again.
Seeing Zhan Jingchun finish speaking, the staff member looked at him, and he quickly took out his phone to pay.
As he paid, the staff member sized up Peng Fei's fingers.
They were thick and large, not like someone who hadn't done manual labor.
Moreover, his skin tone was darker. Although his features were handsome, he looked like he had a tan.
It was unusual for people in their circle to like tanning, so was he really a sister?
She couldn't help but try to probe: "Sir, there will be a small gift later. If you are a couple, you can get a matching gift. May I ask for your surname, and are you a couple? I'll register you."
Peng Fei, upon hearing that there was a gift for couples, quickly took the initiative and nodded.
"She's my girlfriend, and my surname is Peng."
The staff member looked enlightened.
She finally understood that he was a straight man, but he was pampering his girlfriend and doing this to accommodate her. She immediately felt envious.
"Miss, you are so lucky. Your boyfriend is so doting, and he's willing to get his nails done with you. I'm so envious."