"You are the eldest daughter of the Lin family now!" Lu Fan rolled his eyes. "Coming all the way to see a nobody like me. If anyone else from the Lin family finds out, won't it cause more trouble!"
"Brother Lu Fan, don't tease me!" Lin Ke said with a hint of embarrassment.
"Just trying to cheer you up!"
Lu Fan smiled and pulled Lin Ke into his embrace. "Since you've returned to your ancestral roots, you're becoming more and more like a young lady of status!"
"Perhaps in front of others, but to Brother Lu Fan, I'm just obedient little Ke!" Lin Ke chuckled. "In a few more days, I'll be starting work at the Lin Group. I wonder if I'll be up to the task!"
"Don't worry, if you encounter any difficulties, you can come to me!" Lu Fan smiled. "As for those who threaten you or any troubles, I will resolve them for you!"
Lin Ke nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude. Lu Fan's words put her mind at ease.
The next morning, Lu Fan took Lin Ke to a shopping mall in Jiangbei.
The mall was quite luxurious, seemingly catering to a clientele beyond the ordinary.
Lu Fan walked ahead, smiling at Lin Ke. "In a couple of days, Han Yunhai will be bringing betrothal gifts to the Lin family. Today, I'll buy you a ring!"
"Isn't that a bit much!" Lin Ke said awkwardly. "And the things in this mall are not cheap."
"A woman of Lord Lu of Jiangnan, and she can't afford to shop at a mall!" Lu Fan rolled his eyes and headed towards a store.
As soon as they entered, Lin Ke felt the opulence of the place. Rings were displayed everywhere, their facets reflecting light throughout the hall.
"Brother Lu Fan, the diamond rings in this store are very expensive!" Lin Ke whispered. "Let's go to another one."
"Diamond rings should be the best, of course!" Lu Fan smiled and walked further into the store.
"Hello, what can I help you with?" a curly-haired saleswoman approached. "These few items are our latest arrivals!"
"We're just looking around!" Lu Fan shrugged.
The curly-haired saleswoman frowned but said nothing more. Lu Fan was dressed simply, and the diamond rings in their store were quite costly. Under normal circumstances, Lu Fan would likely not be able to afford them.
However, out of politeness, she didn't press the issue.
Lin Ke also browsed casually. The diamonds in the store were dazzling, something any woman would appreciate.
However, Lin Ke didn't want to spend Lu Fan's money, so she had no intention of buying anything, only looking around.
"How about this diamond ring?"
Lu Fan took Lin Ke's hand and led her to a counter. "Both in terms of light and color, it seems quite good!"
"This should be very expensive!"
Lin Ke shook her head. "Let's look at something else."
"Sir, this diamond ring is priced at one million eight hundred and eighty thousand!" the curly-haired saleswoman approached. "It was crafted by a world-class master!"
"The craftsmanship is indeed excellent!" Lu Fan nodded.
Lin Ke, however, kept pulling at Lu Fan. She couldn't even imagine owning something worth over a million.
"Lin Ke, what are you doing here?" a woman in high heels strode over, with a man's arm linked in hers.
"Xiao Tong, is that you?" Lin Ke exclaimed with delight. "What a coincidence, you're in Jiangbei!"
"Yes! After graduating from university, I came to Jiangbei to develop my career!" Zhao Xiao Tong nodded and glanced at Lu Fan. "Is this your boyfriend?"
"Uh!" Lin Ke's face flushed, unsure how to answer.
"Since you're here to buy a diamond ring, he must be your boyfriend!" the man beside her said with a smile, extending his hand. "I'm Chu Haiyun, from the Chu family of Jiangbei!"
Lin Ke was slightly taken aback by the man's sudden warmth.
"Hello!" Lu Fan stepped forward and shook Chu Haiyun's hand. "I am indeed her boyfriend!"
Chu Haiyun frowned and glanced disdainfully at Lu Fan before retracting his hand.
Lu Fan was dressed in clothes that probably cost less than five hundred yuan; he was likely a penniless fellow. Chu Haiyun had seen many men like him before.
"Xiao Ke, are you planning to buy a ring?" Zhao Xiao Tong said. "It seems like you're about to get engaged, just like me!"
Lin Ke's face flushed. "I'm just looking around, I don't plan to buy anything!"
Zhao Xiao Tong blinked and then looked at Lu Fan, instantly understanding. She even felt a hint of disdain for Lin Ke.
Her boyfriend seemed incapable, and she herself was likely not doing well either. If that were the case, there was no need for her to be so polite.
"After you're done looking at diamonds, would you like to have dinner together?"
Chu Haiyun said with a smile. "After all, we're classmates, and it's a coincidence meeting here!"
"This..." Lin Ke looked at Lu Fan.
"No problem!" Lu Fan smiled.
Zhao Xiao Tong, meanwhile, gazed at the numerous diamond rings. Lin Ke was not doing as well as her, and there was a significant gap between them. She didn't particularly care about such a friendship.
Chu Haiyun, however, kept staring at Lin Ke, seemingly quite pleased, and even started making plans.
As a young master from a wealthy family, Chu Haiyun was always like this. Even with his girlfriend by his side, he paid no mind.
Zhao Xiao Tong was merely his secretary. If he had the chance, he would replace her right then and there.
"Miss, you have excellent taste. This diamond ring is a world-class creation and matches your temperament perfectly! And it's one of a kind," the curly-haired saleswoman said flatteringly.
Zhao Xiao Tong also quite liked the diamond. She was about to get engaged, and she wanted to shine at the engagement banquet. Buying a good diamond ring was not unreasonable.
"This diamond ring was what we saw first!" Lu Fan interjected.
"What's the use of seeing it? It needs to be purchased to be considered yours!" the curly-haired saleswoman said softly. "Sir, you may not have the means for this!"
As she spoke, Zhao Xiao Tong looked smug. She wanted something unique like this, and Lu Fan likely couldn't afford such a rare item.
"Brother Lu Fan, let's just forget about it," Lin Ke tugged at Lu Fan's arm. "I don't like that ring!"
Lu Fan was helpless. Zhao Xiao Tong was Lin Ke's classmate, and with Lin Ke present, he couldn't say much.
"Just wrap it up," Chu Haiyun said grandly. "This young master has plenty of money!"
"Haiyun, I love you to death!"
Zhao Xiao Tong gave him a kiss, her face beaming with joy.
"Sir, please swipe your card here," the curly-haired saleswoman said with delight. "The total is one million eight hundred and eighty thousand!"
"Wait, how much?" Chu Haiyun was taken aback. "Over a million? Are you kidding me?"
"Sir, this diamond ring was crafted by a top master. Both the technique and the craftsmanship are first-class!" the curly-haired saleswoman explained.
"Haiyun, what's wrong?" Zhao Xiao Tong frowned. Lin Ke was right beside them. If he didn't buy the diamond ring, where would he put his face?
"You chose something too expensive!" Chu Haiyun shook his head. "I think the one next to it is quite nice!"
"It's only once in a lifetime to get married, isn't it normal to buy something more expensive?" Zhao Xiao Tong said coquettishly. "I want this one!"
Chu Haiyun's face turned grim. "What, am I giving you too much face?"
Zhao Xiao Tong's expression changed, but she dared not say anything more.
She was Chu Haiyun's secretary. Marrying into the Chu family was already a blessing from heaven for her. In front of Chu Haiyun, what was she?