You can read ahead up to 60 chapters on my patreon https://www.patreon.com/darkshadow6395
Huhai, The Bund.
It was already past ten at night. The night sky hung over the city like a massive, dense ink painting, so deep it seemed impossible to dissipate. A strong night wind swept away the haze lingering over the city, revealing twinkling stars overhead.
Beneath the sky, a long string of lights stretched along the Huangpu River, neon colors highlighting the brilliance of the Oriental Pearl Tower. Boats moved like threads on the river, and in the distance, the faint sound of a ship's horn drifted through the air. Architectural marvels of Gothic, Roman, Baroque, and Sino-Western hybrid styles glimmered in the night, showcasing the charm of this sleepless city.
A few hundred meters from the Bund Square, the Jin Hui Jewelry store was preparing to close after seeing off its last customers.
The staff, who had been on their feet all day, finally relaxed, chatting and laughing as they completed their final tasks. For them, the busy day was done.
Just then, a young couple holding hands appeared at the entrance.
A few of the staff grimaced. Their least favorite thing was having customers arrive right before closing. It meant delaying the shutdown, staying on duty regardless of personal plans, and maintaining the appearance of a fully open store, no hint that they were about to close.
In reality, most people who visited at this hour were tourists looking for a spectacle rather than intending to buy anything.
Still, no matter how reluctant they felt, the staff had to plaster on polite smiles and greet the couple warmly: "Welcome!"
It was company policy: whenever the door was open, every guest was to be greeted sincerely, even if they appeared unlikely to purchase anything.
A sales associate stepped forward, bowing slightly with a smile: "Good evening, welcome to Jin Hui Jewelry. We've just received a new shipment, all designed by renowned European designers with exquisite craftsmanship. Would you like to take a look?"
Her words were carefully crafted, casually highlighting the store's high-end status without a trace of awkwardness.
If the couple were just window-shopping tourists, they'd likely turn away, saving time. If they were serious buyers, they wouldn't feel offended.
Even so, the associate had a nagging feeling. This couple was unusual, the man tall and wearing sunglasses, the woman slender and graceful, masked, her face mostly hidden.
Yet there was something familiar about them, as if she had seen them somewhere before.
Her caution grew, and her smile became even more sincere.
The man smiled and said, "Sure, we'll have a look. Aren't you about to close?"
The associate quickly replied, "Not at all, sir and madam. Please, follow me. Are you interested in rings, necklaces, bracelets, or something else?"
The man said, "Since we're here, let's look at everything."
He then removed his sunglasses.
"Ah!"
A short gasp rang out.
The associate in front instinctively turned, only to see a coworker behind the counter staring in shock. Her face flushed crimson, her eyes wide with excitement, as if she had just discovered a new continent.
The lead associate rolled her eyes, already predicting trouble. Jin Hui Jewelry had strict rules, staff who shouted or acted overly excited in front of customers would lose pay. And the manager was watching!
But she quickly noticed that several other staff members were showing almost the same level of excitement.
She turned, following their gaze, and saw the man without sunglasses.
"Lu Chen!" She couldn't help but whisper.
This tall, handsome man was none other than Lu Chen, the male lead from 'Autumn in My Heart'!
The associate was certain she wasn't mistaken, she had watched that series three times, crying each time, completely familiar with the male lead.
And the woman holding his hand, if not Chen Fei'er, it would be headline news.
The associate was completely stunned. She had seen countless customers in her life, but never so close to her favorite idol. She was utterly flustered.
Fortunately, the manager arrived, taking over the sales greeting.
The experienced manager quickly closed the store to the public, both because it was closing time and to properly attend to these distinguished guests.
There was no doubt about their purchasing power.
Lu Chen guided Chen Fei'er to sit at the jewelry counter.
Earlier tonight, he had attended Chen Fei'er's fan meeting, giving her a huge birthday surprise.
But the real birthday gift had yet to be given. Lu Chen was inexperienced in this area and didn't know what to buy, since Chen Fei'er already lacked nothing.
So after much thought, he decided not to buy anything for now. Instead, he would take her out after the fan meeting, enjoy a sweet private evening together, and let her pick what she liked herself.
They wandered along the Bund for over half an hour before entering this grand-looking jewelry store.
Chen Fei'er, of course, didn't lack jewelry, but the birthday gift Lu Chen wanted to give her was another matter entirely. Ever since he had appeared at the Meikadi Center, her heart had been overflowing with sweet, fluttering happiness.
Even her IQ and emotional composure seemed to have dropped a little.
It wasn't about buying jewelry, just ten yuan worth of spicy skewers would have made her equally delighted!
The manager instructed someone to retrieve the finest jewelry from the store's vault.
In a high-end jewelry store, the most exquisite and expensive pieces were never displayed on counters. They were only brought out for select customers.
Three velvet-lined sandalwood jewelry boxes were opened on the counter, instantly capturing Chen Fei'er's gaze.
A woman's resistance to jewelry was always weak, and Chen Fei'er was no exception.
These diamond pieces were undoubtedly top-tier; both in design and craftsmanship, they were exceptional. Even an outsider like Lu Chen felt his heart stir at the sight, let alone her.
Like a proud queen, Chen Fei'er tried on more than a dozen pieces at once, necklaces, bracelets, brooches, earrings, unable to part with any of them.
In the end, she narrowed it down to a pink diamond necklace and a ruby brooch, struggling to decide.
Lu Chen smiled: "Why not get both?"
The manager beside them chimed in: "Yes, yes! These two pieces suit you perfectly, they're perfect!"
She wasn't just flattering them for sales; she genuinely thought so.
A naturally beautiful woman like Chen Fei'er deserved jewelry like this.
Other staff present were clearly impressed as well. If it weren't for store regulations, they probably would have pulled out their phones to capture Chen Fei'er trying on the jewelry.
Chen Fei'er examined herself in the mirror, then finally removed the pink diamond necklace: "Let's go with the brooch."
The manager sighed quietly. She thought the necklace was the perfect match, and at ten times the price of the brooch, a major sale had just slipped away.
She realized, though, that Chen Fei'er genuinely liked the necklace but didn't want Lu Chen to overspend.
The manager couldn't help but envy the romance between these two stars.
Lu Chen smiled: "As long as you like it, that's what matters. We'll get the brooch. I'll pay."
He gave the manager a knowing glance.
The manager hesitated briefly, then immediately smiled: "Of course, please follow me this way."
With the birthday gift purchased, Lu Chen returned to the hotel with Chen Fei'er.
Once inside the room, they closed the door and couldn't resist embracing each other. Their passion burned fiercely, almost uncontrollable.
Lu Chen suppressed his desire, leaning close to whisper: "Close your eyes."
"Mm-hmm!"
Chen Fei'er obediently closed her eyes, tilting her head slightly like a shy young girl in love.
But instead of receiving a passionate kiss, she felt something heavy against her neck.
Opening her eyes, she saw a necklace draped around her, The pink diamond necklace she had just rejected!
"Ah!"
Chen Fei'er gasped in delight. "You actually bought it?!"
The necklace was priced at over two million yuan in the store, even with a discount, it wouldn't drop below two million.
Though she loved it, as a birthday gift, it was extravagant. Chen Fei'er hadn't wanted Lu Chen to think she was greedy, so she had chosen the more modest ruby brooch.
Yet Lu Chen had gone ahead and purchased the necklace anyway.
No wonder he had seemed a little sneaky when paying earlier.
And the manager had looked so awkward when escorting them out.
So that was why!
Lu Chen kissed her on the tip of her nose and laughed: "Because you like it! As long as you like it and I have the money, buying the whole world for you is no problem at all!"
If anyone else had said such a cheesy line, Chen Fei'er might have had goosebumps all over.
But from Lu Chen, it was pure sweetness and endless love.
She couldn't help but tiptoe, pressing a gentle kiss to his lips and whispering in his ear.
Lu Chen could no longer hold back; he scooped her up and dashed toward the bedroom.
Chen Fei'er wrapped her arms around his neck, giggling: "Shower first!"
Lu Chen's eyes blazed with desire, teeth gritted: "We'll shower together later!"
And so, this romantic night had only just begun.
(End of chapter)