Chapter 88: A Christmas Eve Date
The next day, Jiang Ruolin and Liu Shang met at the university.
As soon as they saw each other, she asked with concern, "Is Fu Liang alright?"
Liu Shang smiled wryly and shook his head. "He'll be okay. After we got back last night, he insisted on dragging us out for a huge drinking session. He spent the whole time crying, shouting, and jumping around. And we weren't allowed to laugh—he'd get furious at anyone who did! It was a long night."
Thinking about it, Jiang Ruolin couldn't help but smile. "You guys must have had a tough time."
"By the way," she said, her tone shifting playfully, "do you remember what you promised me?"
Holding her hand, Liu Shang nodded. "I remember. Today is Christmas Eve, and the only theme is my smart, lovely, and exceptionally beautiful girlfriend. Whatever she asks, I will do my best to satisfy her and make her happy."
Jiang Ruolin nodded in satisfaction. "Good. As long as you know. Our first stop is to buy you some clothes, which will also be my Christmas present to you. And remember, you're not allowed to refuse anything that I pick out and like!"
They spent the rest of the day shopping. After much effort, Jiang Ruolin found Liu Shang a handsome new outfit that was fashionable and stylish, yet also sophisticated. She spent over five thousand yuan. Throughout the entire process, Liu Shang was perfectly agreeable, raising no objections and showing no dislike for her choices, which pleased Jiang Ruolin immensely.
Looking at her handsome boyfriend, now carefully styled by her own hand, Jiang Ruolin's eyes filled with an unconcealable love and joy. Even the saleswomen kept praising her excellent taste and Liu Shang's dashing looks and temperament.
"Well now, not bad. Quite handsome," Jiang Ruolin said, feigning the voice of a monarch. "My lady is very satisfied with your performance today. So, do you like the Christmas present I gave you?"
Liu Shang nodded with a smile and then pulled a Lao Fengxiang jewelry gift box from his pocket, one he had prepared earlier. "I like it very much. Now it's my turn to give you your Christmas present."
Then, under Jiang Ruolin's astonished gaze, Liu Shang took out a ruby necklace and personally fastened it around her slender, swan-like neck.
"It's a silver necklace from Lao Fengxiang, just a few hundred yuan. I hope you like it," he said humbly. "When circumstances allow, I'll get you a better one, okay?"
Honestly, the moment Jiang Ruolin saw the ruby necklace, she was utterly captivated. She turned this way and that in front of the mirror, her face glowing with delight.
"Liu Shang, I absolutely love this necklace," she said. "It's so beautiful! How did you pick it? The first time I saw it, I just knew... this is the one! Don't you ever change it!"
She then threw her arms around him in a tight hug. At that moment, Jiang Ruolin's heart swelled with emotion, mixed with a hint of cunning affection. *You big fool, Liu Shang,* she thought. *Do you really think I can't tell the difference between silver and platinum?*
Next, as planned, the two had a romantic candlelight dinner and then went to a movie. The only problem was that everywhere they went—shopping, eating, and especially the cinema—was incredibly crowded. As soon as people recognized Jiang Ruolin and Liu Shang, "casual" glances would follow them everywhere. In the dim light of the theater, everyone seemed to be wondering if the beautiful and coveted campus belle would engage in any intimate behavior with her boyfriend.
If it had been up to Liu Shang, he would have loved to make a few small moves, but the ever-vigilant Jiang Ruolin deftly nipped his every attempt in the bud. By the time they finally left the theater, Liu Shang hadn't even managed to steal a kiss.
"Ah, this country is just too crowded!" Liu Shang sighed in frustration.
Jiang Ruolin sighed as well. "Yeah, especially on Christmas. It feels like there are way more people out than usual. I really regret this; it seems the downtown business district is even more packed than the area around the university..."
It wasn't until they had returned to the campus perimeter and wandered aimlessly to a deserted edge of the grounds that they finally found a quiet, secluded spot.
Immediately, fueled by Liu Shang's heated, urgent breath, the two finally had their chance to share a deep kiss. The passion and longing that had been suppressed all day erupted with a force far stronger than either had imagined. So much so that when Liu Shang's hand slipped past layers of clothing to first brush against the soft curve of her breast, his mind went completely blank. Jiang Ruolin, her body numb as if from an electric shock, was too lost in the moment to even think of stopping him.
It was impossible to say how long they remained like that before they reluctantly separated, breathless and needing air.
Blushing furiously, Jiang Ruolin pouted and pulled his hand from inside her clothes, glaring at him.
"You big pervert!" she admonished playfully. "Was it nice?"
Liu Shang nodded subconsciously. "Mmm, it's so big..."
Realizing what he'd said, he quickly corrected himself before her embarrassed protest could form. "Ah... I mean, it's so beautiful... If this is a dream, I'd rather stay lost in it for the rest of my life."
"Jerk..." Jiang Ruolin huffed coquettishly, before melting back into his embrace.
As time ticked by and the dormitory curfew approached, the two reluctantly made their way to Jiang Ruolin's dormitory building. In this moment of bittersweet parting, Jiang Ruolin finally mustered all her courage and whispered, "Liu Shang... I don't want to go back to the dorm tonight. What should I do?"
Any other boy would have been ecstatic, sweeping her into his arms and shouting with joy, "Then let's not go back! I'm starving, let's get some barbecue first!"
But Liu Shang simply kissed her tenderly on the forehead.
"Silly girl," he said softly. "If you, one of the most famous girls at the university, stayed out all night with your boyfriend on Christmas Eve, it would be like dropping a bomb on campus. The fallout would be huge, and there could be more serious consequences. It could even get back to your parents and family. We haven't yet built up enough strength or capital to face that kind of pressure, and there's absolutely no need to rush into it."
"Go on back and get some sleep," he finished, stroking her hair. "I'll spend more time with you from now on. I promise."
"I love you."
Hearing his words, Jiang Ruolin's heart was completely overcome with emotion, and her eyes reddened involuntarily. She knew just how much courage and restraint it took for a passionate young man like Liu Shang to refuse the temptation she had just offered. At the same time, she understood just how determined he was for them to be together forever.
The next moment, shedding all shyness, she pulled him in for another deep kiss.
"I love you, too!"
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