91 Bedazzled
Haoran helped Emma organize their belongings in the bedroom. Once all was done, they enjoyed the breakfast provided in the dining room. After resting for a while, they showered and prepared to leave for the shopping center.
"You look beautiful," Haoran commented when they were about to get out of the suite. He took the time to fix Emma's scarf and tidy her coat's sleeves and, once he's done, smiled happily at his work.
Emma looked at Haoran with her lips half-open. She knew Haoran always treated her well, but it seemed that, after the young man proposed to her yesterday, he actually acted like a doting husband.
"Thank you," Emma said with a smile. She had more nice dresses after Haoran bought her many outfits last year when he invited Emma to sail with his catamaran.
Before, she was happy with her plain shirts and jeans, but she now paid a bit more attention on how she looked.?They also made time to shop for coats and other gears fit to wear in spring's cold weather before leaving for Switzerland.
"Let's go shopping," Haoran said, pulling Emma's hand to go out. They were escorted by the driver to an upscale shopping center in downtown Shanghai. When they got out of the car, both immediately attracted the attention of many people because of Emma's unusual appearance.
That girl was indeed stunning. She looked just like a fairy or goddess came straight out of fantasy novel. Her hair, which was usually made into a simple bun on top of her head, was now let fall to her waist because of the cold air.
Emma was wearing a light blue knee-length dress and a beige leather coat and knee-length boots. Around her neck was a dark blue wool scarf.
Although Emma could warm herself by creating hot air around her, she did not want to attract people's attention. Some of them would certainly be able to feel the heat from her body. That's why she deliberately wore a coat and scarf, like most people.
"What do you want to buy for your mother?" asked Emma.
"I'll buy her a coat and a scarf to make her feel warm, and a beautiful bouquet of flowers," Haoran said.
"Ah, good plan," Emma said.
She rarely went to shopping centers and was not interested in shopping for stuff. Even in her apartment, Emma only had a few personal items. Moreover, if she would go to Akkadia next year ... then she would not want to be burdened with worldly possessions.
"But before that, there's something I want to buy," Haoran said, smiling mysteriously. He gently pulled Emma's hand toward the elevator, and when they were inside, he pressed the button to the highest floor.
The mall where they were was huge and luxurious, with 20 floors that seem to be divided based on the level of exclusivity of the brand. The higher the floor, the more famous the brands and the more expensive the price.
Haoran brought Emma to the 20th floor. After they left the elevator, he opened his cellphone and checked something before turning to Emma. "The place is at the end of the hallway, on the left. They actually offered to come to us at the hotel to bring the stuff, but I thought that was too much of a hassle and a waste of time, so I said we are coming instead."
"Oh, is that so? What store is this?" asked Emma. She looked around right and left to see whatever shops were around them.
"This is a jewelry shop," Haoran said casually.
"Oh ... do you want to buy jewelry for your mother?" asked Emma.
Haoran did not answer, only smiled faintly. They had arrived at the store he wanted to visit. Emma saw the name of the shop and immediately understood what Haoran wanted to do.
Ruby \u0026 Co was the most exclusive jewelry store in the world with branches in many major cities. Girls who received gift boxes with the Ruby \u0026 Co logo would be very happy because they knew the store's cheapest item was worth the price of a car.
She often heard her classmates gossip about which celebrities had recently been given expensive gifts by their boyfriends or sponsors. That's how she came to know about Ruby \u0026 Co.
"Jeez ... do you have that kind of money with you?" Emma asked with furrowed brows. "You said your allowance was only enough to pay tutor's fee for one year in advance."
Haoran chuckled at Emma's words. "Uhm ... that was last year. After I started my internship at my father's office, I started earning an income. Also, in the new year, I was given a lot of money to use for whatever I see fit. I told you, recently, my father started to be more reasonable."
"Oh ..." Emma could only look at the Ruby \u0026 Co logo and ponder about what Haoran would get her when a staff member opened the door and invited them in.
Weird. She thought the store was not yet opened since the window clearly had a sign "CLOSED" on it.
"Young Master Lee? Please come in. I am Clara. We have been waiting for you," the staff said respectfully. After she invited them to sit down, the woman immediately came with a teapot and two cups. They looked really rare and antique. "Please have some tea."
"Isn't this shop closed?" Emma asked, pointing to the sign at the window while accepting the teacup.
The woman in her late 30s only smiled broadly. "Ah, since Young Master Lee said he would come with his future wife, of course, we cannot accept other clients. We deliberately closed the shop until Young Master and Young Miss finished looking for the jewelry you like. Please, take your time..."
Emma was stunned to hear that. She already knew that Haoran came from a wealthy family, but she was still not used to people's treatment of this young master. This morning, the General Manager of the hotel where they were staying came down from his office and welcomed Haoran personally, along with a line of the staff.
Then now, at the most exclusive jewelry store in the world, the staff deliberately closed the store so that Haoran and Emma could shop at their convenience without interruption. Was this the life of Earth's super-rich people? They were truly treated like kings and queens.
In her heart, Emma felt guilty because she would make Haoran lose all these comfort and convenience. Why did Haoran want to leave luxury and easy life on Earth to follow her?
"We don't have much time. Please just quickly showcase all the products you have, so that Emma can choose what she likes," Haoran said politely.
"Oh ... all right. Just a moment. I will call other staff to help me," Clara nodded, smiling sweetly and immediately entered the backroom. She returned five minutes later with a colleague pushing a trolley filled with various black velvet boxes that looked very elegant.
"Emma ... since we're getting married, I want you to choose the ring," Haoran said. "I'm a guy and don't care about the ring design and material I have to wear, but maybe you have a preference?"
Emma swallowed when she saw Clara open the velvet boxes one by one and show their contents. Her eyes were bedazzled when she saw there were so many beautiful rings of various designs on display there.
Some were of platinum, some rose gold. They all had beautiful gemstone on them from diamonds with big carats, to rubies, topaz, and pearls. She also saw rings made of jade. Together, they all looked almost blinding.
Emma didn't know which one to choose.
"Everything looks so beautiful," said the girl. "Maybe I should just close my eyes and randomly choose one?"
"Jeez ... you," Haoran shook his head. He frowned and looked at Emma. "Do you like diamonds?"
Emma shook her head. "For me, they are just the same as other gemstones. Diamonds are actually not rare, you know. Diamond companies that monopolize the market deliberately hide a large quantity of diamonds so that price remains expensive since people thought they are rare."
Haoran smiled at Emma's words. He knew that Emma didn't like shopping, and he was even more pleased to know that she wasn't at all superficial. He then took a platinum ring from a small box and placed it on Emma's palm. The ring was decorated with a beautiful blue topaz.
"It looks like the color of your eyes. I like it," Haoran said, staring at Emma with a loving look. "What do you think?"
Emma looked at the ring and Haoran's smile alternately, and finally nodded. "I love it."
"No, you like it. You can only love me." Haoran chuckled and kissed Emma shamelessly. He then turned to Clara. "We want this ring. Please get me the male version."
Clara's face looked astonished. Topaz rings were not as expensive as diamond rings. Not even close. Why didn't this girl choose more expensive products? she thought.
As if he could read her mind, Haoran then added. "We also want the most expensive pearl necklace you have here to gift my mother. Please wrap it nicely, okay."
Clara's face suddenly lit up. She cleared up the velvet boxes containing all the rings that hadn't been selected. Her partner swiftly came with several boxes of the most expensive saltwater pearl necklaces for Haoran to choose.
The young man quickly pointed at a necklace with perfectly round pearls without asking the price. With a radiant face, the staff immediately bowed and entered the backroom to wrap the necklace in a gift box, while Clara was getting the rings ready. Both women looked really happy to make such big sales so early today.
Emma touched Haoran's arm. "You spent a lot of money today."
Haoran only shrugged. "My money is useless in Akkadia. I better spend it all soon ... hehe."
Emma could only stare at Haoran with a look of disbelief.
Haoran was so laid back about all this, she thought.