"I like it." Luo Jingyi murmured.
That was Yun Jinghan's cue. He gestured her to put her hand forward. Luo Jingyi hesitated but before she knew what happened next, his intense gaze hypnotized her to follow. The cold smoothness of the ring sliding over her finger jolted her up from a daze. By then, he had retracted his hand with caution. Irritation rushed out inside her but she reigned it down with a bite of her lower lip.
"It's perfect." He gushed with contentment.
'Fine.' Luo Jingyi puffed her imaginary bangs. The ring indeed fitted hers perfectly as though it was tailored for her delicate finger.
"We'll take it." Yun Jinghan took out his black card and handed it to the manager with a warning look that nobody noticed except the other man. He was reminding him not to make any mistake.
'Wow!' the female attendant who stood quietly on the side couldn't believe that her manager sold the most expensive ring in their store without any effort. She envied his quickness and told herself to emulate her manager.
Instantly, Luo Jingyi handed her card to the manager as well.
"This..." The manager was at loss of words. He turned to Yun Jinghan with a confused look.
"I'll pay for it sweetie."
"No." Her refusal came like the sound of a fist pounding on the desk. It was crisp. She was leaving no room for refusal.
Luo Jingyi didn't want to owe him anything. She made a decision to date for real so she can get away from the pressure of Aunt Alice. Although he was her boyfriend, their relationship was still a pretend one. None of them love each other. It's a relationship she agreed to, for appearance's sake. Thus, there's no reason for him to buy her things.
"Why sweetie? I can afford it."
The hint of humor in his voice, however, didn't work on Luo Jingyi.
"I'll pay for it." She stated with determination.
The manager now realized that the two were similar. None of them intended to cave in regarding this matter. So, he made a bold suggestion.
"In fact, this ring is a set. There's also a ring for a man."
'How come I didn't know of that.' the attendant gave a confused look towards the manager.
She has no idea because the male set had just arrived earlier and it was the one the manager was examining before he got called on.
The ring that was now sitting on Luo Jingyi's finger was commissioned by a rich man for his beloved. It was designed by a famous Italian jeweler. The man's object adored it so much that she asked the same jeweler to make a counterpart. She gifted the piece to her then-fiancé as a sign of devotion. Of course, they lived happily ever after. When they both passed away, both rings were donated to charity. They were sold at an auction on separate occasions. The male piece was recently acquired in an auction in London.
Luo Jingyi and Yun Jinghan waited for the manager because after saying those words, he left in haste. It wasn't long when he returned panting.
"Since, it's a pair. You can buy this for your man. Meanwhile, Mr. Yun will pay for yours." He suggested. This is his first time encountering a woman who would rather pay for her own. He surmised that Miss Luo didn't put his boss on her heart in contrast to Yun Jinghan. So, he wanted to help him.
The word "your man" almost made her puke but she shoved it back down with a sigh. The man's suggestion didn't seem to be a bad idea. Moreover, she was saving him a face.
"Okay." Luo Jingyi relented which made everyone glad, especially Yun Jinghan. He never wore jewelry except for the luxury watch on his wrist but now, he was more than willing. This feeling was new to him.
"Put mine too." He urged her with pleading eyes.
Luo Jingyi forced back the urge to roll her eyes because of his sappy action. She half-heartedly took the simple ring and placed it at the tip of his finger. Then she withdrew her hand quickly.
"Put it by yourself."
The upward curve on his lips turned to a pout. Still, he listened without complaint. He was unhappy but it was gone the next second when he realized that she bought this for him.
The smile plastered on the manager's face widened and stepped out of the room to process their purchase.
"Let's go." Luo Jingyi walked to the door, not wanting to stay in the room any longer. Just to get a ring, she wasted more than an hour. She had to return to the hospital.
At the payment section, the manager handed back two black cards as he stated with beaming confidence, "As both of you are our 10th customer for the day, we are offering a 50% discount."
It was an idea he immediately conjured up. If this woman was going to be their lady boss, how dare him to take her money. Yun Jinghan will kill him and throw his body into the ocean so the sharks can finish him off.
Luo Jingyi looked at the receipt and her head went like…
Shrek! Six figures? This is daylight robbery.
She can splurge on clothes but not on nonsensical things.
'Why did I even agree to this?'
Oblivious to her unhappiness, Yun Jinghan lauded the manager's tactfulness. He reminded himself to tell K2 to promote him.
When the two left the store, the manager watched their disappearing back shrouded with similar aura; cold and distant.
"Are we really having a promotion?"
"No."
"Then, why?" The attendant paled and looked confused.
"You don't have to know." He turned away and returned to his office.
.....
Yun Jinghan had another plan but his phone wouldn't let him be. In the end, he drove her back to the hospital.
"I'll pick you up at 6."
"No, let's meet at Z Mall." She refused because Brightwood Residence was outside the city and her place was on the opposite side.
"Allow me to be a gentleman just for once, huh? I'll pick you up at your place." It sounded more like a plea as though he was in a very difficult situation.
"Suit yourself." Luo Jingyi threw a dismissive wave over her shoulders and hurried out of the car because her pager beeped.
"Laters!" He yelled to the sprinting figure with a contented smile.