Two people stalked for more than 1 minute, GU Zhifeng took the initiative.
"I paid a quarter of the price of the ring myself and borrowed three quarters of the price of the ring from my brother Felix," GU Zhifeng said in a low voice, his shame audible.
Liu Fangming didn't ask how much the ring cost, because it was her dream ring and she knew the price by heart.The original price was $16,000, and she knew Buccelati hadn't discounted for years.She also knew of only one Buccelati retail store in the United States, on the exclusive El Paseo store street in Palm Desert, Calif.
But she had been thinking of GU Zhifeng's better economic situation, and then planning to buy a diamond engagement ring.
At the moment, looking at the present of this expensive Buccelati ring, LiIU Fangming had mixed emotions, and did not know how to answer GU Zhifeng.
GU Zhifeng saw LIU Fangming did not speak. He then realized the problem.He realized that he had touched the LIU Fangming's bottom line again. LIU Fangming said to him all the time, let him not lavish money, to have a family concept, consider the situation of the family.
But GU Zhifeng grew up in a re-organized family life. It was 13 years old and his mother immigrated to the United States, had a desire to have a family of his own.
He didn't realize that even after buying LIU Fangming's favorite Buccelati ring, she still wasn't happy.
"Now what?I just wanted to get engaged first, and then we would get married when I made more money."GU Zhifeng said plaintively.
"Zhifeng, I'm sorry, but I really can't accept your engagement request right now.We are both relatively young, of course, the most important thing is that neither of us is financially independent and strong enough.Can we wait?"
GU Zhifeng heard LIU Fangming's statement with some relief. After all, she still took care of his mood. She used the "we are not independent economically", and did not fully point out that he was not financially sound. That showed her attitude that she knew that both of them should try harder.
"What about this ring?Shall I keep it?""Asked GU Zhifeng.
"Well, you keep it.You can ask me to marry you later when the time is right.All right?""LIU Fangming said, her tone slightly pleading.
"All right."GU Zhifeng sighed, closed the box lid of the ring, and put it back in his pants pocket.
"By the way, where did you get a quarter of the money for the ring?I figured that would be about $4,000,"LIU Fangming asked.
"Oh, didn't the Australian Open just finish in late January?I earned it by betting on the tennis matches" GU Zhifeng reluctantly grumbled a sentence, thinking, really that nothing can escape her.
"Oh, you bet on tennis matches again?"
"Why?Not a lot. You know I don't have much money.I invested $500 and got $4,000 back. That's not a bad rate of return."
"Yeah."Liu Fangming said nothing more.She thought, after all, today is Zhifeng's birthday, and she had already rejected him, so she didn't want to nag him anymore.
LIU Fangming is usually very caring about GU Zhifeng's mood. She suggested, "Let's go get something to eat, and then later we'll go for a walk on Santa Monica Beach."
"Good."GU Zhifeng low calm voice said. His heart was a sigh of relief, and finally did not continue to ask and blame him, he felt a little better.
GU Zhifeng and LIU Fangming came out of the small room together. LIU Fangming walked into the crowd, and started to chat enthusiastically with mutual friends of theirs.
GU Zhifeng approached Felix at the bar and said, "Bring us a plate of Buffalo wings, fries and two cokes.Thank you ,brother."
Felix looked at GU Zhifeng. His facial expression was not very good.He guessed that Zhifeng may have failed to propose. After all, he is usually with Zhifeng and LIU Fangming. He knows about LIU Fangming pretty well.
Felix said "yes" without asking, and turned into the bar kitchen.
Felix soon arrives with Buffalo wings and fries and two Cokes.
"Thanks Brother."GU Zhifeng and LIU Fangming said thank you.
"You're welcome. Enjoy yourself."Felix said.
GU zhifeng and LIU Fangming found an empty table and sat down to eat.During the meal, the two did not talk much. From time to time, friends come to say hello to them, a few words, but not much.It's a party where people hang out with friends, not just with the birthday person.
The live band has switched to playing some American billboard hits and the bar is still buzzing.
February 14 is Aquarius. In addition to the thirst for home, he is not quite like Aquarius. The rest of the personal characteristics of Gu Zhifeng match the description of the description of horoscope books. He is independent in heart, an enthusiast , and also has his own views and vision of life.He's just a little poorer.
After about half an hour, GU Zhifeng felt some stuffy in the bar, so he asked LIU Fangming to go to the beach at the moment.Liu Fangming said, "Okay."
GU zhifeng told Felix that he and LIU Fangming would go out to the beach and let him take care of the event.
Felix took the hint and said "OK."
GU Zhifeng and LIU Fangming walked out of the bar and to the beach.
As they reached the end of the street, GU Zhifeng asked LIU Fangming if she would like to have a cup of yogurt today.
LIU Fangming nodded.As usual, GU Zhifeng went into the Pinkberry store and bought LIU Fangming a cup of plain yoghurt for $7.95.
GU Zhifeng took yoghurt back to the pedestrian street, LIU Fangming was just on the phone.
GU Zhifeng listened to some conversations. Although he could not hear what the other party said, he could tell from the conversation that the caller should be Alex.
Alex is Liu Fangming's follower. He has been chasing LIU Fangming for about a month.He's Chinese American, 21 years old, Cancer, and an economics major student at UCLA.
Alex Zhou and GU Zhifeng are both members of the UCLA tennis team. The only difference is that Alex entered UCLA on a full tennis scholarship and is the absolute player of the men's singles of the UCLA men's singles tennis team.GU zhifeng was admitted to UCLA by virtue of his excellent high school grades and high SAT scores. He won very few of tennis scholarships. He played doubles in the team and ranked at the bottom of the team in singles.
Alex is also a muscular, handsome man with a good figure. It is said that many girls in UCLA like him.
GU Zhifeng and Alex have known each other since they joined the tennis team in freshman year, but they have a general relationship. After all, one is first and the other is at the bottom of the men's singles in school. One is an American-born Chinese, and the other is an immigrant, so they have little in common.
But a month ago, a UCLA against USC tennis match, because the competition was intense, Alex in the men's singles match limped hurt. Unfortunately, the game was not over and he withdrew, then at UCLA against SC, Gu Zhifeng played for him in the men's singles competition. At the same time, GU Zhifeng also took part in the doubles match, and he won, and he made a name for himself. That game, Alex came to the game because of a foot injury, so he sat in the audience to watch the game, sitting next to LIU Fangming.
At that time, according to LIU Fangming's later statement to GU Zhifeng, she and Alex did not talk about anything special, they just chatted randomly. Unexpectedly, Liu Fangming did not know what she said had touched him. Alex, always proud, fell in love with LIU Fangming at first sight.
Originally, Liu Fangming only exchanged Wechat and phone numbers with Alex politely, but it was unexpected that Alex would come to chat with LIU Fangming from time to time in the past month.
He did know that LIU Fangming had a boyfriend, but he didn't care.
But, GU Zhifeng thought, they are not even friends, he has really nothing to care about.
At that moment, seeing LIU Fangming and Alex on the phone again, GU Zhifeng becomes super mad.