Chapter 544: Chapter 544: Scrambling
The work in Yunzhou was proceeding relatively smoothly under Xu Ke’s iron-fisted suppression. Several times during this period, Chairman Sun tried to cause trouble, but Xu Ke managed to fend it off without any obvious traces.
Ariel had been living a blissful life in Yunzhou these days, seeing Xu Ke every day after work and having him accompany her doing things she loved, leading an almost fairy-tale-like existence.
That day, after finishing work, Xu Ke found Ariel waiting at the bottom of the company building again.
"Why are you here again? Didn’t I tell you not to come to pick me up? What if you get sunburned in this big sun?" Xu Ke looked up at the reasonably bright sun and said.
Although it was afternoon already, the sun wasn’t as dazzling as it was at noon, but it still packed quite some heat.
Xu Ke looked at Ariel’s nose, still beaded with sweat, with a hint of distress in his eyes.
Ariel, carefree and happy, wrapped her arms around Xu Ke’s waist and coquettishly said, "No, no, I just want to come to pick you up. Picking you up from work makes me very happy, and I don’t think this bit of sun is anything to worry about."
Ariel revealed her snow-white teeth with a mischievous smile and looked at Xu Ke, her eyes sparkling with an indescribable playfulness.
Xu Ke was utterly defeated by Ariel’s demeanor, showing indulgent helplessness in his eyes while his heart felt as if it had been fed honey, sweet and luscious.
Yet, still putting on a stern face, he pretended to be fierce, saying to Ariel, "If you don’t care for yourself, I care for you. If you want to see me next time, remember to bring an umbrella to shade yourself. If you don’t listen to me, see how I’ll punish you when we get back."
Having said this, Xu Ke gave Ariel’s butt a light smack as a warning.
Even being smacked on the butt in broad daylight didn’t embarrass Ariel; instead, she wiggled her butt and made a face at Xu Ke, leaving Xu Ke helpless.
"Where do you want me to accompany you today, my little Princess?"
Seeing Ariel’s inflexible demeanor, Xu Ke, with a sweet wry smile, decided to let Ariel off for now and deal with everything once they got home.
"I haven’t bought new jewelry in a long time. Today, accompany me to buy some new jewelry, and then we’ll have some of Yunzhou’s special dishes, and watch a movie in the evening. What do you think?" Ariel outlined her plan for the day.
"I have no objections, it’s all up to our little Princess." Xu Ke shrugged his shoulders and said.
"Since you don’t have any objections, let’s head out!" Saying this, Ariel grabbed Xu Ke’s hand and started running like a child, full of vigor. Seeing Ariel’s joyful demeanor, Xu Ke didn’t spoil her enthusiasm by suggesting they drive but ran alongside her for a while before turning back to get the car.
"We were so silly just now, like big fools." Ariel said, covering her mouth and chuckling quietly, a bit like a little mouse that had found some oil.
Chattering and laughing, the two of them arrived at the jewelry store.
"Welcome!" Seeing someone enter, the store clerk greeted them with well-trained promptness, bowing slightly and displaying a refreshing smile that brought pleasant feelings.
"I wonder what you two are looking for?" Clerk A quickly glanced at both individuals, determining her target, and approached Ariel with a gentle inquiry.
Ariel stroked her chin and said with a hint of trouble in her eyes, "Necklaces and bracelets, maybe some earrings too."
Upon hearing Ariel’s needs, Clerk A’s eyes lit up instantly, and her smile became even more sincere.
"Please follow me; there are some new designs over here that you might like." Clerk A enthusiastically guided Ariel to the counter, introducing the store’s new arrivals to her.
Clerk A’s words were as captivating as flowers in bloom; she could make small pieces of jewelry sound like masterpieces, prompting Aileen to buy earrings she hadn’t initially intended to purchase.
Xu Ke stood quietly beside Ariel, smiling as he watched her shop.
"That necklace looks nice, let me take a look at it." Ariel pointed to a necklace with a yellow gemstone hanging from it.
"You have quite an eye. I was just about to introduce this necklace to you, but you mentioned it first." Clerk A said with a smile.
The necklace was taken out of the counter by Clerk A, and the yellow diamond, the size of an adult’s fingernail, hung on the thin chain, radiating brilliant light.
"I like shiny things like this. Wrap this up for me too." Ariel said bluntly.
Hearing that Ariel decided to buy the necklace without even asking the price, Clerk A took a gentle breath, looking at Ariel with an even more intense gaze as if she were gazing at a living god of wealth.
Just as Clerk A was about to package the necklace for Ariel, a hand reached over from the other side where Ariel stood, stopping Clerk A’s hand.
"Wait, let me take a look at that necklace." A soft female voice came from beside Ariel.
The three followed the voice and saw a woman with chestnut-colored, wavy hair, her petite oval face adorned with sharp eyebrows and proud, bright almond eyes.
"I saw this necklace first. If you want to look, check out the others. This necklace is mine, and I don’t want to show it to others."
Ariel refused the woman’s request and signaled Clerk A to continue packaging the necklace.
"You haven’t paid for this necklace yet, so why do you say it’s yours? As long as you haven’t paid, I have the right to compete for it. Let me see it." The woman gave Ariel a sidelong look and said, "This isn’t a two-dollar street shop where anyone can enter. Is this yellow diamond necklace something within your means? Can you afford it? Do you know its price? I suggest you don’t embarrass yourself here trying to impress, recognize your position when necessary, and act accordingly."
"You’re not me, so how do you know I can’t afford it? Who gave you that impression? Moreover, I said I saw this necklace first. Even though I haven’t paid yet, the principle of first come, first served should apply, right?" Ariel answered uncompromisingly.
Only now did the woman take a proper look at Ariel, "Why are you being so ungrateful? Of course, I can tell whether you can afford it with my eyes and insight." The woman’s voice carried a hint of coldness.
As she said this, the woman’s gaze shifted to Xu Ke behind Ariel, and as though realizing something, she looked back at Ariel with even more disdain, with a hint of mockery.
"The price of this necklace isn’t cheap. You might look good, but you aren’t worth that much. Give up; your benefactor won’t buy it for you."