She touched the ring and let out a soft sigh.
Lu Jinshi withdrew his hand, his index finger and thumb unconsciously rubbing together as he spoke in a low voice, “If you like it, it’s not expensive.”
Hmm?
Tang Wei had only made a passing remark, but hearing him say that, her cheeks flushed inexplicably.
However, seeing Lu Jinshi’s composed expression, her slightly restless heart gradually calmed down as well.
God, that scared me—I almost thought Lu Jinshi was flirting with her.
For wealthy young masters like him, he probably genuinely just didn’t think twenty-five million was expensive.
“Twenty-five million though—no matter how much I like it, it’s still expensive.” She enunciated her words clearly.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing. It’s rare to find something this fitting, so no matter the price, it’s worth it.”
After saying that, afraid Tang Wei might overthink things, he wrapped his arm around her and strode away.
“Let’s go, heading home.”
A faint glimmer flickered through Tang Wei’s eyes, vanishing in an instant.
It was indeed a bit pricey, but compared to the cost, what she cared about more was what Lu Jinshi had given.
She was afraid she couldn’t offer something of equal value in return.
Tang Wei was so focused on the ring that she didn’t notice anything inappropriate about Lu Jinshi’s arm around her.
As the two of them left, they didn’t see Tang Yining and Qi Yanzhi coming from the other direction.
Tang Yining was beaming, her arm linked through Qi Yanzhi’s, looking like a delicate little bird nestled against him as she spoke with a smile.
“You rarely have free time—it’s settled then. After we pick out the rings, you’re coming with me to buy clothes.”
No response came.
Tang Yining looked up at him in confusion.
Qi Yanzhi’s face was grim, his eyes fixed straight ahead without moving.
A hint of unreadable scrutiny gathered in his gaze, his brows tightly furrowed as if in disbelief, mixed with a strange sense of absurdity.
Tang Yining followed his gaze forward—all she saw were people shopping there.
Couples, lovers, students, friends who’d come together… nothing unusual.
She shook Qi Yanzhi’s arm, squinting slightly as she asked suspiciously, “Yanzhi, what are you looking at?”
Qi Yanzhi pulled his thoughts together. In his mind was the image of a woman whose back view was extremely similar to Tang Wei’s, being led away by a man with his arm around her.
Could it be Weiwei?
No, impossible.
Qi Yanzhi quickly and firmly dismissed that possibility.
He’d seen Weiwei just yesterday—she’d been busy with her studio work this whole time, and there was no way a man like that could be by her side.
Besides, she would never let a man hold her like that.
It must just be someone with a similar back view.
Tang Yining tugged at Qi Yanzhi’s clothes again before he finally looked down at her.
“It’s nothing. I thought I saw a friend, but I mistook someone.”
I see.
Tang Yining gave an “oh,” and since she hadn’t seen anything unusual, she didn’t think much of it. She laughed sweetly and took his hand, leading him toward the store. “Then let’s buy the rings first.”
Qi Yanzhi followed her into the store, his mind unsettled.
“Hello, are you two looking for wedding rings?” The sales associate approached with the same full-faced smile.
Tang Yining’s gaze swept over the rings before she pointed at a few and said coolly, “Take these out for me to see.”
The sales associate immediately brought out the ones she’d indicated.
Tang Yining glanced at them—they were all pretty similar in style. She shook Qi Yanzhi’s right hand and said in a coaxing tone, “Which one do you think is best?”
Qi Yanzhi answered without hesitation, “Whatever you like is fine.”
Tang Yining stared at his tense, handsome face and pouted, clearly dissatisfied with his perfunctory answer. “What are you even thinking about? You seem so distracted.”
She stared at him intently, a hint of suspicion in her eyes.
Qi Yanzhi suppressed the thoughts in his mind. “There’s still an issue with the company’s new project.”
“We finally get to go out and buy rings, and you’re still thinking about work. Which matters more—the company or me?” Tang Yining crossed her arms, throwing a little tantrum, her pouting lips practically fit to hang a soy sauce bottle from.
Qi Yanzhi’s expression sharpened, and he wrapped his arm around her to soothe her. “Of course you matter more. But you know, I just took the position of vice president, and there are a lot of eyes watching me. I can’t afford a single mistake—otherwise, how could I marry you?”
Tang Yining’s expression softened. Knowing he had his own difficulties, she took his hand and said gently, “I’m not blaming you. The company matters, but our wedding matters just as much. Buying rings won’t take long—can you just set work aside for now, okay?”
“Okay.” Qi Yanzhi pulled his hand free to stroke her cheek, his tone tender.
Tang Yining broke into a smile again and pushed a ring in front of him. “What do you think of this one?”
With her appeased, Qi Yanzhi let his hand fall to his side. “Whatever you like, I like.”
Tang Yining smiled with her lips pressed together, but she didn’t notice the flicker of impatience that quickly passed through his eyes.
She looked at the sales associate and asked, “I heard Song Yun released a ring a while back—her retirement piece.”
The sales associate nodded and explained with a smile, “Yes, that ring is called ‘The One.’ But it was just purchased a moment ago, right before you two came in.”
It had been bought just before they arrived—if only they’d come a little earlier.
So close. Tang Yining felt even more regretful.
“Unique”—what a wonderful name. It was clearly meant for her and Qi Yanzhi.
“Who bought it?” Qi Yanzhi’s brows furrowed seriously as he suddenly asked.
For some reason, he thought of that silhouette—it seemed like they had just walked out from here.
“I’m sorry, sir, but our store doesn’t keep records of that, and we can’t disclose our customers’ private information.”
The sales associate maintained a smile throughout, but couldn’t help adding one more line, “Though, the couple who bought the ring were a very loving young pair.”
A very loving young pair…
Then it couldn’t have been Tang Wei.
Tang Wei’s heart and eyes held only him—she couldn’t be loving with anyone else.
Besides, he knew her. In such a short time, she wouldn’t become loving with someone else.
Qi Yanzhi secretly let out a breath of relief.
Tang Yining thought he was asking because he wanted to find that couple and buy the ring back, so she said considerately, “Forget it, since it’s sold, let’s just pick another one. You’re busy with the company every day—don’t go to the trouble.”
“That ring was only designed as a single pair anyway; it might not even suit us. There are so many rings here—there’s bound to be one that fits us better.”
Qi Yanzhi lifted his gaze to look at her, his eyes softening as he nodded along with her words without explaining.
The sales associate seized the opportunity to add, “We also have other pieces by Designer Song here. Would you like to take a look, miss?”
Tang Yining raised an eyebrow slightly and said coolly, “Bring them out.”
After browsing and comparing for a while, Tang Yining finally picked one from the rings the sales associate presented.
She wanted to put it on Qi Yanzhi’s finger to try, but he subtly declined.
Seeing her frown, Qi Yanzhi buried the irritation in his eyes deep down, took the ring, and slid it onto his own ring finger, explaining patiently, “Trying on a ring is too casual—it shouldn’t be done by your hand. I want you to save that moment for our wedding.”