Chapter 278 - Lu Xiaoman's Strange Reaction

“Could the invitation really be fake?” Ye Fan said, at a loss for words.

Hu Jing giggled and offered an apologetic smile, “Of course, it can’t be fake.

I’m just very surprised as to how you received an invitation from the Yun Qi Association.”

She was indeed surprised.

From her perspective, although Ye Fan had some connection with Li Zhaojun, his family background seemed quite ordinary; otherwise, he wouldn’t be relying on such connections to be an insignificant deputy manager in the HR department of a new company.

Moreover, Ye Fan’s second-hand Citroën and his usual attire all indicated that his family background was very average.

So, she believed that even though Ye Fan had some relationship with Li Zhaojun, the Yun Qi Association wouldn’t necessarily send him an invitation.

If invitations from the Association were so easy to get, she wouldn’t be so shocked and envious.

“Miss Dongfang Yun Qi had someone deliver it, and I just received it.

Nothing surprising about that,” Ye Fan replied.

“I attended with a friend last time, and not everyone there was as high-status as you suggest.”

Hu Jing immediately assumed an all-knowing air and said, “You don’t know?

Let me tell you, the Yun Qi Association is very famous in Hua Hai’s upper circles.

Most people take pride in receiving an invitation from the Association.

There are definitely not more than five hundred people in the whole Hua Hai who can truly obtain an invitation from the Association.

Many people who attend the Association events are brought by someone who has an invitation.

One invitation can bring in three additional people.”

“So, this invitation is somewhat prestigious?” Ye Fan said with a dismissive smile.

“That’s for sure!” Hu Jing confirmed emphatically.

After a pause, She Said, “You still haven’t answered me on how you got the invitation.”

“Because I’m handsome,” Ye Fan said with a light smile, “Dongfang Yun fell in love with me at first sight at the party, so despite my poor background, she still eagerly sent someone over with an invitation.”

Hu Jing couldn’t help but let out a snort of laughter, “You could’ve just said I fell in love with you at first sight, and perhaps someone would believe that.”

Ye Fan silently spread his hands.

Seeing that Ye Fan didn’t wish to answer her question anymore, Hu Jing’s gaze returned to the invitation.

Her beautiful eyes twinkled as she batted her eyelashes and smiled coquettishly at Ye Fan, “Ye Fan, when you go to the Yun Qi Association, could you take me along?”

“Do you also want to bid on the items listed?” Ye Fan asked, puzzled.

Hu Jing smiled seductively, “No, not really.

I’m just curious and want to go have a look.

Is that okay?”

“Alright,” Ye Fan nodded, “But once we’re at the Yun Qi Association, I won’t be responsible for taking care of you throughout.”

“Hehe, no need, no need.

I’m not a child,” Hu Jing chuckled, “Thank you, Ye Fan.”

“Don’t mention it.

It’s a piece of cake,” Ye Fan said with a casual smile, “By the way, don’t tell anyone else at the company about the invitation.”

“I got it, you can trust me!

I promise to keep the secret,” Hu Jing happily said, patting her chest.

Speaking of secrets, she suddenly felt that Ye Fan was indeed quite mysterious and hard to read.

While others took pride in receiving an invitation from the Yun Qi Association, he remained nonchalant, as if it didn’t matter to him at all.

Nevertheless, whatever the case, she would finally have the chance to experience the legendary Yun Qi Association.

This would later become bragging material when she hung out with her circle of friends.

So, she cheerfully turned around, swaying her hips as she headed back to her desk.

At six o’clock in the evening, Ye Fan got off work and drove to the Huayang Martial Arts School to pick up Lu Xiaoman for dinner.

Upon seeing Lu Xiaoman, noticing some signs of tiredness on her exquisite face, Ye Fan couldn’t help but feel a wave of pity.

He reached out to hold Lu Xiaoman’s soft and tender hand, asking softly, “Xiaoman, has it been very tough?”

“Hehe, not really.

This little bit of hardship is nothing,” Lu Xiaoman said with a determined glint in her eyes, allowing Ye Fan to hold her hand.

Ye Fan said with a smile, “I know you’re responsible.

But don’t wear yourself out.

The work belongs to someone else, the body is yours.

Come on, I’ll take you for a nice meal to treat you well.”

After getting into the car, Ye Fan chose a mid-to-high-end restaurant for their meal.

He didn’t let Lu Xiaoman order, directly choosing five or six delicious dishes and a warm, nourishing, medicinal soup.

“This is too much; the two of us can’t possibly eat all this,” Lu Xiaoman complained a little, “You can’t waste money like this.”

“Don’t worry,” Ye Fan reassured with a smile, “I guarantee we won’t have more than ten percent left over.”

“Then I’d rather have leftovers, I can always take them to-go.

If you force yourself to eat and end up overstuffing your stomach, what will we do?” Lu Xiaoman said.

Ye Fan knew that Lu Xiaoman cared a lot about him, and he felt a surge of happiness in his heart, laughing as he said, “I know.

Do I look like the kind of person who spends money to suffer?

I don’t think so.

Hahaha…”

The dinner was full of affectionate gazes, very cozy, and lasted nearly two hours.

After finishing dinner, Lu Xiaoman evidently regained a lot of energy, the tiredness on her pretty face faded away, and she immediately looked spirited and captivating.

Given that Ye Fan knew Lu Xiaoman’s mother was essentially better, he checked the time and felt it was still early, then suggested, “Xiaoman sister, let’s go shopping.”

“…Okay,” Lu Xiaoman hesitated for a second before agreeing.

Ye Fan was delighted.

He drove them away from the restaurant and straight to the nearby Wanda Mall, intending to buy Lu Xiaoman several beautiful outfits.

After getting out of the car, Lu Xiaoman walked up to Ye Fan, shyly stretched out her lotus-root-like arm to gently hold onto Ye Fan’s right arm, joining him in stepping into Wanda Mall.

She certainly understood that the items in Wanda Mall were quite expensive and beyond what she could afford.

For Ye Fan to still take her to Wanda Mall meant it would be him footing the bill.

If it had been before, she would have firmly declined.

But after accepting the position of general manager of the martial arts school, she had come to terms with reality.

She realized there was certainly a big discrepancy between her family background and Ye Fan’s, but if she continuously rejected Ye Fan’s kindness because of her strong and sensitive pride, it would only create a gap between them, and most likely end in regret.

Therefore, she decided to accept some of Ye Fan’s kindness within limits, and then work extremely hard herself, aiming to grow and become excellent at the fastest speed.

That way, she could interact with Ye Fan with an equal mindset and preserve their love.

After entering Wanda Mall, Ye Fan figured Lu Xiaoman wouldn’t accept things like jewelry, gold ornaments, and cosmetics, so they took the elevator straight to the fifth floor, which was dedicated to women’s clothing.

Even though shopping with Lu Xiaoman was a romantic affair, Ye Fan was still used to having a clear goal in mind.

So, without much aimless wandering, upon passing by a shop named NEXY.CO/Niko, and seeing that the clothes inside were nice, he said to Lu Xiaoman, “The clothes from this brand are pretty good, let’s have a look.”

“Okay,” Lu Xiaoman responded.

Thus, the two of them entered the NEXY.CO/Niko women’s clothing store.

Walking up to a beautiful and elegant autumn dress, Lu Xiaoman saw the price tag — 5999 yuan.

Even after a 20% discount, it still cost nearly 5000 yuan.

“Ye Fan, the clothes from this brand are too expensive, let’s try a different store,” Lu Xiaoman whispered to Ye Fan.

Ye Fan smiled and asked, “Do you think this dress looks good?”

“Yes, it’s quite nice, very trendy,” Lu Xiaoman couldn’t help but nod in agreement.

Ye Fan said, “Well then, that’s settled, isn’t it?

As long as the clothes look good and you like them, the price isn’t worth mentioning.

You’re now a CEO; you can’t be too frugal.

Try it on to see if it suits you.”

“Okay,” Lu Xiaoman replied, feeling reluctant to want such expensive clothes but also very happy inside.

And so, Lu Xiaoman took the dress to try on.

However, the sales associate also took the opportunity to recommend two or three other outfits for Lu Xiaoman to try on as well.

As for Ye Fan, he casually sat down on a sofa in the store to wait.

But he had only sat down for a moment when he saw Lu Xiaoman approaching in another beautiful white dress.

Ye Fan immediately stood up, appraising Lu Xiaoman’s figure while walking towards her, smiling as he said, “This outfit looks very nice, it suits you.”

As he spoke, he reached out to take Lu Xiaoman’s hand.

Lu Xiaoman was evidently taken aback, standing still until Ye Fan grabbed her hand, and then suddenly her eyebrows shot up, and she yanked her hand away from Ye Fan’s grip, scolding, “Pervert!”