Chapter 8: The Pair of Rings

Qin Miaoyu found the reasoning sound and was the first to step into the nearest jewelry shop. Lu Qi’an glanced at another luxury jewelry store not far away, one in which the Lu family had invested, then withdrew his gaze and followed Qin Miaoyu into Jinfu Jewelry.

As long as she was willing to pick out wedding bands, that was excellent!

With the guidance of the sales assistant, the two arrived at the counter displaying couples’ rings. Qin Miaoyu was uninterested in choosing rings; she felt it was merely something to appease others, and thought a simple plain band would suffice.

But seeing Lu Qi’an showing genuine interest as the sales assistant introduced the options, she patiently listened along.

Lu Qi’an found none of the styles introduced suitable. “Do you have any more expensive rings?” he asked.

“Sir, what is your budget?” the assistant inquired.

Lu Qi’an had little personal interest in such things, but his mother was fond of jewelry, so he was somewhat familiar with high-end prices. Considering his mother’s usual shopping habits, and feeling the wedding ring was important, he quoted a price he thought matched his current status.

“About one hundred thousand.”

The sales assistant beamed, delighted to have such a big-spending customer in the shop.

Qin Miaoyu, however, was speechless, and apologetically said to the assistant, “Sorry, I need to discuss with him.”

Turning to Lu Qi’an, who seemed to have lost his senses, she whispered, “Lu Qi’an, I can’t afford a ring that costs one hundred thousand!”

“You don’t need to pay. You’re already transferring a property to me; I’ll cover the cost of the rings.”

“You’re planning to spend a third of your annual salary on a ring just to satisfy your family? Even though you don’t have the burden of buying a house anymore, you shouldn’t squander money like that.”

Qin Miaoyu emphasized the ‘a third of your annual salary’ to dissuade him, unable to understand how he could contemplate buying a ring worth one hundred thousand on his modest wage.

“Even if it’s just to please the family, it’s still a wedding ring. Something so important, shouldn’t it be expensive?” Lu Qi’an’s voice grew softer, and from Qin Miaoyu’s expression he realized he had probably overshot the mark.

“What do you think is a reasonable amount, then?”

“Five thousand.”

“That won’t do. That’s too cheap. When my mother sees I bought you such an inexpensive ring, she’ll surely nag me!”

Lu Qi’an had seen a pair of rings around five thousand, and with his experience of many expensive jewels, found their craftsmanship and style lacking.

“What about you—how much do you suggest?”

“Fifty thousand.”

Qin Miaoyu didn’t want to argue further and turned to leave. “Let’s just go. There are better things to do with this money.”

Once, Qin Miaoyu wouldn’t have cared for fifty or one hundred thousand, but since she began supporting herself in her third year of university, she deeply understood that for ordinary people, fifty or a hundred thousand was already a considerable sum.

Seeing her about to leave, Lu Qi’an quickly grabbed her wrist and whispered, “Will twenty thousand do?”

It seemed he couldn’t let go of the idea of spending thousands, so Qin Miaoyu relented, “Ten thousand. If you agree, we’ll pick one. If not, we leave.”

“Alright, ten thousand it is.”

Though the price had dropped from one hundred thousand to ten thousand, the sales assistant remained composed and continued recommending options.

She brought out several new pairs, and Lu Qi’an immediately spotted another set beneath the counter and asked for them.

Qin Miaoyu examined the ring for women and realized Lu Qi’an had excellent taste; at first glance, she found it pleasing. However, both rings had bands that were a bit large.

“No problem, I can help you try on the sizes, and you can customize them using our app. You can also have them engraved, and it only takes a few days,” the assistant assured.

Qin Miaoyu felt it was troublesome, and since this pair was nearly twenty thousand, she considered looking at others.

But Lu Qi’an was already testing the size, and said to her, “Miaoyu, I spotted these rings right away. Let’s get this pair, shall we?”

His pleading gaze, with a hint of innocence and charm, coupled with his striking looks, made Qin Miaoyu curse her weakness for handsome faces, then compromise.

Truth be told, Lu Qi’an’s face was one of the main reasons she had proposed the idea of a contractual marriage.

Shortly after Qin Miaoyu had her finger measured, Lu Qi’an, guided by the assistant, placed the order through the app, choosing to have their rings engraved.

Feeling pleased with his special choice, Lu Qi’an left the jewelry shop with Qin Miaoyu.

Qin Miaoyu had assumed Lu Qi’an’s culinary skills were merely adequate, but tasting his braised fish, she was genuinely surprised—it rivaled the flavor of her favorite restaurant back in Nancheng.

Seeing Qin Miaoyu repeatedly help herself to the braised fish, Lu Qi’an wore a contented smile. He hadn’t guessed her taste wrong after all, and the long hours spent learning from a restaurant chef were not wasted.

“If you like it, I’ll make it often,” he offered.

Qin Miaoyu was tempted, for Lu Qi’an’s cooking truly suited her palate. Yet she declined, “Let’s not. Cooking is too much trouble, and I’m often too lazy myself. You can cook occasionally, and I’ll help out.”

Lu Qi’an considered the company’s upcoming busy schedule and figured he wouldn’t have much free time, so he didn’t insist.

After dinner, Qin Miaoyu sat on the sofa, watching a variety show. Suddenly, a buzzing sound came from the coffee table; Lu Qi’an’s phone was receiving a video call, and the caller ID read—Grandmother!

She hurried to check Lu Qi’an’s door. “Qi’an, your grandmother is calling.”

When Lu Qi’an appeared, she intended to slip back to her own room to avoid interrupting their conversation.

“Don’t go in just yet. Grandmother probably wants to meet you.”

Caught off guard by the family meeting, Qin Miaoyu turned stiffly to look at Lu Qi’an, her face saying, “Are you serious?”

Lu Qi’an smiled, “Just wait. Once I answer, you’ll know. If Grandmother wants to see you, don’t forget our agreement.”

Qin Miaoyu watched Lu Qi’an calmly walk over and answer the video call.

“Lu Qi’an, didn’t you say you were married? Where’s my precious granddaughter-in-law?”

“Don’t worry, Grandma, I’ll go get her.”

Lu Qi’an turned to Qin Miaoyu, “Miaoyu, Grandma’s calling you.”

Qin Miaoyu struggled internally, but remembering the contract, she slowly moved over, preparing herself as she sat beside Lu Qi’an.

Seeing the distance still between them, Lu Qi’an pulled her closer by the wrist.

“Sit a little nearer, act affectionate. Otherwise, if we’re exposed, what then? Grandma may be old, but her eyes are sharp!”

The touch of skin against skin made Qin Miaoyu’s ears burn. She wanted to ask Lu Qi’an to move away a bit, but he had already raised the phone, pointing the camera at her.