Chapter 40: Gifts
After finishing all company matters, Gu Wanrong politely declined Tong Shenyi’s lunch invitation and went home to rest.
Gu Wanrong had been away for several days, but Xiu Yi had kept the house clean and taken good care of the cat. The items she had sent from the hotel after her unboxing video had all arrived home; Xiu Yi had already signed for and organized them. Gu Wanrong found the gift she had chosen for Xiu Yi.
A few hours later, Wu Aiai and Zhou Siyin returned to school, put their luggage in the dorm, and sent a message in the WeChat group, “Chosen Hotpot Girl,” saying they were heading to the school gate.
Gu Wanrong had made plans with her friends to go shopping and have dinner after returning to school. Upon seeing their message, she quickly changed clothes, took the gifts she had prepared for her friends, and went to the school gate to pick them up.
“Baby, a day apart feels like three autumns. We haven’t seen each other for three days, I miss you so much!” Wu Aiai, known for her dramatic and clingy nature, immediately hugged Gu Wanrong.
“Didn’t we video chat?” Gu Wanrong hugged her back.
“Video chats can’t stop my longing for you, humph.” Wu Aiai hugged Gu Wanrong, rubbing against her neck.
Gu Wanrong pulled away, “You’re too clingy, Wu Aiai!” She pretended to be annoyed and hid behind Zhou Siyin.
Zhou Siyin played along, adopting a cool and aloof demeanor, protecting Gu Wanrong from Wu Aiai’s affection.
“Little pepper, you’re not bad either.” Wu Aiai said, opening her arms to hug them both. “My girls!”
They laughed and joked, acting silly.
“Let’s get in the car,” Zhou Siyin said after a while.
In the car, Gu Wanrong gave each of them their gifts. “Xiao Ai, Yin Yin, here are your Mid-Autumn Festival gifts.” She started the car and drove away from the school.
As Gu Wanrong drove, Wu Aiai and Zhou Siyin opened their gifts.
Gu Wanrong had chosen a Dior perfume for each of them. Wu Aiai loved the fresh, sweet scent of hers, while Zhou Siyin’s was a light, watery fragrance she preferred.
Next were complete sets of makeup: Gu Wanrong had consulted the sales staff at various counters at Xin Shijie shopping mall in Shanghai to choose sets suitable for Wu Aiai and Zhou Siyin. They included primer, cushion foundation, concealer, highlighter, contour, eyebrow pencil, eyeliner, eyeshadow palette, blush, and lipstick.
Following the makeup were a Chanel necklace for Wu Aiai and a Cartier bracelet for Zhou Siyin.
Both were suitable for daily wear and suited their student status.
“So beautiful!” Both exclaimed simultaneously.
“Try them on. I think they’ll look great on you,” Gu Wanrong said.
Wu Aiai, with her sweet appearance and sunny personality, looked stunning in the pink Chanel heart necklace.
Zhou Siyin’s slender and fair wrist was beautifully accented by the rose gold diamond bracelet, sparkling in the sunset light.
They arrived at Donglai Hotel. After giving the car keys to the valet, Gu Wanrong observed her friends with a satisfied smile.
“I only imagined how you’d look in them. They’re even better than I imagined! You look beautiful.”
“Do I really look that good?” Wu Aiai asked Zhou Siyin after Gu Wanrong’s compliment.
Zhou Siyin nodded, “It suits you very well.”
Wu Aiai also commented on Zhou Siyin’s bracelet, “The bracelet Yuan Yuan gave you looks great too!”
“Yuan Yuan has excellent taste,” Zhou Siyin said, admiring her bracelet.
“Right! Not only good taste, but she also understands us!” Wu Aiai agreed. “The perfumes Yuan Yuan gave us are all our favorites, and the makeup suits our skin tone.”
“Of course, I understand you both,” Gu Wanrong said proudly. “We’ve been friends for so long. It would be strange if I didn’t.”
Led by a waiter, the three chatted and laughed as they went to their private room.
Dinner was a Mid-Autumn Festival limited-edition meal, which they enjoyed. Afterward, they went shopping at the Jin Mao Mall before returning to school.
Gu Wanrong first drove Wu Aiai to the entrance of De Ji University and then returned to Ya Xue Xin Yuan to put the mooncakes Wu Aiai’s mother had given her for her in the refrigerator, before walking back to Jin Hua University with Zhou Siyin.
When Gu Wanrong returned to the dorm, her three roommates were already there.
Xu Rong and Jiang Yanya were sitting together, and Yu Yingying was watching a drama at her desk.
Yu Yingying turned around upon hearing the sound of Gu Wanrong opening the door. “Yuan Yuan, you’re finally back!”
“I saw your messages and came back right away.” While shopping, Yu Yingying had sent dozens of messages, urging Gu Wanrong to return. Seeing the messages, Gu Wanrong told Wu Aiai and Zhou Siyin it was getting late and they should head back.
“How was your trip to Shanghai?” Yu Yingying knew Gu Wanrong had gone to Shanghai for the Mid-Autumn Festival.
“Shanghai and J City are very different.” Gu Wanrong said, placing a gift bag on Yu Yingying’s desk. “A souvenir from Shanghai.”
“Yuan Yuan is so thoughtful. You remember me even while traveling.” Yu Yingying put the bag on the table and affectionately hugged Gu Wanrong.
Knowing Yu Yingying’s wealthy background, Gu Wanrong didn’t need to worry about the value of the gifts for Yu Yingying, unlike the gifts for Wu Aiai and Zhou Siyin, which needed to avoid being too expensive. The gifts contained items of varying value.
“Open it and see if you like it,” Gu Wanrong said.
“Some people return to the dorm and give gifts right in front of everyone, as if everyone else hasn’t been to Shanghai,” Xu Rong, who already disliked Gu Wanrong and Yu Yingying, sneered at Jiang Yanya.
“Zhang Shao took you to Shanghai. You must have had a great time,” Jiang Yanya said obsequiously. “Zhang Shao is so kind to you.”
“That’s right,” Xu Rong said haughtily. “Look at all the things Zhang Shao bought for me. This Bvlgari ring is from him,” she showed off her ring.
Jiang Yanya looked on enviously as Xu Rong took out a necklace from a jewelry box.
“This is an Hermès necklace Zhang Shao gave me. I don’t like it; here you go,” she offered it to Jiang Yanya.
This necklace was actually from the complimentary gifts Zhang Shi’s mother received from Hermès when she bought a bag. Zhang Shi gave it to Xu Rong, who didn’t say anything, and now she gave it to Jiang Yanya.
Gu Wanrong and Yu Yingying ignored Xu Rong and Jiang Yanya, focusing on opening Gu Wanrong’s gifts.
The first was a Mikimoto pearl choker. Yu Yingying tried it on and opened another box, revealing another Mikimoto pearl necklace.
This one was longer, with red gemstones interspersed, suitable for young women.
Next were two smaller boxes: a Piaget carnelian and diamond bracelet and a Cartier pink sapphire bracelet.
Yu Yingying tried them all on in the mirror. “Yuan Yuan, I’ve always loved pearl jewelry. These necklaces are so beautiful; I love them.”
“I knew you’d like pearls. I chose them especially for you,” Gu Wanrong said smiling.
“Um? I don’t think I’ve ever said I like them,” Yu Yingying questioned.
“I noticed you often wear pearl jewelry. I guessed you liked them,” Gu Wanrong said proudly.
“Ahhhhh, Yuan Yuan, you’re amazing.” Yu Yingying was touched that Gu Wanrong had understood her preferences in just a month.
…
Late at night, Yu Yingying put the jewelry away and went to the balcony to wash up.
Jiang Yanya, in the opposite bed, slightly opened her curtains to peek at the jewelry Gu Wanrong had given Yu Yingying, comparing it to jewelry in a video on her phone.