Ye Linchen did the math in his head. School was already on holiday, and the startup project team had held a summary meeting. The work before the new year was basically finished.
She nodded: "Seven days is no problem for me. I've never been to the capital before, so this is a good opportunity to explore it. But I don't know if you, being such a busy person, will have time to accompany me."
She blinked and teased, "Mr. Gu, your company has to hold meetings at eight or nine o'clock every night. Do you really have that much time?"
Gu Jingran was amused by her playful demeanor: "No matter how busy the company is, we still have to give employees a holiday during the Spring Festival. Don't worry, I won't be working overtime during the Spring Festival."
Ye Linchen deliberately put on a stern face, looking at him with an expression that said, "I don't believe you."
Gu Jingran had no choice but to surrender, smiling as he said, "To be honest, during the Spring Festival, our partner companies and upstream and downstream businesses were all closed. Even if I wanted to work overtime, there was no one to work with me. Are you satisfied now?"
Ye Linchen said "Oh," and nodded seriously, feigning sudden realization.
She knew when to stop and steered the conversation back to business.
"Since we're going, we definitely need to prepare some gifts for your aunt and uncle. What do they usually like? Do they have any particular preferences?"
Gu Jingran thought for a moment and casually replied, "Didn't you already give them a gift when we met in Jiangcheng last time? They all liked it very much. This time, you can just go there in person; there's no need to spend any more money."
“How can that be the same?” Ye Linchen immediately shook his head, his attitude very firm. “Last time they came, this time I’m the one visiting. And it’s such an important day as the New Year, how can I go empty-handed? It’s a matter of courtesy.”
Gu Jingran thought about it and felt that Ye Linchen's words made sense: "Do you still need to go to your tutoring class tomorrow? If you don't have class, I'll pick you up from school in the afternoon, and we'll go to the department store together."
"My last class is in the morning tomorrow, so I'll be free in the afternoon!"
Ye Linchen nodded, and the matter was settled.
The next day at noon, the two met at a newly opened grilled fish restaurant in the city center.
The streets and alleys of Wuhan are bustling with activity now, and the festive atmosphere of the Lunar New Year is visibly stronger.
Strings of red lanterns were hung on the trees lining both sides of the road, and loudspeakers at the entrance of the department store played festive Spring Festival songs such as "Congratulations on your fortune, congratulations on your wonderful life" on repeat.
This was Ye Linchen's first time eating grilled fish.
A whole live fish is killed and grilled on the spot, sizzling as it is served. A spoonful of boiling hot oil is poured over it, and the aroma of fish, garlic, and chili instantly whets the appetite.
Ye Linchen ate with great relish, and a fine layer of sweat appeared on his forehead.
Gu Jingran sat opposite her, not saying much, just smiling as he watched her eat. Every now and then, he would use serving chopsticks to put the crispy fish skin into her bowl, his heart filled with a feeling called happiness.
After finishing their meal, the two followed the flow of people towards the nearby city department store.
The mall was packed with people, shoulder to shoulder.
Long queues formed at both ends of the escalators, and every counter was crowded with people buying New Year's goods.
They went to the gift section first.
Ye Linchen looked at the rows of glass counters very carefully, and finally picked out a "Hero" brand fountain pen for Gu Jingran's father. The black pen barrel was paired with a gold clip, and the style was calm and elegant.
She asked the salesperson to bring it out and tried it on some paper. The pen tip was smooth and the ink flowed smoothly, making it perfect for everyday office signing.
For Gu Jingran's mother, she chose a lipstick in a color suitable for middle-aged people.
It's understated, yet enhances your complexion and makes you look elegant and poised.
Gu Jingran followed behind her, watching her bustling around picking out gifts for her parents, and the smile on his lips never faded.
"Look at you, you care more about things than I do when I buy things for my parents."
Ye Linchen took the wrapped gift bag, carefully held it in her hand, and turned back to give him a reproachful look: "Of course! This is my first formal visit, so the etiquette must be impeccable. I can't just do it casually."
After she finished speaking, her gaze was drawn to the newly launched winter clothes in the clothing section across the street, and she casually pulled Gu Jingran over.
The clothing store was also bustling with people, and the racks were full of the latest styles of wool coats, suits, and various brightly colored wool sweaters.
Ye Linchen looked at each item one by one, first picking out two well-fitting beige and camel-colored sweaters for herself, and then pairing them with a plaid skirt, which would be perfect to take to the capital.
She turned around, her gaze falling on Gu Jingran. She looked him up and down, then frowned.
"Gu Jingran, I've noticed that your wardrobe is too monotonous. When I open it, it's all black, gray, or dark blue, like an old cadre."
Gu Jingran was a little helpless after hearing her words: "I usually wear these to work, so they're convenient."
"What's so convenient about it?" Ye Linchen took a few light-colored shirts and an oatmeal-colored wool sweater from the clothes rack and held them up against him. "Look, you have fair skin, this looks great on you and makes you look younger! My new skirt can also match this sweater."
Seeing how enthusiastically she was choosing clothes for him, Gu Jingran felt his heart melt and decided not to argue, letting her make the arrangements.
While Ye Linchen was waiting at the counter for the sales clerk to pack the clothes she had chosen, he went to the cashier and bought both his and her clothes.
When Ye Linchen returned with the bag, the sales clerk had already handed the invoice and change to Gu Jingran.
Ye Linchen was both annoyed and amused: "Why did you buy mine too?"
Gu Jingran took the bags from her and smiled naturally: "I think they're all suitable, so I'll pay for them all together."
The two of them, carrying large and small bags, strolled around until evening before heading back.
The cold wind howled in the street, cutting like a knife on people's faces, but their hearts were warm.
With less than a week left until the Chinese New Year, time was of the essence, so Gu Jingran contacted a friend that very night and booked two plane tickets to Beijing.
In this day and age, flying is still a rather luxurious thing.
However, for Gu Jingran, it was a piece of cake.
After returning to her rented room, Ye Linchen took out her newly bought clothes one by one, washed them, and hung them out to dry in front of the window.
After washing her clothes, she began to carefully pack her luggage.
In addition to the daily necessities I need to take, I also need to carefully wrap the gifts I bought for Gu Jingran's parents in wrapping paper.
But looking at the pen and lipstick he bought at the mall, Ye Linchen felt as if something was missing.
Although it looks exquisite, it lacks thoughtfulness.
Ye Linchen thought about it for a moment and quickly came up with an idea.
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