The Gate of Rebirth 11

First, Xiao Hong walked into a Louis Vuitton store.

Xiao Ming had absolutely no concept of such brands; even the word "luxury" was entirely foreign to him. However, upon seeing that an ordinary handbag cost over twenty thousand, the threshold of what he could psychologically endure was utterly shattered!

To think there were leather bags this expensive! They were practically in the same league as the store's glass doors. Following in Xiao Hong’s footsteps, Xiao Ming maintained what he considered a "safe distance" while looking at the bags. Even with such caution, he remained incredibly nervous.

Xiao Hong, preoccupied with her browsing, had actually noticed the flustered Xiao Ming trailing behind her for a while. Like a little sidekick, Xiao Ming followed her out of the Louis Vuitton store and into a Fendi boutique. As if going through a routine, Xiao Hong picked up a handbag and examined it inside and out. Although this bag was slightly smaller and a bit more refined than the last, Xiao Ming’s heart sank again when he saw the price: nineteen thousand.

Xiao Ming was dumbfounded. What kind of bag was Xiao Hong actually looking to buy? After leaving Fendi, they went to Prada, then Gucci, Chanel, Dior...

After the entire tour, Xiao Ming’s legs were jelly. Eventually, they found a bench to rest. To ease the awkwardness, Xiao Ming hurried off to buy two cups of Heytea. Yet, when Xiao Hong took the tea, she looked indifferent, even somewhat disdainful.

Desperate to please Xiao Hong, Xiao Ming was at his wits' end. He had always been a clumsy, tongue-tied man, and his financial standing was that of a total loser.

"Sigh, I'm so broke. I can't even buy a bag. If only I had a wealthy boyfriend," Xiao Hong complained while sipping her tea, her eyes gazing into the distance, completely ignoring Xiao Ming’s presence.

Xiao Ming was torn. If he had twenty thousand yuan, he would gladly give every cent to buy a bag for the woman he loved, but he was simply too incapable. At that moment, the anxious Xiao Ming gripped the money in his pocket so tightly he almost wrung water out of it.

Xiao Ming followed Xiao Hong into a Swarovski store. It was a jewelry shop, but when Xiao Hong picked up a Black Swan necklace to admire, Xiao Ming noticed it was only eight hundred yuan.

He felt a glimmer of hope; he had finally found something he could afford. When Xiao Hong reluctantly put the necklace down to leave, Xiao Ming spoke up bravely: "If you like it, I'll buy it for you!"

After holding it in for so long, Xiao Ming finally felt he could hold his head high in front of Xiao Hong like a real man.

Xiao Hong put on an embarrassed expression. "Really? But it’s a bit expensive, and you haven't even been paid yet! Let's not buy it; I was just looking!"

Seeing Xiao Hong’s delicate, fragile gaze, Xiao Ming’s "boyfriend energy" surged. "If you like it, we’re buying it! Clerk, wrap it up!" Xiao Ming pulled out a small, crumpled stack of hundred-yuan bills. Suddenly, a familiar yet hazy image made his heart waver, but he persisted in making the payment.

When the clerk handed the wrapped necklace to Xiao Ming with a blank expression, she muttered carelessly, "Country bumpkin..."

Xiao Ming didn't notice the clerk’s mockery; at that moment, his eyes were filled only with the exquisite black gift box in his hands. He forgot the instructions his mother had given him before he left home; he forgot the firm resolutions he had made to himself...

There was no helping it. Xiao Ming, as happy as a child, handed the shopping bag containing the gift box to Xiao Hong, his eyes fixed intently on it, terrified of damaging the "luxury item" inside.

When the smile he had been longing for finally appeared on Xiao Hong’s face, his heavy, burdened vanity finally found a safe landing.

Xiao Hong happily clutched the Swarovski bag and planted a light kiss on Xiao Ming’s cheek. At that moment, all the pressure and unhappiness brought about by the shopping trip were swept away by this beautiful, lively girl before him.