Consumption of Girls and Boys

Chapter 180

Qinglin City, downtown shopping mall.

The central air conditioning was blasting, but it could not dry the sweat in Ye Zhenzhen's palms.

In front of the Longines counter, the lights were dazzling. The glass display cases were wiped spotless, refracting a mesmerizing sense of luxury.

Completely out of place in this setting was the slightly chipped tin biscuit box resting on the glass counter.

Hello, could you please take this one out for me?

Ye Zhenzhen pointed at the men's watch with a silver dial and blue hands right in the center of the counter. Her voice was a bit tight, but her eyes shone as if they held hidden stars.

The saleswoman, who had been looking down and filing her nails, lazily lifted her eyelids at the words.

The girl in front of her was wearing a simple white T-shirt and jeans, with a pair of faded canvas shoes on her feet.

Although she was pretty, her entire outfit probably cost less than two hundred yuan.

Glancing again at the tin box that looked like it had been dug out of a dumpster, a trace of imperceptible disdain flashed through the saleswoman's eyes.

Little girl, this is the Master Collection. The official price is fifteen thousand. The saleswoman did not move, merely tapping her nails lightly against the glass. Digital watches are on the basement level.

Ye Zhenzhen pursed her lips. She did not argue, nor did she slam the table in anger like in the TV shows.

She simply opened the lid of the tin box in silence.

Clatter.

A crisp sound rang out.

A distinct metallic smell mixed with the scent of old paper money filled the air.

In that instant, the saleswoman's expression froze.

Inside that inconspicuous tin box were neatly stacked piles of cash.

There were crisp red hundred-yuan bills, which were her New Year's red envelope money and her scholarships from each semester;

there were crumpled fifties and twenties, saved up from her daily living expenses;

there were even fifty-cent and one-yuan coins filling the gaps between the paper bills.

That was the girl's absolute everything, saved bit by bit over her eighteen years of life.

I know the price.

The young girl took a deep breath and pushed the box forward, her tone serious and firm. I want this one. Please wrap it up for me. And... please tie a pretty bow.

The saleswoman was stunned for a few seconds. Her gaze moved from the fragmented yet weighty pile of money to the girl's clear face.

That bit of contempt vanished in an instant, replaced by a complex sense of shock.

These days, there were plenty of people who would swipe a black card for fifteen thousand, but someone bringing a box of loose change to buy a watch... this girl was truly something else.

O-okay, please wait a moment.

The saleswoman's attitude took a one-hundred-and-eighty-degree turn. She hurriedly put on white gloves and carefully took out the watch, as if what she was holding was not a piece of merchandise, but a burning, passionate heart.

...

Half an hour later, at the top-floor food court.

Pei Susu watched Ye Zhenzhen fiercely guarding the shopping bag in her arms like a mother hen protecting her chicks. She could not help but roll her eyes dramatically, suddenly feeling that the milk tea in her hand had lost its flavor.

Ye Zhenzhen, you are such a prodigal woman!

She poked the bottom of her cup with her straw in exasperation. Fifteen thousand! Sister! You did not even blink? That is your entire life savings from childhood to now! Even the fifty cents you saved from not buying spicy strips as a kid are probably in there, aren't they?

I didn't spend it all... Ye Zhenzhen defended herself quietly, fishing out a few coins from the box. Besides treating you to lunch, I still have enough for the bus ride home.

You... Pei Susu was so angry she wanted to pinch her own philtrum to keep from fainting. Just keep spoiling him! Gu Ran is capable of opening his own company now. Does he really lack this one watch from you?

The girl lowered her head and took a sip of lemonade, the sweet and sour taste spreading across her tongue.

Her eyes curved into crescents, and a silly smile appeared on her lips. If the money is gone, I can just save it up again. But he is running a company now. He has to meet clients and negotiate business. I read online that a man's wrist is his reputation. Wearing a good watch ensures he won't be looked down upon.

Speaking of this, she gently stroked the deep blue shopping bag, her eyes as tender as a pool of spring water. Besides... I think he will look really handsome wearing this.

Seeing her best friend's hopelessly love-struck demeanor, Pei Susu opened her mouth, but it ultimately turned into a long sigh.

I give up. I completely give up.

She slumped back in her chair, looking as if she had nothing left to live for. Ye Zhenzhen, you really are hopelessly in love. If that guy Gu Ran ever dares to let you down, I will be the first to hack him to pieces with a knife!

...

Meanwhile, at an Audi dealership in Qinglin City.

If Ye Zhenzhen's spending was an affectionate display of giving her all, then Gu Ran's spending was a simple and brutal display of absolute dominance.

Inside the showroom, a row of black Audi A6Ls was lined up, emitting a cold, sleek luster under the lights.

In this era, the Audi A6L was not just a car; it was synonymous with official government vehicles, a symbol of stability, power, and status.

It was said that driving this car around naturally gave you an aura of authority, to the point where even the security guards at the gates would salute you more sharply.

Sir, we currently have this 3.0T all-wheel-drive top-trim model in stock. If you choose our financing plan, we can...

Before the sales consultant could finish speaking, Gu Ran raised a hand to interrupt him.

The young man had one hand in his pocket. His gaze swept over the car's body, and his tone was flat. No need for financing. It is too much trouble.

He pointed at the car in front of him, then pointed to the one next to it. I will take this one. Also, I want another of the exact same model to use as a company reception vehicle. Two cars, paid in full, driven off the lot today.

The sales consultant's professional fake smile froze on his face, his pupils dilating in shock.

Two top-trim A6Ls?

Paid in full?

This was a deal worth over a million yuan!

What? You don't have the cars? Gu Ran raised an eyebrow slightly.

We do, we do! I will process it for you right away! Please, right this way to the VIP room! The salesman's excited voice pitched up, and he instantly bowed at a ninety-degree angle.

Standing behind Gu Ran, Li Sinan was adjusting her glasses, trying hard to maintain her composure as a technical director. However, her slightly trembling fingers betrayed the turmoil in her heart.

Even though she knew he had made a lot of money from two games, watching this young man, who was a few years younger than her, casually drop over a million in cash flow was an incredibly powerful visual shock.

For a startup company in 2011, who wouldn't want to split a single penny in half to spend it?

Someone as extravagantly bold as Gu Ran was simply unheard of.

Stop spacing out.

After signing the papers, Gu Ran casually tossed one of the car keys to Li Sinan.

She caught it instinctively. The cold touch brought her back to reality. Boss, this...

You drive this one back to the company.

Gu Ran patted the brand-new hood, his tone casual. From now on, this is your personal company car. As the future General Manager of GR Company, do not try to save me money when you go out to negotiate partnerships. Keep your back straight. Remember, we are not inferior to anyone.

Hearing this, Li Sinan tightened her grip on the keys. Looking at the young man's tall and straight back, an indescribable surge of morale swelled in her heart.

So extravagantly generous?!

Why did she suddenly feel the urge to cry tears of joy...

Yes, Boss!

...

Coming out of the dealership, Li Sinan drove one of the cars back to the company first.

Gu Ran, on the other hand, drove his own black A6L. He did not head straight back to County A, but instead turned into a flower shop.

"Put all 99 of these red roses in the trunk."

Gu Ran opened the trunk and directed the shop assistant. "Right, arrange them into a heart shape. And these LED light strips, wrap them around twice. I want that warm yellow light, none of those red and green ones, they're too tacky."

Half an hour later.

Looking at the romance practically spilling out of the trunk, he finally clapped his hands in satisfaction.

Although this kind of "trunk surprise" would be done to death in the future, even categorized as a tacky proposal trope.

But in 2011, this was an absolutely overpowered, next-level romantic weapon, enough to instantly crush any idol drama cliché.

"Now this is top-tier."

Gu Ran closed the trunk, a wicked smirk curling the corner of his mouth.

Afterward, he drove to the downtown mall and headed straight for the Tiffany counter.

It was still too early to give her a diamond ring; it might scare away that timid little rabbit.

He picked out a classic key pendant necklace. Made of platinum and set with small diamonds, it was understated yet exquisite.

By the time he finished all this, the sky had grown dark.

The black Audi A6L melted into the night like an elegant cheetah, speeding away toward County A.

...