Rebirth: Splendid Marriage in the 80s Chapter 2545 - 2481: Of Course It’s for You

Hu Xiangyong cast a glance in her direction and inquired, "Are you willing to help host the guests at the boutique when the time arrives? I will have Old Song take your measurements tomorrow so you can select some fabric; I intend to have a bespoke cheongsam made for you, along with this."

Leaning forward, he retrieved a velvet box from a drawer and placed it in her hands.

"Choose something that pairs well with this necklace."

"What is this exactly?"

Ji Yuzhi accepted the box and flipped the lid open.

A string of glimmering rubies was revealed to her.

The intense, crimson glow was so striking that it seemed to illuminate her very gaze.

"Oh my, it is absolutely stunning." She carefully lifted the necklace and looked up at Hu Xiangyong, asking, "Is this for me to borrow for the opening day?"

A ruby necklace—how much must such a piece cost?

Hu Xiangyong chuckled, "Borrow? Is that how stingy you perceive me to be? Of course, it is a gift for you to keep."

Ji Yuzhi gazed at him in astonishment, finding it somewhat difficult to believe.

A gift for her, and something of such immense value?

"Truly, a gift for me?"

"Why, as my girlfriend, do you doubt my ability to present you with a gemstone necklace?" As Hu Xiangyong spoke, he took the necklace from her, "Allow me to fasten it for you so you can see how it looks."

As he reached around to clasp the piece behind her neck, Ji Yuzhi found herself enveloped in his embrace.

The man’s deep, distinct scent surrounded her entirely.

A sense of lightheadedness washed over her.

"Hmm, it looks marvelous; it suits you perfectly."

Before settling the piece against her skin, Hu Xiangyong murmured into her ear, "Do you know where rubies truly appear their most magnificent?"

"W-where?"

Ji Yuzhi questioned.

"Against the snow-white skin of a beautiful woman, where they enhance her grace and allure far better than any fabric could."

Even as he spoke, his fingers were already working the buttons of her shirt.

Ji Yuzhi felt her strength deserting her; she sensed that this was inappropriate, yet she discovered that pushing him away at that moment was an impossible task.

Once her shirt was fully unfastened, the cool gems brushed against her skin, causing her body to tremble.

Just as she prepared to ward him off, he leaned in once more to brush his lips against her earlobe, whispering, "Let me see what else you need... perhaps a pair of pearl earrings..."

Ji Yuzhi felt utterly helpless.

Though she was no longer a child, she had always maintained her purity and had never experienced such intimacy with a man.

Furthermore, Hu Xiangyong’s skillful teasing left her so disoriented and overwhelmed that by the time he pulled her down onto the bed, she was completely bewildered as to how matters had escalated to such a height.

There was a fleeting moment of pain, swiftly followed by a surge of consuming dizziness and infatuation.

Following classes, Chiang Xiao penned a letter to Xu Lin.

Determined to carry out a total renovation of the adjacent courtyard, she realized the project would demand extensive woodworking. Trusting Xu Lin's expertise implicitly, she wrote to inquire if he could spare two months to assist her.

Finally, the news regarding the troop deployment was made official.

The Meng family received word, and it was only then that Old Meng and Meng Chaojun grasped the reality that Meng Xinian was being deployed to Kuli.

Unlike the composure displayed by Chiang Xiao at that moment, the father and son of the Meng family could not mask their apprehension and dread; Meng Chaojun even departed the hospital to join Old Meng at the residence.

They had anticipated finding Chiang Xiao with tear-filled eyes, yet instead, they discovered her engrossed in painting, with smudges of pigment on her face that made her look like a small kitten.

Under ordinary circumstances, Old Meng might have been unable to keep from laughing at her appearance, but now, a smile was beyond him.

"Little one, have you not received the news?"

"Grandpa, are you referring to Brother Xinian’s deployment to Kuli?" Chiang Xiao had almost finished a canvas depicting an ancient town. Earlier, it was Ding Haijing who had opened the door to admit the Mengs into the study; she had continued to work on the final details, never slowing her hand.