Chapter 129: Choosing a Gift

On Christmas Day, Ding Heng's life remained unchanged.

No gifts, no surprises, and even the food in the cafeteria tasted the same as usual.

He didn't care much to begin with. He went to class if he had classes in the morning, met Wenjing in the cafeteria as usual at noon, and then went to class again in the afternoon.

The only one who seemed out of place was Zhao Yanxi.

Normally at this time, she would have already been flooding their group chat with messages.

She posted photos, jokes, and pictures of her Christmas dinner with her roommates, and casually tagged Ding Heng to ask if he missed her.

But all day today, she only sent a few normal messages, including a "Merry Christmas" message, and nothing else.

At dinner time, Wenjing sat down next to Ding Heng with her tray: "Ding Heng, what are your plans for New Year's Eve?"

Ding Heng raised his head and answered without changing his expression, "Of course I'll accompany you and Yan hope."

Wenjing lowered her head and ate a few bites of rice: "It's my birthday?"

"I'll stay with you too."

"Um."

Wenjing leaned against Ding Heng, pressing her face against his arm and rubbing against him with a smile.

Ding Heng patted the girl's head, smiling, but his mind was racing.

I definitely have to spend New Year's Eve with them.

Number Two... Number Two has to go to Shanghai.

I'll take an early morning flight and be back by the evening at the earliest, and by the early morning of the 3rd at the latest.

Is it really too late?

Ding Heng glanced at the [Teleport Scroll] on the system interface out of the corner of his eye.

I have a cheat code, so barring any unforeseen circumstances... there shouldn't be any major problems, right?

He pulled himself out of his thoughts and asked, "Wenjing, what are your plans for New Year's Eve?"

Wenjing shook her head: "I don't know. Yanxi said she'll make the arrangements and I just need to follow her instructions."

"By the way, where's Wenshu? She should have the day off, right?"

"Yes, I put it there."

"Did she go back to Zhuzhou?"

"Hmm... she doesn't seem to want to go back to Zhuzhou."

"That's perfect, let's call her over to join us."

"what?"

Wenjing blinked, wondering why Ding Heng brought this up.

Ding Heng then added, "Also, invite Hua Yue and Hua Qing along; it'll be more lively with more people."

The three of them spent New Year's Eve together, and it wasn't appropriate for outsiders to get involved.

As Wen Shu was a quiet younger sister, Zhao Yanxi felt embarrassed to refuse, so it was only natural to bring Hua Yue and Hua Qing along as well.

Wenjing didn't think much of it: "Okay! I'll ask Xiaoshu later, she'll definitely be happy."

After dinner, Ding Heng escorted Wen Jing back to her dormitory. Just as he was about to head back, his phone vibrated.

[Lucky Zhao]: Brother Ding Heng, want to come to the hotel?

[Ding Heng]: What are you doing at the hotel?

[Lucky Zhao]: A poor little Christmas reindeer is lost in Changsha. Can you help her?

[Lucky Zhao]: []

[Lucky Zhao]: [Image]

-

noon the next day.

Sunlight fell on the messy bed.

Ding Heng had already rushed back to class early. He had missed too many classes this semester, and if he didn't stop, he was afraid he would fail.

Zhao Yanxi crawled out of bed, rubbed her sore back, got out of bed barefoot, and staggered into the bathroom.

After taking a shower, she returned to the bedside wrapped in a bathrobe, bent down and picked up the tattered white silk, Christmas dress and jingling reindeer bells from the floor.

Recalling the absurdity of last night, Zhao Yanxi sighed and laughed, stuffed the things into the trash can, and turned to walk into the dressing room.

With her man not around, Zhao Yanxi didn't care about dressing up at all. She simply put on a sweatshirt and casual pants, tied her hair in a ponytail, went out with her bag, and left.

In the taxi, Zhao Yanxi was scrolling through her WeChat Moments as usual when suddenly her fingers stopped.

Longhe updated her social media with a 30-second vlog showing her and three teammates rehearsing in the dance studio.

The accompanying text consisted of eight large characters: "[January 2nd, we met again.]"

Logically, Zhao Yanxi shouldn't have cared, but a sudden doubt arose in her mind.

Logically, such concert promotions should be posted on social media, so why did it appear in a private account's WeChat Moments?

Something seemed to flash through Zhao Yanxi's mind, and the blood of the police officer's daughter began to boil!

Why post it on WeChat Moments? Is it because you're afraid someone won't see it?

Zhao Yanxi left her Moments without expression and opened Wenjing's chat window.

[Lucky Zhao]: Xiao Jingjing, are you sure Ding Heng is going to spend New Year's Eve with us?

A few seconds later.

【Good Luck Xiao Jing】: Yes, I asked him yesterday, and he said to invite Wen Shu, Hua Yue, and Hua Qing too, it would be more lively with more people.

[Lucky Zhao]: What about birthdays? We'll celebrate together too?

【Good Luck Xiao Jing】：[ ]

[Lucky Zhao]: What about number two?

【Good Luck Xiao Jing】: This... he didn't seem to say.

【Good Luck Xiao Jing】: Yan hope, is there a problem?

Zhao Yanxi stared at the screen, her thumb lightly tapping the edge of the phone. .

[Lucky Zhao]: It's nothing, I just prepared a birthday surprise for him and wanted to ask if you want to participate.

【Good Luck Xiao Jing】: What surprise is it?

[Lucky Zhao]: Could you please buy two plane tickets to Shanghai? Either the evening of the 1st or the early morning of the 2nd is fine.

Wenjing replied instantly.

【Good Luck Xiao Jing】: Huh? What are you going to Shanghai for?

【Fortune Teller Zhao】: This is confidential for now.

【Good Luck Xiao Jing】: You're not going to pull any crazy tricks, are you?

[Lucky Zhao]: I told you, I'd prepare a birthday surprise for him.

[Lucky Zhao]: []

[Lucky Zhao]: You absolutely have to keep this a secret this time!

【Good Luck Xiao Jing】: Oh... okay, I'll trust you this once.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

English classes are probably the most boring invention in college.

The teacher on the podium was reading from a PowerPoint presentation that was older than Ding Heng, while the audience below was mostly drowsy.

Ding Heng leaned back in his chair, gazing at the gray sky outside the window, his mind already drifting to next week.

Shanghai, concert, birthday.

It wouldn't be right to go empty-handed; I should prepare a backup gift for my brother.

What can I give as a gift?

From childhood to adulthood, there weren't many formalities between him and Long He.

When she was little, I gave her a slingshot, a four-wheel drive car, and a game cartridge that she had been asking for for a long time.

When she grew up, I gave her scarves, books, and photos I took of her.

Now that they're big stars, what would you give them?

Ding Heng was pondering this when his phone vibrated.

【Sea of ​​Flowers in Sunny Day】: Are you free tonight?

Ding Heng swiped his finger across the screen.

[Ding Heng]: What do you need, senior?

【Flower Sea Sunny Day】: Could you come pick me up from my house? I need your help with something.

Ding Heng: Okay.

Putting his phone away, Ding Heng continued to stare blankly out the window.

It was already dark by 5:30 p.m.

Ding Heng parked his car downstairs at Hua Qing's house and spotted a cold, aloof figure under the streetlights in the distance.

Perhaps to avoid the accidental encounter with Lin Man last time, Hua Qing specially dressed up, maintaining her usual ancient style.

Her makeup made her eyebrows and eyes appear softer than usual, and her long hair was half-tied up and secured with a white jade hairpin, with the rest draped over her shoulders.

The light pink, high-waisted ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) is embroidered with delicate lotus scroll patterns, and the neckline is slightly open, revealing a section of fair neck.

The skirt was bright white, with a flowing hem that swayed gently in the night breeze.

Quiet and dignified, beautiful and graceful.

"Senior!"

Ding Heng rolled down the car window and called out.

Hua Qing looked up at him, walked over, opened the car door, and sat in the passenger seat.

Ding Heng smiled and praised, "Senior, you look really beautiful today."

Hua Qing paused in fastening her seatbelt, then turned her face away: "Smooth talker."

"Just telling the truth."

Ding Heng started the car and slowly drove out of the residential area: "What did my senior call me here for?"

Hua Qing pursed her lips: "I'd like to pick out a New Year's gift for someone, could you please give me some suggestions?"

"Who did you pick it out for?"

"Um... a younger brother."

"younger brother?"

Ding Heng glanced at her: "Just a younger brother?"

Hua Qing's ears burned slightly, and her voice lowered: "A younger brother who is quite close to me..."

How intimate?

"Anyway...we're very intimate!"

Hua Qing glared at him, embarrassed and annoyed, her tone hardening: "Are you going to help or not?"

Ding Heng couldn't help but laugh at her blatant attempt to cover up her embarrassment.

"Of course we'll help."

He turned his gaze back to the front: "Perfect timing, I'm also planning to pick out a gift for someone, could you help me with some suggestions, senior?"

Hua Qing was taken aback: "Who is it?"

Ding Heng was quite blunt: "Long He, it's her birthday soon."

Hua Qing's expression froze for a moment. She subconsciously wanted to say something, but then silently swallowed it back, as if she was hesitating whether she should be jealous of Long He.

After all, Long He had saved her and stood up for her.

Besides, who am I?

girlfriend?

still is……

Hua Qing lowered her eyes and didn't speak. The car slowly drove towards the city center.

The mall was brightly lit, and the Christmas decorations were still up, with red ribbons and golden bells hanging everywhere.

The two walked side by side through the crowd, Hua Qing's eyes scanning each shop.

Ding Heng asked, "Have you decided what to give?"

Hua Qing shook her head: "That's why I contacted you, I hadn't made up my mind yet."

"What does your younger brother usually like to do?"

"You guys are all pretty much the same, just pick the one you like."

"Then I won't be polite!"

"Oh……"

Hua Qing pouted and didn't reply.

The two entered a men's clothing store. Hua Qing slowly walked around in front of the clothes racks, her fingers tracing over the shirts, jackets, and sweatshirts.

Ding Heng followed beside him, without urging him on.

Hua Qing picked up a dark gray sweater, turned it over to look at the label, and then put it down.

"This one won't do?"

"Too ordinary."

She picked up another jacket, examined it for a few seconds, and shook her head.

"Too flashy, the style is wrong."

"What do you think his usual style is?"

"Just the... low-key type."

"About the same as me?"

"Um……"

Hua Qing blushed, hung the jacket back up, and turned to walk out of the store.

Ding Heng followed silently, a smile playing on his lips.

He didn't dislike Hua Qing's awkward personality; in fact, he found it inexplicably amusing.

It's as if she needs the title of "girlfriend" to convince herself, and she always emphasizes that she was "forced" by you, Ding Heng.

From beginning to end, he refused to relinquish even the last shred of his pride.

The two of them are clearly aware of the situation, but she refuses to reveal it, thus ensuring that the birthday "surprise" that will not be surprising in a few days is still just a passing surprise.

Once their bond is fully formed, Ding Heng will definitely test whether the fairy can still be so stubborn when she rolls her eyes and starts acting cute.

As Hua Qing passed a luxury jewelry store, she suddenly stopped.

The shop window displays a variety of men's accessories—watches, bracelets, necklaces, cufflinks.

The warm yellow light shone on it, giving it a delicate and expensive sheen.

Hua Qing stared at those things for a few seconds, then, as if possessed, pushed the door open and went inside.

The sales assistant approached: "What would you like to see, ma'am? These are new models, made of silver, and can be engraved."

Hua Qing nodded and looked down to examine it carefully.

She looked at them very carefully, picking up each one to weigh it and examining it closely.

"How about this one?"

Hua Qing picked up a silver bracelet with a finely woven pattern.

Ding Heng leaned closer to take a look: "It's alright."

What does "it's alright" mean?

"It's... alright."

"That won't work..."

Hua Qing put the bracelet back and continued watching.

After looking at a few more, she picked up a leather bracelet, dark brown in color, with a silver clasp on it, simple and elegant.

"What about this one?"

Ding Heng took it and weighed it in his palm.

"This is good."

"Really?"

"real."

Hua Qing turned the bracelet over and over several times, seemingly hesitant.

After all, the gift Wenjing prepared was a bracelet. Should the man wear one on each wrist, or two on each wrist?

The sales assistant spoke up at the opportune moment: "This one can be engraved. You can have your name or the date engraved on the back of the buckle."

Hua Qing finally handed the item back: "Let me take another look."

Similar gifts, bought with my own money and handmade by Wenjing, still feel worlds apart in terms of quality.

"Not buying?"

"Let's take another look."

"OK."

Ding Heng smiled but didn't say anything more.

For the next two hours, Ding Heng accompanied Hua Qing to visit one store after another.

Hua Qing was fully focused from beginning to end, observing carefully, comparing meticulously, and agonizing over the details.

Ding Heng would occasionally offer suggestions and tease her, making the fairy blush with embarrassment and annoyance.

The two strolled from the first floor to the fifth floor, then from the fifth floor to the basement, and finally stopped in the rest area of ​​the mall's atrium.

Hua Qing sat on a bench with a Nikon Z8 packed up in front of her, along with various lenses and other equipment.

Her original budget was around 30,000, which is roughly equivalent to the monthly allowance Ding Heng currently gives to his girlfriend.

But the sales assistant, seeing she was a novice, persuaded her to add various devices, eventually bringing the total price to nearly 30,000 or 40,000 yuan at checkout...

"Senior, you're going all out?"

Ding Heng never expected Hua Qing to choose a camera, since he was also planning to replace his father's family heirloom camera recently.

"snort."

Hua Qing gave a soft hum.

Her reason for choosing a camera was simple: Ding Heng's performance in accompanying her to choose a gift had always been rather bland, except when they were in front of various flagship photography stores, where he would pause slightly.

"Senior."

"Um?"

"Is your younger brother handsome?"

Hua Qing was stunned for a moment, then her face turned red.

"What nonsense are you talking about...?"

"Nothing, just curious."

Ding Heng looked at her with a smile: "A younger brother who can make you put so much effort into choosing a gift must hold a lot in your heart, right?"

Hua Qing bit her lower lip, refusing to look at him.

"Is he tall and strong, able to pick up his senior sister in his arms...?"

"Stop talking!"

Hua Qing finally couldn't hold back any longer and covered Ding Heng's mouth in shame and indignation.

Ding Heng smiled and dodged away, then took Hua Qing's hand in his.

Hua Qing's hands were very cold, her fingertips were a little icy, and Ding Heng held them in his palm and rubbed them slowly.

Feeling the warmth from the man's hand, Hua Qing instinctively leaned against his shoulder.

The two sat there without saying a word.

People came and went, and the noise was deafening.

"Senior."

"Um?"

"Would you like to come with me to Shanghai?"

Hua Qing was taken aback and looked up at him.

Why are you going to Shanghai?

"Celebrating Longhe's birthday."

"Birthday?"

Hua Qing's expression was blank. Finally, she lowered her eyes and said, "Long He will probably be unhappy to see me with you, right?"

Ding Heng chuckled, "You'd care about that, senior?"

Hua Qing didn't say anything.

Ding Heng didn't urge her, but continued to gently massage her palms, waiting for her decision.

After a while, Hua Qing spoke softly, "You came back from Shanghai to spend time with Yan hope and Wen Jing, right?"

"right."

"That……"

Hua Qing didn't finish her sentence, but she already understood.

Going to Shanghai might be the only chance I have to spend Ding Heng's birthday alone.

Upon his return, he will once again become the "fair and impartial" Ding Heng, juggling relationships between the two girls.

Hua Qing bit her lower lip, a mixture of emotions churning within her.

"it is good."

Her voice was soft but clear: "I'll go with you."

Ding Heng smiled and said, "Then it's a deal. I'll buy you the ticket, senior?"

"Um."

Hua Qing withdrew her hand and picked up the heavy camera equipment.

"Let's go back."

Ding Heng stood up and followed behind her.

Stepping out of the mall, a cold wind hits you in the face.

Hua Qing shrank her neck and quickened her pace toward the parking lot.

"cold?"

"A little."

"Should I hold on tighter?"

"casual……"

Ding Heng reached out and put his arm around Hua Qing's shoulder, pulling her closer to him.

"Have you chosen a gift for Longhe yet?"

"Um."

"What is it?"

"Keep it a secret!"