Volume One, Chapter 5: What Ghost Story Are You Trying to Pull on Me?

“Just this one. How much does it cost?”

“This one is over 110,000.”

“Please wrap it up for me.”

After confirming the price of the necklace, Lu Yichen didn’t hesitate and bought it immediately.

As Lu Yichen swiped his card to pay, the system’s voice sounded again.

【Detected that the host has successfully completed a purchase. Reward: 250,000】

“Sir, here is your necklace.”

The sales assistant handed the wrapped necklace to Lu Yichen. After thanking her, he quickly left the store and returned to Chu Xueli’s side.

He placed the necklace in his pocket, unsure how to present it to Chu Xueli or even if she would accept it.

“Sorry to keep you waiting. Let’s grab something to eat.”

“Okay.”

Chu Xueli, who had been wandering around and was feeling a bit hungry, agreed. They took a taxi to a trendy restaurant she recommended and chose a window seat.

Lu Yichen scanned the QR code on the table and then handed his phone to Chu Xueli.

“Take a look and pick whatever you like.”

Chu Xueli browsed the menu, selected a few dishes, then smiled and handed the phone back.

“Brother Chen, are you treating me to dinner?”

“Yes.”

“In that case, I won’t hold back.”

“There’s no need to be polite with me.”

Just as Lu Yichen was about to take out the necklace box from his pocket and hand it to Chu Xueli, a voice approached them from nearby.

“Lily?”

“What a coincidence. Your boyfriend brings you to places like this for dinner?”

Chu Xueli turned to see it was Zhang Bochuang, the colleague who had previously harassed her. Lu Yichen also recognized him.

“What’s wrong with eating here? Weren’t you here to eat too?”

“That’s different. If you were my girlfriend, I’d definitely take you to a fancy restaurant—not just anywhere.”

“How is this ‘just anywhere’? I think this place is great, and I was the one who asked my boyfriend to bring me here. What’s it to you? Stop talking nonsense.”

Chu Xueli’s sharp retort left Zhang Bochuang speechless. Lu Yichen chuckled quietly at the table.

“You!”

Zhang Bochuang’s anger flared at Lu Yichen’s laughter. To save face, he noticed the box in Lu Yichen’s hand. He had prepared an expensive necklace for Chu Xueli himself and thought this was the perfect moment to compare gifts. He didn’t believe Lu Yichen’s present would be more valuable than his.

“Is what you’re holding for Lily? I almost forgot—I actually prepared a necklace to give her too.”

With that, Zhang Bochuang pulled a box from his pocket, opened it, and displayed the necklace inside.

“Lily, how do you like it? Though I wonder if your boyfriend’s gift is as good as mine.”

Hearing this, Lu Yichen immediately understood his intention.

We’re both ancient fox spirits; what ghost story are you trying to pull?

But if you want to make a fool of yourself, I’ll play along.

“Hmph, that necklace isn’t cheap.”

“Of course not. It cost me a whole month’s salary.”

Zhang Bochuang was smug, oblivious to the smile playing on Lu Yichen’s face.

“What brand is that necklace? I’ve never seen it.”

“You wouldn’t know even if I told you, country bumpkin.”

“Yeah, I really don’t know. Haven’t seen such a cheap necklace before.”

Lu Yichen’s words enraged Zhang Bochuang, who snatched the box from his hand.

“Cheap? Let’s see what you’ve got then.”

Chu Xueli stood up, wanting to take the box back from Zhang Bochuang, but Lu Yichen stopped her.

“Let him open it. Just hope he can afford to pay if he breaks it.”

“Brother Chen…”

Zhang Bochuang hesitated, afraid he might not be able to compensate for what was inside.

Seeing his reluctance, Lu Yichen goaded him, “What’s wrong? Not opening it? I was curious to see whose gift is better.”

“Afraid your necklace isn’t as good as mine?”

“Or afraid you can’t afford to pay for it?”

Under Lu Yichen’s provocation, Zhang Bochuang finally opened the box.

Inside lay a BVLGARI necklace, exposed before all three of them.

Zhang Bochuang was dumbfounded; even Chu Xueli looked shocked, while only Lu Yichen calmly took a sip of water.

The difference between a necklace worth over a hundred thousand and one just over ten thousand was like night and day.

Zhang Bochuang flushed red with embarrassment, wishing he could disappear. He hadn’t expected Lu Yichen to be so wealthy—giving a BVLGARI necklace as a gift was on a whole other level of luxury.

“Can you please put down the necklace I was going to give my girlfriend?”

Lu Yichen deliberately emphasized the words “my girlfriend.” Zhang Bochuang set the box on the table and cleared his throat without replying.

“Oh right, you brought out that necklace to give to my girlfriend? Seems unnecessary now since I can buy several like that, don’t you think?”

“I… I just wanted to see if Lily liked it. If not, I’d take it back.”

“Take your necklace and leave, okay? You’re not eating, but we still want to.”

Chu Xueli shot back.

Sensing the hint, Zhang Bochuang left the restaurant without continuing the meal.

After he left, Chu Xueli asked about the necklace, “Brother Chen, this necklace…?”

“It’s for you.”

“No, no, it’s too expensive. I can’t accept it.”

“But you gave me perfume.”

“That’s different. You can’t compare it like that. That bottle of perfume doesn’t…”

Before Chu Xueli could finish, Lu Yichen interrupted.

“The value of a gift isn’t in its price but in the sentiment. In my heart, you deserve this gift. Please accept it.”

“No, I still can’t accept it. It’s too precious.”

“Then how about trying it on?”

Chu Xueli had been about to refuse but reconsidered. Trying it on wouldn’t hurt, so she agreed.

“Okay, I’ll try it on.”

She brushed her hair aside and placed the necklace around her neck.

“Brother Chen, can you help me clasp it?”

Lu Yichen moved to sit beside her and fastened the necklace.

Chu Xueli opened her phone camera to see how it looked.

Lost in her reflection, she couldn’t pull herself away.

Though the BVLGARI necklace didn’t affect her beauty directly, it greatly enhanced her aura.

Before, she wore a tight black gown with no jewelry—somewhat plain.

Now, with the diamond necklace, her fair, swan-like neck looked far more alluring.

No wonder luxury has its reasons; it truly suited her perfectly.

Chu Xueli touched the necklace at her neck. “Brother Chen, can you take it off for me?”