Under the persuasion of both Mother Jiang and Ruan Ru, Zhou Min went with the flow and agreed. The reason why she stayed at home for a week was nothing more than to “heal her wounds” and to think about how she should approach Liu Haoyu afterwards so it did not seem too deliberate! But she couldn’t come up with anything after a week, and under the urging of Ruan Ru and Mother Jiang, she reluctantly agreed. It could count as relaxing her brain and you never know, maybe she would suddenly be struck with inspiration later on! After the decision was made, Zhou Min followed Ruan Ru, got into the chauffeured car that Mother Jiang arranged for them, and then left. When the driver drove them to New Jiang Bei Street, Ruan Ru bent down, “Please tell Auntie Jiang that I will be bringing Xiao Min back to my house to sleep tonight. She’ll be back tomorrow!” The driver nodded with a smile while Zhou Min didn’t know whether to laugh or cry on the side. After the driver left, Ruan Ru smiled and took Zhou Min’s arm as they strolled along. Although the two had been good friends for a few years, they actually did not have anything extra to talk about between them. The weather was quite hot currently so the two walked around the mall for a few laps. Zhou Min thought about how it would be the wedding anniversary of the two older Jiang’s in the family in just a few days so she wanted to pick something as a gift for the two of them. Although the Jiang family was not a super affluent, extremely wealthy home, Father Jiang was still very indulgent to his daughter. The pocket money she was given every month was quite impressive. So long as it was a woman, when it came to gems, it would be hard to be unimpressed! Thinking of this, Zhou Min took Ruan Ru to go to the jewelry store to take a look at some accessories but was immediately interrupted by Ruan Ru, “Xiao Min, what are you doing at the jewelry store?” Ruan Ru’s personality was very energetic and lively. In addition to how shopping was a woman’s favorite past-time, she was already extremely exuberant from looking at the dazzling things that filled the mall along the entire way. Especially for women, in addition to gems, food was another temptation that could not be refused, and Ruan Ru was known to be one such woman! Upon entering the mall, Ruan Ru’s eyes were constantly attracted to the various food banners hanging throughout the mall. Her eyes would glance up several times within a minute. Even though it was done secretly each time, it was hard to ignore how despite how Ruan Ru was looking at her, she was actually looking at the gourmet banners behind Zhou Min with dilated eyes! To the extent that even now, Ruan Ru was obviously talking to her, but Zhou Min had a kind of feeling where she didn’t know whether she should laugh or cry. What type of person would talk while looking at the gourmet photos on the side with glittering eyes and with an expression as if she had been starved for days! “My parents’ marriage anniversary is next month and I wanted to pick a gift for each of them.” Zhou Min said as she swept her gaze over the various counters on the floor of the mall. When Ruan Ru heard that, she couldn’t help but wrinkle her brows as her eyes expressed puzzlement, “Why are you picking a gift for your parents’ wedding anniversary?! Shouldn’t your father be the one buying it for your mother?”
“Although that is the principle, without my parents’ current mutual love, their happy harmony, how could I possibly be so blessed and happy. In the end, just using my dad’s money to offer Buddha with borrowed flowers!”¹ ¹TN: Gaining favor through the use of another’s property. Ruan Ru couldn’t understand Zhou Min’s logic but on the other hand, when she thought about it, who would scorn at having too many gifts! The one who received the gifts would always be happy! It was the filial piety of the daughter. Ultimately, there was still a difference between husband and daughter. Thinking of this, Ruan Ru’s eyes suddenly lit up, “Since it’s the wedding anniversary of Auntie Jiang and Uncle Jiang, since I didn’t know it before, it was okay but now that I do, do I also need to buy something for Auntie Jiang?!” “It’s not a golden wedding anniversary. My mom and dad also didn’t want to entertain. You can just pretend like you never knew anything. Besides, this isn’t a big deal. My mom wants dad to keep a lower profile, passing it simply between the both of them. On the contrary, I’m afraid that everyone around would know if you sent a gift to my mom. That would be terrible!” Zhou Min shook her head and said in disapproval.
“I see, alright then…I’ll just give Auntie Jiang a gift the next time her birthday comes around!” Ruan Ru shrugged nonchalantly, expressing that she didn’t really mind! Ruan Ru has a lively personality. In addition to being in the same community and in the same profession as herself, over the course of time, Ruan Ru would often come to visit her home. Ruan Ru had a very good relationship with Jiang Min’s mother and although she was a pampered rich girl, she also had a kind and pure personality. Thus, Mother Jiang was also happy to let Ruan Ru mingle with her! Although Ruan Ru had been questioning and answering Zhou Min continuously, her eyes constantly flashed to the newly opened Japanese restaurant, unable to leave it alone! From time to time, she looked at her with pitiful eyes causing Zhou Min to have an impulse to facepalm! “Why don’t we go eat first, and then come back to see what kind of gifts would be good to give…” Zhou Min couldn’t help but ask tentatively. Which immediately got Ruan Ru’s excited nodding like a chicken pecking at rice, “That is a good idea! Eat first then we would have the strength to go shopping after having a meal…right, I think this Japanese restaurant is not bad. Let’s go…”
Having gotten Zhou Min’s suggestion, Ruan Ru’s eyes glowed green with greed as she pointed to the huge banner hanging not far behind her. The picture of sashimi on ice hanging above was indeed a tempting sight but they would have to see about the taste! Zhou Min laughed bitterly and helplessly, but also knew that Ruan Ru was actually a foodie so she wasn’t against nor for it. Besides, they hadn’t really eaten anything before they came out and it was almost noon now. It was time for lunch. Taking a look at the address on the banner, Zhou Min and Ruan Ru went straight up the fourth floor on the elevator. It was a typical Japanese restaurant. The layout of the entire restaurant was very Tokyo-like. The fragrance of the wood was unique and elegant, the gentle lighting, the warm watercolor paintings, the exquisite pottery, cute geisha dolls and samurai statues at the door all exhibited a dense Japanese feeling. As soon as she entered the restaurant, a waiter in a beautiful kimono came up and greeted her, “Hello, how many guests are in your party? Do you have any reservations?” “Two guests, there is no reservation, is there a private room?” Zhou Min said politely as she took half a step forward. “Yes. Guests, please come with me…” Conscientious and courteous, with a perfect smile; even every bend of the waist displayed an absolute proper Japanese etiquette. It was clear that they had all definitely received professional training! After Ruan Ru and Zhou Min looked at each other, they automatically followed the waiter to the second floor. The first-floor lobby had a bar styled conveyor belt seating area. Going up the wooden stairs on the right were the private rooms which all had the unique tatami flooring. Zhou Min and Ruan Ru took off their shoes and entered the private room. As they sat kneeling on the tatami mat, the waiter in the kimono then held the menu and started recommending their classic dishes and sashimi to them! The waiter closed the door and left the private room only when everything was done. Only then did Zhou Min and Ruan Ru start to look at this private room that was only 40 square meters. In fact, for a private room, this is not considered small. It could even be said to be very big, but the furnishings and sliding wooden doors inside, as well as the cherry blossoms painted on it, all gave off an elegant and fresh feeling.