[Host spent twenty thousand yuan on this purchase, giving a gift to a female friend, earning a positive emotion star.
Reward: ten times the consumption amount returned: two hundred thousand yuan.]
After leaving Wanlong Mall, Li Jing saw the system prompt in his mind and analyzed quietly:
This time, it only returned tenfold. It seems the first time spending on luxury brands had the highest return.
Come to think of it, it makes sense. On my second trip to the mall, my mood was much calmer.
Once I get used to buying luxury items, it might be like when I took a taxi last time; my emotions didn't change, and there won't be any more returns.
However, the system rewards are already plentiful. Li Jing believes that as long as he continues to enjoy life, the returned money will never run out, and there's no need to worry about future matters.
For now, the most important thing is to enjoy life to the fullest.
An Tong, who followed Li Jing out of the mall, was still a bit emotional.
Especially seeing the exquisite and luxurious Gucci shopping bag in her hand, An Tong didn't expect to own the luxury item she had long envied and desired so quickly.
She looked at Li Jing walking ahead and felt a bit conflicted inside. After all, twenty thousand is not a small amount, and her rational beliefs couldn't easily accept such an expensive gift from Li Jing.
Finally, she took a deep breath and said to Li Jing, "Li Jing, this gift is too costly, I still want to find a way to pay you back."
"Payback?"
Li Jing was still feeling the joy after shopping, raised his eyebrows at her words, turned to see An Tong's delicate face, and immediately understood her feelings, smiling as he said, "There's no logic in asking for money after giving a gift. If you pay me back, you'd be looking down on me."
"But..."
"There's no 'but'. Just consider it a farewell gift from me."
"Farewell?"
An Tong was slightly startled and quickly caught up with him to ask, "Are you leaving Celestial Sea City?"
"No, I just haven't been traveling in a long time. Since I'm enjoying life, I plan to travel and see the great rivers and mountains."
Li Jing gazed into the distance, and his mood brightened a bit as he thought of the beautiful scenery during travel.
"Are you coming back?" An Tong felt an inexplicable bit of reluctance.
"I will definitely come back."
Li Jing affirmed, "But when I return, I won't be living in that rental apartment anymore."
Following his plan to spend while traveling and earn rewards from the system, Li Jing estimated he'd have enough money to buy a house.
Once back, he'd buy a house directly, avoiding the need to stay in a rental.
And as An Tong was his neighbor in the rental, it would naturally be hard to see each other again, hence Li Jing called it a farewell gift.
After listening to Li Jing's explanation, An Tong fell silent.
She watched his tall back walking ahead, and for some reason, after spending the day with him, she found herself developing some strange feelings towards Li Jing.
Although she didn't know Li Jing's plan, she could feel that from now on, the distance between them might grow.
It was like she was a flower rooted in the soil, while he was a bird soaring in the sky.
After resting briefly beside the flower, the bird would spread its wings and fly high, disappearing entirely from the flower's sight.
Thinking of this, An Tong looked again at Li Jing's back. Perhaps it was because of his change of clothes, or maybe due to a change in her state of mind, or possibly because he had just given her a gift...
In any case, An Tong felt that Li Jing had changed a lot, becoming calm and confident, handsome and approachable, making her heart race a little during that brief eye contact with him earlier.
Was it really the money that made Li Jing more handsome...
Or was it that I already had a slight crush on him...
While An Tong was lost in these thoughts walking behind, Li Jing suddenly stopped, directing his gaze toward a tall blue, glass curtain-walled skyscraper in the distance.
"Oops..."
An Tong, not paying attention, bumped into Li Jing's back. Wondering why he had suddenly stopped, she followed his gaze to find he was looking at the Gutina Hotel in Celestial Sea City.
"Li Jing, you..."
"I'm not going back tonight, I'm staying there."
"Huh?"
Hearing Li Jing's words, An Tong was a bit unresponsive.
Until he found the number online and really called to book a room, she was gradually widening her eyes, covering her mouth in surprise, "Li Jing, did you just book a suite?"
"Yes."
Li Jing nodded to confirm.
Since he wanted to enjoy it, he should indulge in all aspects of life including food, clothing, housing, and transportation.
So when Li Jing noticed the modern high-rise hotel out of the corner of his eye earlier, he immediately decided to stay there.
"I saw the pictures of the suite online, it looks quite upscale. Do you want to come and have a look?"
Li Jing invited, "If there are two bedrooms, you could stay and experience it too..."
"Stay with you at a hotel?"
An Tong's eyes widened.
Li Jing's expression shifted slightly, realizing his words seemed abrupt, and awkwardly smiled, "I didn't mean anything else. Don't get me wrong."
"I know, it's fine..."
An Tong's gaze wandered as she instinctively turned her face away.
Not thinking much was okay, but once she thought about it, some TV drama scenes popped into her head, and she felt the back of her ears warming.
She was about to respond when her phone rang, prompting her to take the call.
Seeing An Tong's expression change after the call, Li Jing didn't have time to ask before she apologized and said she had to leave for something urgent.
Seeing the apology on her face, Li Jing shrugged casually, "No need to feel guilty. You've already shopped with me, go take care of your things."
"Thank you..."
An Tong clutched the Gucci bag tightly, hesitated for a moment, then asked, "When are you leaving?"
"You mean when I'm going on the trip?"
Li Jing thought for a moment and said carefreely, "I haven't decided where to go yet, probably in a few days."
At his words, An Tong pursed her lips and, lifting the Gucci bag, earnestly said, "Thank you for the gift this time. Let me know when you're leaving so I can treat you to a farewell meal."
Seeing her serious wide-eyed look, Li Jing found it amusing and endearing, aware that she wanted to repay him for feeling she had taken advantage by accepting his gift, so he agreed, "Sure, I'll let you know when I'm leaving."
"Promise not to leave secretly then!"
An Tong specifically instructed Li Jing before turning to get into a nearby taxi, waving goodbye.
From the taxi, watching Li Jing's figure fade from view, An Tong turned her gaze from the window, leaning back on the rear seat with a mixture of emotions.
An Tong, what's wrong with you?
He just bought you a set of Gucci, and you're acting bewitched, reluctant to part with him?
An Tong, get a grip, can't you? You want to marry a local and settle down here, you can't have a reckless romantic mindset.
Distracted, An Tong shook her head vigorously, then took a deep breath, comforting herself:
"I'm just feeling a bit reluctant as a friend because he's leaving, nothing more.
Yes, that's it."
With that thought, An Tong recalled the stunning appearance of Li Jing in his new outfit at the Gucci store, biting her lower lip slightly, murmuring:
"That guy, how could he just decide to leave..."
...
On the other side, after seeing An Tong off, Li Jing turned and headed towards the Gutina Hotel.
A subtle smile appeared at the corner of his mouth: "I've always heard how prestigious these hotel suites are.
This time, I can see firsthand the difference between an 18,000-a-night room and a 300-a-night standard room."