‘Eat,’ Hao Yan Che said.

‘Wow,’ Yuan Gun Gun said. ‘There are dumplings, buns, tripe, ribs and prawn rolls. Aunty Chen is the best. She made all my favorite dishes.’

Hao Yan Che smiled at the way Yuan Gun Gun forgot all her grievances at the sight of food. He was happy to have Yuan Gun Gun in his life, and asked himself if it was a symptom of love.

Three blissful months later, Hao Yan Che escorted Yuan Gun Gun to the car after a work day.

‘Che, where are you taking me?’ Yuan Gun Gun asked.

‘Somewhere to torture you,’ Hao Yan Che said.

‘Why?’ Yuan Gun Gun asked.

‘No reason,’ Hao Yan Che said.

During the car trip Yuan Gun Gun was too anxious to talk.

‘We’re here,’ Hao Yan Che said.

Yuan Gun Gun refused to get out of the car.

‘I’m sorry,’ Yuan Gun Gun said. ‘I won’t eat junk food again.’

Hao Yan Che held the gullible Yuan Gun Gun’s hand and led her inside the boutique.

‘Mr Hao,’ the shop assistants greeted.

‘Um,’ Hao Yan Che said. ‘She’s all yours.’

‘Yes Mr Hao,’ the shop assistants said.

Yuan Gun Gun clutched onto Hao Yan Che’s arm.

‘Young master, don’t make me suffer,’ Yuan Gun Gun pleaded.

‘I’ll wait for you outside,’ Hao Yan Che said.

The three beautiful shop assistants took Yuan Gun Gun to a private room.

Three hours later, a blushing Yuan Gun Gun stepped out of the private room.

Hao Yan Che looked at Yuan Gun Gun’s violet dress that matched his violet eyes. His brows creased, the dress accentuated her body and showed too much cleavage for his liking. At the back of her dress was a butterfly bow. She looked alluring and dainty in the dress. The violet heels elongated her milky smooth legs. On her hands were two thin violet gloves. He looked at her face and frowned, because makeup enhanced her natural beauty.

Yuan Gun Gun fiddled her fingers. She was nervous about Hao Yan Che’s reaction.

‘Change the dress,’ Hao Yan Che said.

Yuan Gun Gun lowered her head and quietly cried. She was sad she didn’t satisfy Hao Yan Che’s expectations.

The three shop assistants were surprised. They chose the best dress that suited Yuan Gun Gun’s beautiful complexion.

‘Mr Hao, why aren’t you satisfied with this dress?’ the brunette asked.

Hao Yan Che and the brunette shop assistant had a silent standoff.

The blonde shop assistant went to get a violet shawl. Then she draped it over Yuan Gun Gun’s shoulders and tied a butterfly knot in front of Yuan Gun Gun’s chest.

‘Mr Hao, what about now?’ the blonde asked.

Hao Yan Che nodded his head at Yi Tu. Then Hao Yan Che held Yuan Gun Gun’s hand and took her outside the boutique.

Yi Tu gave the blonde shop assistant a cheque.

‘My young master is satisfied with yours and the other two women’s artful skills,’ Yi Tu said.

‘Mr Hao is a generous man,’ the blonde said.

Yi Tu smiled and left the boutique.

The brunette shop assistant looked at the signed blank cheque the blonde assistant held and gasped.

‘Mr Hao is a generous man,’ the brunette said.

‘Big sister,’ the raven called the blonde. ‘Didn’t you want to ask Mr Hao if he’ll let his beautiful girlfriend enter the national beauty contest?’

‘Why should I ask when we know Mr Hao wouldn’t give his permission?’ the blonde asked.

‘Big sister,’ the brunette called the blonde. ‘Mr Hao is a strange man. Other men would be proud to have their girlfriend win a beauty contest. But Mr Hao doesn’t want to draw attention to his beautiful girlfriend.’

‘One day you’ll understand,’ the blonde said to the brunette.

***

End of Chapter Ninety-Five