Chapter 638
I Want to Learn a Lesson
"Therefore, I can't let your plan succeed. I'll cook lunch today."
Xue Rui flicked Lin Ruoxi's forehead, then walked to the kitchen to start preparing the dishes.
Not long after, Lin Ruoxi walked in. Looking at Xue Rui's busy figure, her almond-shaped eyes curved upwards, forming a happy smile.
Others always felt that she had been wronged, but only she knew that Xue Rui was very gentle, very gentle.
"I'll do it. I don't want you to be choked by the cooking fumes. From now on, I'll cook at home, and you can eat my food."
Lin Ruoxi grabbed Xue Rui's arm and forcefully pushed him out of the kitchen. Then she closed the glass door and gave Xue Rui a doting smile through the glass.
Xue Rui stood outside the door, his expression slightly blank.
Because, according to common sense, these sweet words of promise should be spoken by boys.
"I'll do all the housework," "I'll spoil you like a princess"...
However, these promises usually only hold true before marriage; once children are born, things are a different story...
Thinking about this, Xue Rui couldn't help but wonder if this adorable little girl would change in the future.
What will it become?
Just like those men who make grand vows before marriage?
When making a promise, it may be out of genuine sincerity.
But as the novelty wore off, life became reduced to the mundane realities of daily life, and the previous promises were forgotten.
Only during arguments do I recall these thoughts after being reminded by the other person, and then start to reflect on how I was thinking when I was younger...
In such situations, the other party often says things like, "I must have been blind to marry you," which escalates the conflict and makes a family dispute inevitable.
Thinking of this, Xue Rui shuddered.
Would his little girl do that too?
It shouldn't be... right?
Xue Rui sat back on the sofa and casually picked up a copy of "The Wealth of Nations" to start flipping through.
This is the book that Gu Muxue left for Xue Rui before she left, saying that she wrote secret messages between the lines.
However, Xue Rui searched for several days but couldn't find any writing, only Gu Muxue's notes in her delicate handwriting.
To find out, Xue Rui even bought a UV lamp to see if there were any marks left by an "invisible pen," just like in his middle school photos.
However, they still came up empty-handed.
However, what Xue Rui didn't notice was that knowledge had already seeped into his brain silently through constant exposure, carving out furrows of knowledge in his smooth brain.
"If many wealthy businessmen invest in the same business at the same time, the profits of that business will inevitably decline due to the competition among them..."
Xue Rui sat up straight as if enlightened.
According to the basic principles of a market economy, as long as there is healthy competition, he is likely to profit.
Xi Xue's conflict with Xue Rui resulted in Xue Rui's gain.
"Hehe, I really do need to read more books. Everything in the world is interconnected," Xue Rui remarked.
Suddenly, the phone screen next to him lit up. Xue Rui subconsciously picked up the phone, and a familiar profile picture was clearly visible on the screen.
Chen Tingting: [Happy National Day]
Chen Tingting: [Send a group message.]
Xue Rui's lips twitched uncontrollably.
Is this a case of hiding something in plain sight?
Since Gu Muxue used her cunning to scheme against Chen Tingting, Chen Tingting has not bothered her for almost a month, and the results are remarkable.
Xue Rui made up his mind to consolidate this achievement and refused to reply to the message no matter what.
However, Xue Rui astutely discovered a new problem.
This time, by driving away Chen Tingting, Gu Muxue and Lin Ruoxi stood on the same side, a move that seemed very familiar.
Xue Rui flipped through the book, trying to find the corresponding professional terminology, and then saw a line of neat handwriting:
Capital alliances and monopolistic pricing.
Xue Rui shook his head, trying to stop himself from overthinking.
This is about feelings; how can you look at it from a market economy perspective?
Xue Rui closed the book to avoid letting it pollute his mind, and picked up his phone to inquire about Gu Muxue's schedule for the next few days.
Xue Rui: [Mu Xue, where are you spending your birthday this year?]
After a while, a message popped up on the screen.
Gu Muxue: [I'm at home. My grandparents are coming this year. Thanks in advance to someone!]
Xue Rui naturally knew that this "someone" referred to himself.
Because he promised the old man a bright future with a "great-grandson," the conflict between the old man and Gu Muxue's mother eased, and they were able to celebrate Gu Muxue's birthday together this year, which was a rare occasion.
Xue Rui: [I, Xue, would like to ask, who is this "someone"?]
Gu Muxue: [That person is somebody.]
Xue Rui: "..."
Xue Rui felt he had been insulted, but he had no evidence.
Xue Rui: [Happy birthday in advance! We'll celebrate again alone when you return to Chang'an.]
Gu Muxue: [okk]
……
Time flew by while we were chatting. Before we knew it, a pair of slender arms wrapped around from behind, and a soft, sweet voice said in our ear, "Dinner's ready."
Xue Rui turned off the screen, raised his head, and asked:
"Xixi, Muxue's birthday is in a few days. What gift did you prepare for her?"
Lin Ruoxi held up one finger and said weakly, "One... one scarf."
Lin Ruoxi's voice was very soft and lacked confidence.
When Lin Ruoxi celebrated her birthday last time, Gu Muxue gave her a car. Although it was registered under Xue Rui's company name, Lin Ruoxi was the one who actually used it.
However, when it was Lin Ruoxi's turn to return the gift, she still couldn't figure out what Gu Muxue really needed.
Because Gu Muxue truly lacks nothing...
So, in order to save Xue Rui some money, Lin Ruoxi knitted another scarf for Gu Muxue.
Lin Ruoxi whispered:
"I just feel that Mu Xue has everything she needs, and she seems to really like handmade gifts."
"Xixi, your gift is very nice."
Xue Rui did the same thing before. For people who are completely financially independent, the meaning that an object is given is far greater than the object itself.
Just like the children's stickers and keychains he used to give Gu Muxue...
As long as you make up a story that Gu Muxue likes, she will cherish it extra.
However, that only applied to my student days when I didn't have any pocket money.
Given their current net worth, they should also consider adding some high-value gifts.
Even the best relationships need to be maintained with money, otherwise it will seem like you're neglecting them.
Then Xue Rui changed the subject: "However, it can be even better."
Xue Rui had anticipated this and had already prepared something for Lin Ruoxi. He took out an exquisite watch box from the bottom drawer of the coffee table and handed it to Lin Ruoxi.
Lin Ruoxi hesitated for a moment, thinking that Gu Muxue already had many watches, so why did Xue Rui still want to give her a watch?
However, since Xue Rui has already shown it to me, I should open it and take a look as Xue Rui requested, and then praise Xue Rui for having good taste.
As the heavy watch box slowly opened, Lin Ruoxi's eyes widened.
An exquisite ladies' wristwatch lies quietly in the center.
The striking Chinese style immediately caught Lin Ruoxi's eye.
This was the first time she had ever seen a watch like this, with Chinese embroidery on the dial, and the golden magnolias were elegant and dignified.
Upon closer inspection, the crown is also oriented differently from that of a regular watch; it faces the opposite direction.
Lin Ruoxi was taken aback at first, then instantly understood Xue Rui's intention.
Because Gu Muxue is left-handed, and left-handed people wear watches on their right hands, with the crown on the left for easy time adjustment...
Such a niche watch wouldn't be sold on the market; it must have been custom-made by Xue Rui in advance. Lin Ruoxi wasn't sure about the delivery time, but she guessed that Xue Rui had started preparing for it a long time ago…
Xue Rui's thoughtfulness and his attention to Gu Muxue left Lin Ruoxi at a loss for what to do.
She wanted to praise Xue Rui, but as she tried to find the right words, she couldn't help feeling a little sad...
"So...so beautiful." Lin Ruoxi reluctantly sent it back.
Compared to the gift Xue Rui gave Gu Muxue, her own scarf seemed utterly lacking in thoughtfulness.
Xue Rui pushed the watch box back: "What I mean is, I want you to give it to her."
"Um, me?" Lin Ruoxi lowered her head guiltily.
Xue Rui was so considerate of him, and he felt a little jealous just now...
"Jealous?"
Xue Rui said with a grin.
No, no.
Lin Ruoxi's tone was flustered, and her eyes kept darting around.
"Don't lie." Xue Rui's voice suddenly turned cold.
"Yes... a little bit, it's because I wasn't good enough, I was wrong."
Lin Ruoxi's eyes reddened.
"I knew it."
Xue Rui reached out and gently pinched Lin Ruoxi's nose, then took out another identical box.
Xue Rui had actually anticipated that Lin Ruoxi would be jealous.
Moreover, the bulk of the cost of a custom watch lies in the customization fee; the watch itself is not valuable.
Since we've already done it, why not do two at once?
Good things come in pairs.
Just like the fireworks show for Lin Ruoxi's birthday, Xue Rui also customized exclusive blue fireworks for Gu Muxue.
Lin Ruoxi covered her mouth in surprise and took a step back, startled by this unexpected surprise.
Why are you running?
Xue Rui frowned, slowly opened the watch box, and inside was the same model of watch, except that the crown was a normal design.
Lin Ruoxi didn't look at her gift, but instead turned her gaze to the drawer of the coffee table.
After discovering the drawer was empty, Lin Ruoxi tilted her head and asked, "Rui, where's yours?"
"I?"
Xue Rui was stunned for a moment, not understanding what Lin Ruoxi meant.
Lin Ruoxi said with heartache in her eyes, "You, you ordered custom-made ones for all of us, why didn't you get one for yourself?"
Xue Rui was momentarily speechless, unsure how to answer the question.
This girl is really something...
"Xixi, as long as you're happy, I don't care."
Xue Rui said casually, without mentioning that he didn't like the style of embroidery.
"Come here, let me see if it looks good on you." Xue Rui waved his hand, gesturing for Lin Ruoxi to extend her hand.
Lin Ruoxi gently shook her head: "You made it for Mu Xue, it's not appropriate for me to wear it first. I'll wear it after her birthday."
Lin Ruoxi put herself in others' shoes and thought that if it were her, she would definitely not want Xue Rui to give Gu Muxue the hairpin first.
Therefore, she wants to wait until the controversy dies down before wearing it, which is better for everyone.
Xue Rui smiled enticingly and said, "Oh, she doesn't know, don't you want to give it a try?"
Lin Ruoxi pursed her lips and shook her head repeatedly: "No, no, it won't work, even if I try it secretly."
Xue Rui nodded in satisfaction and put the watch box back into the drawer.
The little girl is quite shrewd; she knows what she can and cannot do.
Lin Ruoxi felt that Xue Rui seemed to have expected this, and she asked weakly:
"What if I had said I wanted to try?"
Xue Rui stood up, pinched Lin Ruoxi's face, and threatened in a low voice, "I'll teach you a lesson you won't forget."
Xue Rui didn't hide anything; if Lin Ruoxi really agreed to try it on, she would definitely get a verbal lecture from him.
Xue Rui wasn't deliberately testing Lin Ruoxi; it stemmed from his absolute trust in her.
He would encourage Lin Ruoxi if she did well;
If something is not done well, he can correct it in time.
Because Xue Rui sees Lin Ruoxi not only as his girlfriend, but also as a growing child whose personality is not yet fully formed.
"Um, I...I want to try it," Lin Ruoxi said, biting her lip.
"Huh?" Xue Rui turned his head sharply, his pupils dilated violently, his eyes filled with shock and confusion.
Lin Ruoxi said weakly, "I...I want to learn a lesson."
"Education must have educational significance, and memory must have memory, no, no..."
Xue Rui's mind was about to crash, and he started rambling incoherently.
What did he just say?
Is this little girl trying to learn a lesson? She's clearly just looking for an excuse to get a beating.
"Xixi, wear it if you want. It's between you and me, heaven and earth. Nobody will say anything to you," Xue Rui changed his tune.
Xue Rui suddenly realized that educating children is a real challenge.
Compared to Lin Ruoxi's psychological issues, her moral flaws are not entirely unacceptable; after all, no one is perfect.
Lin Ruoxi pouted, her face full of disappointment.
Xue Rui, on the other hand, pretended to be someone who "didn't understand anything."
……
Holiday time always flies by, and in the blink of an eye, half of the Golden Week holiday has passed.
On Gu Muxue's birthday, in Hedong City.
Inside the villa area, Xue Rui and Lin Ruoxi sat in the car, their gazes fixed on the direction of Gu Muxue's house in the distance.
The light was on at the door of the room, and you could vaguely see the figures inside.
Xue Rui had been laying the groundwork for many days, telling Gu Muxue every time that they would "go back to Chang'an to celebrate her birthday."
Even while on the road, he had Lin Ruoxi use technical means to modify the location and send a fake location to Gu Muxue.
This whole bunch of "smokescreens" was just to make Gu Muxue "lower her guard" and think that Xue Rui wouldn't come on her birthday.
Xue Rui gradually withdrew his gaze and focused on Lin Ruoxi's profile.
At this moment, Lin Ruoxi still tilted her head, staring motionlessly in the direction of Gu Muxue's window, a hint of longing in her eyes.
Xue Rui frowned, suddenly regretting bringing the little girl back.
The lights were on outside Gu Muxue's house, and several gift boxes were even piled up at the door.
Gu Muxue's birthday was a lively affair, as her family doted on their only daughter.
Xue Rui couldn't help but sigh, the disparity between people was so vast it was suffocating.
Xue Rui gently stroked Lin Ruoxi's hair, took a deep breath, and said softly:
"Xixi, you'll have one too someday."
"I already have one."
Lin Ruoxi gently leaned over, lightly grasped Xue Rui's arm with both hands, and gave him a sweet smile.
Xue Rui stared blankly, while Lin Ruoxi smiled sweetly and happily. (End of Chapter)