章 18: Chapter 18 : Husband’s Expensive Image

After eating their breakfast, Hongqi went to the rest room and also called Secretary Yang Bo to look for some information regarding the Song family members and the people who are involve with them, especially the ex-husbands of the Song sisters.

He somewhat find it bothersome that the two Song sisters are divorced and the other one is a widow. "Is there some kind of curse in that family? Why are their marriages ends up like that?" Hongqi thought while talking to Secretary Yang Bo.

"So, me and Xiulan will get a divorce or I'll die? That's quite scary to think about." Hongqi can't stop thinking about it. He was really bothered by it.

When he went back to his seat, Xiulan was busily talking to someone on the phone.

"I still don't know. I'll ask Hongqi and I will tell you." Xiulan said to the person in the phone before she ended the call.

"You're back. Good, I have some questions." Xiulan said and looks earnestly at Hongqi.

Hongqi sips his tea first. "What is it?" He asked and intensely faced Xiulan. His bright eyes were really beautiful to look at. Especially that the morning light is very bright in their area, he was shining like some kind of ethereal being with that exposed chest and white shirt. He looks like those Chinese ethereal men in a robe.

Xiulan gulped because the view was too much and it blinds her. This kind of handsome man should be illegal. No wonder everyone is enticed by him.

"Uhm… I just want to ask if I have to move my residence with you or I can still stay in my apartment." Xiulan said and quietly prayed that they don't need to live together.

She already agreed to let him use her family's good reputation and somewhat cleared his problematic image. She hopes that he would spare her from living awkwardly with him.

"There's really no need for now. But you might have to transfer to one of my penthouses or in one of my mansions in the future. People will find it suspicious that you're not living with me." Hongqi said and coldly raised his hands to signal the waiter for their bill.

"Great." Xiulan heaved a sigh of relief. She really thought that she needs to transfer immediately to Hongqi's residence. She prefers to be in her simple apartment. She will treasure all the remaining days in that apartment. Though she will not sell it, it will only be empty for the time being.

"I have a few penthouses in district Y. You can choose and look which one you like. You can also decorate it if you want. I'm currently not using any of the penthouses. I just bought it for future use." Hongqi nonchalantly said. "My plan is to buy all the penthouses in this city." He arrogantly added.

Xiulan wanted to roll her eyes. "This man wastes his money too much."

"I'll think about it." Xiulan answered. She knew that one of his penthouses is very near her company. It will only take a 5 minute walk and she'll have more time in the office before she can rest.

After Hongqi paid for their food, Hongqi invited her to walk outside the hotel and visit the luxury shops in the first floor of the hotel.

"What are you going to buy?" Xiulan asked while they were inside a jewelry shop. Xiulan almost gasped when she saw a ring that costs for 17 million yuan. "What kind of idiot who would try to buy such expensive ring?" Xiulan begrudgingly thought.

"A necklace for you. You lack in accessories. My woman should always wear jewelries." Hongqi said while looking at the catalogue for the new collection. "Let me look at this." Hongqi said to the attendant.

"Just a moment, Young Master Xing." The attendant said and went to get the necklace in the back door.

"But I don't like wearing one, they irritate me." Xiulan said while grievingly looks at the accessories around them.

"From now on you must wear them. The more expensive it is the better. You are now Xing Xiulan and my wife. You must remember that your reputation will be connected to me." Hongqi lectured and he looks really serious. He has this cold and domineering aura right now. Xiulan thought that he was somewhat different from the usual playful Hongqi. "Is this the real him? Scary."

Xiulan didn't say anything for awhile and nodded. "Alright." She submissively agreed. She doesn't like the feeling of agreeing to something she's against with but she must endure. This is only a small matter. She can remove it once she's all alone in her office and home.

But still… it left a bitter mood to her.

"Here is the necklace. The jeweler only created two copies of this necklace and currently the other one is bought by the Prime Minister's wife two days ago." The attendant informed and also handed us a photo of the Prime Minister's wife wearing the necklace.

"Here's my card." Hongqi handed his black card to the attendant. "I also want to look at the earrings." He added to his request. The attendant immediately gave him the catalogue for the new series of their earrings.

"Ah--- you didn't even ask for the price yet." Xiulan dumbly whispered to Hongqi. He only handed his card and didn't even bother to check the price of the necklace. To think the Prime Minister's wife bought the same necklace.

"Who cares about the price? I can afford it without knowing the price." Hongqi nonchalantly and arrogantly said while browsing the catalogue.

Xiulan pursed her lips and wanted to pinch his cheeks for being not so cute right now. "How arrogant!" Xiulan cursed Hongqi secretly.

Xiulan kept quiet while Hongqi shops jewelries for her. She didn't bother knowing the price of each jewelry anymore. If she managed to break one then it's all Hongqi's fault. She already warned him that she's not fond of jewelries.

After shopping for jewelries, they went to an apparel and bags shops that has a whooping thousand Yuan price on each item.

Xiulan was already overwhelmed by the first shopping she had with Hongqi before and it seems that this shopping spree today will top that day. She never thought that there is a brand that would be more expensive than the brands they visited before.

"So wasteful!" Xiulan can't help but rant in her heart. She really can't bear seeing Hongqi swiping that black card on a 300,000 Yuan bag that she will never ever use. She wanted to cry and vomit blood on each swipe. My goodness, she's gonna get a heart attack because of this.

Xiulan kept praying to each Gods that ever existed to end this tormenting shopping spree. She can't take it anymore. She doesn't want to exhaust Hongqi's black card anymore.

Finally they were finish and they are eating in a five star restaurant right now. Anywhere they go, it must be somewhere expensive.

Xiulan was so exhausted; spiritually and physically. Even eating this expensive salmon dish was so distasteful for her. How can she eat a meal that costs 700 yuan each (Almost $100)?

She looks at Hongqi's calm face and aura. He doesn't seem to be bothered by that unbelievable shopping spree and he even has the energy to eat a very expensive meal.

Xiulan enlightened herself that even though her family is rich; Hongqi's richness is definitely in a different level. He can afford very expensive stuff without battling an eyelash and any problems.

She must not offend him. Definitely she must not offend him. She should ask a Chinese calligraphy master to write a quote "Must not offend!" for her. She will put that quote in her office, her bed room, her living room and in her bathroom. She should consistently remind herself to never be in Hongqi's bad side.

"What bad luck, huh?" Xiulan depressingly told to herself and ate her meal. She never wanted this kind of lifestyle.

"Wifey, you should have an endearment for me." Hongqi suddenly said and gave Xiulan a lustrous look. His eyes were shining and it looks like he suddenly felt teasing her.

"Uhh…" Xiulan was caught off guard by Hongqi's stupid request. Hongqi raises his eyebrows and this immediately alarmed Xiulan. "Must not offend!" Xiulan scolded herself.

"How about hubby? Hmm?" Xiulan immediately and cutely suggested. Xiulan felt like she lost thousands of her braincells when she suggested that name.

"Hmmm…It's fine but it doesn't sound so sweet." Hongqi lowkey complained and sips his wine while he stares at her. He was teasing her again just because he already ate some food and has the energy.

"My hubby? My husband?" Xiulan disdainfully uttered each endearment but she still has that sweet smiling face.

"I think hubby is fine. No need to sweat it." He said and plastered a playful smile.

"Curse you and your next generation!" Xiulan coldly resented him but still has that awkward smile on her face.

Hongqi was enjoying teasing Xiulan and seeing that fake smile on her face. He found a new joy in having her as his wife. He could never do this to his women before. They would try to satisfy him smoothly without any disdainful look. It was so boring for him. But seeing the restrained Xiulan getting provoked makes him happy.

His happy mood suddenly ended when he saw one of his ex-flings wearing a very expensive dress and accessories. She looks regal and very madam. Then he compared the simple floral dress that Xiulan wore today. Though the floral dress is expensive as well, but the feel is very different.

The ex-fling saw Hongqi and immediately went to their side. She was haughtily walking and swaying her hips towards them.

"Hongqi. Nice to meet you here." The ex-fling who is Zhou Yunru, greeted Hongqi and gave Hongqi a quick peck on the cheeks.

Hongqi wasn't able to dodge Yunru's provocative move. So he only glared at her.

Xiulan coughed raggedly because of the sudden appearance of Zhou Yunru and that red kiss mark on Hongqi's face. That move was really provocative and caught most the attention of some customers in the restaurant.

Seeing that kiss mark made Xiulan uncomfortable. It's not jealousy but she was embarrassed that she lets her husband get kissed like that.

"Oh! You must be Mrs. Xing. Nice to meet you." Yunru moved her attention to Xiulan and gave a judging look over Xiulan's attire. Yunru sneered and put her attention back to Hongqi.

"Hongqi dear, I don't know if your taste in clothes became boorish or the wearer was just very bland." Yunru boldly insinuated and sneered at Xiulan again before she left.

That moment suffocated Xiulan. "Do I have to deal these haughty ex-lovers of this impudent man? I can't believe I also have to endure this." Xiulan complained to her heart.

"Don't mind her. She just likes to seek attention." Hongqi said and gave her a faint smile before he wipes the kiss mark on his cheeks.

"Do you want me to help you wipe it?" Xiulan suggested and was about to stand up but Hongqi stops her.

"My wife shouldn't wipe another woman's evidence publicly. I don't want to embarrass you. By wiping this publicly, it will make me look like I don't care about you." Hongqi implied and continued wiping the kiss mark. It left redness on his face but it's better than seeing that kiss mark.

Xiulan doesn't understand if Hongqi's words have a hint of care or he was just saving his own face. Xiulan can't help but be dissatisfied with this.

So this will be the start of the tormenting life of Mrs. Xing that everyone coveted so much.

"Like what Marie Kondo said, it doesn't spark joy at all!" Xiulan secretly complained.