"Hmph, you're still concerned about that?"
Shen Yi felt warmth in his heart seeing Fu Nanzhi's indignant expression on his behalf and hugged her, kissing her forehead.
Given their relationship, whether it was about cars or money was completely irrelevant. Shen Yi didn't want it not because he cared about the cost but because it was unnecessary. What moved him was something from his past life.
It was after Shen Yi's engagement, the second time he took Fu Nanzhi back to his hometown to meet his parents.
By custom, they naturally hosted a banquet to announce their union to family and friends.
Fu Nanzhi's stunning beauty had already elicited gasps of amazement, and once people learned about her family background, they were even more stunned.
Many whispered behind their backs that the Shen family had struck gold, climbing a high branch, and that Shen Yi would be marrying into her family, almost like an official engagement.
Some distant relatives, consumed with envy, couldn't hold back their biting remarks, leaving Fu Nanzhi secretly fuming for Shen Yi.
Shen Yi, however, remained calm. He was nearly forthright about being a kept man, with everything from the wedding to the arrangements handled by his future father-in-law. It wasn't far off from being an official engagement, so he took the comments in stride. As for the gossip from the relatives, that was just human nature; every family had their share of annoying relatives.
"I just can't stand their insidious green-eyed looks," Fu Nanzhi muttered, leaning against Shen Yi.
"You're more than capable, you know."
Shen Yi pressed his forehead against hers, comforting her.
"Others don't know your husband's abilities."
"Besides, having secured such a great deal with you, can't I let others be a bit envious?"
Shen Yi's soothing words always hit the right notes with Fu Nanzhi. Her anger dissipated instantly, and she giggled, burying her face in his shoulder.
He hadn't expected that a small incident from his past life would have left such an impression on Fu Nanzhi, who now, moved by that memory, wanted to avenge him.
At that moment, the car sales consultant brought over the vehicle documents, purchase invoice, and full set of agreements.
All the papers were spread out on the table as the consultant guided Shen Yi to sign each one.
It was only when he saw the car model on the invoice that Shen Yi realized what he was signing for.
"Cayenne?"
"Why buy such an extravagant car? Aren't you afraid of shocking Mom and Dad?"
Shen Yi turned to her, pen in hand.
"What's so extravagant about it? It's just an ordinary car."
"If it weren't for worrying that you'd refuse, I would've chosen something even pricier."
Fu Nanzhi responded nonchalantly.
Growing up without ever wanting for money, and spending it on Shen Yi made it even easier to part with.
"You, really have no concept of the difficulties of the real world," Shen Yi said, shaking his head with a wry smile as he signed his name below.
In reality, people driving cars worth hundreds of thousands were still a rare minority, not as common as one might imagine.
Most office workers relied on public transportation, while a small number, like Li Weinan, might buy a car for tens of thousands as a simple means of transport.
Fu Nanzhi's sense of balance was indeed well-calibrated. She had already paid for the car when bringing Shen Yi here, leaving him no room to back out.
Moreover, the price was just right; anything more expensive might have forced Shen Yi to ask for a cheaper model for daily use.
Their conversation seemed ordinary, but to the ears of those around them, it reeked of ostentation.
The consultant standing beside the sofa had already forced a smile so stiff it was about to crack, barely holding back from cursing out loud.
He had served customers buying all sorts of luxury cars, but this was the first time he had seen a woman buying a car for a man, especially one so stunning, not at all what one might imagine as an "old baby."
'Damn you, you really deserve to die,' the consultant muttered to himself through gritted teeth.
'I'm not breaking down, I'm holding it together. Viewing this as a bystander, there's no way I'd break down...'
He could only lift his chin slightly to prevent his tears from spilling over.
"Excuse me?"
The consultant was brought back to reality by a call, and when he looked down, he found the contracts had already been signed. He quickly composed himself, took the contracts back, and reverted to his professional demeanor:
"Apologies for spacing out."
"Mr. Shen, please follow me this way. We have a small delivery ceremony prepared and a complimentary fine gift for you."
As they approached, a brand-new SUV stood waiting, its champagne-colored body glistening.
"Pop!"
Confetti burst, and amidst the cheers, the handover was complete.
"Do you like it?"
"I do."
"Then go ahead and take it for a spin."
Fu Nanzhi, who had chosen the model and color, urged Shen Yi to take it for a test drive by pushing him from behind.
Sitting in the car, the new car smell and fresh sensations were indeed delightful.
"We'll handle the license plate later; for now, we'll use a temporary one," Shen Yi suggested.
"Alright, let's go then."
Neither of them was fond of tedious formalities. Buying a car was as casual as buying groceries; once done, they were ready to leave.
At the entrance, Fu Nanzhi called for a chauffeur to take her own car back to Songping Garden, unwilling to be apart from Shen Yi.
Fu Nanzhi was now in charge, and Shen Yi was content to let her have her way.
Seeing her buckle up in the passenger seat, Shen Yi asked with interest,
"What if I had asked about the surprise first? Would you have told me it was about buying a car?"
Fu Nanzhi, fastening her seatbelt, replied:
"Of course not~"
Her eyes sparkled as she added with a mischievous grin:
"Hehehe, whether you asked about a big or small surprise, I would've said it was a holiday."
Shen Yi sighed with a smile:
"You really went to a lot of trouble, Nanzhi. To reward you for putting so much thought into this, the whole afternoon is yours to plan~"
"So, where do you want to go?"
Fu Nanzhi excitedly clenched her fists and cheered,
"Yay!"
"Of course, it's time to go shopping~"
Shen Yi willingly obliged, stomping on the gas and immediately setting off.
The entire afternoon, Shen Yi accompanied Fu Nanzhi in their joyous wanderings, following her every lead without hesitation.
In the evening, they pampered themselves with a sumptuous meal before returning home, laden with shopping bags.
The car stopped at the entrance of Peaceful Lake Residence, and Fu Nanzhi clung to Shen Yi, humming and murmuring, not wanting to leave.
Shen Yi, knowing exactly what she was thinking, just reminded her that after a few days of good behavior, it wasn't wise to push their luck by staying out overnight and upsetting his mother.
After comforting Fu Nanzhi for a while, she agreed, knowing the afternoon had been delightful.
"I made up an excuse to Mom about going hiking. Remember to pick me up early tomorrow morning," Fu Nanzhi reiterated, holding onto Shen Yi's arm.
"Got it, go get some rest. I'll give you a call early tomorrow," Shen Yi replied, patting her head.
Watching Fu Nanzhi reluctantly vanish into the entrance, with Shen Yi turning back every three steps, he finally got into his car and drove back to his rented apartment.
As he walked into the dimly lit corridor of the communal stairs, the sensor light triggered, startling Shen Yi.
Turning around, he saw Cheng Jun illuminated by the overhead light, standing in the shadows.
"Why are you here?"
Cheng Jun didn't answer Shen Yi's question but instead queried hauntingly:
"Where have you been?"
She had returned home early, eagerly preparing a table full of dishes, only to wait until they grew cold without Shen Yi's return.
Shen Yi, noticing her expression, was a bit baffled:
"I went out to eat. What's wrong?"
Cheng Jun's dark eyes shone brightly as she spoke softly, each word like silent thunder:
"Was it with Shu Yunyi?"