This street hosted both high-end establishments and common malls; Wang Lu and her group were mostly frequenting the latter. Their pockets were pleasantly plump, having just collected their bonuses, making small purchases entirely feasible.

Wang Lu, linking arms with Shi Yan, hadn't stopped talking since they started shopping, chattering ceaselessly; it was hard to fathom where she kept all that energy.

Some say women are born to shop—that statement rings undeniably true.

After browsing for so long, even Zhang Yang was starting to feel tired, yet Wang Lu and Shi Yan remained enthusiastic.

"A jewelry store, let's go inside and take a look!"

When they reached a large jewelry emporium, Wang Lu suddenly exclaimed, a hint of longing in her voice.

Jewelry and adornments—few women could ever resist them. Even Shi Yan felt the pull to step inside.

Shi Yan hadn't bought much that day; if they had a nice gold necklace in there, she truly might be tempted to acquire one.

Gold prices were only around a hundred-plus yuan back then; a few hundred could secure a smaller chain.

"Let's go in!"

With the thought settled, Shi Yan nodded immediately, and Wang Lu excitedly pulled her along, sprinting inside first.

Zhang Yang and Yin Yong exchanged glances, a touch of resignation on their faces, but they followed suit.

The group had come out together; their movements should remain coordinated.

Long Feng waited outside; the six of them entered the large jewelry store, and the immediate impression was one of sheer opulence and brilliance.

Gao Fei and Zhao Qiang cautiously surveyed their surroundings, trying their best to mask their nervousness. They rarely frequented such places; in their eyes, this was the domain of the elite, not where they belonged.

Their lack of confidence naturally betrayed itself in their demeanor.

Upon entering, Wang Lu and Shi Yan headed straight for the gold counters, eager to see if any beautiful pieces caught their eye. Zhang Yang wandered around casually, with Gao Fei and Zhao Qiang trailing behind him.

Yin Yong found a seat to rest; after all that walking, he was genuinely weary.

Zhang Yang couldn't recall the last time he'd stepped into a jewelry shop. The last time he purchased jade was only because Huang Hai helped facilitate it; he hadn't dealt with it personally.

Since they were here now, a small idea began to form in Zhang Yang's mind.

Indeed, women possess a very low resistance to jewelry, regardless of their attitude toward money; they will always be drawn to those shimmering, radiant objects.

He had already bought several gifts for Mi Xue, but he had never purchased jewelry or ornaments for her.

Now that he was in this establishment, he might as well select something for her; it would surely bring Mi Xue some happiness.

A gift for one's girlfriend certainly couldn't be subpar. Zhang Yang bypassed the gold counters entirely and moved toward the section displaying diamonds and gemstones.

Soon, a ruby necklace caught his eye. Rubies symbolize love, earning the nickname 'the stone of affection.' This particular necklace featured not only a substantial ruby but was also encircled by inlaid diamonds.

"Miss, could you please take this necklace out so I can examine it?"

After scrutinizing it for a while, Zhang Yang was quite satisfied, so he addressed the sales associate.

When he was looking around earlier, not a single sales associate had approached them proactively.

Their current counter was the store's most exclusive luxury section; the cheapest item here started above ten thousand yuan, with pricier pieces reaching hundreds of thousands.

Ordinarily, many customers would stop by just to feast their eyes.

"This necklace is called 'Fervent Affection'; it is priced at one hundred sixty-eight thousand. Are you certain you wish to see it?"

The sales associate approached but didn't immediately retrieve the item, choosing instead to state the price first.

Fortunately, Zhang Yang was wearing his own attire—all recognizable brands—an ensemble worth several thousand yuan. Had he been wearing the clothes Mi Xue had given him, this person might not have spared him a glance.

"Take it out," Zhang Yang stated flatly; the sales associate's tone was rather off-putting.

If he asked to see it, he naturally entertained thoughts of purchasing, and even if he didn't, he was still a customer, requiring a proper reason for refusal. To be so direct felt condescending.

The sales associate stared blankly at Zhang Yang for a moment before opening the case and carefully taking out the necklace.

The chain was platinum, featuring not only the bright red gem—about the size of a small thumbnail—but also eight diamonds of respectable size.

For such an item, over one hundred sixty thousand wasn't excessive; with future appreciation in diamond value, those few stones alone could recoup the cost of the necklace.

After a few glances, Zhang Yang nodded in satisfaction.

"I'll take this necklace; please wrap it up," Zhang Yang said, taking out his wallet to prepare his card.

"Oh, you're buying it?"

Zhang Yang had already produced his bank card, yet the sales associate seemed momentarily stunned, unable to help but ask again.

Even the regular patrons who purchased such exquisite jewelry usually inquired several times about details like the size of the gem or the carat weight of the diamonds. Someone deciding to buy after just a single look was extremely rare.

The associate was momentarily thrown off balance.

"Sir, please wait; we will process your card immediately!"

Another sales associate beside her rushed over and secretly pinched the first one, finally jolting the stunned employee back to reality.

Someone agreeing to such a purchase so readily should elicit joy, as she earned a commission on jewelry sales; being stunned was inappropriate.

While processing the payment, she noticed Zhang Yang's Platinum VIP bank card.

Working in a jewelry store selling high-end luxury goods, they were well familiar with these VIP cards. A card like Zhang Yang’s was top-tier; rumors suggested it required assets below ten million yuan to even qualify.

Such a card instantly solidified her belief in Zhang Yang’s purchasing power.

Zhang Yang swiftly completed the transaction; one hundred sixty-eight thousand transferred to the jewelry store's account, and this exquisite necklace, named 'Fervent Affection,' now belonged to him.

Gao Fei and the others who had been trailing Zhang Yang silently clicked their tongues.

One hundred sixty-eight thousand yuan—spent without batting an eye. This was an astronomical sum they dared not even contemplate.

The sales associate also clicked her tongue in disbelief.

From the moment Zhang Yang first looked at the necklace to the final transaction took barely a few minutes; it felt almost dreamlike in its swiftness.

Now, looking at Zhang Yang, her gaze held no hint of disdain, only a degree of respect.

Truly, one should not judge by appearance. Zhang Yang seemed so ordinary, yet he was clearly a significant patron, capable of purchasing an item worth over one hundred thousand without hesitation.

"Wow, it’s so beautiful!"

Wang Lu and Shi Yan hurried over. They only came over after seeing Zhang Yang making a purchase; as for the items they were interested in, they hadn't even discussed prices yet.

"It's so lovely; it must have been very expensive?" Shi Yan chimed in. Even they felt envious looking at such a gem necklace.

But they all understood that Zhang Yang wouldn't be buying something like this for them.

"One hundred sixty-eight thousand. Do you think that’s expensive?" Gao Fei interjected. Wang Lu paused slightly before sticking out her small tongue.

One hundred sixty-eight thousand—she wouldn't fetch that much even if she sold herself. Zhang Yang was truly wealthy, buying something so precious without even blinking.

"Sir, I have wrapped it for you. Here is our store's Diamond VIP card; you will receive a discount on all future purchases here," the saleswoman said respectfully, handing Zhang Yang the necklace nestled in its exquisite box.

Attached to the box was an elegant card—their VIP membership.

Zhang Yang paid the card little mind, but Shi Yan’s eyes lit up. This was a genuine, high-tier membership card that offered a considerable discount. The gold necklace she had been eyeing earlier was slightly out of her price range; perhaps with this card, she could manage it.

"Hurry, this is the one!"

As Shi Yan contemplated how to ask Zhang Yang to borrow the card, two more people walked in—clearly a couple, young man and woman, the woman clinging to the man's arm, walking straight toward the counter where Zhang Yang stood.

"Where is 'Fervent Affection'? Why is it gone?"

Upon reaching the counter, the woman stared directly at the empty space inside the display case and immediately frowned, asking loudly.

"Miss Han, I apologize. You hadn't reserved 'Fervent Affection'… That piece was just purchased by this gentleman," one of the sales associates quickly explained in a low voice, clearly recognizing the woman.

"It was bought? How could you sell my item to someone else?" The woman suddenly shrieked, her voice laced with astonishment and deep displeasure.

"You did not pre-order..."

"How could I not have pre-ordered? Didn't I say I’d come back in a couple of days to buy it? Doesn't that count as a reservation?" The woman aggressively cut off the sales associate, sounding furious as she raised her voice.

Zhang Yang's brow furrowed. He picked up the box, preparing to leave.

The woman's words sounded rather unreasonable, but this was a matter between her and the jewelry store; it had nothing to do with him. Having made his purchase, Zhang Yang had no intention of lingering.

"Zhang Yang, could you lend me your card?" Shi Yan suddenly spoke up. She had hesitated for a long time but finally managed to ask to borrow the card.

The gold necklace she’d looked at wasn't actually for herself. Her mother's birthday was approaching, and she wanted to use her bonus money to buy a suitable gift. The necklace she'd seen earlier would have been perfect.

"The card? No problem," Zhang Yang said, slightly taken aback, realizing Shi Yan meant his VIP card. He didn't care about the card; it was uncertain if he would ever return to this jewelry store.

"Thank you," Shi Yan said happily after taking the card, immediately moving toward the counter she had been at before.

She intended to use the discount from the card to buy the necklace she wanted and take it home to make her mother happy for once.

Watching her quick retreat, Zhang Yang shook his head slightly and followed, carrying the box toward her.

"You can't leave!"

Just as Zhang Yang moved to depart, the woman who was berating the sales associate cried out and reached out to grab him, but Zhang Yang easily evaded her grasp.

Today's fourth update, eighty-two chapters remaining for the hundred-chapter bonus! (To be continued)