Chapter 82: Proposal.
Unlike the usual banter and scolding he received from his mother, Hao Ren\'s father showed care. Hao Ren smiled faintly and asked, "Can I not call you if I don\'t have a problem, Dad?"
Mister Hao replied in a calm tone, "You would have called your mom if it was nothing troubling. Now, out with it or do you want me to call over the old empress?"
Hao Ren replied hurriedly, "No, no, please dad, not now."
The old man hummed, expressing his agreement. Hao Ren took a deep breath and said, "Umm, you must be aware of the incident when I got into a scuffle with Augustus Donovan yesterday, right?"
Mister Hao replied, "Yes, from what the media said it was because that guy said something about Miss Han."
Hao Ren nodded and asked, "Dad, he said something that might be related to Lingshi\'s past. To be honest, I have never actually cared about her past. It did not effect me, however, ever since that guy said those things, I have been thinking about what kind of past Lingshi had. Is it a bad thing?"
Mister Hao hummed and said, "Ren, if it is only curiosity, then its not a problem. However, if you are feeling jealous or want to know those things with a motive other than to know more about your partner, then I am advising you to forget about it. This won\'t end up good for you. Often when men try to look through the window to judge the scenery, they start to nit pick and it does not end up well."
Hao Ren understood what he meant and agreed with him. He said, "Dad, I am just curious about it. I would never judge her, but if someday the past of her life crosses with our future, I don\'t want to be caught unprepared."
Mister Hao said, "I understand, good that you know such things."
The young and old of the Hao Family began to exchange their thoughts, when suddenly, Hao Ren said, "So, in your opinion, I should confront her openly about it, right?"
Mister Hao replied positively and said, "Open communication can reduce misunderstandings and also make the other person feel your sincerity."
Hao Ren and his father talked for a bit, and did not realize that the call had lasted for thirty minutes. After he disconnected the call, his eyes did not have the momentary hesitant vibe in them. He cleared up the documents and then picked up his car keys before going out of the office. By this time most of the people had already left and only the security staff was there.
...
Hao Ren used the GPS to locate a jewelry shop and drove in that direction. Xiao Mei asked, "Boss, what are you going to a jewelry shop for?"
The young man replied, "Nothing you should worry about, Xiao Mei, but make sure that my cards are all working."
After a pause he said, "From now on, if Lingshi asks you about me, you have to report to me before telling her anything. Understood?"
Xiao Mei replied, "I understand, Boss."
Hao Ren nodded, and said, "Did you think I would forget about you violating my privacy? Traitor."
Xiao Mei rebuked, "I only did it to make sure you are not alone in that desperate moment. You should have seen yourself, I am no human, but my algorithms picked up strong negativity in your voice that day. What if you were to go and kill Edgar on your own?"
Hao Ren did not reply, because he did not have one. Xiao Mei was correct, if his wife was to find that he was about to kill Edgar Hamil, it might not have ended well for him.
The car arrived at the set destination, and Hao Ren got out quickly. He looked at the time and found that it was about to be closing hours. He rushed in a jade jewelry shop quickly and the attendant was surprised.
She smiled and asked, "Greetings, Sir. How may I help you?"
Hao Ren bowed and said, "I apologize for rushing in at this hour, but can you show me white jade rings?"
The attendant smiled and asked, "Are you buying it for your girlfriend?"
Hao Ren nodded, and said, "It is supposed to be my proposal ring. I wonder what I would have to give out at my wedding."
The lady smiled and said, "You can decide that based on the preferences of your girlfriend. Everyone has different expectations. For now, please come along, I will take you to the ring display section."
Hao Ren followed her, and the other attendants looked at him with a smile. The store was calm and silent, so his calm and soft voice was still heard by them. The lady stood behind the counter and said, "My name is Jules Ivory. I will be attending to you tonight. These are the few rings that we have.
Our Novelty Jade shop offers a certificate from the cultural and heritage department that attests to the authenticity of our products."
Hao Ren recalled how he took down Han Yuntian\'s shop and smiled sheepishly. He looked through the glass counter and after running his gaze along the pieces inside, his eyes landed on a delicate ring that seemed to be crafted out of cloud. He pointed at the ring and said, "That one."
The lady followed his gaze and smiled as she said, "This is one of the most celebrated piece we have in the shop. Our owner invited a special craftsmen from the Pearl Island to craft this. This ring is carved from a single piece of white jade. The crown of the ring has a brilliant cut three carat diamond sitting in the center."
Hao Ren nodded repeatedly as she spoke, he could see a delicate white rose that gently enveloped the diamond, and asked softly, "What is it called?"
The lady replied, "Eternal Silk. This is the only piece which has been named."
Hao Ren nodded and said, "The craftsmanship is indeed marvelous, the petals look like as if they are made from silk and are very smooth and shiny to look at. It is a rather rare sort of jade. The fifty eight faces of the diamond also make the entire piece reflect the brilliance. It is a well put together piece. Please pack it for me."
Jules Ivory was shocked, she had yet to react when Hao Ren took out his card and placed it on the table. He said, "Please swipe it."
Jules and the other attendants exchanged gazes before she asked, "Sir, don\'t you want to know, how much it costs?"
Hao Ren shook his head and said, "It should still be something I can afford."
Jules sighed and said, "This will cost you nine hundred ninety nine thousand yuan, are you sure?"
Hao Ren nodded and said, "I will pay one million to round it all up. Please be quick. I have to get to her office."
Jules gulped and then composed herself as she went to the billing counter and swiped the card. The payment was completed without even a password. The cashier confirmed it before generating the relevant documents. The other people wrapped up the ring in a very intricately engraved sandalwood box.
After the formalities, Hao Ren rushed out of the shop and the women let out a breath. Someone said, "These rich young men plunder money on women so carelessly."
Jules shook her head and replied, "This guy was different. He was sincere, I could almost imagine the woman he wanted to give this ring to. That\'s how strong his desire was."
...
Hao Ren drove to the Empress International, but not without buying a bouquet of white flowers that he had bought for her the last time. He drove quickly and came to the Empress International. It was about the time when everyone was leaving the office, and he found Han Lingshi walking out of the elevator and heading to her car.
Hao Ren honked, and everyone turned to look at a white car in the parking lot. The young man picked up his gifts and got down. Many people recognized him and some of them even took out the phones to record him. After all, he was a handsome guy who had come to meet his girlfriend with flowers.
Han Lingshi was popular throughout the city, and Hao Ren was a rising star. This video will go crazy. Watching him come over, Han Lingshi stopped and looked over with curiosity in her gaze. Hao Ren smiled and presented her with the flowers with both hands and said, "For you, madam."
Han Lingshi smiled amusedly and accepted the flowers before she bowed and said, "Thank you, kind sir."
Hao Ren then stood up straight and cleared his throat. He spoke in a low voice, "What I am about to do is something that a man should do only once in his lifetime."
Han Lingshi tilted her head and she saw Hao Ren going down on his knee, and bring out a sandalwood box. The women covered their mouths and the men had their eyes turning green in jealousy.
Hao Ren said, "I may have yet to fulfil my promise, but I am afraid of losing you. This is why I worked up my courage and with the blessing of my parents, I came here to ask you this. Miss Han Lingshi, I am in love with you. Would you allow me to be by your side for now, and ever?"