At the exact same time, Gu Shao, too, had received a message from the expenditure.
[.. yuan had been charged to your additional credit card ending in 0717 at Ilive Mall.]
Knowing that Gu Xi was going to buy clothes for the Art Festival, Gu Shao wasnt surprised when he received the text for the expenditure. He merely glanced over at it before looking away.
The very next second, however, the message that followed from the shopping mall surprised Gu Shao.
[To our dear customer, regarding the B*** men necktie that you have purchased at our mall] followed by after-sale services and instructions.
All of my effort wasnt wasted after all, said Gu Shao to himself after the feeling of surprise had subsided. A smile appeared on his lips, and he reread the message a few more times.
Suit it is then.
On one side, Xu Fei, who was accompanying his boss to the activity, had no idea what kind of a message that his boss had read but he did notice one thing: That his bosss mood improved greatly after reading the message.
***
Gu Xi asked to take off before the final event of the activity.
Aunty Mei was waiting for him by the door when he got home.
You are back, Sir.
Xixi is not home yet? Gu Shao looked over in the direction of Gu Xis room.
Gu Xi would normally wait for him by the door when he had to work late.
It had become a habit over time.
Not yet, said Aunty Mei. She then added, But the chauffeur just called and said that he had already picked Xiao Xi up and they are on their way back.
Mmm. Gu Shao acknowledged her.
Have you had dinner yet, Sir?
Yes, I had.
Aunty Mei nodded when she heard Gu Shaos reply and didnt ask anything else. Nevertheless, she noticed that Mr. Gu did not return to his room nor head into the study after he got home today. He sat down in the living room instead.
Was Mr. Gu worried and was there waiting for Xiao Xi to get home?
Aunty Mei thought to herself. What she didnt know was that, in addition to being worried, Gu Shao was also waiting with a hint of anticipation.
***
Gu Xi came home shortly after.
She was a little bit surprised when she saw Gu Shao sitting in the living room but she broke into a smile in the next second.
Im home, Dad.
Mmm, said Gu Shao. He looked over at the bag in Gu Xis hand and asked, What did you buy?
Just a dress and some accessories for the Art Festival, said Gu Xi.
As she talked, her smile deepened. Heheh, she said as she bounced in front of Gu Shao. And theres one more!
What?
A gift.
For Dad! Gu Xi handed a bag over to Gu Xi as she spoke.
Is that so? Gu Shao raised his brows, doing his best to maintain that I-didnt-know-that-its-a-tie-insidelook.
As Gu Shao sat on the couch with his eyes lowered, Gu Xi wasnt able to see the joy under Gu Shaos eyes. As she watched Gu Shao took the bag from her and open it slowly, Gu Xi suddenly felt nervous. What if Gu Shao did not like her gift for him?
Em, I bought it because I think its pretty. Its alright if you dont like it. You dont have to use it. Gu Xi twisted her fingers reflexively. Pausing a little, she added, This might not be very nice. I will buy you fancier ones when I have more money.
Aunty Mei couldn't help but smiled as she watched the father and daughter interacted with each other. She got it now.
No wonder Gu Shao looked so happy when he came home and the first thing that he did was to ask about the whereabout of Gu Xi. He must have already known that Gu Xi had bought him stuff.
The nervous look on Gu Xi made Aunty Mei felt both comical and a heartache. Of course he would like it. Gu Shao would probably be very delighted with anything coming from Xixi.