"If Mr. Sun doesn’t have anything else, I’ll take my partner and leave," Xu Ying spoke out.
Mr. Sun’s face was an iron blue, and with a disdainful look at Xiao Xu, he said, "You’re a good girl, but you mustn’t be deceived by appearances.
Go on home, and if anyone dares to bully you, tell me, and I’ll take care of them for you."
As he said that, Mr. Sun glared fiercely at Huo Chen.
Secretary Zhang couldn’t stand it any longer: "Mr. Sun, Minister Xu isn’t your daughter; why worry so much?"
Mr. Sun gave him a cold look: "As Xiao Xu is my subordinate, I’m concerned about her marital affairs, what’s wrong with that?
This girl is so naive and kind-hearted, she has made so many selfless contributions to our factory; don’t you have the heart to see her harmed by a man?"
Secretary Zhang’s mouth twitched. If Minister Xu is considered naive, then perhaps there are no naive people in the entire world.
But he dared not say that out loud, only nodding and saying, "You’re right, Mr. Sun, Minister Xu is such a good person, she must not be hurt by men.
However, the man just now looked handsome and upright, not like someone insincere."
Mr. Sun snorted coldly through his nose; he could see right through it.
He just couldn’t accept it in his heart—how could this young man have charmed the girl away so quickly.
Xu Ying and Huo Chen left the factory and headed straight for the Department Store.
The Department Store had a wide variety of items, and Huo Chen, following Granny Huo’s instructions, bought everything they needed.
Afterwards, they headed toward the women’s fashion section. Although Huo Chen had given all his earnings to Xu Ying, he still had some private money.
"We should buy some new clothes for you to wear tomorrow!"
As the two approached the women’s fashion section, the chatting sales clerks immediately became enthusiastic upon seeing Xu Ying: "Designer Xu, are you shopping for clothes with your partner?"
The clerk, nudging her colleague and speaking in low giggles, murmured, "Designer Xu’s partner is so handsome, just like a big star."
"Designer Xu is also beautiful, prettier than any big star; the two of them together are such a perfect match."
Although the clerks spoke in whispers, Huo Chen, with his good hearing, caught every word clearly, and his dark eyes sparkled with joy.
"Mm, my partner and I are just looking around; you all go on with your work," Xu Ying said with a smile.
Designer Xu, on a typical workday, was meticulous in her work; despite her young appearance, she seemed very mature.
That smile now, so like bright spring flowers, irresistibly drew people in.
One of the clerks got excited: "Not only is Designer Xu talented, but she also has such a beautiful smile!"
"Designer Xu, what clothes would you like to see?" the clerk asked curiously, knowing that every piece they offered was designed by Designer Xu herself, and all were very beautiful.
Xu Ying waved toward Huo Chen and pointed to a red shawl cotton-padded jacket and a skirt hanging nearby: "What do you think of this? Wearing it tomorrow will definitely be festive."
Huo Chen nodded; if she liked it, that was good enough.
"Then let’s take that outfit, just get her a size *," he said.
Upon hearing this, the female sales clerks teased him with a full face of jest, noting how thoughtful he was to even know her clothing size.
Xu Ying, too, was shocked and discreetly pulled Huo Chen aside: "How do you know my size?"
Huo Chen quirked an eyebrow, the light in his eyes shifting, "I knew from the time I held you."
At those words, Xu Ying’s face became serious, a touch of annoyed embarrassment quickly flitting through her eyes, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush as she said angrily, "Huo Chen~"
Huo Chen’s gaze flickered, embarrassedly touching his nose: "I was just telling the truth."
Xu Ying took the clothes handed over by the clerk, but Huo Chen rushed to pay.
Holding the clothes, Xu Ying blushed fiercely and glared at Huo Chen before hurriedly descending the stairs.
"Ouch~" Xu Ying was running so fast she collided head-on with someone walking toward her.
Zhang Zhiguo held his shoulder, grimacing in pain, about to lose his temper when he saw who it was, his lips immediately curving upward.
"Xu Ying, what a coincidence, you really do have a destiny with me.
Every time we meet, you give me such a big surprise, diving right into my arms."
Huo Chen, who had been chasing after her, just happened to hear this. He stretched out his long fingers, pulled Xu Ying into his arms, and looked at Zhang Zhiguo with nothing but hostility in his eyes.
Xu Ying touched her head, which hurt so much that her complexion changed: "What fate? It’s just enemies on a narrow road, specifically tormenting me."
Zhang Zhiguo’s face turned awkward in an instant when he heard her words.
"Xu Ying, after all, we have dined together. To say that really hurts my feelings."
"Comrade, please mind your language. If you disrespect my partner again, don’t blame me for being rude."
Zhang Zhiguo glanced at Huo Chen with disdain: "What did I say? Besides, have you two gotten married?
Even if I took a fancy to her, what could you do about it?"
Huo Chen was completely furious. Although he usually had a cold demeanor and was unapproachable, the look on his face now was frightening.
His eyes emitted a terrifying light as he raised his fist and smashed it towards Zhang Zhiguo.
Zhang Zhiguo felt the murderous intent coming from across him but was a little too slow to react and took a punch to the face from Huo Chen.
Instantly his face swelled up like a pig’s head.
Xu Ying couldn’t help but laugh at Zhang Zhiguo’s absurd appearance.
Zhang Zhiguo became enraged with embarrassment and squared up his fists to fight back at Huo Chen.
Being a young man who had just entered the military from a wealthy family and with no real combat skills, he was beaten up by Huo Chen in no time. In contrast, other than his clothes being slightly disheveled, Huo Chen seemed unaffected.
"Are you okay?" Xu Ying asked Huo Chen with concern.
Huo Chen’s lips curled up slightly as he gently wiped the corner of his mouth, looking at Zhang Zhiguo with a challenging glare in his eyes.
A man knows a man best, and this one obviously had inappropriate designs on Yingying.
The thought of Zhang Zhiguo daring to do so in his presence made Huo Chen itch to give him another kick.
Xu Ying quickly pulled Huo Chen away and hurriedly left the Department Store.
"That was too reckless, what if he reports you to the police?"
"It’s fine, besides the injury on my face, there’s no evidence, and he attacked too, so my face is the proof." Huo Chen pointed to the corner of his mouth.
He had let that guy hit him on purpose just now; otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to touch him at all.
Even so, Xu Ying still felt sorry for him.
She gently touched the corner of his mouth and asked, "Does it hurt?"
Huo Chen shook his head, his fingers found a neatly shaped box in his pocket, and he took it out.
Xu Ying looked at the exquisite gift box, a hint of shock in her eyes. Could it be a ring?
Filled with anticipation, she opened the box, only to find it was a ladies’ watch.
Looking at the watch, Xu Ying glanced at Huo Chen with a touch of complaint.
"What’s wrong, don’t you like it?" Huo Chen asked. He had taken a long time to choose this watch.
It was dainty and had a beautiful color—it would definitely look good on her fair wrist.
Xu Ying shook her head, her lips curving into a smile: "I like it very much, thank you."
Hearing this, Huo Chen’s face lit up with excitement: "Then let me help you put it on."
Xu Ying stretched out her delicate and fair hand.
Huo Chen carefully held her small hand, not daring to use any force, for fear of hurting her.