"Brother Jiang, this gift is too precious, and I understand the principle that one should not accept rewards without merit—this gift, we probably can’t accept. Besides, look at us both, what kind of people are we? How could I possibly have the chance to wear something like this? Wouldn’t that just draw people’s stares?"
An Zhiyuan closed the lid of the necklace box.
His wife still understood his thoughts—it was just a diamond necklace. He could buy one for her himself.
What on earth did Jiang Shaoqing mean by sending it?
Surely, jewelry like this couldn’t be given away casually. For the first time, An Zhiyuan felt like he was a poor man.
No wonder Big Brother had given him money. That wasn’t surprising; at least with money, one could buy whatever they wanted to give to others. This item, however, was something he couldn’t afford, even though he was now a higher-ranking official.
Yes, they should live a simple and modest life.
Muttering these thoughts to himself made his face turn red with embarrassment. Only those who couldn’t provide materially for their wives needed to make up such poor excuses to cover up.
Had An Zhiyuan really regressed to this extent?
Didn’t he even have the courage to admit that he couldn’t do it?
Jiang Shaoqing wasn’t surprised at all; the girl didn’t even care for the thing he’d brought.
"Bai Xiao, it seems that this gift hasn’t won over the hearts of you newlyweds. Well then, I’ll take this back. I’ll definitely make it up to you two later."
"Then, thank you!" An Zhiyuan gritted his teeth! Was this bastard here just to show him up?
"Why be so polite with me? We’re brothers, after all. I heard that you’ve both been transferred to Yun Province; that place is quite remote and also a tough place to live. It’s often said that harsh environments breed crafty people, and that place not only breeds crafty people but also lots of criminals involved in cross-border crime. Ayuan, honestly, with your father’s connections, it’s baffling that you’d still choose to stay there. I have no idea what you’re thinking.
You’re not just indifferent to your own hardships, but you don’t seem to care about the hardships of your wife either. Doctor Bai, isn’t sending such a talent to that place a waste?"
Bai Xiao, with her arm linked with An Zhiyuan’s, said, "To follow wherever one’s husband goes is a wife’s duty. Since Ayuan married me, wherever he goes, I go too. This is what truly sharing weal and woe means."
An Zhiyuan looked at Bai Xiao with tender eyes. At this moment, his wife understood his feelings better than anyone.
Jiang Shaoqing complained, "Enough, you two. Stop flaunting your affection in front of me. Don’t you think it’s cruel to do so in front of a bachelor like me?" His corners of the mouth almost reached the sky.
Bai Xiao smiled lightly. This version of Jiang Shaoqing, unlike the composed and cold one he would become later, still had a touch of humanity and warmth.
"Director Jiang, since you made the trip here, it shows you’ve let go of any grudges against me. Of course, I also want to have an honest conversation with you. After all, honesty should be mutual. We can’t keep going in circles and beating around the bush.
If we want to be true friends, we certainly need to treat each other sincerely."
Jiang Shaoqing was surprised. This girl was quite cunning, with the ability to read people and situations, and her scheming was deep. It was clear to her the real reason behind his visit, so putting on airs seemed pointless now.
"Bai Xiao, you’re right. It’s just the three of us here, and Ayuan and I grew up together. Frankly, I did come today because I’ve opened up to you. I do want to have a proper talk."