An Ya, the best friend she hasn’t seen for a long time, is walking out of the beauty salon with Mrs. Fang, talking and laughing. They two seem to be on harmonious terms, which makes Ding Manman wonder: when did An get so well with Fang Hao’s mother.
Before Ding comes to herself from the surprise, Mrs. Fang and An Ya have already come straight to her.
“Manman, I haven’t seen you for a long time. Do you also come to this beauty salon for facial treatments?” An Ya takes the initiate to greets Ding. Mrs. Fang who stands beside doesn’t say anything and finds it no surprise at their greetings, because An once mentioned that she and Ding Manman graduated from the same school.
“An Ya, long time no see. Today I come here for visiting auntie. Hello auntie. How’s it going?” Ding Manman is instantly awakened and greets Mrs. Fang in a considerate tone, ignoring Mrs. Fang’s disgusted expression at the sight of her.
Mrs. Fang didn’t expect to meet Ding Manman here, and she was talking with An Ya with her smiling face, which turns clouded the moment she sees Ding Manman. An Ya who stands aside feels somewhat strange, and she quickly regains consciousness.
“Whether I am fine or not is none of your business. Who knows your real intentions when you care about my health.” Mrs. Fang rolls her eyes and ignores her. Ding Manman used to take no notice of her ironic words for being accustomed to her indifferent attitude. While, humiliated in the presence of her best girlfriend, Ding cannot help feeling ashamed.
“Auntie, you have misunderstood me. Recently, one of my friends who is running a jade store in Xinjiang province has brought me a jade bracelet of good quality. I have no idea of jade at all, but I heard you are fond of jadeite. The good jade should be presented to the one who appreciates it well.”
With these words, Ding Manman takes out the jade bracelet she bought just now. It is an emerald jade bracelet in dark green which lies on the golden silk in the box, low-key without losing luxury. But Mrs. Fang just takes a look at it and looks away.
“What, you bring me the one you don’t like? Do you consider me as a garbage collector? How dare you mention such an inferior thing as precious in front of me! Ding Manman, you are really shameless.” Mrs. Fang’s despising attitude and angry words are contrary to Ding’s expectation.
Ding Manman supposed that Mrs. Fang would receive the gift, though she doesn’t like her. Fang Hao once told her that his mother liked receiving gifts. This is the reason why she bought a gift as a pretext to please Mrs. Fang and warm her heart, but now the result definitely argues against her wish.
“No, Auntie. it isn’t like what you think. The elegant jade is for the one who is elegant and noble like you, I’m too vulgar to know how to cherish it. I just want to send the gift to the right person, that’s all.”
Ding Manman explains anxiously. At Ding’s words, Mrs. Fang turns her face mildly, but she still refuses to accept the gift. She raises her right hand on which a gold jade ring shines on the index finger.
The ring’s central part is embedded with a jade with superior color and around it are shiny diamonds and gold. Ding Manman estimates that the ring costs at least 300, 000 yuan. Noticing Ding’s stunned expression, Mrs. Fang says with pride.
“Is your jade bracelet better than this gold ring embedded with diamonds and jade? This ring given by Miss An costs 360, 000 yuan. You had better put away your bracelet, and I feel so embarrassed of you to present such a shabby gift to me. I don’t know in what aspects my son is attracted by you.”
Mrs. Fang’s words make Ding blush instantly. It’s true that her jade bracelet can’t compete with that ring. No wonder Fang’s mother dislikes her gift. What surprises Ding is that An Ya has established such a close relationship with Mrs. Fang that she has sent her such a valuable gift.
Watching Mrs. Fang smiling to An graciously, Ding Manman feels somewhat at a loss. Although they have been best friends since they were little kids, Ding never remembers that An has no contact with the Fang’s family, not to mention her entering Fang’s home.
However, what happened before her eyes just now is not an illusion, which means that during the months of imprisonment, something that she was ignorant of happened. She puts away her bracelet carefully instead of asking An Ya directly in front of Mrs. Fang with embarrassment. At this time, An says actively, as if she couldn’t stand Mrs. Fang’s wronging her best friend.
“Auntie Fang, the high price of gift isn’t worth mentioning, and the heart of the sender matters. The gift is an expression of Manman’s good wish. Moreover, I find the brand of the bracelet so popular, this it is also a high-quality bracelet instead of being sold at a bargain price.”
An’s words sound like defending Ding, but adding fuel to the fire in fact. In order to please Fang’s mother, Ding Manman lied that the bracelet was sent by a friend from Xinjiang province.
But its packaging box in Ding’s hand clearly shows the brand name. At An’s words, Mrs. Fang also notices the brand. Shopping here so many times, she is familiar with the brands in this mall. She finds that Ding Manman has deceived her, which makes her face sullen instantly.
Ding Manman doesn’t know what happened. Believing An Ya subconsciously, she doesn’t figure out the negative meaning in An’s words. Mrs. Fang’s sullen face is regarded as the result from her dissatisfaction with Ding’s gift. Ding Manman has no way but to give up pleasing Mrs. Fang with her gift.
Since gifts are useless, she decides to confess directly. She slowly bends down and utters nervously.
“Auntie, I am sorry that my gift isn’t satisfactory. I will ask my friends to pay attention to the jade market, and if a better one is found later, I will buy it for you. So…could you help me and the Ding’s company.” No matter how nervous she feels, Ding still finishes these words. However, she straightens up, only to find that Mrs. Fang has been gone, leaving An Ya alone.
“Where is Auntie?” Ding Manman asks with some consternation. Seeing Ding’s slow reaction, An’s eyes display a shade of sarcasm, which immediately fades away.
“When you spoke just now, Auntie Fang left angrily. I am also confused why auntie suddenly flew into a rage. You acted so politely that you even bent down, which was ignored by her. It seems that she’s really angry.” Anya says slowly.