Chapter 79

Xiaoxiu Jing raised her hand to look at the diamond ring on her finger, feeling her breathing become somewhat rapid, and her eyes filled with surprise, even failing to hear Gao Yang’s words. Gao Yang’s lips curled up, and he smiled as he looked at her.

Gradually, the surprise in Xiaoxiu Jing’s eyes faded, and she gently lifted her head, looking at Gao Yang seriously and said, "OPPA, this gift is too valuable, I..."

Gao Yang shook his head slightly, interrupting her, "I said, these are our couple rings. Don’t think about their value; they are a testament to our love."

"But..." Xiaoxiu Jing wanted to say more. Before she could speak, Gao Yang continued, "Alright, this is my heartfelt gift. If you don’t want to accept it, do you not want to continue our relationship?"

As soon as Gao Yang finished speaking, Xiaoxiu Jing hurriedly waved her hands and said, "OPPA! No, how could that be, I, I..." She was momentarily speechless.

Gao Yang smiled faintly and nodded, "Alright, I know the prettiest little crystal likes me. Wear it well." Xiaoxiu Jing’s cheeks turned slightly red, and she blushed as she called, "OPPA!"

"Um, alright, you’ve been dancing all day, you must be hungry. Let’s have dinner quickly," Gao Yang said with a light laugh.

"Um." Xiaoxiu Jing bit her lip and nodded, preparing to have dinner. "Hmm? How did OPPA know I was practicing dance all day?" Xiaoxiu Jing paused, suddenly asking as she picked up her utensils.

"Uh!" Gao Yang was momentarily stunned, then smiled and said, "Your daily schedule is posted on your fan website. I’ve been following it."

"Oh." Xiaoxiu Jing didn’t think much of it and nodded, starting to eat dinner.

"Ah, right, when did you buy the ring? How much did it cost?" Xiaoxiu Jing asked softly, sipping some red wine and caressing the ring on her finger.

"I bought it a while ago, for 3.5 million dollars. I originally planned to give it to you on your debut anniversary," Gao Yang said with a smile.

Xiaoxiu Jing’s hand stopped caressing the ring, and she looked up at Gao Yang with surprise, "Ah?"

Gao Yang’s lips curled up, and he smiled, "Don’t say ‘ah.’ I said it’s a gift to witness our love. Alright, eat well. We still have a date later."

Xiaoxiu Jing stuck out her tongue and said sweetly, "Um," her voice filled with sweetness and coquettishness.

Throughout the dinner, Xiaoxiu Jing’s face was always adorned with a sweet smile, and the confusion that had appeared in her heart recently had completely disappeared. After dinner, the two drove to the Han River Park.

In September, the park was filled with people, especially couples. Gao Yang held Xiaoxiu Jing’s hand, and after walking for a while, they had already seen at least three couples being affectionate!

"It’s so dark now, and the surrounding light isn’t good. Why are you still wearing sunglasses?" Gao Yang said, somewhat speechless.

"Ah, OPPA, I’m sorry, I’m afraid of being photographed," Xiaoxiu Jing said, taking off her sunglasses, looking somewhat uneasy, and glancing at Gao Yang’s reaction.

As an artist, if her relationship was exposed, it would have a significant impact on her! It wasn’t just her own issue; as a member of F(X), it would affect the entire group’s popularity! It would also impact the lives of their manager, assistants, and many others. After all, they were still just boyfriend and girlfriend, and Xiaoxiu Jing didn’t want to end her career now.

Xiaoxiu Jing was afraid Gao Yang would be angry about this. After all, Gao Yang was a man, and having a girlfriend but not being able to publicize it would naturally cause dissatisfaction! In South Korea, machismo was quite prevalent!

Gao Yang shook his head slightly, looked into Xiaoxiu Jing’s eyes seriously, and said, "I’m not the type of person who likes to control others’ destinies. Everyone has the right to decide their own fate! Even if we get married in the future, I won’t interfere with your work. I can understand all of this."

Xiaoxiu Jing bit her lip, her bright eyes flashing, and a sweet feeling welled up in her heart. She suddenly threw herself into Gao Yang’s arms, hugging his waist tightly.

Gao Yang’s lips curled up, and he gently embraced Xiaoxiu Jing’s shoulders. Under the moonlight, the two stood quietly by the Han River, embracing.

After a while, Xiaoxiu Jing left Gao Yang’s embrace, smoothed her hair, and said softly, "OPPA, thank you."

Before Gao Yang could say anything, Xiaoxiu Jing supported his cheeks with both hands, tiptoed, and leaned in. Her warm, soft lips pressed against Gao Yang’s. After a moment, they parted. Xiaoxiu Jing lowered her head slightly, her cheeks turning even redder.

Gao Yang touched his still moist lips, smiled, and said nothing. He reached out and held Xiaoxiu Jing’s hand, and the two walked leisurely along the riverbank. A warm atmosphere enveloped them.

Not far away, the neon lights of the Han River Bridge flickered, and the traffic flowed like a long dragon of headlights. The 63 Building, a landmark in Seoul, stood tall and its lights shone brilliantly in the night sky.

The bustling city contrasted with the park’s leisurely tranquility. The evening breeze from the Han River carried a damp scent, the earthy fragrance of the riverbank, and the fresh green of the grass.

The two were somewhat intoxicated by the scenery. Xiaoxiu Jing felt incredibly happy, her heart filled with the taste of love.

"The 63 Building is so beautiful," Xiaoxiu Jing said softly, looking at the distant building. Gao Yang nodded, suddenly remembering something and smiled, "I bought a 57-story building in Beijing recently, and I haven’t named it yet. What do you think of calling it the Xiaoxiu Jing Tower?"

"Ah?" Xiaoxiu Jing was surprised by Gao Yang’s words, "OPPA, you bought a 57-story building? In Beijing? I heard the real estate prices in Beijing are very high."

Gao Yang shook his head slightly, reached out, and pinched Xiaoxiu Jing’s nose, "I’m asking you, what do you think of calling the building the Xiaoxiu Jing Tower?"

"Ah? No!" Xiaoxiu Jing pouted and shook her head slightly. "Hmm? Why not? Don’t you like it?" Gao Yang asked, somewhat puzzled.

Xiaoxiu Jing didn’t say anything, just shook her head slightly. Gao Yang smiled and didn’t bring up the topic again. After a while, the river breeze grew stronger, and the two started to head back.

After getting in the car, Gao Yang asked softly, "Shall I take you home?" Xiaoxiu Jing was slightly stunned, pouted slightly, and said softly, "Oh."

Gao Yang’s lips curled up, and he smiled, "How about coming to my place for a cup of coffee?"

"Ah!" Xiaoxiu Jing’s body trembled, and her cheeks turned red. She lowered her head, not daring to look at Gao Yang.

Gao Yang chuckled, started the car, and drove towards his residence, saying to himself, "I asked you, and you didn’t refuse, so that means you agree."

He turned on the car’s music, playing a soothing piano melody, and drove into the traffic. Gao Yang’s face was filled with a happy smile, while Xiaoxiu Jing, sitting in the passenger seat, kept her head down, not daring to look at Gao Yang.

Before long, the car arrived at Gao Yang’s residence. After parking, Gao Yang came to the passenger side to open the door for Xiaoxiu Jing. After getting out, Gao Yang cleared his throat and said, "I just want to invite you for a cup of coffee."

Xiaoxiu Jing, who had gradually recovered but still had a slight blush on her face, tightly held Gao Yang’s hand and followed him into the elevator to the penthouse.

After changing into slippers in the foyer and entering the living room, Xiaoxiu Jing was amazed and covered her mouth. It was truly beautiful! The tall, spacious house, with its duplex structure and exquisite decoration, gave a stunningly beautiful impression.

Gao Yang smiled and led Xiaoxiu Jing to the upper level’s temperature-controlled garden. "Oh, my God!" Xiaoxiu Jing was amazed again, covering her mouth. There was actually a pool in the room! It was incredibly luxurious!

Xiaoxiu Jing, who had lived in South Korea for a long time, deeply understood the narrowness of the land and the small size of houses in Korea. Even her sister’s large house couldn’t compare to Gao Yang’s place, which was truly spacious.

Looking at the oddly shaped rock formations in the pool and the fragrant flowers around it, Xiaoxiu Jing, who had been tired all day, felt a warm feeling well up in her heart. She turned to say something to Gao Yang but found that he had already gone downstairs. Xiaoxiu Jing looked at the pool and then went downstairs to find Gao Yang.

In the living room, she saw Gao Yang seriously preparing coffee at the bar. Xiaoxiu Jing’s face turned slightly red, and she stepped forward and said, "OPPA, do you need help?"

Gao Yang looked up and gave her a smile, "Go sit down, it will be ready soon." "Oh."

Xiaoxiu Jing sat on the sofa, picked up the remote control, and turned on the TV, but her eyes kept looking at Gao Yang preparing the coffee.

Before long, a rich coffee aroma filled the air, and Xiaoxiu Jing couldn’t help but feel excited.

Soon, Gao Yang brought the coffee to Xiaoxiu Jing, placed it on the coffee table, and said softly, "Wait, it’s hot." "Oh," Xiaoxiu Jing sniffed and responded softly.

Gao Yang smiled, reached out, and gently smoothed her hair, saying with a light laugh, "I was just thinking..." His words were interrupted by a phone ring.

He frowned slightly, took out his phone, and saw the number. It was from the manager of the African mine. His heart tightened; they wouldn’t call unless it was important!

He answered the call, "What’s wrong?" The manager was a Frenchman named Claude, who had worked there for over 10 years before Gao Yang acquired the company.

"Boss, the government people just came. They said they want to increase our taxes! They also said the government plans to nationalize the oil fields!" Claude’s words made Gao Yang’s face turn dark.

Xiaoxiu Jing didn’t understand French but could sense Gao Yang’s sudden coldness and looked at him in surprise.

Gao Yang felt Xiaoxiu Jing’s gaze, turned to her, and gave her a reassuring smile before walking to the window. "Whose idea is this? The president’s? How much will the tax increase? Nationalize the oil fields? On what grounds?" Gao Yang’s tone was sharp.