The Tender Beauty is Sweetly Doted in the 20th Century Novel!-Chapter 232 - 231: Wanting to Give Him a Little Surprise (Bonus - )

Chapter 232: Chapter 231: Wanting to Give Him a Little Surprise (Bonus Chapter)

Perhaps it was because no elder had ever praised her before that the openly proud expression on Liu Gaoyuan’s face made Ye Manman’s heart feel warm.

Since childhood, she had always been an outstanding student, admired and praised at school.

But her parents were always too busy, and they were both very accomplished. They never thought her good grades were worth boasting about, so she naturally got used to brushing off all strangers’ compliments and didn’t think much of herself as praiseworthy.

It was as if working hard and becoming outstanding were things she naturally ought to do.

She had always believed that.

But until now, she suddenly realized that she too could be delighted by the praise of elders. Perhaps she had always longed for an elder to pat her head proudly when she won an award and say, "You’re amazing."

Liu Gaoyuan did exactly that.

Seeing Ye Manman looking slightly embarrassed, her expression innocently cute and dazed, he was overjoyed and reached out to pat her head.

"Good girl, let’s go, Grandpa will take you to eat something yummy."

He patted Ye Manman’s head briefly before sitting back, starting the car, and taking her to a nearby famous mall.

Although this mall was nowhere near as splendidly decorated as modern large shopping centers, it still had many luxury brand counters.

Ye Manman was a bit puzzled, "Why did we come here? Didn’t you say you wanted to take me to eat something nice?"

This was a place that sold things, not divided into floors selling clothes, shoes, or food like modern malls. To eat, you still needed to go to a specialized restaurant.

Liu Gaoyuan stroked his beard, in high spirits, "Silly girl, since you came back, I haven’t bought you anything. You’re so honest; you don’t know to ask for anything."

He felt a sort of frustrated affection but couldn’t suppress the continuous smile at the corners of his mouth.

"You’re such an exemplary girl, getting first place in the city today. If I don’t gift you something, I would be too remiss. I’d be too ashamed to face your grandmother in the afterlife and would surely get scolded by her."

"Come on, pick whatever you like. Don’t worry, Grandpa isn’t short on money."

He had an air of boastful wealth about him, a serious yet artistic old man, acting like a playful elder, urging her to look here and there with great zest.

Ye Manman had never been taken shopping by an elder before, especially not for her as a reward, finding it utterly novel.

She glanced around briefly; actually, she wasn’t very interested in things from this era, having seen much of the world, but Liu Gaoyuan’s enthusiasm was contagious, lifting her spirits too.

Finally, Liu Gaoyuan spotted a ladies’ watch.

He quickly asked the sales assistant to take out that watch, "Come, come, dear, try this on."

Liu Gaoyuan stopped at an imported brand counter, and with his air of an old artist, he didn’t seem like he was short on money at all. The sales assistant treated him with great respect, carefully taking out that delicate ladies’ watch onto the counter.

She glanced at the girl brought over by Liu Gaoyuan. Despite being well-experienced, she was stunned by Ye Manman’s looks.

She couldn’t help but think that this white-bearded old man, with his artist’s aura, indeed had an excellent eye.

"Miss, this ladies’ watch is our latest imported model, very popular abroad. With your slender wrist, it would look great on you."

The sales assistant’s words were sweet, not just to sell the watch but also because Ye Manman was so beautiful and graceful. Although the sales assistant herself was quite elegant, seeing Ye Manman, she couldn’t help wanting to get closer.

The more a woman appreciates beauty, the more she can discover beauty in others.

Ye Manman felt nothing peculiar, thinking that this ladies’ watch indeed had a classic design, so she placed her hand on the counter, "Could you please help me try it on?" 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

It wasn’t that she was acting superior; having the sales assistant help try it on could avoid many unnecessary troubles.

The sales assistant was more than willing, quickly taking out the watch and gently helping her try it on.

Upon touch, she was once again astonished by Ye Manman’s perfect skin.

She barely had any body hair, her wrist slender and fair, with faint pinkness at the joints of her fingers, simply beautiful!

The sales assistant instinctively slowed down the pace of trying on the watch, carefully examining Ye Manman’s entire arm, wrist to fingertips, before fastening the watch.

She couldn’t help but admire the perfection of Ye Manman’s hands, appreciating them visibly on her face.

"Hmm, very nice. It’s decided, just leave it on, don’t take it off, let’s go to the checkout."

Liu Gaoyuan had wanted to buy this watch the moment he laid eyes on it, but he was concerned Ye Manman might object to its price, so he suggested she try it on.

After all, no girl can resist beauty. Our Manman looks so good, and the watch suits her so exquisitely; surely, she’d find it beautiful and want it, which fits his intentions perfectly.

However, he completely misunderstood.

Ye Manman was never someone who would refrain from buying because something was expensive.

Moreover, her family was wealthy, so why act stingy over something trivial?

She only refrained from buying things she didn’t like.

This watch’s classic design had won her over.

After the purchase, Liu Gaoyuan worried Ye Manman might inquire about the price and consider returning it.

Fortunately, Ye Manman had no such intention.

Great, truly one of our own, never spoiled by the countryside.

Overjoyed, Liu Gaoyuan went on to buy Ye Manman a couple of outfits, shoes, bags, and accessories, shopping until both their hands were full, before returning home.

Thankfully, they had a car, and their shopping was quick and decisive—if they liked it, they bought it, feeling utterly elated. They happened to return to the Liu residence just as dinner was ready.

Ye Manman had dinner with the Liu family, showed her award to Liu Rulan, chatted with her for quite some time before letting Liu Gaoyuan drive her home again.

Today’s harvest was abundant, making Ye Manman exceptionally happy.

Not only because it had been a long time since she shopped like this, but her efforts were recognized and encouraged by her elders, and Liu Rulan’s condition was also stable, with everything moving in a positive direction.

That night, Ye Manman deliberately stayed awake, waiting for He Chen to come home.

He Chen probably thought she was asleep and entered the house quietly and cautiously.

However, the door made a slight noise.

Ye Manman had been paying attention to the sounds at the door, so she knew immediately when he returned. She quickly got out of bed, picked up the leather shoes she bought for him at the mall today, intending to surprise him.

She tiptoed to the room door, just opened a slit, and saw He Chen’s tired face. He casually tugged his collar, removed his shoes and socks, and walked barefoot on the floor.

He looked utterly exhausted, sitting in the chair with slumped shoulders, elbows resting on his knees, face buried in his hands, seemingly able to fall asleep just like that, motionless.

She had never seen him like this before.

As though all his vigor had been drained.

Could he have been coming home late at night like this all the time recently?

Returning home full of fatigue, sitting idly in a chair, perhaps dozing off for a while, perhaps...

Even though he was so tired every day, he pretended to be full of energy in front of her.

No wonder she had consistently noticed the hints of fatigue he couldn’t entirely mask, even occasionally forgetting to shave.

Ye Manman’s heart ached a little, and she opened the door.