Although They're Mentally ill, They're Extremely Easy to Comfort - Chapter 90

The gem dealer recommended by Su Yunjin, wearing white gloves, carefully placed the raw stone onto a velvet tray and presented it to Ling Xi, explaining, “President Ling, the clarity of this raw emerald has reached collector grade. Naturally, the value is significant. It would be a bit of a waste to grind it into eyeglass lenses.”

Ling Xi put on her gloves, held a small flashlight, and scrutinized the color layer by layer. The corners of her eyes curved in satisfaction, and she nodded repeatedly.

“It is indeed excellent. Where is the place of origin?”

“The origin is Sri Lanka, and it comes with certificates from the seven major international institutions. It’s the real deal. You are an expert appraiser, and we’re all in the same circle, so I wouldn’t dare to deceive you.”

During the conversation, Ling Xi held the damaged handheld spectacles and compared the size of the frame. The raw stone in her hand fit perfectly. She then got straight to the price, “I intend to buy it. Boss, give me a fair price.”

“You and I both can see the color grade. This raw stone has no impurities, doesn’t require oil immersion to enhance its richness, and the color is still a superior vivid… green. $20,000 ct is already a friendly price.”

The boss tapped away on a calculator, and a daunting figure appeared.

Although Ling Xi was wealthy, the sight of a seven-figure sum still made her lose her nerve. “Can’t you go any cheaper?”

“Considering Su Yunjin’s connection, this is the lowest price. How about this: I’ll arrange the cutting and grinding process, and I’ll also handle the cutting of the remaining scraps for you. I’ll make sure it’s used to its fullest potential.”

Knowing it was an unforgettable piece of quality merchandise, Ling Xi didn’t hesitate. She pulled out her wallet, gritted her teeth, and bought it for Qiao Bo’er!

“Then please prepare the contract.”

“President Ling is generous! Your spectacles must be a rare treasure, otherwise who would choose such a fine emerald for lenses?”

“You have a good eye, Boss. This is a collection piece from the era of Princess Faxidu, and it’s highly valuable. Unfortunately, the damage is severe, so it can only be restored at a great cost… By the way, can you please arrange for it to be done quickly? I need it urgently.”

“I’m afraid it can’t be rushed. It will take at least a month. The scraps, once cut, can at least be used for a pair of matching rings. If you need a designer, our company offers a one-stop service. We can provide drawings for your reference. What do you think?”

Hearing the excellent suggestion, Ling Xi’s eyes showed appreciative surprise. “That’s great. Include all of it. Happy to cooperate.”

“Happy to cooperate.”

Ling Xi was quite the little heiress, but she still felt a sense of heavy loss. Leaving the office building, she clutched her chest in pain.

“The portion of the family business managed by Qiao Di has been successfully transferred to your name. You can’t just leave it to the management team forever. You still need to find time to return to Florence and take charge.”

An Rao was sitting at her desk discussing the outstanding issues in Florence. Qiao Bo’er was reviewing documents and nodding. Hearing about returning to Florence, she closed the folder and rubbed the bridge of her nose tiredly, “I’m so busy… I’m making so much money that I can’t spend it all in one lifetime…”

Hearing Qiao Bo’er’s childish complaint, An Rao took a small, enjoyable sip of her coffee. “Actually, once you sort it out, it’s not so bad. Continuing Qiao Di’s operating model shouldn’t be a major issue. But since the ownership has changed, you still need to make an appearance. Who told you your surname is Josepha?”

Qiao Bo’er didn’t get angry at An Rao’s teasing.

Just then, Chu Xi poked her head in and softly asked, “It’s almost lunchtime. Would the two of you like to order in or go out? I’ll book a restaurant.”

An Rao looked at the time and found an excuse. “I won’t stay for lunch. I need to go back to the law firm. There have been too many cases recently, and I’m swamped.”

“Stay for a casual meal. There’s no rush,” Chu Xi kindly tried to persuade An Rao. An Rao was already at the office door with her bag, gently instructing Chu Xi, “When you have a moment, please persuade Miss Bo’er to return to Florence as soon as possible. Important matters cannot be delayed.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll handle it.”

An Rao left, and a certain friend whose heart was bleeding made a grand entrance right after.

Ling Xi walked reluctantly to the door with a crestfallen face. Chu Xi couldn’t help but tease, “Oh, you’re right on time. Always choosing mealtime to show up. Are you here to freeload?”

“Wuwuwu… you’re still being sarcastic. You have no idea what I’ve just been through, wuwuwu…”

Qiao Bo’er looked toward the door and saw her darling friend sporting a long face. She eyed her playfully. “What’s wrong? Who bullied my little rascal?”

Since it was a grand gift she prepared for Qiao Bo’er, Ling Xi could only keep the distress bottled up. She collapsed onto the sofa, pretending to be dead.

Qiao Bo’er got up and walked over to Ling Xi, poking her between the eyebrows. “What’s wrong, little one?”

Ling Xi grabbed her hand and rubbed it all over her face, whining affectionately, “Precious Miss Qiao, I want to ask you a question.”

“Mmm-hmm… Go on,” Qiao Bo’er replied, sitting next to Ling Xi. To make her more comfortable, she supported Ling Xi’s head so she could rest securely on her lap.

Ling Xi closed her eyes contentedly, like a lazy kitten. She quickly organized her thoughts and asked, “Can I come here every day to freeload for meals from now on?”

What kind of request was this? Qiao Bo’er couldn’t help but laugh. “Of course, if you want, I’ll cover all three meals from now on. I even worry that your usual diet isn’t good enough to keep you plump and healthy.”

Nudging Ling Xi’s little face, Qiao Bo’er’s tone was utterly doting.

“Hehe, then you have to take me to eat all sorts of delicious food. You can’t miss a single meal!”

“You…” Qiao Bo’er hesitated, feeling that Ling Xi was strange today. The words she was about to say got stuck.

“Me what?” Seeing Ling Xi’s innocent look seeking an answer, she still asked, “You suddenly want to come here so nicely to freeload a meal. Be honest, are you short on cash?”

“No way! How could I be short on money? My salary plus studio dividends, plus my little savings, I’m rich!”

Ling Xi’s loud denial made the situation even more abnormal in Qiao Bo’er’s eyes.

Qiao Bo’er decided to test her, deliberately saying, “Xi Xi, I saw a necklace recently that I want to wear at the company’s year-end banquet.”

No way! At this critical moment, she had to rub salt in the wound? Was Qiao Bo’er aiming to bankrupt her rascal friend?!

Ling Xi’s heart sank. She let out a dry laugh and readily agreed, “Buy it, you must buy it. Buy it today. If Bo’er wants the stars in the sky, I’ll go pluck them!”

Wuwuwu, pride comes before a fall!

“Let’s go, I’ll take you to eat first…”

Qiao Bo’er chose a local cuisine restaurant near the pedestrian street. Ling Xi held the menu and ordered a lot, rubbing her hands as she waited for the delicious food. She seemed a little hungry.

“Has Vice Professor Ling chased after Miss Qiao Bo’er today?” The question came from Qiao Bo’er.

Ling Xi, who was pouring hot tea, paused and then resumed her long face. “Wuwuwu… Can’t we talk about something more appetizing during a meal?”

Qiao Bo’er leaned close to her ear and whispered, “So, have you caught her?”

Pouting, Ling Xi pitifully turned to look at her beloved future girlfriend. “It’s almost winter, and I still haven’t caught her!”

“Then you need to work harder!”

“I am working very hard! You’re the one who set the difficulty level to maximum! Look… we are on a date right now!”

“That’s different. I see this as flirting; it doesn’t count as a proper relationship.”

This can only be considered flirting?

Ling Xi stared with incredulous wide eyes. “No way… you enjoy all my care, but you won’t give me a title. I’ll get angry and stop chasing you.”

“You dare to stop chasing! Think carefully about how I pursued you back then. Are you getting discouraged already?”

“I’m angry! You say we’re in a flirting relationship, but in my view, I’m aiming for marriage. This has already exceeded the scope of dating. My goal is to walk down the aisle with Qiao Bo’er. No, with Ms. Pearl Josepha!”

Seeing Ling Xi’s expression of having opened up her horizons, Qiao Bo’er put her arm around her shoulder and asked, “Then, may I ask, Ms. Ling Xi, have you prepared the engagement ring?”

“Ahem… I won’t tell you.”

“You’ve learned to keep me guessing now?”

“Oh, I haven’t prepared it.” Ling Xi tried to brush it off, but Qiao Bo’er persisted. “Anyway… if you’re not sincere enough, I absolutely will not agree to you.”

The waiter brought the delicious dishes to the table, and the two stopped their conversation.

Ling Xi sat next to Qiao Bo’er, picked up her chopsticks with her left hand, skillfully removed the fish bones, and then carefully placed the meat into Qiao Bo’er’s bowl.

Qiao Bo’er watched her careful and serious manner. Anyone who didn’t know might think she was taking an exam.

“Since when did you become left-handed?”

Hearing Qiao Bo’er’s question, Ling Xi smiled proudly at her, tightly holding her hand with her right hand. “I specifically learned for you, so I can hold your hand while we eat.”

Touched by Ling Xi’s small detail, yet finding it childish and amusing, Qiao Bo’er silently tightened the clasp of their intertwined fingers. “Then you must always sit on my left from now on…”

Ling Xi dug into her rice, her mouth full. “The left side is good; the left side is closer to your heart.”

Qiao Bo’er tilted her head and rested it on Ling Xi’s shoulder, not eating properly, and whining softly, “Let’s not buy the necklace later. Let’s go to the villa.”

Hearing that Qiao Bo’er wasn’t going to make her spend money, Ling Xi felt a little uncomfortable. “Not buying the necklace? What are we going to do there?”

“I won’t tell you…”

“Aww! You’re talking about me, but you like to keep me guessing too!” Ling Xi protested. Qiao Bo’er served her the soup. “Be a good girl and eat first. You’ll find out later.”

“Oh, right. I ran into Attorney An at the elevator door. She told me to persuade you to return to Florence when you have time, saying that the work there needs your attention. Since she couldn’t persuade you, she’s counting on me.”

Hearing Ling Xi’s words, Qiao Bo’er was a little displeased. She didn’t want a long-distance relationship, not even for a day.

“We can talk about that later. You can’t control me anyway. Unless you go with me, I’ll stay put.”

Seeing Qiao Bo’er throw a tantrum, Ling Xi became the rational one. She took a tissue and gently wiped Qiao Bo’er’s lips, saying seriously, “Student Qiao Bo’er, a relationship is a relationship, but important matters still need to be handled. You need to be obedient.”

“Are you imitating my tone?”

“I’m discussing this nicely with you. My coursework is heavy this semester, so I’m afraid I can’t accompany you. But my heart is with you. Wherever you are, my heart is there too, inseparable, across the ends of the earth.”

“Are you really willing to leave me?”

“Of course, I’m not willing, but work comes first! I don’t want to be the one holding you back!”

“So well-behaved? That’s quite endearing.”

“So… will Vice Professor Ling catch Miss Bo’er today?” Ling Xi immediately tried to win favor, but Qiao Bo’er pretended not to hear and picked at her food. “Mmm, the food at this restaurant is quite good.”

“Qiao Bo’er! You’re ignoring me again!”

“Still haven’t caught me…”

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