Perhaps it was done casually, or perhaps Lu Yanshuo simply had good taste.
This store was indeed perfect for a young girl.
The entire shop was done in cream white and nude pink, with soft diffused lighting covering every surface—no harsh cold light anywhere, everything exuding a soft, sweet girlish feel.
Against the wall stood gracefully curved display cases, layered with beige suede cushions, where lambskin handbags were neatly arranged. Pearl chains, satin bows, and little metal tags gleamed delicately in the soft light.
The glass display cabinets were spotless, holding matching headbands, wallets, and leather shoes, each item wrapped individually in dust-proof paper.
Shi Yin hurried along behind the two men, her eyes curious but tinged with a trace of unease.
Unlike the bustling noise upstairs, the row of shops down here felt cold and quiet.
The floor-to-ceiling display windows shut out the clamor outside, with light pink gauze curtains half-drawn, adorned with delicate crystal charms that swayed gently in the breeze.
Cao Xuyang was clearly familiar with these luxury boutiques, and so quite naturally flopped down onto the sofa in the rest area.
The sales assistant immediately brought tea to serve them, a faint pleasant smile on her face, without the slightest air of condescension. “What would you like to look at, sir?”
While Cao Xuyang was answering, Shi Yin finally found her chance. She tugged at the tall young man’s sleeve and whispered, “Yanshuo-ge, this place is way too expensive.”
“Let’s just go outside.”
Because her voice was lowered, and because Lu Yanshuo was so tall, the girl had to rise slightly on her tiptoes. Her warm breath brushed past his ear before quickly disappearing.
Seeing the girl’s somewhat timid posture, her fingers even clutching tightly at his sleeve from nervousness—clearly treating him as someone to rely on in this unfamiliar environment—
Lu Yanshuo suddenly felt his sense of strangeness fade, and a faint brotherly sense of responsibility stirred within him.
His tone low and gentle, he gave her shoulder a soothing pat. “It’s fine. Just think of it as your graduation present.”
In truth, the two families were even closer than this. Although Lu Yanshuo had a cold personality, Mother Shi and Mrs. Lu were practically sisters.
Throughout her three years of high school, Shi Yin had never attended a single cram school, largely thanks to Lu Yanshuo’s notes from his own school days.
Mrs. Lu had indeed been very good to Shi Yin as well, but since she was busy with work, and because of Shi Yin’s inferiority complex, the girl rarely knocked on the Lu family’s door herself.
Thinking about it, Lu Yanshuo’s warmth toward her today must have had something to do with Mrs. Lu’s instructions.
Meanwhile, the sales assistant had picked out several bags suitable for a young girl, asking Shi Yin about her preferences with a smile. “These are all our most popular styles. Is there one you like?”
She showed no change in expression at Shi Yin’s plain face, remaining patient and attentive instead.
Shi Yin’s gaze swept over the series of luxurious yet exquisite bags, inwardly marveling that Lu Yanshuo really was a man certified by the Goddess System.
Who would have thought that the boy who once needed to work part-time to pay his tuition had now risen to become a self-made tech mogul.
Though her mind was wandering, she hadn’t forgotten the persona she was supposed to be playing. After looking for a long while without being able to choose, she couldn’t help turning to the two beside her for help.
Cao Xuyang sipped his drink, pointing at a pink patent-leather bag covered in rhinestone-studded bows, and offered his suggestion, “I think this one’s really pretty. It suits you, little sis.”
Shi Yin’s gaze landed on the bag as well, though her brow furrowed almost imperceptibly before quickly smoothing over.
Clearly, the bag was far too flashy and completely missed her aesthetic, but she didn’t refuse it. Instead, she went along with his words, “Then let’s go with this one.”
Cao Xuyang’s previous girlfriend had favored glamorous styles, so his taste had been influenced by that to some degree.
Just as Cao Xuyang was quietly pleased that Shi Yin had accepted his suggestion, Lu Yanshuo, standing nearby, did something rare—he pointed at a cream-colored handbag.
The bag was adorned with a pearl chain, its pleated leather soft as a cloud. It struck just the right note of girlish charm—understated yet quietly luxurious. “What do you think of this one?”
He turned his head toward Shi Yin, his tone gentle.
The girl’s lashes fluttered, seemingly a little surprised, and she answered hesitantly, “This one’s really pretty too.”
“Then we’ll take this one. Please wrap it up for us,” he said, turning to the sales assistant. He leaned half lazily against the glass counter, his posture relaxed, but his tone brooked no argument.
He had outright vetoed Cao Xuyang’s suggestion.
“Hey, hey, hey! That’s way too high-handed of you. Little sis clearly liked the one I picked,” Cao Xuyang straightened up at once, his eyes on Shi Yin. “Don’t be scared of him, little sis. Give us your fairest, most honest answer.”
“Um…” Shi Yin’s gaze darted back and forth between the two. Cao Xuyang’s eyes burned with obvious indignation, while Lu Yanshuo’s lips curved into the faintest arc. “She’s my little sister.”
Seeing Shi Yin nod, clearly agreeing with Lu Yanshuo’s choice, Cao Xuyang howled in protest, “No fair! You’re just throwing your weight around!”
But it was a done deal—Cao Xuyang’s pick had been mercilessly abandoned by the two of them.
Shi Yin, seemingly to console him, added, “Actually, that one was pretty nice too.” Not.
Cao Xuyang slumped onto the sofa, glaring daggers at the man leaning against the counter, as if flames might shoot from his eyes.
By then, the sales assistant had finished wrapping the white handbag. The shopping bag bore an exquisite logo—luxurious without losing its girlish charm.
After Lu Yanshuo paid, he watched Shi Yin clutching the bag in her hands, laughter shimmering in his eyes.
The truth was, Shi Yin’s gaze had been on that bag the whole time, but she had never spoken up. Even when Cao Xuyang picked a style she didn’t like, she hadn’t refused it.
Lu Yanshuo had naturally noticed all of this, which was why he made the decision for her.
The three of them then moved on to other stores—this time not a luxury boutique, but an affordable department store.
Unlike the quiet luxury shop, this place was bustling with people. Since neither Lu Yanshuo nor Cao Xuyang had any interest in these goods, they sat on chairs outside the store to wait.
The handbag was left in Lu Yanshuo’s care while Shi Yin browsed inside the department store.
She stood before a shelf displaying all kinds of hats. There was no helping it—her allowance was limited, so there was no way she could spend money as outrageously as Lu Yanshuo did.
Budget-friendly hats suited her just fine.
Of course, she had also thoughtfully considered Cao Xuyang. You have to bait the hook to catch the fish—as Lu Yanshuo’s good brother, Cao Xuyang was bound to have his moment to shine sooner or later.
As she thought this, her hands stayed busy, trying on several hats for herself.
Just as she was putting back the hats she didn’t like, Xiao Hua’s voice suddenly sounded in her ear: 【Yin Yin! Bad guy!】
A bad guy?
Shi Yin’s heart tightened, but she calmly began observing her surroundings.
Everything in the department store seemed normal. Not far from her, a couple was also picking out hats, and behind them were two girls—nothing that looked like a bad guy at all.
Suddenly—
Shi Yin’s gaze swept past a nearby mirror. In the mirror, a furtive man stood not far behind her, around thirty or forty years old, hunched over, with shifty, evasive eyes.
Shi Yin looked away after just one glance, because the man was heading in her direction.