Coincidence?
Lin Yuan looked at Gu Qingyi in front of him and didn’t feel it was a coincidence at all. He had just promised Long Haochen that he would draw a clear line with Gu Qingyi and never appear in front of her again.
And now, that promise was broken this quickly?
Thinking of Long Haochen, Lin Yuan immediately glanced behind Gu Qingyi. Seeing that she was alone, he finally let out a small sigh of relief.
“CEO Gu, you’re here alone?” Lin Yuan asked cautiously.
“Who is Director Lin expecting to see?”
“Did Long Haochen not come with you?”
“Why would I bring him along?” Gu Qingyi replied, amused. From Lin Yuan’s expression, she could tell something—he seemed very afraid of Long Haochen.
“Oh, good, as long as he’s not here. Then, CEO Gu, I’ll take my leave. I’m taking my daughter to buy some toys.”
As he spoke, Lin Yuan turned to leave, but Gu Qingyi reached out and grabbed his arm.
She glanced at the child in his arms—Xiao Bao—so adorable.
The story of Lin Yuan having a child was well known among the upper families of North City, and Gu Qingyi was no exception. She knew this child was the result of Lin Yuan forcing himself on a junior during his college days.
It was exactly because of that incident that she despised Lin Yuan to the core—he was a hopeless scumbag in her eyes.
But for the sake of the system reward, she could endure.
“Director Lin, look at this coincidence—we just happened to meet. I’m also here to do some shopping. Why don’t we go together?”
“Huh?” Lin Yuan was surprised.
That didn’t sound like something Gu Qingyi would say. Was she plotting something?
He couldn’t figure it out, but he knew one thing: staying away from this woman was the right move.
“CEO Gu, you’re quite the comedian. I’m shopping for my daughter’s toys—unless you’re shopping for the same?”
Lin Yuan smiled. He was clearly implying their goals didn’t align, so there was no reason to go together.
“Director Lin, I accepted your confession. That makes me your girlfriend now, doesn’t it? Maybe someday we’ll even get married. When that happens, this child will have to call me Mom. So it’s perfectly fine if I buy her some toys as a welcome gift.”
Gu Qingyi smiled and reached out to pinch Xiao Bao’s cheek. Never mind Lin Yuan being a scumbag—this little girl was simply too cute.
Lin Yuan immediately brushed away Gu Qingyi’s hand from Xiao Bao and frowned. “Gu Qingyi, do you even hear yourself? Are those words really coming out of your mouth?”
He was getting annoyed and called her by name.
In his memory—whether in the original novel or from the previous version of himself—Gu Qingyi had always been a proud and aloof heiress. She would never say something this playful.
Gu Qingyi was surprised. She hadn’t expected Lin Yuan to get so angry just because of a few words.
“Shopping alone is boring, isn’t it? It’s better to have some company.”
Lin Yuan ignored her completely and continued walking. But Gu Qingyi didn’t give up. She was determined to finish the system mission and followed closely beside him.
At this moment, Xiao Bao, still holding onto Lin Yuan’s neck, glanced at Gu Qingyi and asked in her childish voice, “Daddy, does this big sister like you?”
Lin Yuan quickly covered Xiao Bao’s mouth and said, “Xiao Bao, you can’t say things like that!”
Gu Qingyi chuckled. “What’s wrong with saying it? We’re technically a couple now. Xiao Bao isn’t wrong. Xiao Bao, come here, let sister hold you!”
She opened her arms toward Xiao Bao.
To Lin Yuan’s shock, Xiao Bao actually wriggled out of his arms and ran straight into Gu Qingyi’s embrace.
“Xiao Bao, how about sister buys you some toys, okay?”
“Okay!” the little girl replied cheerfully.
Gu Qingyi glanced proudly at Lin Yuan. With Xiao Bao in her arms, she didn’t need to worry anymore—no matter how unwilling Lin Yuan was, there was no way he’d ditch her now.
Watching Gu Qingyi walking slightly ahead with Xiao Bao in her arms, Lin Yuan sighed helplessly. With his daughter in her grasp, what could he do?
The two of them now really looked like a couple out shopping with their child. They took Xiao Bao to a toy store and bought a large pile of toys she liked, then headed to the children’s clothing boutique.
“Sir, madam, are you here to pick out some clothes for your little princess?” The store clerk greeted them warmly.
From the way they dressed, it was clear these two were successful professionals—and wealthy. The boutique specialized in premium children’s wear. Just one sale meant a hefty commission.
“Here, Xiao Bao, try this one!” Gu Qingyi held up a pink dress to Xiao Bao’s chest, checking the size and preparing to let her try it on.
“Xiao Bao, try this one!” Lin Yuan came over too, but the outfit he picked was a green dinosaur onesie—adorable, but vastly different in style.
“What kind of outfit is that? Can Xiao Bao even wear it?” Gu Qingyi frowned with obvious disapproval. Little girls should wear beautiful dresses!
“What’s wrong with it? Xiao Bao is still little—this kind of outfit is perfect for her. She won’t get to wear cute things like this once she grows up.”
“I think you just have strange taste and are trying to indulge it!”
“Gu Qingyi, don’t say nonsense. I’m Xiao Bao’s dad. Of course, I get to decide what she wears!”
“Your taste is terrible. When it comes to buying clothes, it should be up to me!”
The two locked eyes, both refusing to back down, like tigers sizing each other up.
“Sales assistant, pick out one of each style in this size—of similar outfits like this one—and wrap them up for me,” Lin Yuan ordered.
“Sales assistant, get every design of this dress in her size, one of each. Wrap them up!” Gu Qingyi followed.
The two didn’t even bother with trying things on anymore. Each insisted on getting all the styles they wanted, letting the clerk wrap them all up.
“Sir, madam, the total is 42,800 yuan. Would you like to pay together?”
“Separate!”
“Separate!”
They spoke in unison.
For customers like this, the clerk had no complaints. Internally, she was thrilled. She quickly rang up their items separately.
“Sir, your total is 18,000 yuan. Madam, yours is 24,800 yuan.”
Lin Yuan and Gu Qingyi each took out their shopping cards and swiped without blinking.
“Thank you, sir and madam, for your patronage. There’s quite a lot of clothing—would you like help carrying it out?”
“Yes, please. Send it to the car—license plate six eights.”
“Of course, sir. We’ll make sure the little princess’s clothes are delivered safely!”
After finishing their purchase, Gu Qingyi and Lin Yuan finally left the boutique.