The moment she finished speaking, she felt his arms tighten around her waist. This time, the pressure wasn’t about restraint—it was about cherishing her and making a statement.
Ye Mochen’s previously tense, handsome face finally relaxed completely.
The smile on his lips was far more noticeable than before—still a little awkward, but radiating a pure, heart-stirring joy.
He lowered his head, movements stiff and unfamiliar, as if his body were exploring a completely new language called intimacy.
Forehead to forehead, his nose brushing hers lightly, the sensation small but electric, sending warmth racing through his entire body.
The bustling crowd, curious stares, and bright mall lights all faded into a distant blur, leaving only this moment.
His world shrank sharply, reduced to the little face smiling up at him, and that one word echoing in his chest.
Boyfriend.
The word had become his new identity.
And she… she was his…
This realization struck him like a stone thrown into a deep pond, sending ripples of pure elation through his heart.
Ye Mochen’s Adam’s apple moved as he forced out a low, steady sound from his chest:
“Yiyi.”
His voice was hoarse, carrying a solemn weight that shook the soul.
He paused, as if gathering every ounce of strength to speak the word he had just learned to pair with “boyfriend.”
“Girlfriend.”
Not a question, but a declaration—a unilateral recognition of fact.
The three words left his mouth with bone-deep satisfaction, vibrating through his chest and into her heart.
[DouDou: System alert! Iceberg male lead melting irreversibly. Happiness index overloading; CPU at risk of overheating. Sister, stabilize him fast! Otherwise, he might literally go crazy from joy!]
Ran Weiyi felt the resonance in his chest and couldn’t help laughing at his childish yet possessive declaration.
She didn’t pull away. Instead, she raised a hand, lightly poking the corner of his striving smile.
“Mm, your girlfriend,” she confirmed, voice full of indulgence.
Her affirmation seemed like pressing the final “start” button.
Ye Mochen pulled her fully into his embrace, chin resting on the top of her head, inhaling deeply.
The hug radiated possessiveness, yet the strength was perfectly controlled. The sense of cherishing her overrode everything else, as if she were his entire world.
Ran Weiyi was pressed so close to his burning chest that it was almost hard to breathe. His heartbeat pounded in her ears—heavy, clear, drumming, vibrating her eardrums.
He was truly ecstatic—mad with joy.
Suppressing a laugh, she gently patted his stiff back, teasing: “Ah Chen, if you keep hugging me like this, your new girlfriend will heroically perish.”
Her words made him pause. His grip loosened slightly but he did not let go.
Instead, he buried his face in her neck, nuzzling like a contented large canine, warm breath brushing her skin, leaving a delicate tickle.
“Mine.”
His deep, nasal-laden voice rumbled out, words slurred but dripping with childish possessiveness.
Ran Weiyi couldn’t stop laughing at him.
Who would have thought the fearsome Ye Mochen could have such a side—and that side belonged only to her?
Suddenly, a crisp alert sounded in her mind:
[Ding dong!]
DouDou’s excited, nearly screeching voice exploded in her consciousness like fireworks:
[Sister, Ye Mochen’s love value +10! World aversion value -10!]
Ran Weiyi felt his heart pounding wildly in her embrace, a realization dawning.
She had thought removing the “world aversion” mark on him required healing his poisoned body.
But now…
It wasn’t just medicine—love could do it too.
Her heart skipped a beat, a strange mix of exhilaration and joy flooding through her.
This was her first real immersion into the wealth and vibrancy of this world since transmigrating into the novel.
The mall was ablaze with light; the air smelled of leather and perfume, exquisitely unreal.
Ye Mochen held her hand tightly, posture straight, walking as if on a military drill. His aura screamed “stay away,” eyes scanning sharply, not shopping but surveying the area for potential threats.
His goal was clear: make her happy, then whisk her away from this noisy place immediately.
Ran Weiyi’s eyes lingered briefly on a season’s newest white handbag. Before she could examine it, Ye Mochen spoke firmly to the approaching store clerk:
“Wrap it up.”
[DouDou: Ding! Male lead has activated “financial assault” mode. Sister, his shopping logic: if I see it, it’s mine!]
The clerk hesitated, quickly masking confusion with a professional smile: “Sir, this bag comes in other colors, very versatile—”
“The one she’s looking at,” Ye Mochen interrupted, unwavering.
Jiang Peili behind him immediately understood, producing a black card from his pocket. The entire transaction took less than ten seconds—efficient as a military operation.
Ran Weiyi suppressed a smile, following his lead to a display of finely designed high heels.
Ye Mochen’s gaze followed, signaling Jiang Peili.
Jiang Peili instructed the clerk: “All in size 36, wrap them.”
The silent bodyguards finally had their role: they received each beautifully packaged shopping bag, movements precise and coordinated.
The scene was surreal—a group of imposing men, each carrying pink and blue shopping bags, drawing curious stares.
[DouDou: Alert cleared. Male attention rate down to 30%! Everyone distracted by the “men’s shopping squad.” Sister, achievement unlocked: Walking ATM!]
Ran Weiyi ignored DouDou’s teasing. She knew Ye Mochen’s actions were half to make her happy, half a clumsy display of ownership.
He wanted to mark her, piece by piece, with his purchases.
She indulged his awkwardness, just as he indulged her playful testing.