After checking out at the counter, Jiang Zhouzhou prepared to take the subway home, carrying large and small shopping bags.
Her body was too frail, and because she had bought a bag of cat food, the shopping bags became extremely heavy. She hadn't walked more than a few steps before a thin layer of sweat appeared on her face.
"Do you need help?"
A tall figure blocked her path.
Even as he spoke, his hand naturally reached out toward Jiang Zhouzhou.
Jiang Zhouzhou hadn't expected to see Gu Nanfeng again and felt somewhat awkward for a moment. She softly declined, "Thank you, but the bags are quite heavy. I wouldn't want to trouble you."
Gu Nanfeng smiled. "Are you sure you can carry them yourself?"
His upturned fox-like eyes curved into arcs when he smiled, directly addressing Jiang Zhouzhou's concern. "We've already added each other as friends, so we're… friends now! You're probably planning to take the subway back, right? I happen to be taking the subway home too. I'll walk you to the subway entrance. With so many people around, you don't need to worry about me doing anything."
Jiang Zhouzhou hesitated for a moment before handing him the heaviest shopping bag. "Then I'll trouble you."
Gu Nanfeng naturally took the shopping bag, immediately feeling its weight in his hand.
No wonder such a frail girl had been carrying such heavy things all this time.
The two walked to the subway waiting area in silence. The train Jiang Zhouzhou needed was due to arrive in one minute.
"Please give me the bags now. My train will be here soon."
However, Gu Nanfeng said, "What a coincidence, we're taking the same train."
Jiang Zhouzhou glanced at him suspiciously…
Were there really this many coincidences?
Soon, the waiting train arrived. After all the passengers getting off had exited, those waiting outside began crowding into the carriage in a rush.
Since the subway entrance led directly to the underground shopping mall, there were many people waiting at this station.
Jiang Zhouzhou had barely stepped on when she was almost pushed back out, saved only because Gu Nanfeng pulled her in.
But before she could thank him, someone behind her gave a strong push, causing her to crash into Gu Nanfeng.
Instantly, the soreness in her nose made her eyes water.
She tried to move away to create some distance from Gu Nanfeng, but the carriage was completely packed with people.
Then, as the subway suddenly started moving, the inertia caused Jiang Zhouzhou to bump into Gu Nanfeng again.
"Ouch—"
She gasped in pain, tears welling up in her eyes.
Gu Nanfeng looked down and saw her pitiful expression, tears threatening to fall. He said quietly, "It's crowded. If you can't stand steadily, you can hold onto me."
This was his first time taking such a packed subway, and the crowded atmosphere felt fresh to him.
Jiang Zhouzhou didn't put on airs. She placed her hand on Gu Nanfeng's forearm and, as the subway stopped and started, she gripped his sturdy arm tightly.
After three or four stops, the space around them finally became less crowded.
"Which stop are you getting off at?"
Gu Nanfeng suddenly asked from beside her.
Jiang Zhouzhou replied, "At Wuhua Road Station."
The residential complex entrance was right across from the subway station, making it very convenient for her.
After speaking, she glanced at Gu Nanfeng again. "You're not going to coincidentally… get off at the same stop as me, are you?"
Meeting her suspicious gaze, Gu Nanfeng raised an eyebrow. "Of course not. I still have several stops to go."
Hearing his answer, the wariness in Jiang Zhouzhou's eyes noticeably faded.
Observing the change in her expression, Gu Nanfeng's lips curved into a slight smile.
A bit guarded, but not much.
So easily deceived!
When the subway reached Wuhua Road Station as Jiang Zhouzhou had mentioned, Gu Nanfeng returned her belongings and said, "I won't see you further. Goodbye."
Jiang Zhouzhou took them, somewhat embarrassed, and replied, "Thank you. I'll treat you to a meal another day."
After saying this, without waiting for Gu Nanfeng's response, she hurriedly turned and left.
After all, she was quite worried he might actually take her up on the offer.
Dealing with someone who looked so shrewd could easily leave one overwhelmed.
Jiang Zhouzhou considered herself not particularly clever, and to avoid being utterly fooled, she decided to keep her distance from such people.
What Jiang Zhouzhou didn't know was that after she got off, the man behind her also disembarked.
She was even more unaware that Gu Nanfeng crossed to the opposite platform, took the subway back the same way, and returned to the mall.
His car was parked in the parking lot there, after all!
Lin Chen kept glancing at his phone, his expression shifting restlessly in indecision.
He wanted to send Jiang Zhouzhou a message but had no idea what to say.
Suddenly, his WeChat notification chimed.
Lin Chen quickly opened the chat interface, but upon seeing that the sender was Gu Nanfeng, his face fell in disappointment. However, when he saw the content Gu Nanfeng had shared, the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.
Lin Chen: [Nanfeng Ge, why are you sending me this?]
In the chat, Gu Nanfeng had shared a link to a Livestream Room featuring a glamorous female streamer.
Nanfeng: [Isn't this exactly your type?]
Lin Chen: [???]
Lin Chen: [!!!]
Lin Chen: [Don't wrongfully accuse me! When have I ever liked that type? I only like the pure and innocent ones—someone like Zhou Zhou is my ideal type. Don't spout nonsense and ruin my reputation.]
Even through the screen, Gu Nanfeng could sense how flustered Lin Chen was.
Nanfeng: [So, it's okay for you to spread rumors everywhere that I met up with some female streamer and fled overnight with a train on my back?]
Lin Chen: [My bad.]
Gu Nanfeng stared at his phone, slightly lost in thought.
His mind flashed back to the face he'd seen that morning—clean, innocent, seemingly delicate yet prickly all over.
Nanfeng: [Are you really serious about that Zhou Zhou?]
This time, Lin Chen didn't reply instantly.
After two or three minutes, his response finally came through.
Lin Chen: [I wouldn't say "serious," but I do have some good feelings. Maybe it's just novelty—out of all the female streamers right now, she's the most pleasing to watch, so I couldn't help but send her a little money. Probably in a while, once the novelty wears off, I'll stop watching her streams.]
On such livestreaming platforms, many share Lin Chen's mindset.
Interested in one streamer today, another tomorrow—whoever they fancy at the moment gets the money.
As the saying goes, streamers are constant, but the "big brothers" come and go like flowing water.
Lin Chen believed he was one of the clear-headed ones, absolutely incapable of getting trapped.
Nanfeng: [Hmm, your thinking is right.]
Nanfeng: [You're twenty-three now. Don't keep focusing on eating, drinking, and having fun like before. You'll have to take over the family company sooner or later—it's time to learn about business operations and management, not waste your time on a female streamer.]
Reading Gu Nanfeng's message, Lin Chen suddenly felt that Gu Nanfeng was acting strangely today.
This man, who always kept a stern face, was lecturing him at length for the first time.
But amidst the bewilderment, he felt a slight touch of emotion.
Lin Chen: "Thank you, Nanfeng Ge. I know you're thinking of me, and I won't let everyone down."
Just then, Lin Chen suddenly received a notification that Jiang Zhouzhou had started streaming, instantly forgetting Gu Nanfeng's words.
[Little Rice Porridge entered the Livestream Room]
[Little Rice Porridge: Zhou Zhou, you finally started streaming! I've been waiting all day]
[Scrambled Eggs with Tomatoes entered the Livestream Room]
[Vote for Bear entered the Livestream Room]
[Little Rice Porridge gifted a Fan Badge*1]
[Little Rice Porridge: Zhou Zhou's outfit today is a hundred million times beautiful]
[Little Rice Porridge is truly a devoted fan, the first to enter the livestream room]
[Chenguang is a Dog: So this is why you turned down my drinking invitation?]
Ever since Lin Chen became obsessed with this Zhou Zhou, he had repeatedly turned down several gatherings with his buddies.
And now, the only way to catch him was to come to this livestream room.