That Peculiar Collision
To Su Yuning, the bustling commercial center of Capital City A, known as Gold Street, could be summed up in four words: cyberpunk future.
Forgive her limited knowledge—after a brief moment of awe, this was the only term she could muster.
She stood there like a country bumpkin, completely out of place among the fashionable men and women and towering skyscrapers around her.
Su Yuning fidgeted uncomfortably with her clothes. She had bought this outfit for 39.9 on a certain shopping app. Although Madam Quan had given her soft, comfortable fabrics to wear, Su Yuning hadn’t put them on.
The pattern on her clothes featured a little bear grinning foolishly. Su Yuning lowered her head, feeling as dusty and foolish as the bear itself.
If it weren’t for Madam Quan, she might never have had the chance to set foot here.
After wandering around the area, she happened to see a clothing store hiring shop assistants. Su Yuning mustered her courage and went inside. A glamorous and feminine male shop assistant looked her over and smiled politely, saying, “Sorry, miss. Our minimum requirements here are a sense of style, knowledge of current fashion trends, and familiarity with the brand and its history. You might not be quite suitable.”
Su Yuning thanked him honestly and left, her face burning with embarrassment.
She tried two more stores, and without exception, was rejected each time. The way people scrutinized her clothing and appearance stripped away what little dignity this ordinary girl had left.
Su Yuning kept her head down, her eyes growing moist. At that moment, she really wanted to go home.
Wiping her eyes as she walked forward, she accidentally bumped into someone around a corner.
The other person let out a delicate cry as her slender high heels wobbled backward. “Are you blind?!”
Su Yuning hurriedly dried her eyes and went to help. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”
Only then did she notice that the person she had bumped into was a stunning beauty—jet-black hair, an oval face, fox-like eyes, and a pair of full, crimson lips that looked ripe and alluring.
A tight red dress perfectly showcased her curvaceous figure. Her slender, pale legs seemed unable to support her as she leaned into the arms of the person beside her. Seeing Su Yuning reach out, she reflexively slapped her hand away, her tone tinged with disgust. “Ugh, don’t touch me!”
The person holding the beauty’s waist was also a handsome man with peach-blossom eyes. The two of them standing together were truly a sight to behold.
Meng Zhizhuo steadied the beauty’s slender waist, a smirk playing on his lips. “Don’t be angry, sweetheart. Why bother with this little country girl?” His gaze flickered over Su Yuning, and the sarcastic remark on his tongue abruptly stopped. After a brief pause, he pushed the beauty in his arms aside. His peach-blossom eyes turned tenderly toward Su Yuning, and seeing her clutching her slightly reddened hand where it had been slapped away, he pulled her close with concern. “Are you alright? I’m so sorry I didn’t notice her bumping into you.”
Su Yuning, whose hand had suddenly been grabbed: “??”
The beauty who had been pushed aside: “!!”
She stumbled back two steps, steadied herself angrily, and looked up at Su Yuning. “You—” She started to speak but abruptly fell silent as well.
Faced with the increasingly strange gazes of the two, Su Yuning grew restless. She tried to pull her hand back, but the other person held it tightly. “Let go of me.”
She struggled slightly. “You’re hurting my hand.”
Meng Zhizhuo quickly loosened his grip a little. Seeing that her wrist was indeed slightly red, he brought it to his lips and gently blew on it, comforting her. “It won’t hurt anymore, it won’t. I’m sorry, I won’t do it again.”
Su Yuning felt both bewildered and a little creeped out. This was too strange—these people were just too strange!
She withdrew her hand and wanted to leave quickly, but as she stepped back, she bumped into someone again. Turning around, she saw that the young prince Lu Ji had somehow strode over and was now standing right behind her. He placed his hands on Su Yuning’s shoulders, shielding her behind him, his expression serious and displeased. “Sir, please show some respect!”
Meng Zhizhuo could no longer see Su Yuning. He reluctantly withdrew his gaze and settled it on Lu Ji’s face, raising an eyebrow with a smile. “You must be… Lu Xu’s precious younger brother, Lu Ji, right?” He extended his hand. “You’ve probably heard of me. Meng Zhizhuo.”
Lu Ji’s expression shifted slightly. He pursed his lips and stared at Meng Zhizhuo’s hand, clearly reluctant.
Meng Zhizhuo withdrew his hand without any sign of embarrassment, smiling as warmly as a spring breeze. His peach blossom eyes gleamed brightly as he deliberately looked past Lu Ji and asked, “And who might this adorable little sister be…”
“She’s my classmate.” Lu Ji firmly blocked Su Yuning from view. Su Yuning peeked out from behind him and accidentally met the gaze of the beautiful woman standing to the side.
Their eyes locked, and Su Yuning lowered her head in self-consciousness. The beautiful woman opened her mouth, hesitated for a moment, then tossed her hair, took a deep breath, and walked over. Holding the latest model phone in her five exquisitely manicured fingers, she avoided Meng Zhizhuo and whispered, “You bumped into me. Aren’t you going to leave your contact information?”
Su Yuning’s heart trembled. Was this… asking her to pay for medical expenses?
Glancing at the other woman’s clothing and accessories, Su Yuning didn’t understand fashion, but she knew they must be incredibly expensive. She sniffled and exchanged contact information with the beautiful woman, noticing her name: Lin Shuiqing.
Such a lovely name.
Her profile picture was of herself, smiling charmingly, with the background showing the luxurious top-floor penthouse of a high-rise.
It was the kind of life others could only envy.
For some reason, the two men in front also suddenly stopped talking. Meng Zhizhuo chuckled a couple of times. “Since we’ve bumped into each other, it must be fate. Why don’t we exchange contact information too?”
Lu Ji pursed his lips but didn’t object, silently taking out his phone.
The two of them lined up, waiting to add her on WeChat.
Su Yuning was utterly bewildered.
After successfully becoming friends, the other three still didn’t leave. They stood facing each other, unmoving, their gazes subtly lingering on Su Yuning. The atmosphere grew so strange that passersby kept glancing their way.
No one spoke, and the awkwardness became unbearable. Clutching her budget smartphone, Su Yuning finally broke the silence. “I have things to do. I should get going.”
“Where are you going?” Lin Shuiqing blurted out.
Meng Zhizhuo glanced at her, and that look made Lin Shuiqing stiffen. Her mind, which had been somewhat dazed, slowly cleared as she remembered this man was her benefactor. Instinctively, she wanted to loop her arm through Meng Zhizhuo’s, but under Su Yuning’s gaze, she couldn’t bring herself to lift her hand.
Meng Zhizhuo also subtly avoided her approach. Just minutes ago, the two had been pressed together, flirting and teasing, with Meng Zhizhuo spending lavishly on his companion, earning her coquettish smiles and sweet kisses. Now, they stood as distant as strangers separated by a galaxy.
His peach blossom eyes were filled with deep affection, enough to make anyone’s heart flutter and cheeks flush. His voice was clear and magnetic, and several girls nearby had already passed by multiple times just to steal glances at him and Lu Ji.
He curved his lips into a smile. “I’m very familiar with this area. Wherever you want to go, I can show you the way.”
“No need. I’ll take her wherever she wants to go.”
Su Yuning possessed complete will, personality, and personal freedom. So, she quietly slipped away, preparing to make her escape unnoticed.
If clothing stores and makeup shops won’t work, then working as a server at a bubble tea shop or hot pot restaurant is just as good. After all, bubble tea shops probably don’t require their staff to be at the forefront of fashion, right?