634. Shopping Shenanigans
Wandering the bustling streets of this international city, Ning Chu took her first good look at everything around her.
In the thick crowd, amidst the unfamiliar environment, she rarely felt safe.
In the past, she would keep her head down, hands shoved in her pockets, hurrying to finish whatever errand she had. But now, she clung tightly to Wen Yang’s arm, feeling secure with the muscle definition beneath her fingers, her shy gaze darting around at the passing people and sights.
Wen Yang, knowing her personality—like a cat easily startled in new surroundings—knew it wouldn’t take long for this little succubus to perk up again.
“How about a cup of milk tea?”
If he added a little snack to that, her stress response would probably vanish even faster.
“Isn’t that super expensive? It’s at least twenty or thirty bucks around here, while the school’s milk tea is just ten!”
“If you want it, just buy it. We’re out here for fun; why worry about details?”
Wen Yang noticed Ning Chu’s attention was captured by a group of blonde-haired, blue-eyed foreigners nearby. “What’s up?”
“I’ve never seen so many foreigners in my life!” Ning Chu said, eyes wide as if she were spotting rare animals. “I think I’ve only come across a handful my whole life.”
“Isn’t Qian Qian mixed?”
“Is she? No wonder she has red hair…”
After a few minutes in line, they got their milk tea. With a few sips, the sweetness began to dissolve Ning Chu’s tension.
Yet, she still held on to Wen Yang’s arm—not out of necessity for security, but to make it clear to the other passerby girls that this man belonged to her.
“When does the game start?”
“At five. Let’s grab something to eat first.”
“Oh~ What should we eat…?”
Ning Chu fixated on the shops lining the street, searching for a restaurant that caught her interest.
She wasn’t a fan of shopping, but each time she wandered the streets with Wen Yang, her heart secretly dripped a little sweetness, her mood lightening as they strolled. Yet, her heartbeat quickened with every interaction, and a blush crept onto her cheeks.
Just a few days ago, she had been rushing through subway lines and stressed out from visits to various companies, but all that fatigue slowly melted away as they wandered aimlessly. Her footsteps became lighter, her head bobbing as she looked all around.
“Look, there’s an ice-boiled hot pot place!” she exclaimed, finally spotting her target. “I heard the ice-boiled lamb is supposed to be amazing!”
“Sounds like a gimmick. How could it be different? Expansion and contraction with the heat?”
“That’s what everyone online says!”
It wasn’t even meal time yet, but there was already a line outside the hot pot restaurant. After getting a number, Ning Chu tugged Wen Yang over to sit on a bench outside, accepting the tea water from the waiter.
Listening to the music playing inside, she swayed gently in time, a smile creeping onto her lips.
“Wen Yang, that lady’s legs are so long!” she leaned against Wen Yang’s shoulder, whispering, “The quality of beauties around here is really high!”
“Why are you, a girl, staring at her legs?”
“Just pure appreciation, okay?”
“Why not look in the mirror at your own?”
“That’s different!”
Wen Yang glanced down at Ning Chu, giving a regretful pout.
She was wearing a long dress today, hiding her long legs, only her delicate ankles visible. Usually, he preferred to lag just behind her to sneak glances at his girlfriend’s legs, but not today.
“Wow~ That girl’s waist is just as good as Xinya’s!”
Wen Yang’s eyes shot up, quick to lock onto the girl in the crop top. The waist was nice, but it lacked the defined abs of Yan Xinya, and compared to Ning Chu, she lacked the softness of femininity.
“Pervert! Still looking?”
He innocently turned his gaze away, “Not as thin as yours—just average.”
“Of course it is!”
Ning Chu proudly lifted her chin like a peacock.
“Seriously full of yourself…”
“Since when did you become so concerned?”
Another group of customers left, and Wen Yang heard the waiter calling their number, quickly pulling Ning Chu to her feet. “Time to eat!”
“It’s not even meal time, and we still have to queue?” Ning Chu complained, following Wen Yang inside as guided by the waiter to a corner table for four.
She peeked at the menu, fidgeting anxiously, then shyly glanced up at the waiter who was waiting to take their order, leaning close to Wen Yang to whisper, “What if we just skip it? This is so expensive; let’s go somewhere else?”
But since they had queued and were already seated, she really didn’t have the nerve to get up and leave.
Wen Yang ordered a two-person hot pot set, then looked over at the little succubus, whose eyes were filled with concerns—he sighed, “We’re out to have fun today; just spend a little less next week.”
“There are so many people lining up to eat; this place must be pretty good. Don’t you want to try?”
“Alright…”
Ning Chu was easily convinced. She pushed aside her guilty thoughts and eagerly looked at the tables nearby.
After scanning the area, her gaze landed on a family of three at the next table, lost in thought.
“I’ve noticed ever since you went back, you’ve had a sudden interest in kids?”
The voice snapped her back to reality. She pulled her gaze away and mumbled, “I don’t know… Suddenly, I think kids aren’t that annoying anymore.”
“Even kind of cute?” She cupped her chin in her hands, confused. “Am I getting older and experiencing maternal feelings?”
She used to find the sounds of children irritating, like sharp needles, driving her insane.
Wen Yang solemnly replied, “You’re thinking about having kids with me?”
“I can’t even afford one!” Ning Chu shot him a look, “And you’d really let me go through that pain? I’m already scared of pain as it is.”
“Yeah, you’re right… it’s best not to think about having kids.”
Ning Chu would m*an for half an hour just from bumping into a table corner; her body was as fragile as porcelain—people feared breaking her even accidentally.
In bed, it was a different story; once she was up there, the sensations of pain morphed into pleasurable stimuli, igniting excitement and a hint of a thrill-seeking side. She even preferred a more vigorous approach.
Finally, the hot pot arrived, and it was filled with a huge mound of ice.
The waiter layered chunks of lamb on the ice, added bottled water, and covered it with a pot lid.
Ning Chu watched the waiter’s antics and suddenly realized, “Wait, this lamb is ice-boiled! But the lamb that’s added after the fire starts is just like usual hot pot, isn’t it?”
“I told you it was just a gimmick.”
She consoled herself: “Eh, it’s fine; if it’s tasty, that’s all that matters, right?”
Now that the hot pot was here, regretting it was pointless.
She could only impatiently stare at the pot, eager for the lamb to cook, her mind buzzing with anticipation that this bite of meat would bring her a novel experience.
“Should I get you some dipping sauce?”
“I want sesame paste!”
“Got it.”
After what felt like an eternity, the lamb was finally ready. Ning Chu couldn’t wait to try a piece and immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
It was packed with flavor, incredibly tender, definitely unlike any hot pot she had eaten before.
“Hey, why didn’t you wait for me?”
“It’s delicious! Not a gimmick! You have to try!”
Wen Yang had just set down his little bowl when Ning Chu had already shoved a piece toward his mouth.
With a resigned mouth, he took a bite and, before he even had a chance to chew, he quickly gave a thumbs up: “Yeah, good stuff.”
“Right? Not a waste after all!”
