**051. Shopping Spree**
Lin Nan hadn’t bought new clothes in ages.
He hit his growth spurt in his first year of high school, peaking at a height that’d stick, and his body had remained proportionate since childhood. His weight had been as stable as a rock, so there was no excuse to buy new clothes just because the old ones were getting too small.
His parents were always too busy; both of them were long-haul truck drivers. When they finally made it home, they were dead tired, face-first in bed, completely oblivious to Lin Nan’s fashion crisis.
Rumor had it they were hoarding cash to buy a place in the city, but they probably could’ve bought a house ten years ago when they had the chance. But back then, they couldn’t see the big picture and gambled on a factory instead—total bust. And now? Housing prices were soaring like an overcooked soufflé!
The last time Lin Nan indulged in retail therapy? Last year during Chinese New Year.
He browsed through the rack of T-shirts, but nada. Nothing that caught his eye.
With a chest that was starting to develop 3D features, he knew it was only a matter of time before he had to deal with it. Whenever he ventured out in short sleeves, he needed something with a big, bold pattern on it—preferably something three-dimensional to distract the prying eyes of passersby.
After scanning the men’s section, Lin Nan shifted his gaze to the women’s. If he went that route, he wouldn’t have to think so hard!
“Do you have sun protection wear?” Lin Nan asked the sales attendant with all the charm of someone who desperately needed sunscreen, “You know, lightweight, quick-drying jackets?”
“Sure!”
The attendant led him to another rack filled with what could only be described as sheer jackets designed to prevent sunburn, because apparently, Lin Nan had only heard of such things after a binge of an extreme challenge show.
Wu Guodong, tailing Lin Nan like a confused puppy, wasn’t there to shop but to point out options. “I thought that black shirt was pretty nice.”
“Why buy sun protection? Getting a tan adds a bit of rugged manliness!”
Yes, that logic was solid, but Lin Nan preferred hiding his burgeoning chest instead of letting the world see people sneak glances his way.
Even if it was probably just his imagination.
He rubbed his oddly swollen cheeks in frustration. It had been a month since they decided to throw a surprise party on his face! While he consciously tried to restrain himself, his peculiar habits were becoming a permanent resident in Lin Nan’s life.
Wu Guodong, who had spent two days with Lin Nan, had a front-row seat to these awkward quirks. He was getting used to it but couldn’t help noticing the attendant’s face was a mix of confusion and bemusement.
His annoyance bubbled up. It was okay for Lin Nan to be “unique,” especially when people thought it was cute, but when strangers showed their thoughts through their expressions? Nope, not cool.
“Let’s try a different store.”
Wu Guodong stepped forward.
“Eh?” Lin Nan, still deciding on sun jackets, could only follow Wu Guodong in a daze.
Before he realized what happened, he had exited the store like a deer caught in headlights.
“What’s up?” Lin Nan, still contemplating colors, asked as they ambled away.
“Nothing, just let’s check out another place. This one doesn’t have any cool clothes.”
Though Lin Nan agreed the clothes weren’t his style and didn’t match his increasingly Lilith-like aesthetic, he figured that in his past life, he would’ve found those clothes more than acceptable.
Back then, his shopping rule was simple: black, simple designs only.
Following his uncle around wasn’t super fun; after about half an hour wandering through the mall, Lin Nan’s legs were starting to feel like jelly. Then it hit him: Wu Guodong hadn’t been here much either!
He had assumed Wu Guodong was a seasoned shopper, guiding him based on style and value, but nope—Wu Guodong was just picking stores at random. If a shop looked decent, they wandered inside.
Not a single item had been bought yet, and Lin Nan’s stomach decided to stage a protest.
“I remember a great kn*fe-cut noodle place nearby,” Wu Guodong offered, feeling guilty for dragging Lin Nan around. “My treat!”
Lin Nan’s ears perked up at the sound of free food. Who cares about noodle quality? He nodded eagerly.
After a meal and a few more rounds of shopping, Lin Nan realized he wasn’t nearly as bad at shopping as he thought he was compared to those seemingly effortlessly fashionable girls.
Previously, he thought shopping was a chore; now? It was surprisingly fun!
Though he had to watch his time while eyeing women’s clothing, stuffed toys, and cute trinkets—he didn’t want to be met with any odd looks from passersby.
Leaving behind the previous street, the two made their way to the nearby Yintai Mall.
After satisfying his sweet tooth with a McFlurry, watching a movie, and checking out a university-sponsored singing and dancing competition in the lobby, Lin Nan was buzzing with excitement, while Wu Guodong transitioned from melancholy to slightly entertained.
“Shouldn’t we head back soon?”
Not for the first time had those words escaped Wu Guodong’s lips.
“Why rush? I’m not even tired yet.”
“You clearly don’t feel it…” Wu Guodong glanced at the shopping bags in his left hand, a KFC bucket in his right, and a big luggage case stylishly dangling from his pinky. “Are you treating me like a rich uncle? Why is it the luggage is perfectly broken?”
Lin Nan shot a glance at Wu Guodong, who was practically a walking shop of goodies. “Isn’t it your duty as an uncle to get a new suitcase when your niece’s breaks?!”
“Speaking of uncles, do you have a girlfriend yet? Why don’t you dress up and pretend?” Wu Guodong shot back.
That line sounded suspiciously familiar; Lin Nan felt like he’d heard it somewhere from someone.
He paused, searching his memory, but Wu Guodong, mistaking that for embarrassment, quickly added, “Just kidding, just kidding!”
“Hmm…” Lin Nan frowned, eyeing a fancy women’s clothing store not too far away.
So pretty!
He stared at the gorgeous outfits on the mannequin with admiration. He wanted to buy something, but the thought felt absurd. He was trying so hard to stay in the realm of masculinity, resisting any Lilith-induced tendencies, so admitting he liked something feminine felt humiliating.
But the moment the embarrassment hit, an inexplicable thrill danced in his chest, almost as if daring him to go for it.
“Why are you blushing?” Wu Guodong shot a glance, heart racing when he saw Lin Nan’s face ablaze with color.
“Nothing, just thinking about something,” Lin Nan shook his head, desperately suppressing thoughts that felt so… foreign.
He realized the strange emotions and urges were becoming increasingly difficult to contain. Back when he wore women’s clothes, he could hold it together, but now, just glancing at a beautiful outfit sent him into a tailspin.
He tried to direct his gaze elsewhere but stumbled upon a dazzling poster for a jewelry shop featuring a diamond necklace.
This…
He absolutely had to have it.
