376. Shopping
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A trip to the city center takes at least two hours, and the round trip makes it four. That’s a long haul! If you’re not planning to sneak in some other activities, it seems almost criminal!
Honestly, riding the bus isn’t all that glamorous. After using magic, Lin Nan couldn’t sit still in the car right away, or she’d end up sick, just like yesterday’s bus ride nightmare.
Today, she sported a chic outfit: a white short-sleeve top and light blue shorts paired with crystal sandals. She pulled out a gigantic pair of sunglasses from her pocket to shield herself from the sun—she looked just like the fashionable girls strutting down the street.
But hey, it was only a few months ago that she transformed into a girl!
Stepping out of her neighborhood, Lin Nan quickly spotted Chen Yao waiting outside, and her face lit up with a smile as she hurried over.
“Watch your step, don’t trip!” Chen Yao said, rushing toward her with a warm smile. “How’s class going? That little rascal didn’t annoy you again, did he?”
“Who are you calling a rascal? Who’s ‘little rascal’?!”
As he looked up, he noticed a tall, lanky guy loitering behind Lin Nan.
This guy had his hands stuffed deep in his denim pockets, swaggering down the street like he owned the joint. At first glance, you’d think he was one of those school dropouts hanging around.
He wasn’t too shabby looking, but the bandage on his cheek made him look a bit ridiculous.
“My student, Pan Maoxin,” Lin Nan introduced, tilting to the side. “Don’t let his delinquent vibe fool you; he’s actually a fast learner—just doesn’t seem to care much about studying.”
“Please, I’m at Diamond III in LOL. Why bother with school? In two years, I’ll go pro!” Pan Maoxin said, sounding every bit the wannabe esports star.
Chen Yao could tell who the guy was just from the bandage, but their little chat was already packing enough awkwardness to fill a barn.
Lin Nan looked up at Pan Maoxin and planted a swift kick: “Go pro? If you even dare to go pro, I’ll break your legs!”
Like, how am I supposed to make money while you’re off playing video games? Rich dummies like your dad are a rare find, okay?!
She had done her market research—new tutors without a name could only charge a few dozen bucks an hour. Only those from prestigious universities might get a hundred or so.
Chen Yao nodded thoughtfully. “Diamond III is pretty mediocre. Both she and I have hit the top ranks; why aren’t we just studying like good kids?”
“Puh-lease!” Pan Maoxin brushed him off. Even if Chen Yao looked like an easy target, he turned his back and swaggered toward a convenience store.
“Kids these days are so difficult to manage,” Chen Yao sighed, watching him leave before turning back to Lin Nan. “Can you really handle him?”
“If I can’t, I’ll just give him a good whack!” she chuckled, waving her petite fist in the air.
“That’s all well and good, but won’t that just make him more rebellious?”
Chen Yao looked at that tiny fist and suddenly felt a bit intimidated.
Lin Nan thought for a second and decided she wouldn’t be sticking with this tutoring gig for long anyway; when Pan Maoxin gets more rebellious, it’ll be out of her hair!
“Relax! I’m not his dad; what’s it to me?” She grabbed Chen Yao’s hand and dragged him toward the mall not far away. “Hurry up and buy me a bag! I finally understand why girls love to carry bags. They’re life savers!”
Chen Yao was curious. “Why’s that?”
She fished her phone out of her pocket, looking exasperated. “My pockets are shallow, my pants are snug, and shoving in my phone feels like stuffing a turkey! With an extra pair of sunglasses, it feels like I can barely walk!”
Casually tossing her phone into Chen Yao’s pocket, Lin Nan felt a wave of relief. “Let’s go! A bag big enough to hold an umbrella will do!”
Though she didn’t have any particular love for girly bags, she knew they were necessary, especially in summer.
Phone, umbrella, tissues, keys, and if her monthly visitor was due, she’d need to pack hygiene products too! No way those shallow pockets would suffice.
Girls who wear makeup might also carry lipstick and compact mirrors. If the outing was going to be longer, a power bank was a must!
Lin Nan suddenly noticed she wasn’t rejecting feminine items anymore—the transparent sandals on her feet, and her flower-trimmed sunglasses didn’t bother her much.
In fact, as she strolled through the mall with Chen Yao today, she even thought about trying some lipstick. But given she was heading to tutor afterward, looking too fabulous might speed up the side effects of using magic!
As they walked arm in arm, Lin Nan’s face was slightly tired but surprisingly upbeat—she hadn’t shopped with Chen Yao much.
Chen Yao glanced down at Lin Nan, who seemed all cute and cuddly, and couldn’t help but ask, “When did you get so bold? Used to treat me like a stranger, afraid someone might figure out our relationship!”
In the beginning, Lin Nan wouldn’t dare show they were a couple, but eventually, she relaxed a bit, and it was only in class that she’d flaunt her affection.
“I was a little timid back then…” Lin Nan smiled, “But now I’m getting used to it.”
Being in the spotlight all the time gets you acclimated, after all!
Seeing her so unbothered, Chen Yao realized the shy little boy from before was practically non-existent now.
But this was a good thing—otherwise, it’d just be awkward.
They both entered the nearby mall, Lin Nan still hooked on his arm, scanning the stores with excitement. Now and then, she’d peek into some women’s clothing shops, then fix her gaze on the snack shops.
“Let’s grab some milk tea,” Chen Yao suggested, leading her to a bubble tea shop. He spotted a buy-one-get-one-free deal and was all for it.
In the past, he would’ve dodged that kind of promo rather than downing two cups solo.
“I’ll just take the regular with coconut jelly.”
“Want to sit for a bit? You don’t look so good,” Chen Yao said, stretching and wrapping an arm around Lin Nan’s waist.
Every passerby threw them a glance, the jealousy flaring in the eyes of every man around—just a privilege of having nurtured his ‘wife’ since middle school; no one could swipe her away.
Lin Nan didn’t overthink it, nodding and heading inside the tea shop with Chen Yao to find a spot to sit side by side.
It had been ages since she had milk tea; she hugged the cup with both hands and took a sip. A smile spread across her face, her eyes creasing with delight, and the dizziness in her head seemed to ease.
“I’ve noticed you’ve developed a sweet tooth lately,” Chen Yao said, propping his head on his hand, watching Lin Nan sway giddily. “Be careful, or you’ll start packing on the pounds.”
“If I get fat, are you going to dump me?” Lin Nan set her drink down, smiling sweetly.
Chen Yao knew better than to answer that kind of d*ath trap question. Without hesitation, he replied, “Being a little chunky is good! That way, no one can steal you from me.”
“But you need to lose weight! Aren’t you like 150 pounds now?”
“I’m just built!” Chen Yao shot back.
“But I prefer them a bit slimmer,” Lin Nan muttered, “Too stocky isn’t attractive.”
Chen Yao gasped dramatically, “Are you calling me ugly?!”
“Yep!” She lifted her chin, cheeks a bit rosy, “If you don’t slim down, we’re not getting engaged!”
“Why not just skip straight to the marriage paperwork?”
