The taxi smoothly pulled up in front of the shopping mall’s entrance, and Lu Tianxing walked into the mall, strolling around for a while before heading directly to the third floor. He entered a boutique toy store and quickly emerged with two nearly human-sized plush toys of Xiong Da and Xiong Er, the currently popular duo of characters.
Originally, Lu Tianxing had planned to add Bald Qiang to make it a trio from the series "Boonie Bears," but unfortunately, Bald Qiang had sold out, leaving only the two bears available.
Holding the two plush bears, Lu Tianxing winced; no wonder so many people had switched to selling children’s products these days—this was practically daylight robbery! Just these two toy bears had cost him several thousand dollars. They were claimed to be high-quality plush toys and were not even on sale. Too much! Had he known, he would’ve spent a dollar to win some dolls at the plaza for his little niece.
Under everyone’s strange gazes, Lu Tianxing, clutching the two toys, struggled to hail a cab. Finally, he managed to flag one down, shoved the toys into the back seat, sat in the front passenger seat, and let out a long sigh. Shopping was genuinely not an easy task.
"Dude, you really don’t mind spending money, huh? Those two dolls cost at least several thousand dollars. Are they gifts?" The taxi driver, a chatty fellow, started the car and turned to Lu Tianxing.
"Yes, Master, good eye."
Lu Tianxing smiled and said, "Today is my little niece’s birthday, and I didn’t know what to get her, so I bought these two dolls for her."
Hearing this, the driver looked skeptically at Lu Tianxing and said, "Buddy, I didn’t go to college, but don’t try to fool me. I may just be a taxi driver, but I’ve got enough sense to know that nobody will believe that tale—spending thousands on your niece?"
Lu Tianxing opened his mouth to say something, but the driver cut him off: "Bro, no need to explain. There are only two reasons to buy toys that expensive. First, for a girlfriend, but you’re clearly alone, so that doesn’t fit. So, there’s only one possibility left—you’re buying them for a girl of your dreams. What’s there to be shy about? Haven’t we all idolized someone when we were young? But this move won’t work; you won’t win her heart."
Lu Tianxing was momentarily stunned and asked instinctively, "Why not?"
"Think about it. What is a goddess? A goddess is someone out of reach, with countless backups. Seeing you drive a cab, you obviously don’t have much money. No matter how expensive the gifts are, the goddess wouldn’t like you, so stop these useless efforts. In her eyes, you are just an option, someone to chat with when she’s bored, just like taking a dog for a stroll."
The taxi driver sighed wistfully and said, "Brother, I find you quite likable, so let me give you some advice that’ll guarantee you snag your goddess today. Instead of buying these toys for several thousand dollars, you’d be better off renting a luxury car and buying ninety-nine roses. Show up beside your goddess and tell her you want to experience ordinary life, spend a couple hundred on a meal for her, then take her for a drive and a movie in the evening. With that setup, your goddess will be in the palm of your hand by the end of the night, and you could be in a hotel room together. Running after a goddess with toys like you are doing is hopeless and a waste of money."
Lu Tianxing just looked at the driver, who was confidently sharing his strategy. This guy must have been a professional at chasing girls; he knew what he was talking about. But truth be told, the driver’s logic was sound—renting a car and spending money were nearly the same cost. The first approach got a thank you from the goddess, the second won her... body.
Seeing that Lu Tianxing was silent, the driver came back to his senses and said in surprise, "Dude, you didn’t actually buy them for your niece, did you?"
Lu Tianxing smiled wryly and said, "Of course, bro. What reason would I have to lie to you? It is indeed for my niece."
The driver suddenly slapped the steering wheel as if he had an epiphany and said, "Little bro, I hadn’t thought you were this brilliant. You even dare to make a move on your niece—impressive. I respect that."
"It’s your uncle who should be making moves on your niece."
Lu Tianxing cursed silently in his heart. Did he look like a pervert? And besides, making a move on his niece? He would avoid Bai Weiwei if he could, let alone dare to make a move. That would be like walking straight into a lion’s den, decidedly sealing his fate.
In the time that followed, Lu Tianxing truly experienced what it meant to be ’eloquent’. The driver was indeed a man who had been through the mill and back—his gift of gab was first-rate, talking non-stop for half an hour without repeating himself. It was a waste of talent not using this skill in sales.
He started from the alleged incident of Lu Tianxing making a move on his niece, went on about his wild youth, talked about the differences between men and women, how to tell if a woman really likes you, and discussed the fiercest age of a woman, the most terrifying age for a woman, which lingerie would best highlight allure, practically covering everything under the sun.
Lu Tianxing listened attentively; the driver, having traveled far and wide, shared a plethora of gossip, making the half-hour ride much more enjoyable.
Upon arrival at the Jinpeng Hotel entrance, Lu Tianxing paid the fare and got out with the two dolls.
The taxi driver rolled down his window and said meaningfully to Lu Tianxing, "Little bro, go for it. I like you, so here’s another tip: conquer your niece in bed, and she’ll stop resisting you. The best way for a man to conquer a woman is in bed. Once you’ve conquered her there, you won’t have to worry if she turns against you later—just show the photos, and see who dares challenge you. Good luck, little bro. I’m rooting for you. Goodbye."
With that, the taxi sped off, leaving Lu Tianxing standing dazed for a long while.
"Seriously, this is all nonsense. If I could have gotten her by now, I wouldn’t still be waiting."
Lu Tianxing watched the taxi disappear and swore under his breath. If he could actually win over his niece, why would he be in such a mess today? His niece was a devil with a horde of even bigger devils behind her. If he dared make a move, he wouldn’t even have bones left.
Watching the taxi vanish, Lu Tianxing smacked his lips, cradling the two dolls and was about to turn and walk into the hotel when a crisp voice rang in his ear.
"Brother-in-law, what are you looking at? And who were you just talking to? Saying you would conquer someone, tell me the truth—are you cheating on my sister?"
Bai Weiwei bounced out of the hotel, circling Lu Tianxing a few times with a suspicious look on her face.