Cheng Jun hadn’t expected Fu Nanzhi to be so determined.
What had been an offhand remark the other day was taken seriously by her, and sure enough, a message arrived just after noon.
Staring at the shopping invitation on her phone, she hesitated for a long moment before finally replying with a single word: "Okay."
By 3 p.m., Fu Nanzhi was already dragging her to the mall nearest their company.
Cheng Jun started off stiff and awkward but gradually relaxed, quickly settling into the rhythm of the outing.
Fu Nanzhi was a completely different person around those she was close to—her warm, infectious charm was hard for anyone to resist.
Arm in arm, the two childhood friends grew more comfortable with each other, chatting and laughing as they strolled through the stores.
Neither lacked for clothes, jewelry, or bags, yet they still went into every shop.
They weren’t there to buy—just to enjoy the process of discovery and selection. Unless something truly caught their eye, they wouldn’t make a purchase.
Meanwhile, Shen Yi emerged from the parking garage and stepped into the elevator, immediately asking Fu Nanzhi for her location.
Upon hearing she was on the second floor, he pressed the button for Level 2.
Since it wasn’t a weekend, the mall wasn’t particularly crowded. Shen Yi walked along the storefronts, scanning for them.
Soon enough, he spotted the pair near one of the shops.
Their refined demeanor and striking looks made them stand out like a dazzling sight.
While they didn’t draw a crowd, passersby couldn’t help but glance their way more than once.
Shen Yi approached to join them.
"Honey, you’re here~"
Fu Nanzhi beamed as she saw Shen Yi approaching.
"Mm." He nodded with a smile.
Hearing the term of endearment, Cheng Jun’s heart twinged with complicated emotions.
'One step slow, every step after is slower… They’re already calling each other "honey"…'
No matter how she rationalized it, hearing it aloud still left a bitter ache in her chest.
Fu Nanzhi patted her arm and introduced Cheng Jun to Shen Yi.
"Honey, this is my cousin Zhuyun. You’ve met before."
Then, pointing at Shen Yi, she added,
"Well, no need for introductions here—Shen Yi, your lifesaver."
"Nanzhi, what are you talking about…"
Cheng Jun covered her mouth, feigning embarrassment to mask deeper emotions.
Meeting Shen Yi’s nod with one of her own, the two silently agreed to act as if they were barely acquainted, avoiding any mention of the past.
"You’ve been shopping for hours but came out empty-handed?"
Shen Yi glanced around, noticing the lack of shopping bags.
Fu Nanzhi piped up,
"Shopping is about the shopping part first. Who said we have to buy anything?"
"Besides, we just haven’t found the right things yet. When we do, we’ll buy. Right, Zhuyun?"
Cheng Jun nodded obediently.
Fu Nanzhi then turned her scrutiny to Shen Yi.
Despite her instructions to dress sharply, he’d shown up in a simple white T-shirt and plain-colored trousers.
Fortunately, his looks carried the outfit, making even basic clothes seem anything but ordinary.
"Why don’t we buy something now?"
Fu Nanzhi tugged Cheng Jun closer, whispering in her ear,
"Come on, Zhuyun, let’s go pick out some clothes for him."
With that, she marched ahead, beckoning Shen Yi with a wave.
"Hurry up, we need you as both a clothes hanger and a bag carrier~"
Watching the two walk ahead cheerfully, Shen Yi shook his head and followed at a leisurely pace.
'They really are close, huh…'
The situation was the opposite of what he’d expected—Fu Nanzhi was warm and got along effortlessly with Cheng Jun.
They stepped into a men’s clothing store, where a sharp-eyed sales associate greeted them.
Fu Nanzhi and Cheng Jun, hand in hand, headed to the second floor to start selecting outfits for Shen Yi.
The associate, recognizing their discerning tastes, followed patiently, offering detailed introductions.
Before long, Fu Nanzhi called out to Shen Yi,
"Honey, stop sitting around. Come try this on."
Shen Yi sighed and stood, taking the clothes into the fitting room.
For some reason, the moment he entered a mall, he developed an incurable urge to sit down—a condition that miraculously vanished the second he left.
Changing shirts was quick. Once dressed, he pulled back the curtain and stepped out.
Fu Nanzhi studied him from all angles before nudging Cheng Jun.
"What do you think, Zhuyun?"
Caught off guard, Cheng Jun’s gaze swept over him, and her eyes brightened.
"It’s nice. Fits him well."
Fu Nanzhi smiled, pleased by any praise directed at Shen Yi.
"Honey, turn around."
Obliging, Shen Yi spun in place like a model.
Satisfied, Fu Nanzhi snapped her fingers.
"We’ll take it."
Then she was off again, darting around the floor, picking up one garment after another.
Somehow, shopping for Shen Yi seemed to bring her more joy than shopping for herself.
Cheng Jun, too, relished the moment—it was the only time she could openly look at Shen Yi without hiding her gaze.
She grew bolder, not only helping choose styles but even offering suggestions.
Shen Yi spent the entire time being shuffled around like a puppet, constantly changing outfits.
Finally, after swiping her card at the checkout, Fu Nanzhi tucked it back into her bag and declared,
"Let’s go!"
Shen Yi, carrying three paper bags, trailed behind, relieved.
"Phew, finally over."
But before he could finish the thought, Fu Nanzhi added,
"Next stop!"
"Huh?"
"No ‘huh.’ Follow me."
As the two strode ahead without any intention of stopping, Shen Yi could only trudge after them, resigned.
The man who could run 20 kilometers without breaking a sweat now inexplicably felt exhausted.
Another new store.
While Shen Yi sat slumped in a corner, Fu Nanzhi seized the chance to whisper to Cheng Jun as she browsed.
"Zhuyun, what do you think of Shen Yi?"
Cheng Jun’s fingers, which had been gliding over a row of sleeves, froze. She forced a laugh.
"What do you mean, Nanzhi?"
Fu Nanzhi’s tone was casual.
"Just asking. Don’t overthink it—no hidden meaning."
Cheng Jun fiddled with a button, her mind racing.
She wasn’t naive enough to take Fu Nanzhi at her word. 'If she says there’s no hidden meaning, there definitely is…'
'This is a trap. I can’t fall for it.'
After a pause, she replied,
"Shen Yi? He’s… fine."
Realizing how bland that sounded, she recalled his earlier outfit and added,
"You’ve got good taste, Nanzhi. He’s quite handsome."
Fu Nanzhi pretended to examine a sleeve’s fabric, but her peripheral vision was locked onto Cheng Jun’s expression.
The answer gave her clarity. After a moment, she dropped the bombshell:
"Do you have feelings for Shen Yi?"