'Guiying' suddenly took over and said as 'she' folded her arms. "Does it even make any sense buying anything for me?"
"Guiying and I are the same people."
"'You' and Guiying share the same body. But as people, you two are different," he blinked. "She may like something that 'you' don't and 'you' make like something that she doesn't. So tell me what you like."
'Guiying' snorted. "I don't have any such likes."
"But 'you' like smoking."
'She' threw him a glare. "Is that condescending tone that I hear?"
Zixin obediently shook his head. "I mean it in a way that 'you' like something that Guiying doesn't. So I surmised you might have some different choices in dresses and stuff."
'Guiying' frowned and then rolled her eyes. "Nothing really. Don't bother about me. Just get on with your shopping."
'She' disappeared as quickly as 'she' came. Guiying pursed her lips. "I felt that 'her' tone was rude."
She apologetically looked at Zixin. "I am sorry. 'She' has been acting more and more cranky these days."
Guiying wanted to take this chance to escape and end the shopping trip, but Zixin had other plans. Her cries fell to deaf ears.
As they walked towards the next store, Zixin received a message from Yubi.
'How is it going Bro!?????'
Zixin could feel the squeals and excitement screaming from her messages.
'Huh? Just good? I mean good is fine but what about spicy!!!!'
He knitted his brows. 'Spicy?'
'Broooooo, don't tell me that you are taking sister-in-law for just simple shopping! You should treat it as a date! A date! Make some romantic, gushing moments with her! Spark up the passion! You have to take the relationship to the boyfriend-girlfriend level, don't you forget that!!!'
Zixin felt the truth of her wisdom.
He looked around the shopping arena and his now date-filter eyes could only somehow recognize the couples around them. Some held hands while some men had their arms wrapped around their lover's neck. Zixin thought that the latter gesture was reserved for when Guiying and he actually became a couple. But for now, they weren't.
So holding hands was a safe option.
Zixin looked down at his target which was freely wandering back and forth.
"Let's hold hands, shall we?"
Guiying came to a sudden halt with this proposal.
"Wh-What…ho-holding hands…?" She stammered.
Zixin nodded. "Can we hold hands?"
It was fine until now, but Guiying suddenly felt as if her hands turned sweaty. The simple gesture was tempting. Chen Zixin aka MrPerfect was with her. She liked him, and he liked her back too. They were out shopping which was a perfect chance to steadily grow closer.
But the consciousness overtook her thought processes, and she bit her lip. "I-I don't know…"
Zixin tilted his head. "Why not? You don't want to hold my hand?"
Zixin's heart broke apart as if a thousand arrows just pierced through and through with that resounding rejection. Guiying realized her error and bit her tongue hard.
"I didn't mean it that way! Sorry, I misspoke. I mean…m-my hands…might be sweaty so…" she gulped, embarrassment filling every nook and cranny in her heart.
Zixin's dropped shoulders immediately lifted up. "Was that what you were worried about? I don't mind if your hands are sweaty or dry. I just want to hold your hands."
I think you should care about sweaty hands at least…
His expression bounced back to his cheery self, and since Guiying's issue was something that he didn't mind, he extended his hand and intertwined it around hers, locking their fingers together.
Guiying's finger trembled in his as she struggled to breathe. It was a simple act of holding hands but just the firm squeeze of his hand rocked her heart into the wildest symphony. The warmth from his palm seeped into hers and suddenly, the level of intimacy for her just shot through the roof.
Zixin read the little blushes on her cheeks which made her look even more beautiful than ever.
At first, Guiying robotically walked. Her mind was a messy haywire of a plethora of emotions beating her heart back and forth. She looked at the other couples who looked so natural and comfortable around each other.
Come on Guiying, you are a romance writer! You have crafted so many swoon-worthy moments in your books and you shy away when it's your time? How can I be allowed to call myself a writer then!
She felt a tug just then which was Zixin pulling her closer to his arm. "Walk closer to my side."
His hushed whisper tickled in her ears and the brush of her arm against his made her heart tremble. The press of his long fingers erupted an urge within her heart to hug him. "H-Hm."
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Another two hours later, Guiying finally managed to switch off the shopping mode from Zixin's mind as she cried real tears to stop the incessant spending of his seemingly limitless platinum card. With a heavy heart, he agreed.
They stepped outside into a wide, rectangular garden with a big fountain mounted in between to take a break and catch up with their breaths.
Guiying beamed with the fountain's sight. The water flowing upwards that kissed the blue sky radiated shimmering rainbow colors as it merged with the afternoon sunlight. She bent forward and let the cold fountain water fall on her hands. She tiptoed upwards trying to drive her fingers through the rainbow that had formed.
"You like it?" Zixin asked, standing beside her.
"Yes! It's so pretty and sparkling," she said with a wide grin. "The rainbow is so beautiful. Look at all those colors. Red, orange, violet, blue…it feels so magical, right?"
Zixin stared at her smiles and giggles as she played with the fountain water. It felt a long time to him that he saw her truly unwinding herself so freely.
Lost in the pleasant sound of her laughter, he slowly raised his hand, wanting to hold her cheek.
Drops of water trickled down his brows and cheeks as he rapidly blinked in confusion. That bewilderment was so adorable that the culprit Guiying, who splashed the fountain water on his face, burst into a hearty laughter. "So cute."
"You splashed water on me."
Guiying wanted to apologize, but she couldn't hold back her laughter. "I…I am…s-sorry…hahaha…"
"You are apologizing but also laughing," he pursed his lips. "Well then let me return the favor."