Shopping

I have to admit, Su Xiaoqiang looks quite cute when she's huffing in anger.

"Then I'll call you Xiaoqiang from now on, and you can call me Mingfei, Mingming, or Little Ming, whatever you like," Lu Mingfei said with a grin.

In this world, Little Goddess is probably his best friend; it's just a more intimate way of addressing each other, so it shouldn't really matter.

Su Xiaoqiang turned her head away, her face slightly flushed.

"Fine, I'll reluctantly allow you to call me that."

Well, she really is a tsundere Little Goddess.

Lu Mingfei couldn't help but find her reaction amusing.

"Alright, it's decided! We're going to spend the entire day shopping here!" Su Xiaoqiang suddenly clapped her hands, sealing the fate of their day.

Lu Mingfei felt his legs tremble at the news; the old fear of being dominated by women came rushing back.

He still remembered years ago when his mother, Qiaoweini, returned from abroad and dragged him and his father, Lu Lincheng, out shopping. It was pure torture; every time they entered a store, he had to hunt for a sofa or a chair, desperate for a place to sit.

He shook his head, trying to banish the thoughts. He wasn't the same person he was back then, so it should be fine, probably.

"First off," Su Xiaoqiang glanced at Lu Mingfei, "let's head to the fourth floor. That's the clothing section, and it's just the right time to buy you some new clothes."

"For me?" Lu Mingfei pointed at himself, puzzled.

"Yes! Don't you think you have very few nice clothes? You wear the same few outfits over and over; I'm sick of looking at them," Su Xiaoqiang said with a look of disdain.

"But I'm broke as a joke right now. I don't think I can afford any clothes," Lu Mingfei reported, raising his hand.

"I already said I'm buying them for you, so obviously I'm paying!" Su Xiaoqiang told him, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"Xiaoqiang—no, wealthy lady—I've definitely made the right choice in friends!"

"Don't be a smart-aleck, we were already friends to begin with!"

By the time they finished bickering, they had reached the fourth floor. The entire floor was packed with various clothing boutiques. Many people were wandering around, including quite a few couples, and every now and then, someone could be seen walking out with shopping bags.

"Come this way," Su Xiaoqiang said, pulling Lu Mingfei toward a storefront. "I've been to this shop many times; their men's and women's wear are both quite good."

Lu Mingfei followed Su Xiaoqiang into the store.

As soon as they entered, a sales clerk in professional attire walked toward them.

"Sir, Miss, is there anything in particular you're looking for?" The clerk looked at the handsome young man and beautiful woman, unable to help but sigh inwardly at how well-matched they were.

"We'll just look around for now. We'll let you know if we see something we like," Su Xiaoqiang replied.

The clerk stood to the side, watching them browse.

"Mingfei, is there anything you want to buy?"

Ah, she finally said the name 'Mingfei' out loud. What do I do? I'm so happy! Su Xiaoqiang couldn't stop the smile from spreading across her face.

It was strange—she was just asking about clothes, so why was she smiling so happily? Lu Mingfei found it hard to understand her current state of mind.

"I'm not picky. As long as I can wear it, it's fine. You pick a few things for me," Lu Mingfei said, scratching his head.

"Mhm, then try this one first!" Su Xiaoqiang handed him a grey-black long-sleeved casual jacket.

Lu Mingfei went into the fitting room, changed into the jacket Su Xiaoqiang had picked, and stepped out. "How is it? Is this one okay?"

"Hmm, do a spin for me!"

Lu Mingfei obediently did a full turn.

"Try this one next!" Su Xiaoqiang handed him a loose-fitting, multi-pocketed cargo shirt.

After waiting a moment, Lu Mingfei changed and came out, doing his customary spin.

Immediately after, Su Xiaoqiang grabbed a black denim jacket and shoved him back into the fitting room.

When Lu Mingfei emerged, Su Xiaoqiang covered her mouth and let out a soft "hmm."

Then, she picked out a few pairs of casual trousers for him.

Every time Lu Mingfei stepped out of the fitting room, Su Xiaoqiang would let out that same "hmm."

"He looks so handsome in everything!" Su Xiaoqiang thought, covering her mouth and looking at Lu Mingfei with stars in her eyes.

She was completely addicted to Lu Mingfei's dress-up play, unable to pull herself away. A dazed, happy smile hung on her face as she urged him to try on the next piece.

The sales clerk was also stunned. No matter what the boy wore, he exuded a unique, personal charm that matched every garment perfectly, as if he were a professional fashion model.

After another outfit change, Su Xiaoqiang urged Lu Mingfei to hurry up and change into the next one.

This time, Lu Mingfei didn't listen. Instead, he walked quickly toward Su Xiaoqiang, reached out, and pinched her cheeks, pulling them to both sides. "Change, change, change! All you know how to do is make me change clothes. Do you have any idea how many I've tried on already, huh?"

After pinching them, he gave her cheeks a rough, playful rub.

"I'm not making you change anymore, let go of my face!" Su Xiaoqiang shouted, her words muffled.

Little Goddess's cheeks were unexpectedly soft, and Lu Mingfei couldn't help but rub them a few more times before letting go.

Once released, Su Xiaoqiang looked at him with dissatisfaction and muttered under her breath, "It's just because you look good in everything..."

"What did you say?" Lu Mingfei hadn't heard her clearly.

"Nothing, nothing! I didn't say anything!" Su Xiaoqiang waved her hands frantically.

"Sir, miss, have you decided on which clothes you'd like to take?" the saleswoman asked as she approached.

Lu Mingfei looked at Su Xiaoqiang: "You pick, I'm fine with anything."

"Then, then just wrap up everything I tried on earlier!" Su Xiaoqiang replied after a moment of thought.

Lu Mingfei stumbled, nearly falling to the floor: "What did you say? Everything!"

"Yeah, is there a problem?" Su Xiaoqiang didn't understand why Lu Mingfei was questioning it.

"Buying every single piece of clothing you tried on is the problem!"

"Relax, it's my treat today," Su Xiaoqiang giggled.

The saleswoman nearby was already efficiently packing up all the garments, waiting only for payment.

Watching the saleswoman's movements, Lu Mingfei had a retort stuck in his throat—why are you so practiced at this!

Calming down, Lu Mingfei said earnestly: "Xiaoqiang, we can't carry this many clothes!"

"Just provide an address, and I can have them mailed directly to you," the saleswoman said, displaying her professional expertise.

Su Xiaoqiang looked at Lu Mingfei with an expression that suggested it was only natural.

Lu Mingfei felt he could struggle a little more: "With you buying so many clothes, I don't have the space for them at home."

"Oh, right." Su Xiaoqiang finally realized the issue.

After a moment of contemplation, Su Xiaoqiang clapped her hands: "How about this, just have them sent to my place. Whenever we go out, you can just come over and change! Or, you can take a few pieces home in advance; that way, you'll always have room at your place, right?"

"But."

Before Lu Mingfei could finish, Su Xiaoqiang cut him off: "Alright, stop dawdling, you're acting like a little girl. Salesclerk, come swipe the card!"

Su Xiaoqiang handed the card to the saleswoman, who swiped it and returned it to her hand.