A pleasant surprise or a nasty shock

The clothes in the suitcase were all system defaults. Since she was in Britain, most had a distinctly local style, so at least Sitangna wouldn't look out of place wearing them.

"That bag is huge. I'm really curious what you women usually carry in your bags." Watson walked downstairs beside Sitangna.

"You know, some women's handbags are only the size of a fist, while others are absolutely enormous." Watson really was curious.

Just as they neared the door, a tagalong silently appeared behind them.

"Lipstick, keys, tissues. The bigger the bag, the more daily necessities are in it. Some people even stuff a change of clothes inside, you know."

Sitangna and Watson looked back. Sherlock stood behind them with his hands in his pockets, his scarf already tied around his neck. He winked at them after speaking.

"Who was it who said shopping was pointless just now?"

"No idea. It wasn't me, and it wasn't you. Who could it have been?"

Sitangna and Watson played off each other, and Sherlock playfully raised his hands in surrender.

"My fault. I promise I won't casually judge other people's hobbies again."

"You'd better not." Watson held the door open for everyone and let Sherlock lead the way. That was how a living map ought to be used, wasn't it?

They planned to take the Tube to the shopping district. Before leaving, Sitangna let Mrs. Hudson know that they wouldn't be coming back for dinner.

Actually, Watson and Sherlock's meals had never been their landlady's responsibility. They'd only managed to get a few meals from her over the past two days because of Sitangna.

"By the way, Sitangna, what do you want to buy? The shopping district is pretty big, so you could decide what you need first and pick an area accordingly. You might get tired if we go through the whole place."

Watson thoughtfully reminded her to plan ahead. Cosmetics, jewelry, and clothing were separated by floor.

"No need to be so formal. Just call me Nana from now on. Hmm, I have enough clothes for the time being, so let's go to the cosmetics section and get some skincare products first. We can eat over there when we're done. My treat."

Every time Sitangna heard someone call her by name, she felt embarrassed for no apparent reason. She probably wouldn't be able to face herself as calmly as the real heartthrob in the old Chinese drama "Pink Ladies" until her own heartthrob aura reached a certain level.

"That won't do. It's very impolite to let a lady pay."

"Are you going to talk about being a gentleman again? Accept your fate, little Peanut. She's much richer than you."

Sherlock had investigated Sitangna's background when he was bored these past two days. He had to check how safe it was to have someone living near him, especially someone with a bit of cleverness.

"You're absolutely right, but I think you're quite the gentleman yourself. Sherlock can treat us. It's settled." Watson patted him on the back in approval, while Sitangna laughed so hard she couldn't stand straight.

"Fine. Don't you have my check on you?" Sherlock was undaunted.

"It isn't my money anyway. Hmph."

When they reached the mall, Sitangna quickly threw herself into the arms of the saleswomen at the various brands. Compared with two "straight men" (debatable) who had no fashion sense whatsoever, she trusted the professionals' judgment more.

"Beautiful lady, are you from Asia? Your skin is wonderful. I don't think any of our products will be a miss for you."

"Yes, I'm from China. I didn't bring anything with me this time, so I'd like to buy some makeup and skincare products for everyday use."

"Oh! China, I know it! There's a restaurant in Chinatown with delicious jiaozi! Leave it to me. I guarantee I'll pick out makeup that's perfect for you."

"Thank you. Thanks for the help."

Her suitcase was full of everyday necessities, but she had very little skincare or makeup. Although she probably wouldn't have much time to put on makeup in this world, having it was better than not having it when she could afford to buy it. What if she ended up penniless in a later world? She had to enjoy it while she could.

After the saleswoman carefully tested colors on her arm, she quickly made up her mind.

"Three popular shades each of these lipsticks, lip glosses, and eyeshadow palettes, please. For the other base products, please help me find the shades that suit me."

This girl's got money. Time to enjoy it first.

"Thank you for supporting my work. Is there a particular makeup style you prefer, ma'am? We can do your makeup for free."

The saleswoman Sitangna had chosen was positively beaming. The lady looked young, yet she could buy all the store's flagship products in one go, including different shades of each colored cosmetic. The saleswoman had exceeded her target for the month and would surely earn a hefty commission.

"I might go shopping for clothes later, so please give me a more everyday look."

Sitangna usually didn't wear much makeup unless she had to. Her cosmetics were the ones she'd bought in college and never finished; at most, she replaced her base products once a year.

"Are these two gentlemen your unc... older brothers? The makeup will take some time, so please take a seat on the sofa over here, gentlemen. We'll bring you hot tea and snacks shortly."

Hot tea and snacks were actually only offered to VIP customers, but with what this lady had spent today, she had enough points to become a VVIP!

"..." Sherlock was silent.

"...Well, we are quite a bit older than Nana." Watson took the hot tea in stride and thanked the attendant.

"Hahahahaha, I almost forgot until you mentioned it. It's fine. People in their thirties are in the prime of their lives, just the age to strive for success."

Sitangna closed her eyes and let the saleswoman clean her face. She had put on a light layer of sunscreen before going out, and it had to be removed thoroughly for the makeup to look its best.

"Suicide by jumping off a bridge. Too common."

"Two children stabbed, a body found on the train tracks. God, there's nothing." Sherlock disliked waiting around for no reason, so he simply continued looking for information there.

The sensational, horrifying reports made the staff in the store frown and feel uneasy. They couldn't stop wondering what these people did for a living.

"That bridge was Southwark Bridge. I haven't found any relevant posts either. How strange." Watson browsed blogs and tweets from around the bridge, but still found nothing.

"Don't worry. There's only so much we can do as individuals. We can't possibly know about every unusual situation at all times and places."

A high-functioning sociopath like Sherlock couldn't be worried about the hostage. He wasn't that humane yet. He probably didn't want to lose to the bomber, but with the case showing no sign of moving forward, they were all at a loss.

Sitangna: I know, but I can't say anything. Who knows where Momo has his informants? Staying alive comes first.

"Oh! That lipstick color really suits you. If I may say so, Nana, you look as beautiful as a model in a magazine right now."

Watson's eyes had grown dry from staring at the screen for so long. He gave his head a rest and looked at Sitangna having her makeup done nearby, offering his praise without reservation.

As expected of Britain's Mr. Compliments. Later on, he put up with much of Sherlock's tsundere behavior, praising Sherlock three hundred times a day.

"Judging by the texture on her lips, she's actually wearing a glossy lip glaze."

Sherlock mercilessly contradicted him, making Watson so angry that he punched him.

"You really do know more than I do."

"No, I don't. But anyone could tell from the texture. You're just too stupid."

"What? I'm not stupid. Stop talking out of your arse."

"Goldfish."

"STOP! This is a public place. No shouting, all right?"

Sitangna hurriedly stopped the bickering pair. Why did every day feel like looking after children? Two big boys in their thirties? It was embarrassing to say out loud.

Speaking of that, she didn't know about Watson, though someone so flirtatious presumably had ex-girlfriends. But Sherlock? Fans of the show had always had an affectionate nickname for him: Britain's number one virgin.

"Sherlock, have you ever kissed anyone?"

The startling question made even the saleswoman's hand pause. These people had been talking about corpses and now kissing. Could they be police officers?

British people didn't seem very comfortable with such blunt questions. Watson laughed even harder, turning his head and leaning closer and closer to Sherlock, hoping to read something on his face.

"Mmhmm. The pot calling the kettle black."

Sitangna hadn't expected Sherlock to come out with a Chinese proverb. She was so amused that her eyeliner nearly ended up drawn all the way to her temple, and the saleswoman hurriedly wiped it off.

After about half an hour, Sitangna opened her eyes to admire her finished makeup. The natural look appeared effortlessly unadorned, and thanks to her perfectly adjusted bone structure and features, the cosmetics added a distinctive charm to her appearance.

"I haven't worn makeup in a long time. It really does make me look more alert."

Sitangna was very satisfied. As she left, she signed up for a membership card at the saleswoman's suggestion. The large number of points from her purchase instantly elevated her to VVIP, and the saleswoman who had served her today would be her personal sales associate from then on.

The two gift bags were packed full and rather heavy. Watson tactfully took them and passed one to Sherlock. Sherlock didn't want it, and the two began a tug-of-war around Sitangna, who helplessly pressed a hand to her forehead again.

Hello, world line? I think these two are acting a little out of character!

"Sherlock, look, isn't that Molly and that gay boy from before? I think his name was Jim." Watson had sharp eyes, and as soon as he pointed, everyone saw them.

Damn it, that's Moriarty. Sitangna, who had just been eager to watch the show, suddenly didn't really want to go over.

"Nana, you probably haven't met them yet. That lady is Molly, a forensic pathologist at the police station. As for the gentleman, uh, I suppose he's Molly's date? Well, I don't know either of them very well."

"But last time Sherlock said he was gay and was only deceiving Molly about his feelings. You should have seen how furious Molly was at his sharp tongue. He really is an ungentlemanly fellow."

It was a curious scene. Watson had unconsciously taken on the role of a spy, hiding beside a large pillar in the mall and cautiously poking his head out. Sitangna became equally sneaky along with him.

"I'm ungentlemanly? Then what are you doing?" Sherlock looked around and found nothing unusual, though a very small number of people in the crowd seemed off.

"Why can't you two just walk in and say hello? You really look like paparazzi." Unlike his two companions watching in secret, Sherlock stared openly at the man nearby. Had his remarks last time really had no effect on him? That shouldn't have been the case.

It really shouldn't have been. In fact, Moriarty had cut off contact with Molly after that day. He had shown his face in front of the great detective without the other man knowing who he was, which made those remarks rather intriguing. There had been no need to contact the forensic pathologist again afterward.

But yesterday's failed hostage-taking had surprised him greatly. After reading the messages from his various informants, he couldn't suppress his restless excitement and wanted to meet this little team again.

"Good evening, Molly. And you, gay boy."

Sherlock walked straight into the restaurant, too quickly for Watson and Sitangna to react. It was a Thai restaurant, and although he had no interest in its distinctive decor or dishes, he was very interested in the people inside.

"Hey, Sherlock! You bastard!" Watson and Sitangna hurriedly left the pillar and resumed a normal posture. This guy never played by the rules.

Hearing the familiar voice, Molly and the gentleman, Jim, looked up in surprise. Seeing the man who had insulted him last time, Jim looked distinctly strained.

His smile made it look as though life had been hard on him.

"Sherlock, are you eating here too? I remember you don't like foreign food..." Meeting the man she had a crush on in an unexpected place left Molly in a daze, even though she was on a date. Startled by the thought that suddenly occurred to her, she covered her mouth.

"Don't tell me you're here for..."

"Of course I'm not here for you. I was shopping with friends and happened to pass by." Sherlock's merciless explanation made Molly's face turn red in an instant-with anger.

"I hadn't finished. I was going to say, don't tell me you've taken a fancy to Jim..."

"?"

Sherlock's expression remained unchanged, but his brows knitted deeply as he looked at Molly as though she were an idiot.

Jim, who had looked displeased beside her, glanced in surprise at the silent Sherlock, then suddenly put on a bashful expression. "Hi, do you remember me?"

Sherlock: "???" What's wrong with you, mate?

Sitangna: "... (holding back laughter)"

Watson: "... (holding back laughter)"

The two of them, who had just been led into the restaurant by a waiter and reached Sherlock's side, stopped in their tracks, wondering whether they should keep going.

Even the waiter beside them pricked up his ears, looking at the three guests who seemed to be caught in a love triangle as though he were about to witness some major gossip.

"Let me say this again,"

"I,"

"am not,"

"gay."

Very good. That explanation sounded utterly unconvincing. Sitangna coughed twice and decided to ease the strange atmosphere. After all, they had already walked right up to them.

"Sherlock, now that we've said hello, let's take a seat. We shouldn't disturb their meal."

Watson took the cue and asked the waiter to prepare a table for three. "Good evening, sir, ma'am. I'm Watson, and this is Sitangna. We're Sherlock's friends and roommates. It's nice to see you both again."

Jim happily shook hands with them as though he were delighted to meet new friends. Molly was surprised again and looked suspiciously at Sherlock, who had already taken a seat nearby.