Xue Yang stood up. "Baby, if you don't like steak, let's just go back to the place we were at before."
She certainly didn't want to eat street food. "We are a couple," Lin Xi said, sounding reluctant.
Lin Xi announced that her second relationship had also come to an end. *Wooo-ooo-ooo.*
*Oh, that hateful Xue Yang, I’m going to eat until you’re broke.*
Well, she didn't even have to try; Xue Yang was already broke.
Lin Xi lowered her head, and at that moment, her stomach let out a loud growl.
"..."
*So embarrassing, wooo-ooo-ooo.*
"Coming, please wait a moment."
...
Elsewhere.
Because Wu Xiaoya had taken it upon herself to try to set Chen Ying and Xue Yang up earlier that day, only for Chen Ying to end up losing face, she had dragged Chen Ying out to treat her to her favorite "Guming" milk tea.
It was half-past six, and the sky had gone completely dark. Dazzling neon lights painted the street in a dreamlike, hazy glow from end to end. The shops on both sides were decorated with strings of bright red fairy lights; from a distance, it looked as though they were on fire. The crimson glow of desire stirred in everyone's hearts, and people stood before the blazing inferno, long reluctant to leave.
"Yingying, Mid-Autumn Festival is next Friday. Aren't you going home?" Wu Xiaoya asked, just to make conversation.
"With the weekend, it's only three days off. It's not worth going back; the travel time alone is too long. I'll just wait until winter break."
As she spoke, Chen Ying looked up and happened to catch a glimpse of a familiar figure at the front of the queue.
*Strange, is my vision playing tricks on me? Why does that person look so much like Xue Yang? Impossible. He couldn't be with another girl. He belongs to me, and he only likes me. Six years of history can't just be cast aside like that. He must be playing some "hard to get" game. If I take this seriously, I’ll be the one who ends up getting hurt.*
Even though she thought this, a powerful curiosity drove Chen Ying’s gaze back toward Xue Yang's direction, but the figure was already gone.
She hadn't even realized it herself, but ever since Xue Yang disappeared from her life, her heart had been completely occupied by him.
"I don't like milk tea. Besides, I've always found Guming’s milk tea a bit too sweet; it’ll ruin my figure."
"Eh? Don't you usually like it?"
Wu Xiaoya felt confused. Every time Xue Yang bought milk tea, it was from this shop. And Chen Ying always finished it.
If she didn't like milk tea, why drink it all?
Was it because it was a gift from Xue Yang?
*Chen Ying, it’s not that you don’t like Xue Yang. If he really gives up this time, you’ll be crying your eyes out!*
...
About twenty minutes later, the waiter finally brought the steak set meals.
"Shouldn't steak be paired with red wine?"
The waiter was stunned. "This set meal doesn't come with red wine."
"!!! Sorry, it's nothing. You can go ahead."
The waiter left with a smile.
"My dear young lady, this is a discount steak. There’s no wine. You’d better eat up—we still have to go buy clothes later. Or do you want to sleep in this outfit tonight? I don't have many clothes left, and you certainly can't wear my... underwear."
"Xue Yang, shut up."
She finally understood: Xue Yang was a total rogue.
Lin Xi picked up her knife and fork, elegantly cutting the steak into small pieces one by one, then leisurely forked a piece and brought it to her lips. She looked completely natural. Her way of dining was so elegant, gentle, and refined, devoid of any affectation, as if it were a habit ingrained since childhood. She was like a true lady of quality.
At this moment, Xue Yang was wolfing down his food. It was a completely different style from Lin Xi’s elegance, yet somehow, they seemed to fit together.
It was half-past seven by the time they finished their steak and stepped outside.
The pedestrian street was packed with over a hundred shops—supermarkets, beauty salons, and clothing boutiques stood side-by-side. Every storefront was adorned with charming neon lights, showing off their allure to passersby.
But these weren't Xue Yang's target; he strode forward with purpose.
"Xue Yang, can't you wait for me?"
Xue Yang turned around and realized Lin Xi had fallen quite far behind. He was used to walking with guys and had momentarily forgotten that he had a "frail girl" by his side.
For the rest of the walk, Xue Yang deliberately slowed his pace.
*This guy may be careless,* Lin Xi thought, *but he’s at least willing to listen to reason. Compared to those men who know their behavior is wrong—even when pointed out—and still refuse to change, he isn't completely without merit.*
"Come take a look! Everything must go, cheap prices!"
"Walk by, don't miss out! Factory direct, store clearance, unbeatable quality, unbeatable value..."
"The Jiangnan Leather Factory has gone bankrupt! The bastard boss, he owed 350 million and ran off with his sister-in-law! We're selling wallets to cover wages! Original prices were over a hundred, over two hundred—now everything is just 20! Everything is 20!"
Lin Xi looked at the dazzling array of goods on the street stall. While she found it novel, she also felt a bit depressed.
"Xue Yang, you aren't planning on making me buy clothes from a street stall, are you?"
"Do I look like I can afford anything else? Be grateful you have something to wear. Don't be so picky—do you really think you're still a pampered heiress?"
"..."
Lin Xi was choked for words. She didn't know how to refute him because she *was* a pampered heiress. It’s just that she couldn't say so yet. It seemed he really didn't know who she was.
"Are you two buying clothes? My quality is guaranteed, and the prices are cheap. Come take a look."
A woman in her early thirties with a kind face stopped them.
"This couple's outfit is perfect for young people like you. Buy both; it’s only 100 yuan."
Two outfits for only 100 yuan?
Lin Xi felt as if her worldview had taken a heavy blow. At home, her breakfast alone cost at least 10,000, and often much more.
She tugged on Xue Yang’s sleeve. "No couple’s outfits."
Xue Yang held up three fingers.
"Two sets for 30, and you throw in a pair of pants, then we’ll take it."
Lin Xi’s eyes widened. *You can haggle for this?*
What happened next was even more explosive.
"Young man, seeing as your girlfriend is so beautiful and you’re so thoughtful to buy her clothes, fine, 30 it is. I'll throw in a pair of pants to make it two full sets. Come back and visit my stall often, okay?"
"..."
"..."
*Even lower.*
...
The next stop was to buy underwear.
"Absolutely not. I’m going to buy this part myself."
How could she possibly buy something like this with a man?
Xue Yang stood to one side, acting very sensible.
"Young lady, what size do you wear?"
The woman selling the lingerie gave a knowing smirk toward Xue Yang. "If you don't know, you can just ask your boyfriend."
Lin Xi was startled. "He’s not my boyfriend."
"Oh, don't be shy, girl. You two are clearly a couple. You’re in college; it’s okay to date. Did you get into Yanbei together? If my son could be half as bright as you two, I’d be happy."
She glanced at Lin Xi. "If you trust my eyes, with your figure, you should be at least a 95D..." The woman seemed unsure, then took another look. "Yes, 95D, no doubt about it."
The woman looked at Xue Yang with a playful expression. "Young man, you have a great eye. This is the first time I've seen a girl with such perfect proportions. You must be very happy, right?"
"!"
Still, Lin Xi’s figure was indeed... quite explosive.