Shopping 2

Outside the window, both sides of the road were lined with mango trees, and between every two stood a tree adorned with clusters of purple flowers. The blossoms trailed together in delicate chains, making for a sight of exquisite beauty.

Xiao widened her eyes at the passing scene, curiosity lighting her face. Having grown up surrounded by rare and precious flowers, the ordinary yet striking blooms by the roadside seemed all the more novel. She didn't know their names, but their prettiness enchanted her. New things always held a special allure. All the way, Xiao sat quietly, not distracting Han from his driving as she sometimes did.

Han glanced over at Xiao, noticing how her attention was wholly captured by the view outside. He felt quietly pleased with his decision today.

The car gradually entered the commercial district at the heart of the city. With practiced ease, Han steered into the parking garage beneath the shopping mall. Once he’d parked and opened the doors, he called Xiao and Meng to get out.

Thus began the trio’s journey through the mall. They took the escalator up and stepped into a clothing boutique. At first, the store attendants lounged idly about, each absorbed in her own affairs.

But as soon as they heard the door open, they glanced up, indifferent—until they caught sight of who had entered. Instantly, they froze in shock. What had they just seen? A man with the bearing of a king was walking into their store!

In an instant, every salesgirl surged forward like hungry wolves who’d just sniffed out fresh prey. Xiao and Meng were pushed aside, while Han was quickly surrounded by women whose eyes gleamed with avarice.

Xiao glared at the scene, hands on her hips, her cheeks puffed with indignation—adorably defiant. Meng watched glumly, feeling she had no right to intervene and pull the women away from Han. She had always known that someone as attractive and charming as Han would be popular, but it was still hard to accept. She wanted Han to belong to her alone.

But was that possible? The answer was all too clear. These thoughts left Meng shrouded in a heavy, dark gloom.

Xiao, meanwhile, grew even more annoyed as the women showed no intention of backing off, chattering incessantly as they crowded around Han, tugging him this way and that.

"Sir, good afternoon! Is there anything you need? We've just stocked a new collection of men's attire…" Several attendants vied to introduce their merchandise, and some seized the opportunity to get a little too close—pressing their chests against Han in a shameless attempt at flirtation.

The more Xiao watched, the more displeased she became. "Outrageous!" she muttered, marching forward to forcefully shove the women aside in just a few brisk movements.

She pulled Han firmly to her side and cast a cold, sweeping gaze over the group. Xiao rarely looked at anyone this way; if she did, it meant she was truly incensed.

Though the salesgirls bristled with resentment, a glance at Xiao’s attire told them she was not someone to offend lightly. So, despite their indignation, they had no choice but to swallow it.

Their faces shifted through shades of red, green, and purple, the embarrassment plain to see. Xiao ignored them entirely, taking her brother by the arm and leading him away.

What an unbearable group of women! How dare they touch my brother without my permission—they must have a death wish! She shot them another frosty look, and the women quickly stifled their complaints, bowing their heads and barely daring to breathe.

Unspoken, each of them thought the same: this girl's presence was utterly different from before—intimidating enough to unsettle them to the core.

Extra: If you’re enjoying the story, please send a little encouragement!