"Niannian," Huo Jingnan looked at her, "What are you thinking about?"

Pei Shasha snapped out of her daze and subconsciously pulled her sleeve down to cover the black butterfly above her wrist.

"I...I want to go out for a walk." Pei Shasha smiled. "Jingnan, shall we go to the mall for a while?"

Huo Jingnan was taken aback; Pei Nian was indeed quite different today.

She was usually indifferent to worldly desires, disliked shopping, wore only basic clothes, and rarely wore cosmetics. She seemed uninterested in the pleasures that girls typically enjoy.

He has never asked to go shopping!

Huo Jingnan felt a strange sensation in his heart. He looked at her carefully. This was indeed Pei Nian, yet it seemed like she wasn't Pei Nian at all.

"Jingnan, what's wrong?" Pei Shasha tried her best to imitate Pei Nian, even taking the initiative to reach out and hold his hand. "Don't you want to take me with you?"

"Oh, okay." Huo Jingnan smiled slightly, but subtly moved his hand away. "Let's go."

Huo Jingnan brought Pei Shasha to the DL Building, where the luxurious decor left Pei Shasha in awe. As soon as they entered, well-trained staff bowed and greeted them, and the manager personally came out to welcome them.

Pei Shasha looked around and saw top international luxury brands everywhere. They were like dazzling diamonds, which made her vanity soar.

Many items are limited editions and cannot be bought simply because you have money. Many brands pay more attention to the identity and background of their customers. If you are not in that circle, you will never even get a chance to get your hands on one.

Pei Shasha's eyes lit up.

No matter how prosperous Southeast Asia is, it can never compare to this place. Besides, she lived in the lower class of Southeast Asia; although she had some money, she had no social standing, and she had never experienced this kind of life on high.

However, the thought of Pei Nian spending every day with Huo Jingnan, living such a superior life, filled her with jealousy, which gnawed at every sensitive and fragile nerve.

The light in Pei Shasha's eyes gradually turned into a burning jealousy, making her eyes red.

"Niannian, which bag do you like?"

Suddenly, Huo Jingnan's voice came from beside him.

Pei Shasha's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly turned to look at him, trying her best to pull herself together.

That bag is a designer piece; there's only one of each design.

Moreover, in Southeast Asia, only royalty and nobility could own this brand of bags.

Pei Shasha almost blurted out "I like it," but remembering the photos Uncle Zhong had given her and what kind of personality Uncle Zhong had described Pei Nian, she restrained herself, smiled gently at Huo Jingnan, and shook her head.

Huo Jingnan felt somewhat relieved.

Yes, that's what he truly cherishes. But why was the light in her eyes so intense just now?

“Jingnan,” Pei Shasha said softly, “why don’t we look at other places?”

"Okay, fine." Huo Jingnan smiled. "I'll do whatever you say today."

"You're so good to me..."

"Silly girl!" Huo Jingnan patted her shoulder. "I'm your boyfriend. If I'm not good to you, who should I be good to?"

Pei Shasha bit her lip, her heart feeling like it was tied in a knot.

She mimicked Pei Nian's little gesture, gently brushing her bangs aside, playing with them on her fingers a couple of times, and tucking them behind her ear.

Huo Jingnan watched her quietly... This was indeed a gesture Pei Nian often made.

Then he laughed and said, "What, your bangs have grown long again?"

Pei Shasha gave a vague reply: "Um...yes."

"Do you want me to cut your hair this time?"

"Um?"

"How about we stick to the old rules?"

Pei Shasha froze, and Huo Jingnan keenly caught the hint of doubt and panic that flashed across her eyes.

Huo Jingnan frowned—didn't she know what the old rules were?

These are the little romantic gestures they share: when her bangs get long, he trims them for her; when his beard gets long, she shaves it off for him.

"Niannian," Huo Jingnan said with a slight smile, "don't you remember our old rules?"

Pei Shasha felt a little flustered, her eyes darting around.

"Niannian! What's wrong with you today?"

"Oh, right, Jingnan!" Pei Shasha immediately changed the subject, "Look at that boutique, the clothes inside look pretty nice!"

"Nian Nian..."

"Come on, let's go take a look!" Pei Shasha said coquettishly, pushing him towards the boutique. "Buy me a dress, I love wearing dresses the most!"

Huo Jingnan was pushed along by her as they strolled around the entire DL shopping mall. After buying a dress, Pei Shasha's shopping desire seemed to be suddenly aroused. Huo Jingnan, carrying bags of various sizes, followed behind her, paying for everything she wanted.

In just two hours, he had already spent seven figures.

Since he met Pei Nian, he has never spent such a sum of money.

He wasn't worried about the money, but a doubt was weighing on his mind, becoming increasingly difficult to dispel.

"Um... Jingnan," Pei Shasha said somewhat guiltily at the end, "I'm tired of shopping, shall we stop?"

Huo Jingnan gave her a deep look and nodded.

“And another thing,” Pei Shasha continued, making up a lie, “I need to go to school to see Ding Cheng and see if he’s studying hard.”

"Is today a day off? Do I still have to go to work?"

“Oh…” Pei Shasha rolled her eyes. “Isn’t it common to work overtime on rest days? Wait for me at home, I’ll be back soon.”

After saying that, she picked up all the things she had bought and disappeared like a gust of wind.

Huo Jingnan stared at her retreating figure, lost in thought.

Overtime? Pei Nian never works overtime. Not because she's trying to reform the workplace, but because she always manages to do her job perfectly during working hours.

It's impossible to hear the words "working overtime on rest days" from her.

But today... Pei Nian's behavior is just too outrageous.

*

When Pei Shasha got home, she threw all her bags on the ground and kicked her high heels all over the place.

Uncle Zhong was already waiting for her at home.

"This is what you wanted." Uncle Zhong's voice was cold as he placed a stack of photos in front of Pei Shasha. "Here you go."

Pei Shasha looked at him, opened the envelope, and inside were photos of Pei Nian being locked in the basement.

There was no light, no food, no water or electricity; there was only endless darkness and cold.

Pei Shasha laughed excitedly, "Thank you, Uncle Zhong!!"

Ah Zhong leaned against the wall, his eyes seemingly unfocused, and just stood there blankly.

"Uncle Zhong, look, these are all the things I bought today!" Pei Shasha showed off her spoils. "The Huo family is really rich, and Huo Jingnan is really handsome... He must have taken me inside, and everyone in the office is looking at me!"

She said with a look of ecstasy, "Uncle Zhong, such a good man shouldn't belong to Pei Nian, right?"

Ah Zhong took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

“By the way, Uncle Zhong,” Pei Shasha asked casually, “have you investigated how Pei Nian usually interacts with Huo Jingnan? Huo Jingnan is still waiting for me at home! I need to pack my bags now and go stay at his house!”