Yesterday's journey from Qingcheng Village to the city center of Haicheng was rushed, and I realized that I had only glimpsed a corner of this international metropolis.

Tonight, its full appearance is revealed before her eyes.

Neon lights flashed in a dazzling display, skyscrapers rose from the ground and soared into the clouds, people thronged the streets, vehicles flowed along the roads, and the distant sound of cruise ships on the river was muffled and hoarse.

The interior of a beautifully decorated girls' clothing store.

The salesperson beamed as they faced the major client, enthusiastically promoting the clothing: "Miss, you have fair skin and are so pretty, you look good in any color."

Fang Zhi felt like a delicate human doll trying on one piece of clothing after another.

Qi Shen sat quietly on the sofa, waiting patiently.

Shopping bags were piled up at his feet, and the boy paid for everything from underwear to clothes and shoes.

"Hurry up!" The saleswoman smiled and waved to the girl in the fitting room. "Come out and let your brother see you!"

Upon hearing this, Qi Shen casually propped his head up, his eyes fixed on the fitting room.

The fitting room is equipped with a floor-length mirror, which is spotless, and the light from the ceiling shines down, making the surroundings bright.

Fang Zhi stared at himself in the mirror, unable to come to his senses.

Yesterday she was covered in mud and tattered clothes, like a little beggar; today she wears a beautiful dress, and everyone around her treats her kindly.

She wasn't wearing a skirt.

Such a beautiful dress, even her younger sister Fang Zhenzhen, who was favored by Aunt Pang, never had the chance to wear it.

With gentle encouragement from the shop assistant, she took small steps and finally mustered the courage to step out of the fitting room.

Qi Shen's gaze followed her closely, this little girl whom he had picked up on a whim.

The white princess dress was made of soft, fluffy fabric, which made her look graceful and elegant at such a young age.

The only flaw is the scars left by the fat aunt on her slender, fair calves.

The shop assistant was shrewd; she never said a word about the customer's private matters, pretending not to see anything and just kept saying nice things.

Qi Shen frowned, his eyes darkening for a moment.

Ugh, these marks are really an eyesore.

Although these scars were all from before he met her, he had no reason to care about them.

But now we realize that the phrase "let bygones be bygones" has never been his style.

Let him think about it. Finding Shi Yan to get scar removal medicine is one thing, but how should he deal with that rural woman?

The lack of love and abuse made Fang Zhi's young mind sensitive and fragile. She keenly sensed that her brother was looking at the ugly scars on her calves.

She knew these marks were unsightly, so could her brother dislike her because of them?

Thinking of this, Fang Zhixiao's body trembled slightly.

The girl didn't know how to hide her thoughts; all her emotions were written on her face, and Qi Shen could see right through her.

He seemed to have frightened his fragile little pet.

Putting aside the matter of dealing with Aunt Pang for the moment, Qi Shen smiled gently, a faint and warm curve at the corner of his lips.

He raised his hand and beckoned, "Zhizhi, come here."

Fang Zhi slowly walked to his side, lowered her head, and dared not look at him, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible, "Brother."

Qi Shen looked at her trembling appearance and said calmly, "Zhizhi, when you talk to people, you should raise your head and stand up straight."

Keeping her at home doesn't mean he won't nurture her; he will teach her about personality, knowledge, and hobbies.

Like polishing a rough piece of jade, slowly and meticulously sculpt her.

Her nature can be gentle, but it must never be cowardly.

A person who is too weak and afraid to express their own thoughts will only try to please others, and the last thing they need is to please others.

She only needs to depend on him.

Fang Zhi took a deep breath, straightened up, but dared not meet his gaze.

Qi Shen didn't press the matter further. He knew there was no rush to correct her behavior; he had time to do it gradually.

Do you like this dress?

No girl dislikes a pretty dress, and Fang Zhi really liked it, but she knew she couldn't be greedy, since her brother had already spent a lot of money buying her many things today.

She shook her head. "I don't like it."

If I say I like it, my brother will probably buy it again.

Moreover, she has scars on her legs, and her brother was just looking at them. She was afraid he would be disgusted if he saw them.

Qi Shen narrowed his eyes, his handsome features revealing no emotion. "There are some things that I will only tell Zhizhi once."

Fang Zhi could vaguely sense that her brother was angry, and asked helplessly, "What did you say?"

Qi Shen smiled faintly, "Good children shouldn't lie, especially not to their older brother."

The boy's voice was soft, yet it carried an unspeakable severity.

It makes you feel an invisible pressure on your shoulders, making it hard to breathe.

Fang Zhi, who had always been submissive under his adoptive mother's care, pursed his lips tightly and dared not utter a sound in the face of Qi Shen's words.

"Do you really not like this dress? Look your brother in the eyes and say it again."

Qi Shen's words drifted clearly into her ears, and Fang Zhi looked up to meet the boy's deep, calm, and unwavering gaze, and slowly said, "I like it."

That's right.

He doesn't like his possessions lying to him, and just in case, there are things he should remind and stop her from doing the first time.

Qi Shen smiled at her, his smile warm and gentle.

The atmosphere around us softened as if a glacier had melted instantly.

"Very well-behaved," Qi Shen praised Fang Zhi gently.

Then he raised his hand and beckoned to the shop assistant, "Could you please wrap up all of those she just tried on?"

Seeing the handsome and charming young man smile gently, the female shop assistant quickly snapped out of her daze, "Okay, please wait a moment."

"Brother," Fang Zhi said anxiously, grabbing Qi Shen's hand, "It's too expensive. You've already bought so much for Zhizhi today."

Qi Shen's gaze fell on the two folded hands. "Buy it if you like it. Your brother is willing to spend money on Zhizhi."

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