Chapter 9

Chapter Summary: He desperately wanted to see her.

The next day was Sunday, and Yao Ye, wearing a new shirt, came to work at Tulip with her older sister, Yao Qin.

Yao Qin noticed it immediately and laughed, "Oh my, is this shirt new? It looks like it's made of good quality, much better than the ones you wore before."

"Is that so..." Yao Ye thought to herself: So it really is true that clothes make the man, and high-quality clothes can make a person look brand new.

So Yao Ye sat at the front desk, her thoughts wandering, and she couldn't help but think of her only push-up bra. Her sister had dragged her to buy it to get a coupon, and when she tried it on, she felt it was a bit tight and not as comfortable as a regular bra, plus it was quite expensive. But since her sister paid for it, she accepted it without hesitation.

She doesn't usually wear that shirt very often, so it was just a coincidence that it ripped open that day.

But now, Yao Ye sat at the front desk, lost in thought. Suddenly, she heard the woman next to her say, "Oh dear, Aili sent me another coupon, but I just bought one a while ago, never mind."

Yao Ye, as if possessed, pricked up her ears. After hesitating for a moment, she finally called out to her sister, "Um... Sister, can I use that coupon?"

Yao Qin turned around and said in surprise, "Hey, didn't you dislike Ailijia's designs? You said the one I bought for you last time was too tight."

“Yeah, that’s true…” Yao Ye said awkwardly, “But they also have some comfortable everyday styles, right… I happen to need to buy a few, so I don’t want to waste them…”

“Okay,” Yao Qin smiled, unsuspecting. “Then you can go to the third floor to buy it yourself during your lunch break. Give me your phone number, and I’ll send you a screenshot of the coupon’s QR code.”

"Okay!"

So during her lunch break, Yao Ye hurriedly ate a few bites of lunch and excitedly went downstairs. There weren't many customers at noon, and the staff were very attentive to her. Seeing her lingering in front of the shelves, they took the initiative to ask her what kind of items she wanted to look at.

"We have a wide variety of products, including everyday underwire bras, extra-soft loungewear, and shock-absorbing sports bras..."

"I..." Yao Ye pursed her lips, "...want to see...the push-up type..."

Upon hearing this, the sales assistant enthusiastically brought out several styles for her to try on, all featuring sophisticated designs with lace, mesh, and rhinestones. The sales assistant added with a smile, "These styles all look fantastic on, why don't you try them all on?"

Just how amazing is it? Yao Ye carried the lingerie into the fitting room and first looked at the price tag. Goodness, one piece costs several hundred yuan. Is this robbery?

She clicked her tongue as she changed, then looked in the mirror: Wow, it really is a robbery! The reflection in the mirror made her look so beautiful she could commit a crime!

My God… this figure… these curves… is this really me…? She couldn’t help but put her hands on her hips and admire herself, a thought floating through her mind: There’s definitely a reason why it’s expensive, this one is even more amazing than mine… Hehe, if I had worn this one that day, I would have scared him to death…

Wait! Wait, wait, wait! Wait, wait, wait!

Yao Ye was stunned, feeling extremely ashamed of this inexplicable thought that had suddenly popped into her head. She hurriedly changed into the new clothes, and as she hesitated whether to buy them, she opened the fitting room door, only to suddenly see her sister, Yao Qin, standing outside!

"Sister?" she exclaimed in shock. "What are you doing here?"

Yao Qin said, "I carefully looked at the discount details. One item is 20% off, and two items are 30% off. I thought about it and realized I was missing a bright red wedding dress, so I came down to choose one. Have you chosen one yet? Let's pay together. Consider it a gift from your sister."

"Uh...I..." Yao Ye's face flushed instantly because Yao Qin took the push-up bra from her hand and then stared blankly.

Yao Qin looked at the lingerie, then at Yao Ye, seemingly finding it hard to believe that her carefree younger sister had chosen this style. Just then, the sales assistant brought over a few more styles and called out to Yao Ye, "Young lady, how was that one? That one has the best push-up effect in our store. I also got you a few other good ones; I guarantee you'll look absolutely stunning in them..."

Yao Ye's face was even redder than the newlywed red dress in Yao Qin's hand.

…………

Fortunately, Yao Qin didn't say much, just smiled and took the money to the counter to pay.

As she left the lingerie store, she handed Yao Ye her lingerie and then affectionately ruffled her younger sister's hair. "Time flies! I still seem to remember you learning to walk in your open-crotch pants. It's amazing how quickly you've grown up, into a... real girl!"

Yao Ye stuck out her tongue. "Sis... when I was wearing open-crotch pants, you were probably only in elementary school. You really remember?"

“I remember,” Yao Qin said softly, “I really remember everything.”

In that instant, her eyes were filled with the tenderness of an elder sister who is like a mother.

"Oh, by the way..." As the two sisters walked to the art class, Yao Qin asked again, "Yao Ye, if you ever start dating, you can talk to your sister about it. She has more life experience than you. Of course, no pressure. But if you're still in the ambiguous or secret stage..."

"At once?"

"Just enjoy it." Yao Qin put her arm around her sister's shoulder.

Yao Ye nodded subconsciously, then realized what she meant and shook her head violently, saying, "Sister, sister, I didn't..."

………………

Well, as for whether it actually happened, even Yao Ye herself was a bit confused. Of course she knew that her relationship with Li Fengjian had changed. Perhaps it started with the scuffle in front of the luxury store? Perhaps it started when her shirt accidentally broke? Perhaps it started when she unwittingly accepted the new shirt?

Or perhaps, the seeds were sown early on, unseen by anyone.

Whenever she thought of Li Fengjian, or even just saw those two white shirts, or the Kazamado milk tea cup, her heart would race and her heart would flutter. But after much internal struggle, she couldn't help but remind herself: Li Fengjian hadn't said anything explicitly to her. What did he mean? She mustn't misunderstand.

"I don't understand what he means."

A sudden remark from someone next to her seemed to read aloud Yao Ye's innermost thoughts, startling her. Turning around, she saw Su Yan, who was having yet another cold war with her boyfriend, confiding in Zhang Jiajia.

It was Monday morning, and the professor allowed everyone to discuss freely. Su Yan and her friends then secretly started talking about the eternal topic of love.

"I don't understand, what does he mean?" Su Yan sniffed. "I always feel like I can't see through his heart. He is indeed different from me, and he has given me very thoughtful gifts, but... but I feel uneasy. I don't know if his feelings for me are just a passing fancy, or if he really likes me. Jiajia, what do you think I should do to figure it out?"

Zhang Jiajia racked her brains, thinking, "Hmm... I think if you want to tell whether his feelings for you are just a passing fancy or if he genuinely likes you, you can try ignoring him for a few days."

"What do you mean? Explain in detail?" Su Yan immediately listened attentively, and even Yao Ye, who was standing to the side, silently perked up her ears.

“In my experience,” Zhang Jiajia laughed, “when my boyfriend and I are in a flirtatious relationship, he feels uncomfortable if I don’t talk to him for even a day. Five days is the limit. If I don’t talk to him for five whole days, he will definitely come looking for me.”

"I understand." Su Yan nodded thoughtfully, and Yao Ye beside her also nodded.

………………

So from Li Fengjian's perspective, he had just sincerely sent Yao Ye a new shirt as an apology not long ago, so why had she disappeared for several days afterward? Although Yao Ye hadn't come every day before, she had only visited Fengjian Hall every few days.

But right now, Li Fengjian knew perfectly well that his feelings for Yao Ye had changed, completely changed. Perhaps it started when he misunderstood that she was dating a bad man who would give her designer bags? Perhaps it started when he realized he was willing to lend her money, even if she couldn't repay it? Perhaps it started when he saw a beautiful sight he shouldn't have seen?

Or perhaps, it is a seed planted even earlier that is now quietly sprouting?

In short, Li Fengjian could no longer tolerate the so-called "every now and then".

He desperately wanted to see her.

Just as he was deep in thought, the sound of wind chimes rang out as someone pushed open the shop door. Aunt Sun greeted him, "Miss Yao, long time no see!" Li Fengjian abruptly looked up, glancing back at her. For a moment he thought it was her, but then a hint of disappointment crept in.

Yao Qin hurriedly pushed the door open and came in. "Boss, the usual, five cups of plum green tea."

………………