NOVEL NEXT Chapter 133: Pay You Back
Su Lin never expected Zhao Yanyan to suddenly act like that. Zhao Yanyan herself was surprised by her own actions, but she quickly composed herself, thinking that since she had already done it, there was no need to feel shy. She liked Su Lin anyway, didn't she?
Touching his cheek where Zhao Yanyan had kissed him, Su Lin smirked, “Yanyan, you can't escape after such a sneak attack. Remember what I said before.”
Zhao Yanyan instinctively covered her fair long legs and said, “Su Lin, don't mess around, we're in a store.”
Su Lin chuckled, “Do I seem like that sort of person? I haven’t even bought my clothes yet.”
Zhao Yanyan realized he was right; Su Lin hadn't chosen his outfit yet.
The salesperson then asked, “Sir, your bill is settled. Would the lady like to wear this dress now or should we pack it?”
Zhao Yanyan quickly replied, “Please pack it. It's still early; I won't wear this dress out now.”
The salesperson nodded and escorted Zhao Yanyan to the changing room. Su Lin watched as Zhao Yanyan hurriedly followed the salesperson, looking like she was escaping.
He laughed quietly to himself. Since Zhao Yanyan had taken the initiative, he felt he should respond accordingly. He had been eyeing her long legs for a while now.
Su Lin commented, “Yanyan, your work uniform is really ugly. You should wear your previous clothes.”
Zhao Yanyan explained, “You think I don’t want to? But every time I talk to those people, they’re distracted, just like you, always staring at my legs. I had to switch to long pants, and you have no idea how hot it gets.”
Imagining the intense sun in Donghai, Su Lin laughed out loud.
“Alright, enough laughing. Let’s pick out clothes for you,” Zhao Yanyan said.
Su Lin shrugged, “Choosing clothes for me is simple, as long as they fit.”
Zhao Yanyan agreed, “Your physique makes any clothing look good. It’s like you’re a natural clothes hanger. I, on the other hand, can’t wear half the clothes here.”
“Can’t say you can’t wear them, it’s just too short and uncomfortable,” Su Lin understood Zhao Yanyan’s dilemma, although he couldn’t empathize.
“Right, having clothes to wear is good enough,” Zhao Yanyan said, moving on.
They headed to the men’s clothing section, where the choices were simpler. Various suits were available, mostly differing in color but similar in style.
Zhao Yanyan picked up a white jacket and held it up to Su Lin, who disapproved, “Such a thick jacket? You want to bake me?”
Zhao Yanyan laughed, “You’re lucky; at least there’s air conditioning in the hotel. In winter, we girls still have to wear these kinds of dresses, even with exposed shoulders and backs. That’s truly cold.”
“Hold still, let me see if it fits,” she said.
Su Lin extended his hand, “Whether it fits or not, I’ll know once I put it on. Hurry, help me change.”
“Oh my, you think you’re an emperor now?” Zhao Yanyan said with a huff.
Su Lin retorted playfully, “Tch… With the life I’m living now, I wouldn’t trade it even to be an emperor!” He grimaced, emphasizing his contentment with his current situation.
Zhao Yanyan teased him, “That’s true. After all, you already have two women, and it seems you’re about to entangle with another. Aren’t you proud of yourself?”
Looking at Zhao Yanyan, Su Lin asked, “No plans to get married?”
Zhao Yanyan snorted, “I’ve seen through you long ago. You wouldn’t consider marriage, right? Always chasing new while not tired of the old, wishing to gather all your favorite types at home, even if just as decoration.”
Su Lin coughed awkwardly, “That’s an exaggeration. I’ve never thought of anyone as just a decoration.”
Zhao Yanyan praised, “No wonder Xiaoyu is so capable. I used to think she was a delicate flower, but seeing how she handles the company’s affairs really shocked me.”
As she spoke, she pulled Su Lin in front of a mirror, “You look handsome, don’t you think?”
Su Lin smiled, “If you think it looks good, that’s enough. Your taste is definitely on point.”
Zhao Yanyan shook her head, “Your face, I wonder how many girls it will bewitch.”
“That’s not necessarily true. You’ll see, Qin Jiuyue probably won’t give me a good face tonight,” Su Lin said with a smile.
“Why wouldn’t she give you a good face?” Zhao Yanyan asked, surprised.
Su Lin shook his head, “Probably because we’re from different camps.”
“Different camps?”
Su Lin didn’t elaborate and instead looked at himself in the mirror before saying with satisfaction, “This set will do. Let’s pay.”
“Right away, sir!” the service staff quickly approached to process the payment.
Su Lin appreciated the shopping experience at the luxury store. The staff knew exactly when to stay back and when to step in and assist.
“Aren’t you going to look at other options?” Zhao Yanyan asked.
Su Lin replied, “Some things only take one glance to know they’re right. I trust your first impression.”
Zhao Yanyan giggled, “Alright, then. Let’s buy this set.”
After paying, they didn’t linger to shop further but headed downstairs.
Back in the car, Zhao Yanyan noticed Su Lin hesitating to start the car and asked with curiosity, “Why aren’t you driving? Is there something wrong?”
Su Lin nodded, “There’s something important I haven’t done yet. Once it’s done, we can leave.”
“What is it?” she asked.
Su Lin’s gaze turned more intense as he looked at Zhao Yanyan. Just as she realized something was amiss and tried to move back, Su Lin’s hand had already caught her head, “You stole a kiss from me earlier. Isn’t it my turn to kiss you back now?”
Zhao Yanyan’s eyes widened in surprise as Su Lin leaned in, “Su Lin… Mmm…”
…
Meanwhile, at a natural reserve hill on the border between Donghai and Linhai, a young man around twenty years old was standing in front of a collection of pots and jars.
“All I do is boil medicine every day. When can I finally leave the mountain? Sigh, it’s been three years since I last left the mountain, and I have no idea what the world below is like now.”
“Ah well, better keep boiling the medicine, or the old man will blow his top again.” As he was speaking, a stone suddenly shot out from the thatched hut, aiming straight for Xiao Chen’s face.
Xiao Chen sensed the danger and quickly stepped back twice. “Master, you’re really not holding back with that throw. If that hit my head, I’d be a goner.”
“Hmph, you’ve learned medical skills and martial arts from me for ten years. If you can’t even dodge a small stone, you might as well be dead,” Wang Yannian said, holding a smoking pipe in one hand and a yellowed envelope in the other, as he approached Xiao Chen.
“Master, when can I finally leave the mountain? You originally said it would be three years, and it’s already been that long,” Xiao Chen grumbled somewhat discontentedly.
Of course, it was just a grumble. His Eight Trigram Palm had reached the level of a grandmaster, but in front of Wang Yannian, he was like a child, getting fancily beaten up. So, even though he had various complaints in his heart, he dared not voice them out loud.
“Thinking of getting beaten up again, are you? Or are you cursing me in your heart again?”
“How could that be? Master, am I that kind of person?”
“Heh! I knew exactly what kind of person you were when I picked you up. I saw right through you,” Wang Yannian said indifferently.
“Uh… alright, Master, you’re great.”
“Humph humph, you want to leave the mountain?”
Xiao Chen nodded, “Yes, I’ve not seen the outside world for three years.”
“The outside world is dangerous, you know?”
“Master, you’ve said before, there aren’t many people in Xia country I need to avoid, and with your support, what do I have to fear?” Xiao Chen said confidently.
Wang Yannian sighed deeply, “I’m just afraid that once you leave the mountain, you’ll encounter those few people you can’t provoke.”
“Don’t worry, I’m not foolish. If I know I can’t beat someone, I definitely won’t make enemies with them,” Xiao Chen declared confidently.
He could already sense that Wang Yannian was about to let him leave the mountain, and his heart was filled with excitement.
The beautiful life was about to begin. The beauties of Donghai, the bustling city, he would soon see it all.
“Alas! Your heart is already not here; it has flown somewhere else long ago.”
“Well then…”