Chapter 16: Little Girlfriend

All the jackets were outdoor shells, but compared to the few that she had brought, the ones Xing Lin picked were more professional. Even an outsider like her could feel the difference just by touch.

After trying on two or three sets, Qiao Ruyi was surprisingly patient.

When she went back into the fitting room again, the store owner leaned over and whispered to Xing Lin, “Since when did you get a little girlfriend? She’s beautiful and seems quite obedient.”

Xing Lin sat on a high stool at the bar, sipping his coffee as he waited for Qiao Ruyi to change. Hearing this, he raised an eyebrow. “Don’t talk nonsense.”

“Is it nonsense?” The owner chuckled. “I’ve known you for so long and have never seen you be this patient with any girl, let alone accompany one to buy clothes.”

Xing Lin remained silent.

“Come on, tell me, how did you two meet?”

He put down his coffee, glanced at the owner with a warning look in his eyes. The owner grinned, “Alright, alright, I’m not prying. Just wanted to remind you something.”

“Remind me what?”

The owner lowered his voice playfully, “You’re practically glued to her. Aren’t you afraid of scaring the poor girl?”

Xing Lin was sitting directly opposite the fitting room, drinking coffee. Whenever Qiao Ruyi stepped out, his gaze naturally fell on her. The owner, not new to observing Xing Lin, had noticed the softness in his eyes—unlike his usual cold and aloof expression.

The light in his eyes was gentle.

Xing Lin pursed his lips, a hint of a lazy smile flickering in his eyes as he looked at the owner. “Don’t you want to do business anymore?”

The owner immediately made a shushing gesture, not wanting to offend him.

The fitting room door opened, and Xing Lin pushed his coffee aside and stood up to approach. The owner teased, watching Xing Lin’s back, neither confirming nor denying—what exactly was going on with him?

Qiao Ruyi looked at herself in the mirror. The dark red windbreaker fit well, flattering her delicate, pale face—a perfect match indeed.

“Uncomfortable?” Xing Lin asked, noticing she neither expressed like nor dislike, unsure of her thoughts.

Qiao Ruyi fiddled with the hem, looking left and right. “Actually, it’s pretty comfortable…”

“Comfortable is good,” Xing Lin said.

Only then did Qiao Ruyi look up at him in the mirror. He was so tall; his dark leather jacket accentuated his broad shoulders and narrow waist. The wildness and ruggedness seemed to burst forth unabashedly from his solid frame.

Without the mirror, she never realized the stark contrast. Back in the car, she always thought her head could just reach his shoulder, but now, looking in the mirror, even when her head bobbed around his chest, it couldn’t touch his shoulder.

He stood behind her, hands on his hips, his chest broad and powerful—a presence that could easily shield her. His breath descended, and Qiao Ruyi felt a sudden flutter in her heart.

It was the first time she had seen a man emit such a strong roughness and granularity; even just standing behind her, she could feel the unabashed tension of his hormones.

She forced her attention back to the clothes.

“Wearing clothes isn’t just about comfort,” she said.

Xing Lin looked surprised, turning his head. “If not comfort, then what?”

That question made Qiao Ruyi laugh in frustration—such a typical straight man. She lifted her eyelids and glanced in the mirror. “They have to look good.”

Her voice was low, tinged with a mix of amusement and mock annoyance, but to Xing Lin, it sounded like a gentle teasing. At the same time, the owner’s earlier words echoed in his ears: your little girlfriend...

His throat felt hot. He cleared it, but his voice was still slightly husky. “Aren’t you already looking good in those?”

The store owner, ever eager to stir the pot, leaned in with a smile. “What he means is, you’re so pretty that you’d look good in anything.”

Xing Lin shot him a glance.

The owner, undeterred by the glare, grinned. “See? The same words, just said differently, and the meaning is clear.”

Xing Lin clenched his fist, pressed it to his lips, and cleared his throat. “Enough.”

He was reminding the owner to know his limits.

Qiao Ruyi saw the awkward expression on Xing Lin’s face and smiled. “If it’s genuine praise, there’s nothing to be shy about.”

She spoke with openness, which made Xing Lin feel like he was overthinking. He shifted the topic, “So, what kind do you want?”

Qiao Ruyi looked in the mirror again. “At least something that flatters my figure. Comfort is basic, but it should be stylish too.”

That was quite a high standard.

Xing Lin was momentarily at a loss. Outdoor shells were pretty much all alike; functionality was key. He had never thought about aesthetics. The clothes she brought were pretty but impractical.

Qiao Ruyi sighed in front of the mirror. “I’m just used to wearing beautiful clothes.”

Xing Lin thought of the way she looked in a cheongsam—graceful and alluring. The dress truly highlighted her beauty.

He smiled slightly and asked the owner, “Do you have any nice styles?”

The owner nodded. “Yes, there’s a brand designed specifically for women. Good styles, fashionable colors, but the downside is, they’re expensive.”

That was why none had been brought out initially. Xing Lin always chose hard-hitting, functional gear. Plus, he was handsome, so he could pull off almost anything. But now, with a young lady involved, it was time to adjust the approach.

Xing Lin didn’t ask about the price and nodded. “Bring them all.”

Ten minutes later, several brand-new windbreakers were in Qiao Ruyi’s hands.

Morandi tones, pastel macaron shades, Rococo colors, Memphis styles—all with exquisite color coordination, very sophisticated. There was even a Dunhuang color scheme, which Qiao Ruyi liked and selected.

The styles were attractive, combining guaranteed functionality with feminine grace.

Qiao Ruyi kept one Dunhuang set and then looked at Xing Lin in the mirror. “How long will we be out?”

Unlike a simple trip through the uninhabited zone, this trip to Guyang City was uncertain—what they might encounter or what could happen once inside was unknown.

Xing Lin pondered briefly. “Take two more sets, so you can change.”

He thought, since she loved beauty, she shouldn’t have to wear the same outfit all the time.

Qiao Ruyi thought that this journey to Guyang City would require utmost vigilance.

The owner happily packed the three sets.

Xing Lin paid the bill.

Qiao Ruyi tried to stop him but found she hadn’t brought her wallet, and her phone had no money either—quite an awkward moment.

“I’ll pay you back at the store,” she said.

This time Xing Lin looked embarrassed because the owner grinned, watching him after hearing her words.

Xing Lin cleared his throat awkwardly. “No need.”

No need?

Qiao Ruyi had seen the tags; three sets were not cheap. Why was he suddenly so generous?

The owner laughed, “When a man and woman shop together, it’s natural for the man to pay. Little lady, just accept it. You have good taste; these three sets suit you perfectly.”

Qiao Ruyi thanked him but internally disagreed. She believed in fairness and didn’t want to take advantage without reason.

Xing Lin quickly settled the bill and told the owner, “I’ll make a list of other gear. Just send it to the store.”

—

Zhou Bie came to talk to Xing Lin.

After Xing Lin brought Qiao Ruyi back to the coffee shop, Zhou Bie got straight to the point. He insisted on joining the trip into Guyang City, giving a solid reason: “I’m not comfortable with just the two of you going in. Either you take me with you, or I’ll do everything I can to stop you.”

He looked at Xing Lin. “You know me—I say what I mean and do what I say.”

Qiao Ruyi said nothing. To her, it didn’t matter who went with them; she had her own purpose. But she was curious about Zhou Bie’s words. He was just an employee; what power did he have to stop Xing Lin’s decision?

Yet Xing Lin hesitated noticeably, which made Qiao Ruyi even more puzzled.

After a long silence, Xing Lin looked at Zhou Bie. “You have no experience in the uninhabited zone. Stay behind and watch the shop.”

Zhou Bie laughed, a spark of pride in his eyes. “The shop’s closed. What do you want me to watch?”

Xing Lin pressed his lips, jaw tense. Zhou Bie met his gaze squarely, ready for confrontation.

The atmosphere tensed. Qiao Ruyi, unfamiliar with their relationship, chose to sit quietly and observe.

Suddenly, a voice rose from upstairs—

“Whether he goes or not, I have to follow.”

It was Shen Que.

Qiao Ruyi propped her head up, lifting her eyelids. Shen Que stood at the top of the stairs, one hand gripping the railing tightly, his face still swollen. The long shadow cast by the light stretched behind him.

It was a sorry sight.

Qiao Ruyi looked away, too much of this would make her laugh.

Still, she underestimated Shen Que’s stamina. Despite looking battered, he could still get out of bed and come downstairs.

Serious-faced, that was.

Of course, ignoring the bruises.

Xing Lin furrowed his brow. “What trouble are you causing by following us?”

Zhou Bie looked at Shen Que with clear disdain, his tone unfriendly. “What do you mean, ‘whether I go or not’? Are you blind or deaf?”

Shen Que ignored Zhou Bie.

It was clear these two disliked each other. Shen Que looked at Xing Lin. “This time it’s different. More people means more strength in a place like that.”

Zhou Bie agreed with this.

Xing Lin’s earlier hesitation vanished instantly. “No.”

A firm, strict refusal.

“No means yes!” Shen Que raised his voice, even more resolute than Xing Lin.

Not only Zhou Bie was stunned, but Qiao Ruyi was also taken aback, her eyes wide. Shen Que really was determined. First, he tried to clear Zhou Bie out of Xing Lin’s way; now, despite his injuries, he insisted on accompanying Xing Lin on this solo mission. This was...

No, were these two not normal?

Qiao Ruyi was startled by her own thought, then reconsidered—it wasn’t impossible. Since coming to this moment, she had never seen anyone else around Xing Lin except herself. Instead, there were one or two handsome men with outstanding looks and figures...

Xing Lin seemed helpless against Shen Que’s stubbornness, his tone softening. “Don’t you know you’re injured?”

Zhou Bie scoffed, “You should act within your limits. Who else can take care of you alone?”

This time Shen Que responded with an exaggerated eye roll. Then he turned back to Xing Lin, gritting his teeth, voice low, “Do you want to repeat the same mistakes? Xing Lin, you know what this trip means. You need me.”

Qiao Ruyi heard this and wondered if it was about the matter with Uncle Ge’s family, but it didn’t quite fit.

Xing Lin...

He carried a huge secret.

Zhou Bie quickly added, “You can’t shake me off. I’m coming whether you like it or not.”

Shen Que couldn’t hold back and yelled at Zhou Bie, “Why are you everywhere?”

Zhou Bie crossed his arms, calm and collected, appraising Shen Que. “Without me, your wounds wouldn’t have healed so fast.”

Shen Que was speechless—Zhou Bie had indeed been helping with his treatment.

Seeing Xing Lin remain silent, Zhou Bie turned to Qiao Ruyi for support. She, having seen enough, stood slowly and said, “I don’t trust Shen Que—he’s the one who tried to kill me.”

Shen Que clenched his fists in anger.

“But,” Qiao Ruyi shifted her tone, “Zhou Bie has a point. Since Guyang City is so dangerous, more people means more chances. At worst, you can’t carry all the missing person cases on your own, right?”

Zhou Bie nodded repeatedly. “Exactly, I can lend a hand.”

He looked at Qiao Ruyi. “If Shen Que tags along, I’ll watch out for any tricks he tries.”

Shen Que narrowed his eyes, displeased.

Qiao Ruyi calmly said, “No worries. Trick or no trick, he’s no match for me.”

Zhou Bie laughed at that.

Shen Que’s expression darkened even more.

Xing Lin glanced at Qiao Ruyi, his gaze meaningful. She met his eyes steadily and smiled, asking, “Got a problem?”

“You’re not really friends, but you’re pretty easygoing.”

Qiao Ruyi countered, “If not, what? Can you stop them from following?”

He couldn’t.

Not to mention Shen Que, even just Zhou Bie alone would be a headache if he got serious.

For a moment, Xing Lin was speechless.

Zhou Bie saw the situation and nudged Xing Lin with his shoulder. “That’s better. United brothers can split gold.”

Xing Lin said nothing but glanced at Shen Que. Likewise, Shen Que looked back at him meaningfully.

Qiao Ruyi, sensitive as ever, detected the exchange and pondered silently.

Just then, the coffee shop door was pulled open, and a woman’s voice came in—

“If so many of you are going to Guyang City, then we might as well come too.”

Everyone turned to look, stunned.

Qiao Ruyi looked up and froze when she saw who it was.

Tao Jiang stepped forward and stopped in front of Qiao Ruyi. Seeing her unwavering gaze, she tilted her head slightly. “What’s wrong? Missing me already so soon after we parted?”

Qiao Ruyi snapped back to reality, grabbing her roughly and whispering, “What are you doing here?”

“To accompany you to Guyang City.” Tao Jiang let her pull her, then nodded toward her side. “And him too.”

Behind her was Yu Renyou.

Qiao Ruyi nearly fainted, brow furrowed. “Are you crazy? Going to Guyang City with me? And bringing him? You’re out of your mind.”

Her reaction was completely different from the earlier bystanders.

Tao Jiang had expected this reaction, smiling in her eyes. “I just want to go with you. Consider it a trip. Besides,” she looked at Xing Lin and the others, raising her voice slightly, “whether they’re friend or foe, I don’t trust Xing Lin.”

The tension thickened.