As the sky darkened, nightfall was imminent.
In the evening, Drum City was ablaze with lights, and there were even more tourists than during the day.
The girl could no longer bear the stares from passersby and softly pleaded for the young man to put her down.
Qin Nanfeng didn’t hesitate. His hand lingered greedily for a moment, almost carelessly brushing the upper part of the girl’s thigh, yet his expression remained perfectly calm.
Separated from Qin Nanfeng’s embrace, Lin Xinyuan felt the number of gazes lessen, and she quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
But to her surprise, Qin Nanfeng immediately took her hand again.
This time, however, Lin Xinyuan did not react. Her body trembled slightly, her head lowered as she silently followed.
“Want to try on some Hanfu?” Qin Nanfeng asked, pulling the girl along, his gaze fixed ahead, Adam’s apple bobbing almost imperceptibly. “You’d look great in it.”
Lin Xinyuan was momentarily stunned. She sneaked a glance at Qin Nanfeng from the corner of her eye, but due to their height difference, she couldn’t make out his expression.
She lowered her gaze. Unconsciously, she thought of that pretty girl she saw earlier in Hanfu. A hint of competitiveness welled up inside her, her beautiful eyes flickered, and she quietly asked, “Why?”
What she meant was—why should she listen to Qin Nanfeng and dress up for him to see?
“Aren’t we best friends? I haven’t seen you in Hanfu yet, so it shouldn’t be a problem to take a look, right?”
Friends…
Again, friends…
Best friends, huh?
Lin Xinyuan was clearly satisfied with this answer, but an odd feeling still lingered in her heart, scratching and itching away…
She didn’t respond, because for her, silence was the best answer.
Very soon, they arrived at their destination: a Hanfu specialty shop.
From the large sign on the side that read “Hanfu Rental,” this had to be the place the round-faced girl had mentioned.
The shop was packed, many of the patrons were couples, and there was no shortage of good-looking people, but even so, the two of them stood out the most.
The moment they stepped inside, they drew the attention of everyone around.
Enduring those scrutinizing stares, Lin Xinyuan gripped Qin Nanfeng’s large hand tightly, shrinking behind him.
But after a while, once people’s curiosity had passed, no one paid them much more attention, and everyone went about their own business.
Lin Xinyuan’s tense body gradually relaxed. She walked around the store with Qin Nanfeng, but kept her head down and showed no intention of picking out something for herself.
After all, it was Qin Nanfeng who brought her here—she was curious to see what kind of taste he had…
“How about this one? I think it would suit you.”
Qin Nanfeng’s deep voice cut through her thoughts, and she slowly lifted her head to look.
It was a very plain, light cyan Qixiong Ruqun made of gauzy fabric. Other than the skirt’s hem decorated with an Orchid Pattern, there wasn’t anything special about it.
Amid all the brightly colored and ornate Hanfu in the shop, it seemed quite plain…
So he actually likes this kind of style?
Originally, Lin Xinyuan had thought Qin Nanfeng would choose a more flamboyant Hanfu for her.
She was also thinking about Qin Nanfeng’s ex-girlfriends, including Li Xue—they all seemed to favor flashy styles…
But the reality was completely unexpected…
Had he grown tired of that and wanted something fresh and delicate now?
“It’s fine, I guess…”
Lin Xinyuan didn’t have the usual excitement most girls felt about wearing Hanfu. She was only here because Qin Nanfeng had insisted.
Qin Nanfeng nodded and smiled, “Alright, I’ll go pay first.”
Lin Xinyuan, embarrassed at always spending other people’s money, hurried to stop him, “Let me do it…”
“Alright.”
Qin Nanfeng didn’t mind the girl’s refusal. He knew what Lin Xinyuan was thinking—she just felt uneasy about always spending his money.
That habit, it seemed, was something she needed help changing.
After paying the rental fee at the front desk, a young female attendant quickly came over to lead Lin Xinyuan to the Dressing Room at the back of the shop to change.
Hanfu was far more complicated than her usual clothes. Lin Xinyuan would certainly need some time if she tried to figure it out on her own, so she had no choice but to accept the attendant’s help.
She changed into the clothes somewhat awkwardly, her cheeks flushed red, and quietly stepped out of the Dressing Room.
But it wasn’t over yet—the attendant then took her to get her makeup done…
Aside from renting clothes, the shop also thoughtfully offered makeup and photography services.
Of course, those were extra charges…
To a money-loving girl like her, this was another painful expense that made her heart ache.
But since she’d already spent money on the Hanfu, it would look terrible if she didn’t get her makeup done or left her hair in its original style.
She really shouldn’t have rushed to pay along with that annoying blond…
Qin Nanfeng waited on a bench in the shop, his gaze occasionally drifting to the door leading to the back.
No matter how many times he’d pictured the scene in his mind, imagining the girl in Hanfu, it still couldn’t compare to even a fleeting glimpse.
When the door was gently pushed open, a graceful figure stepped out, moving with lotus-like steps, suddenly appearing before him.
Her dark eyebrows arched like distant mountains, her bright eyes and perfect teeth gleamed. She wore the pale blue gauzy Qixiong Ruqun, the hem embroidered with white orchids that swayed with her every movement.
Her hair was styled into a parted bun with side locks, and she held a Luoshan in her hand, adding an extra touch of gentleness.
The girl seemed as though she’d stepped out of an ancient painting of a court lady, as if she would dissolve into the artwork and vanish from reality…
Seeing this, the once bustling shop fell silent for several heartbeats before returning to normal.
But many people still secretly paid attention to the girl, especially the men, watching until she walked over to a handsome young man before reluctantly looking away.
“Hey… I’m done…”
Lin Xinyuan pinched the skirt with her hand, glancing nervously left and right, not daring to meet Qin Nanfeng’s eyes.
The young man’s gaze was too intense—it made her feel overwhelmed…
Yet inside her, a feeling called happiness was bubbling over, growing even stronger…
The girl’s soft voice snapped Qin Nanfeng back to his senses. His expression didn’t change, nor did he look away. Instead, he spoke in a tone of genuine admiration, “Mm, it really suits you. Even more beautiful than I expected.”
Lin Xinyuan couldn’t help but look surprised—she knew that the annoying blond rarely praised people like this.
Of course, except for his sarcasm…
It seemed Qin Nanfeng really approved of her current look?
The thought made Lin Xinyuan’s emotions surge even more. That rush of being acknowledged felt like a jolt of excitement, making her head spin.
So happy…
All at once, Lin Xinyuan’s cheeks burned, her shame and joy colliding and making her so flustered she turned her head away.
Her steps were hurried and chaotic as she left the store and headed for the bustling street outside.
Qin Nanfeng acted casual, following behind with a faint smile on his lips, his eyes never leaving the girl’s retreating figure.
No matter how much Lin Xinyuan tried to hide it, her red ears betrayed everything.
Qin Nanfeng watched quietly, the image of the girl’s embarrassed face surfacing in his mind, making his heart itch uncontrollably…
The Hanfu skirt was very long. Lin Xinyuan didn’t dare walk too fast, afraid she’d step on it and fall flat on her face.
With so many people around, that would be mortifying…
Lin Xinyuan wasn’t a fast walker to begin with, and now, worrying about the dress, she slowed down even more, so it wasn’t long before Qin Nanfeng caught up.
“What are you rushing off for?” Qin Nanfeng deftly took her soft, delicate hand, lowered his head teasingly, and grinned. “Are you shy? Trying to run away?”
“Oh, and you’re blushing too?”