The desire to shop is something innate to women, and the urge to "buy, buy, buy" is something they can hardly resist, including women like Hai TangXi, who enjoy a life of material abundance.
However, when she went out shopping today, she hadn't planned on letting Jiang Beicheng spend money on her.
It had been years since she last returned, and Jiangnan City had changed so much that many places felt unfamiliar. Most of her old friends had lost touch, and the only person she could think of to accompany her shopping was Jiang Beicheng.
She'd have little Beicheng act as her free driver for the day.
Before they even reached Times Square, Jiang Beicheng received a call from Wu Keqing.
"Bro, where are you? I brought you some stuff."
A playful voice came through the car's speakers.
Hai TangXi tilted her head, sizing up Jiang Beicheng.
Jiang Beicheng: "I'm out."
"Just tell me where you are. I'm already on my way," Wu Keqing said.
Yesterday, she had decided to seek out Jiang Beicheng herself. If she waited for him to make time to meet her, who knew how long that would take?
She was eager to see her newly recognized "big brother."
"Times Square. Come on over."
Before Jiang Beicheng could respond, Hai TangXi answered for him.
"Is Sister Li with you? Perfect, I'll treat you both to dinner," Wu Keqing said, hearing a woman's voice but not thinking much of it. She assumed it was Li Xingying. "Bro, I'll call you when I get to Times Square."
With that, she hung up.
Hai TangXi smiled. "Since when do you have a little sister?"
Jiang Beicheng chuckled. "A girl I met while traveling. Probably thinks I'm a decent guy, so she insisted on calling me her big brother."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk," Hai TangXi said with a look of disdain. "And who's this Sister Li?"
"A travel blogger," Jiang Beicheng answered honestly.
"An influencer?"
"Something like that."
"Little Beicheng, you sure know how to play the field—little sisters, influencers," Hai TangXi said, shaking her head. "I don't know what my mom sees in you to want you as a son-in-law."
Jiang Beicheng teased, "No worries, I'll write you a divorce letter and set you free."
"Enough already," Hai TangXi said, exasperated.
The Cadillac Escalade pulled into the Times Square parking lot, and they found a spot.
Jiang Beicheng and Hai TangXi took the elevator straight to the second floor.
The second floor was home to light luxury brands.
These were the types of brands favored by white-collar workers and urban fashionistas—distinctive, well-marketed, and prestigious enough to maintain face.
"Bro, I'm here. Which floor are you on?" Wu Keqing sent another voice message to Jiang Beicheng.
Jiang Beicheng waited for her on the second floor.
When the elevator doors opened, Wu Keqing stepped out, pulling an outdoor cart.
"Bro, this is for you."
She handed the cart to Jiang Beicheng with a grin.
Jiang Beicheng was stunned. "This much?"
Was she moving house or something?
"Couldn't fit it all in a handbag, so I used this," Wu Keqing said, giggling.
"The spicy beef jerky looks good," Hai TangXi said, crouching down to rummage through the cart.
Wu Keqing froze, staring at Hai TangXi.
Who was this woman?
Wasn't Jiang Bro supposed to be shopping with Sister Li today?
Her mind started racing with theories.
As expected, she had guessed right. Jiang Bro and Li Xingying were just a fling, no real feelings involved. They probably got bored of each other during that New Zealand trip, and now Jiang Bro had another beautiful woman by his side.
And she was *really* beautiful!
She had never seen a woman with such an elegant Eastern charm.
Her aura and presence were overwhelming.
Jiang Beicheng introduced her: "Hai TangXi, my childhood friend."
Hai TangXi added with a smile, "Childhood sweethearts!"
Jiang Beicheng froze.
Something felt off.
What was this? In front of others, she was suddenly acknowledging their childhood betrothal?
Wasn't she just complaining about it earlier?
"Oh, oh, oh!" Wu Keqing nodded repeatedly, thinking to herself, *Could this be Jiang Bro's real match?*
She politely greeted, "Sister Xi."
As a social butterfly, she was naturally outgoing and unfazed.
Jiang Beicheng said, "Come shop with us, and we'll grab dinner together later."
"Bro, I won't disturb you and Sister Xi. I'm heading back to school," Wu Keqing said.
In this situation, she felt like a third wheel.
Time to make a quick exit.
Jiang Beicheng glanced at the Ports store nearby, then looked at Wu Keqing's quirky outfit. Shaking his head, he asked curiously, "Is this your usual style?"
"Yup!" Wu Keqing nodded.
Cool girl vibes!
Jiang Beicheng asked, "No everyday work clothes?"
"Nope, but my workplace is giving me two sets of uniforms."
Jiang Beicheng started walking toward the Ports store. Hai TangXi immediately knew what he was up to, while Wu Keqing followed along, confused.
The store assistant greeted them warmly.
Jiang Beicheng told the assistant, "Pick out two sets of everyday work clothes for her."
Ports was a popular brand for professional women's clothing, a light luxury option—not too expensive but with distinctive, stylish designs.
Wu Keqing looked at Jiang Beicheng, puzzled.
Jiang Beicheng said, "Go ahead. Consider it a graduation gift from your big brother."
The girl had hauled an entire cart of local specialties from the university district to give him—beef jerky, tea, pastries, probably worth a couple thousand yuan. As her "big brother," he felt obliged to return the gesture.
Wu Keqing was thrilled. This brother was *totally* worth recognizing.
The assistant picked out two outfits: a simple little black dress and a set with an embroidered short-sleeve top paired with a mid-waist embroidered pencil skirt. They looked great on her.
Her aura instantly elevated.
"That's the vibe," Jiang Beicheng said. "How do you feel about it?"
Wu Keqing nodded with a smile, clearly delighted.
Jiang Beicheng went to the counter and scanned the payment code. One outfit was 11,400 yuan, the other 10,100 yuan.
He paid and had the assistant pack them up.
Wu Keqing was over the moon. She had checked the price tags in the fitting room and had a little moment of excitement to herself.
"Thanks, Bro!"
"Work hard, and call me if you need anything," Jiang Beicheng said.
"Got it! Bye, Bro, Sister Xi, have fun!" Wu Keqing said, leaving with her new clothes.
Jiang Beicheng stored the cart of specialties at the mall's concierge and returned to continue shopping with Hai TangXi.
Hai TangXi looked at him with an unreadable expression.
"What? That look is creepy," Jiang Beicheng said, pretending to step back.
Hai TangXi walked up, hooked her arm through his, and mimicked a coy, flirtatious tone. "If little sister gets gifts, big sister wants some too."
Jiang Beicheng's expression changed, and he shrugged dramatically.
Unbelievable.
He couldn't handle it.
Her attempt at acting coy was an absolute disaster.
She was *not* the type to pull off that kind of charm.
"Do you have to look *that* disgusted?" Hai TangXi said, noticing his reaction, exasperated.
"My dear Sister Xi, can we talk normally? Don't gross me out," Jiang Beicheng said bluntly.
Hai TangXi shot him a look and headed straight for the elevator, going up to the third floor.
In the elevator, she stared at Jiang Beicheng and urged, "Jiang Beicheng, come pay the bill."
Originally, she had just wanted him to keep her company while shopping, maybe even pick out a gift for her "stinky little brother."
After all, they hadn't seen each other in years.
But then this "good little sister" showed up out of nowhere, and her stinky little brother was so generous, dropping over 20,000 yuan on clothes without batting an eye.
Whose day was this supposed to be?
Wasn't her stinky little brother fond of playing the good guy, footing the bill for women?
Fine, then. Today, big sister would let him buy to his heart's content!