The black Bugatti rolled smoothly into the parking lot of the luxury complex, the place alone looked expensive enough to make ordinary people question their entire financial existence.
Polished marble floors reflected the bright ceiling lights. Designer storefronts lined the upper levels, each display carefully arranged to look effortless while probably costing more than most people's yearly salary.
And today, this battlefield of luxury fashion had one purpose. A shopping spree. The reason?
Simple.
They needed new wardrobes.
The Starlight Festival was approaching, and although every single one of them had access to stylists, assistants, and entire teams dedicated to their appearances, the group had decided they wanted to choose their own outfits.
Which was exactly why Zhang Yichen had made the mistake of asking one question.
"Don't you already have stylists who handle this?"
The silence that followed had been terrifying.
Then everyone attacked.
"Yichen-ge, sometimes money is meant to be spent by yourself."
"Exactly. What's the point of having money if we can't enjoy choosing our own clothes?"
"We're not dolls for stylists to dress."
"Besides, I want to wear what I like."
The complaints came from every direction. Even Mo Fei, who had been the most excited out of everyone, looked at him with a betrayed expression.
"You don't understand the joy of shopping, Yichen. Ptooey."
And that was the end of Zhang Yichen's argument. Apparently, the happiness of a certain violet-haired model mattered more than logic.
So he stayed quiet.
Especially after seeing how excited Mo Fei was.
Zhang Yichen stepped out of the car and immediately spotted them. They stood near the entrance of the mall, already looking like a group that would cause problems.
Chen Yu was talking animatedly with Sima Li, who was adjusting his sunglasses despite the fact that they going indoors.
Aria stood calmly beside Xiao Mei, who was clearly already planning which shops she wanted to visit first with Mo Fei.
Yichen saw him. His expression softened slightly.
Mo Fei was practically bouncing on his feet, looking around the mall with open excitement.
Like a child who had just been given unlimited access to a toy store.
The comparison was painfully accurate. The moment he approached, the group noticed him.
"Yichen."
"Finally."
"Took you long enough."
His attention, however, was already on one person. "Hi."
Mo Fei looked at him, the noise around them seemed to fade. "Hi."
Simple. Nothing dramatic and yet, Zhang Yichen felt strangely satisfied.
Unfortunately— Someone nearby had no appreciation for romantic timing.
"Okay! Let's go!" Xiao Mei grabbed Aria's arm. "Shopping waits for nobody!" Before anyone could react, she dragged the group towards the entrance.
Zhang Yichen glared at her back.
That little weasel. She had interrupted the perfect moment. He had been preparing to say something. Something meaningful. Something Mo Fei would remember and she ruined it.
His eyes narrowed slightly. He would remember this. Her shopping privileges needed reconsideration.
Maybe—
Before he could finish deciding her punishment, a warm hand wrapped around his. Zhang Yichen looked down.
Mo Fei was already pulling him forward. "Come on!"
Mo Fei glanced back at him. "Hurry up before all the good stuff gets sold out."
The thought of Xiao Mei's punishment disappeared instantly. Zhang Yichen looked at their joined hands, then back at Mo Fei's excited expression.
"You do realise this is a huge store, right?" His tone remained calm. "We're not going to buy out the entire mall."
Mo Fei and Chen Yu exchanged a look, both immediately looked away hiding a laugh.
"Yeah, yeah."
"You're right."
The way they said it made it obvious they meant the exact opposite.
Mo Fei tightened his grip and pulled him forward. "Shopping first. Questions later."
Zhang Yichen followed without resistance. Because, unfortunately, this was exactly where he wanted to be.
The first thirty minutes should have been peaceful. That was what Zhang Yichen believed, he was wrong, the complex had everything a person could possibly need.
Designer boutiques with spotless glass displays. Soft lighting that made every outfit look like it belonged on a magazine cover, faint scent of expensive perfume drifting through the air.
Employees who smiled politely while pretending they were not judging every customer who walked in. It was supposed to be simple.
Choose outfits. Buy what they needed and leave.
A reasonable plan.
Unfortunately, Zhang Yichen had forgotten one important detail. The people involved.
Mo Fei. Chen Yu. Sima Li. Xiao Mei and Aria.
None of them knew how to do anything normally.
The employee nearby quickly looked away, pretending to organise clothes. Sima Li stepped out of the fitting room wearing a jacket, sunglasses, and a hat.
Everyone watched.
Sima Li spread his arms. "Well?"
Xiao Mei placed a hand beneath her chin. "I'm trying to see the vision…"
Mo Fei tilted his head. "Just take it off. It's awkward."
Sima Li's smile disappeared. "That is very hurtful."
Chen Yu studied him carefully. "No, no. Don't rush to judge it." He pointed at the hat. "I kind of like the hat."
Mo Fei and Xiao Mei exchanged a look and reluctantly nodded.
Sima Li looked betrayed. "You people have no appreciation for fashion."
Aria glanced at the mirror. "The outfit is fire."
Sima Li immediately brightened. "Ariaaaa. A woman with taste."
Aria continued. "But the confidence you're projecting is doing too much."
Sima Li's expression collapsed. Zhang Yichen looked away.
He was beginning to understand why Louis always looked permanently exhausted. This group could not be left unsupervised.
Every gathering somehow became a disaster.
Mo Fei discovered a jacket he loved and immediately decided he needed it.
Chen Yu found a pair of shoes and declared they were "perfect for dates with Nil."
Sima Li somehow ended up holding six different shirts while insisting each one represented a different hour he'd spend with Louis on an occasion.
Xiao Mei had already filled an entire basket.
Aria was the only person shopping normally.
Which was somehow more frightening than everyone else.
Zhang Yichen stood near the centre of the store, carrying several bags. He had not bought any of them. They had simply appeared in his hands.
At some point, an employee politely approached.
"Sir, would you like assistance carrying those?"
Before Zhang Yichen could answer, Mo Fei appeared.
"No, he's fine." Mo Fei smiled. "Yichen is strong." he placed another bag on top of the pile and walked away.
The answer was completely unreasonable and yet, Zhang Yichen accepted it.
Because apparently, this was his life now.