"Yichen, hold this."
A shopping bag landed in his already occupied hand before he could refuse.
"Yichen, catch— "
Something soft and expensive flew at his chest. He caught it on instinct, nearly dropping the three bags already hooked over his fingers.
"Heads up, Yichen."
A fourth bag appeared over his shoulder. The strap slid down and settled around his neck like a particularly aggressive scarf.
Zhang Yichen stood in the middle of the gleaming store , arms full, neck burdened, and one particularly large paper bag sitting on the floor between his feet because there was simply nowhere else left to put it.
The air smelled of polished marble, new leather, and the faint sweetness of the perfume counters nearby. Overhead lights reflected off glass display cases in sharp white flashes every time someone walked past.
Around him, the group moved like a well-fed storm.
Mo Fei was already three steps ahead, holding up a silk shirt against Chen Yu's chest and tilting his head critically.
Sima Li had an armful of boxes and was comparing two nearly identical wallets with the seriousness of a man choosing a wedding ring.
Aria and Xiao Mei had disappeared into a rack of designer coats and only their voices drifted back— bright, decisive, already calling for the next size.
"Mm." Xiao Mei reappeared, eyed the precarious tower of bags in Yichen's arms, and still held out another one. "Your hands seem filled up. Anyway, hold this for me."
Zhang Yichen, "..."
Yichen looked at the new bag. Then at his hands and at the bag again.
How did my life end up this way?
He had walked into the mall as Zhang Yichen—young master, influence, the sort of person staff bowed to. Somewhere between the first boutique and the third, he had been demoted to mobile storage unit.
While everyone else moved through the mall like they owned the place, Zhang Yichen followed behind carrying their purchases. Bags hung from both hands.
Shopping boxes were balanced against his arms. Somehow, someone had even managed to place a scarf around his neck because apparently his neck was now considered available space.
"Yichen, can you hold this for one second?"
That sentence had ruined him. One second became five minutes.
Five minutes became an entire shopping trip. By the time they left the third store, his hands were full, his arms were occupied, and several bags had reached the point where he genuinely questioned whether they had purchased clothes or small furniture.
The worst part? No one cared.
Mo Fei was too busy examining a new shirt in the mirror. "Yichen, look. This colour suits me, right?"
Zhang Yichen stared at him from behind the mountain of bags. "Yes."
Mo Fei nodded happily and immediately turned back to the mirror, satisfied. Not once did he question why Yichen looked like he was preparing to move houses.
Chen Yu and Sima Li were no better. They moved from store to store with the confidence of people who had unlimited money and zero consequences.
"Try this."
"No, this one."
"Wait, isn't this better?"
"Actually, get both."
The employees had quickly stopped pretending to be surprised. At first, they had been polite and professional. Then they'd realised exactly who had walked into their stores.
The Zhang family heir. The famous actor, the man whose face appeared on billboards across the city. Suddenly, every recommendation became more enthusiastic.
"Sir, this collection was just released."
"Sir, we have a limited edition piece."
"Sir, perhaps you would like to see our private selection?"
And every single time— Thier eyes would light up.
"we want to see."
Every time the group flashed his name, sales assistants became miraculously attentive.
Doors opened and once they discovered that Aria lin was present, famous heiress of the lin family, more private stock appeared. And every resulting purchase somehow migrated into his arms.
They swept from store to store in a relentless current of paper, branded boxes, and decisive "we'll take it."
Yichen trailed behind like an overburdened porter, the straps cutting faint lines into his palms, the bag and scarf around his neck swaying with every step.
The air-conditioning kept the temperature low, but the growing weight made the back of his neck warm.
Somewhere near the shoe section he had to set another bag on the floor just to reclaim the use of one hand, only for Mo Fei and Xiao mei to immediately fill it again.
By the time they reached the jewellery wing, Yichen's arms ached with a dull, persistent throb. The lighting here was softer, warmer, designed to make diamonds catch fire. Glass cases stretched in elegant rows, each one glowing under its own spotlight.
The quiet murmur of the sales floor felt almost reverent compared to the chaos of the clothing floors. The employees here moved differently too. Less energetic and more elegant.
They greeted the group with professional smiles, already aware of who they were serving.
The group slowed for the first time all afternoon. Rows of jewellery rested beneath crystal cases. Diamonds caught the light with every movement. Gold pieces gleamed warmly.
Delicate necklaces hung like carefully crafted pieces of art.
Yichen stood at the edge of it all, still holding everything, watching them lean over the nearest display with the same hungry focus they had given every other department.
He exhaled once through his nose.The bag around his neck shifted. Something inside it clinked softly.
He didn't even bother asking what it was anymore, he dropped all the bag down with a loud thud and the store assistants immediately moved to neatly arrange them all.
Mo Fei stepped closer to one of the displays. His eyes immediately widened. "Wow."
Mo Fei leaned closer to the glass, staring at the jewellery inside. For someone who usually talked endlessly, he became strangely silent whenever something truly caught his interest.
"Do you like it?" Yichen's voice came from beside him.
Mo Fei glanced back. "Of course." He pointed at a diamond necklace. "But I don't think I need something like that."
Zhang Yichen looked at him. That was probably the first reasonable sentence Mo Fei had said since entering the mall. A miracle, amen.
Mo Fei continued, clicking his tongue. "It's too expensive, I have money, but not that much money"
The miracle ended and Yichen looked away. "You said that after buying half the store."
"Those were necessary."
"And the shoes? watches?"
"Extremely necessary." Mo Fei smiled proudly. Yichen had no response. Before Mo Fei could argue again, one of the jewellery assistant approached.
"Mr Zhang, would you like to view our newest collection?"
Mo Fei turned. "Huh?"
The assistant smiled politely. "The Zhang family has a private selection available."
Everyone, "…"
Slowly, they turned towards Yichen.
Xiao Mei raised an eyebrow. "You have a private jewellery selection?"
Chen Yu glanced at the mountain of shopping bags behind Yichen. "Hmph. Show-off."
The assistant turned towards Aria. "Miss Lin, you are also welcome to view our newest collection."
"Hey!" Chen Yu immediately protested. "Not fair. I have money too!"
Sima Li pulled him closer and patted his head. "There, there ratatouille, calm down."
Xiao Mei placed a hand over her chest dramatically. "Rich people truly live differently."
Yichen ignored them. His attention remained on Mo Fei. "Come."
Mo Fei blinked. "Me?"
Yichen looked at him as if the answer was obvious. "Who else?"
Aria had already grabbed Xiao Mei's arm. "Come. I'll help you pick earrings for your outfits."
"Yayy!" Xiao Mei waved at the other losers.
"Bye, poor people."
Chen Yu bared his teeth at her and Sima Li immediately grabbed him before another fight could begin.
Yichen led Mo Fei towards the private section with the assistant.
Behind them, Chen Yu finally calmed down. He stared at the quiet jewellery store.
Sima Li disappeared and appeared minutes later beside him, waving a card. "Let's go!"
Chen Yu blinked. "How did you get that?"
Sima Li grinned. "I called Uncle Tang Wei."
And just like that, the two of them practically bounced towards the private section.