Wansheng Plaza, Commercial Street.
The plaza was bustling with a constant stream of people, exceptionally lively. On the first floor, inside the Mixue Ice City shop, sat a beautifully dressed, stunning young woman.
She possessed a flawless, exquisite beauty that was radiant and dazzling. Her temperament was elegantly detached, resembling a delicate, blooming lily. Amid the crowds coming and going nearby, she stood out prominently, like a crane among chickens.
Her facial features were exquisitely flower-like, as if meticulously carved by nature itself. Her bright, clear pupils were like brilliant stars that had fallen to the mortal world, shimmering with a sparkling light.
Her eyebrows were curved like crescent moons, adding a touch of softness to her face. Her nose bridge was high and straight, and her lips were as red and lush as cherries. The corners of her mouth were slightly upturned in a serene smile.
Her skin was fair and delicate, as smooth and enticing as solidified mutton fat jade. Her long hair cascaded down her shoulders like a waterfall. When it swayed gently, it seemed to carry a soft breeze with it. A few strands drifted lightly beside her cheeks, enhancing her breathtaking beauty even further.
She wore a white dress with blue-purple patterns. Below her fair, slender swan-like neck, a pair of budding, perfectly handful soft breasts stood tall and firm, like flower buds about to bloom, making one unconsciously anticipate the magnificent view when they fully blossomed.
Beneath her short skirt were a pair of long, well-proportioned jade-like legs, clad in sheer, cicada-wing-thin black stockings. The stockings were made of a fine, smooth material that emitted a subtle sheen, making her legs appear even more pale and slender.
The black stockings created a striking contrast with her scallion-stalk-like fair and creamy skin, further accentuating the soft, graceful length of her legs. The smooth lines of the stockings clung to the shape of her legs, outlining their perfect curves.
At a nearby table, a couple was seated. The girl, noticing her boyfriend glancing repeatedly at Ji Youxi beside them, his attention completely off her, immediately grew jealous and angry, glaring at her boyfriend with puffed cheeks.
The guy gave an awkward smile. Looking at his angry girlfriend, he suddenly felt none of the usual heart-fluttering attraction. Compared to the extraordinarily beautiful girl nearby, it was like the difference between the bright moon and a fireflyβa world apart.
“Master Strategist, how do you chase after a girl like that?”
At another table, two guys sat opposite each other, whispering discreetly.
The one called “Master Strategist” was a bespectacled boy. He adjusted his glasses, a confident gleam in his eyes, and said slowly, “Don’t even try. A rookie like you can’t catch that kind of girl.”
The other boy felt rather dejected, thinking it was probably true. However, the second half of the Strategist’s words immediately made him so angry he felt like jumping off a building.
“Don’t lose heart. The reason you can’t catch her is that this kind of girl should belong to me, the Master Strategist.”
“But don’t you have a girlfriend already?”
“Don’t misunderstand. She’s just one of the fish in my pond…”
Ji Youxi paid no attention to the commotion around her, even though she was the center of their discussions. She looked at the time on her phone, her exquisite brows furrowing slightly. He was late!
Late on their first meeting. Ji Youxi immediately stood up, intending to leave. A bespectacled boy seized the moment and approached, blocking her path with an enthusiastic smile on his face: “Hello, are you waiting for a friend too?”
Ji Youxi glanced at him and gave an indifferent “Mhm.” She was in a very bad mood at that moment.
To think she’d run into another pest. Her serene smile was gone, replaced by an expressionless demeanor.
Being stared at expressionlessly by this unbelievably beautiful girl, the “Master Strategist’s” heart raced. He felt uncharacteristically flustered for a moment, but his rich experience allowed him to adjust quickly. The aloof type, huh? I like it.
“I’m waiting for my friend too. My phone died, so I can’t contact him. I’m not sure what’s happening on his end. Would it be too forward to borrow your phone to give him a call?”
His words stated his purpose while also presenting him as polite and well-mannered. If it were an ordinary girl, she might kindly lend him her phone to make the call, as the request was reasonable and not excessive. Afterwards, the two could naturally continue the topic of waiting for friends, extending it to the surrounding environment, hobbies and interests, and so on…
“Isn’t your friend right over there watching you?”
Ji Youxi pointed at the boy who had been sitting with him earlier. The Strategist, however, didn’t fluster in the slightest and said, “It’s another friend. He hasn’t arrived yet. I’m worried something might have happened to him on the way…”
“Oh~ This other friend’s phone died too? What a coincidence. My phone just happened to run out of battery as well.”
However, before he could finish, Ji Youxi, who had led him into saying that, cut him off decisively. She stepped past him, turned, and walked away, leaving the Strategist bewildered and lost in the wind…
Yang Haoran rushed over as fast as he could, just in time to see Ji Youxi leaving. Not understanding what had happened, and seeing her about to leave, he quickly ran after her, calling out: “Youxi, wait… Let me explain…”
Ji Youxi heard the boy calling from behind but ignored him completely, not even turning her head. She kept walking until Yang Haoran, who had chased after her and was now panting heavily, blocked her path: “You… Youxi, I… I’m late, you… you… hear me out?”
Seeing Yang Haoran gasping for breath, looking utterly winded, Ji Youxi shot him a disdainful glance. She crossed her arms and half-turned away, sayingε·ζ·‘ly: “What is there to explain? My family doesn’t lack for punctual dogs.”
Understanding her veiled metaphor, Yang Haoran wore a bitter smile. She really is a difficult ancestor to serve. Luckily, he had come prepared.
Yang Haoran immediately pulled out an exquisite white box, opened it, and handed it to her, saying: “Youxi, I was halfway here when I thought about our first… outing. I told the driver to make a detour so I could pick out a gift for you. I don’t know if you’ll like it?”
After hearing Yang Haoran’s explanation, Ji Youxi looked at him with surprise. When she saw the exquisite, pale pearl bracelet inside the box, her expression softened slightly. She lifted her delicate chin line, looking at Yang Haoran sideways, and said: “Don’t push your luck. I only said I’d let you accompany me shopping and that I’d consider it. This is hardly a date. So far, your performance is barely acceptable.”
Ji Youxi gave a noncommittal “Mhm” and extended her fair, smooth, delicate hand. Yang Haoran, grinning happily, fondled her small hand while slipping the bracelet onto her jade-like wrist.
The exquisite pearl bracelet settled onto Ji Youxi’s fine, smooth wrist, like jewelry and bright jade complementing each other, shining brilliantly.
“Have you had enough feeling?”
Yang Haoran was still savoring the smooth, delicate feel in his hand when Ji Youxi’s cool voice sounded by his ear.
Yang Haoran gave an embarrassed laugh and reluctantly let go, watching wistfully as the pure, bright jade withdrew.
“Follow me.”
Ji Youxi turned and walked back towards Mixue Ice City. Yang Haoran, the persistent fly, naturally buzzed around and followed her.
Inside the shop, Yang Haoran very gallantly pulled out a chair for Ji Youxi to sit down, then asked: “Youxi, what would you like to drink? I’ll go buy it for you.”