CHAPTER 56: CHAPTER 57: WRAP UP THE BRACELET

Su Xingyu didn’t pay attention to the discussions around her, keeping her head down and focusing on walking.

As she struggled hard through the crowd, she prayed that time would pass quickly and end this inexplicable torment. That idiot Lu Shifeng, claiming he’d accompany her shopping, does he have some misunderstanding about the concept of shopping? As she walked, she suddenly bumped into someone.

She couldn’t stop her steps and was hugged tightly by the person who held her waist.

Embarrassed and flustered, she quickly apologized, "Sorry, sorry, I didn’t mean to..."

Her words came to an abrupt halt.

She looked up to see that the person supporting her was Lu Shifeng. The man had somehow come back and was now looking down at her. His upright figure stood firm amidst the tide-like bustling crowd, creating a small safe space for her. The flow of people bumped against his body and arms, but she was protected in his embrace without being hit.

Her heart started racing, though she couldn’t explain why. A rush of blood surged through her body, causing her face to turn red.

"Look! That handsome guy is holding a girl! That girl is so lucky." People around whispered again.

"What, that girl looks so ordinary, probably just a passerby who accidentally bumped into him."

"Ah, even if she’s a passerby, being held by such a top-notch handsome guy is worth it... It’s really romantic!"

The discussions made her extremely embarrassed, so she hurriedly stepped back.

Who would’ve thought that in her haste, the bustling crowd knocked her off balance again, causing her to stumble into his arms once more, her nose bumping against his solid chest, which hurt terribly.

Lu Shifeng held her even steadier than before, his tone displeased: "Why didn’t you call for me?"

She didn’t understand his meaning, only raising her head to softly say, "Let, let me go, I can stand by myself."

The thick disdain in his eyes seemed as if he were looking at an imbecile.

Su Xingyu felt ashamed, sensing a tight grip on her wrist as he grasped her and turned around to clear the path ahead, keeping her protected behind him. The crowd in the commercial area was still surging, but this time, no matter how many collisions there were, he blocked them outside, leaving her unscathed. She followed him blindly, her brain blank, and after a while, she suddenly had a flash of insight—[Why didn’t you call for me?]

Was he implying that when she was being jostled by people, she should have asked him for help?

Looking at the man ahead, he seemed so tall, with the warm sunlight gently spilling over his deep black handcrafted suit, appearing out of place among those casually dressed around him, yet it seemed as if the world’s light was focused solely on him. Her heart was in turmoil, not knowing how she had followed him all the way forward to a corner.

With fewer people around, he released her but still kept her on the inner side, protected.

He lowered his head to look at her, "Why aren’t you shopping?"

"What?" Her mind was still on the earlier incident, not snapping back to reality.

"I’m asking why aren’t you shopping," Lu Shifeng’s tone showed some displeasure and more confusion, "Aren’t you girls usually fond of shopping? We passed so many stores and stalls along the way. Why didn’t you stop to look at any?"

Su Xingyu was a bit confused. Did he actually notice that?

But then, he was the one dragging her forward, so how could she stop to shop? Do you even know how to shop, dude?

Su Xingyu grumbled inwardly, then dejectedly found she wasn’t qualified to complain. Even if he wasn’t pulling her along, she didn’t have the mind to pick and choose like those typical girls do. After all, the person beside her... wasn’t the one she loved, and shopping with the wrong person made everything feel wrong.

Her eyes dimmed.

Lu Shifeng looked at her, feeling that inexplicable irritability rising again. Didn’t the girls at the company say shopping was the best way to enhance the relationship? Why didn’t it seem to work? He glanced around the area and pointed out the jewelry store not far away, asking her, "Want to check it out there? I can buy you some jewelry."

She didn’t want anything, but even less did she want to be stuck at the street corner with him. In just this short span, many girls had already glanced at him. This man was simply too eye-catching, with too many turns to look back.

So she nodded.

Lu Shifeng took her into the store, a flagship outlet of a famous gold and silver brand. The storefront was spacious and bright, bustling with holiday popularity, with many customers gathering in small groups around the counters selecting items.

When they entered, the staff were busy attending to other patrons. Not wanting to speak with Lu Shifeng, Su Xingyu lowered her head and pretended to browse. Each sparkling piece of jewelry passed under her gaze, yet none left a trace. They held zero allure for her; she simply wanted to muddle through the time.

"Hello, sir, do you need an introduction?" A salesperson approached Lu Shifeng with a smile, having just seen off the previous batch of customers.

Before Lu Shifeng could speak, she continued, "Are you here alone? Buying jewelry for a girlfriend or an elder? We have many styles here..."

Lu Shifeng shot her a cold look, startling the salesperson into silence.

His expression was very stern. How come he and Xingyu really didn’t look like a couple? She was clearly standing right next to him!

He turned his head to look at Su Xingyu. The girl hadn’t noticed what happened over here, seemingly focused intently on the jewelry.

She had been staring at a bracelet for quite some time.

Another salesperson approached Su Xingyu, this time offering introductions, "Miss, did you come alone? How about buying a bracelet for yourself? We have a selection..."

"She came with me." Lu Shifeng abruptly interrupted the salesperson.

Startled, the salesperson apologized, "Sorry, I hadn’t realized you two were together." Meanwhile, she thought to herself, do they really look like they’re out shopping together? The man’s high-end suit seemed ready for a United Nations conference, whereas the woman, in her white T-shirt and jeans, appeared casual to the point of shabby.

Moreover... there was none of that intimacy that couples tend to share.

Nonetheless, she dutifully introduced the jewelry to them.

Su Xingyu sensed from Lu Shifeng’s tone that his mood was off. Not wanting to remain here, she turned and said, "Let’s go."

"Go?" Lu Shifeng looked down at her, "Don’t you really like that bracelet?"

"Which one?" Su Xingyu had no recollection of what she’d been staring at.

During their exchange, Lu Shifeng had already instructed the salesperson, "Wrap up that bracelet."