CHAPTER 10: CHAPTER 10: DATE (PART 2)

Ruan Li swallowed the "I haven’t been here either" that almost slipped out of her mouth and mumbled, "Then let’s just wander around."

The tall man stood beside her like a sturdy, towering tree guarding a delicate little flower.

His long legs seemed particularly awkward trying to match the pace of the small female, but Zhe Ye didn’t mind at all.

After browsing through the clothes on the first floor, Ruan Li picked out a few dresses in orange and purple tones. As for finances, there was no worry at all; the government provided financial subsidies to females, covering basic daily expenses as long as they weren’t major expenditures.

Zhe Ye put the shopping bags into the Space Hub. Although the Space Hub greatly reduced the weight of items, few females wore it, primarily because they had the labor force of a Beast Husband to utilize, and because of their delicate physiques.

The second floor was the accessories section.

It has to be said, even in an entirely different space-time, women’s aesthetic preferences don’t change much. Ruan Li found that her initial unease since arriving in this world was greatly soothed by shopping.

Sparkling and intricate jewelry is almost every woman’s favorite, and you could visibly see the most females and accompanying males on this floor.

Ruan Li immediately set her eyes on a gold-edged butterfly hair tie, with its shimmering tassels adding extra beauty. She untied her carefully done bun from the morning and tied on the butterfly hair tie.

The trial mirror couldn’t fully capture her hairstyle, so Ruan Li twirled in front of Zhe Ye, her dress’s loose folds blooming like a flower in full bloom. Her small face was full of smiles, her eyes crescent-like, as she leaned towards Zhe Ye expectantly asking, "How does it look, beautiful or not?"

This was quite an irresistible temptation for a married Beast Husband.

Zhe Ye’s gaze deepened, his voice becoming slightly husky, "Beautiful."

He seemed to understand why some Beastmen don’t mind and even enjoy accompanying their females shopping after marriage.

After receiving the expected answer, the small female fluttered away like a butterfly to another display, her hair tassels swaying lively.

Zhe Ye quickly followed, afraid that if he were a step slower, another male Beastman’s eyes would have wandered over.

Ruan Li returned with numerous bags and noticed it was almost one o’clock, meaning she had been shopping for over three hours.

Her stomach grumbled audibly, her face flushing with embarrassment as she clutched it.

Zhe Ye chuckled, "Can we eat now? Even if you disagree, your stomach would agree."

Ruan Li, without making a sound, followed Zhe Ye upstairs to the dining area.

At exactly noon, Zhe Ye had kindly reminded her it was time to eat, but she, driven by her shopping urge, politely declined.

With her stomach growling in hunger, Ruan Li wanted to quickly find a store to grab a bite.

However, after glancing around the dining area, she instinctively led Zhe Ye toward "Xiang Lalan."

In a whisper, she murmured, "That place has the most people, so it must be the best."

The humid breath brushed against the man’s ear, the warmth and a tingling sensation akin to electricity surged through his body, targeting his fingertips.

Zhe Ye’s gaze bore wild untamed aggression, glancing subtly at the hand the small female took of his, as the severity in his face melted like an iceberg in spring, his eyebrows relaxing.

Luckily, it was past peak lunch hours, so they didn’t have to wait.

The waiter showed them to a spacious table.

Upon opening the menu, Ruan Li noticed the familiar dishes and realized that this place’s signature dishes were exactly the same as the takeaway she had at home the night before?

It wasn’t until the spicy stir-fried pork with peppers arrived, and she took a bite, that she recognized the familiar spicy flavor; it was indeed the same restaurant!

"Try this spicy stir-fried pork, it’s super delicious!" Ruan Li eagerly recommended to Zhe Ye.

Male Beastmen mostly consumed nutrient solutions, as battling fierce beasts didn’t afford them the time for rest, and homemade meals were expensive; the beasts they defeated might barely afford them one meal.

Besides combat, male Beastmen needed to study courses across various disciplines. Only after acquiring credits in culinary, companionship, massage, domestic skills, and husbandly virtues could the Star Network assign them a female.

Some tried to bluff their way through, but they quickly lost their standing among females at home.

Zhe Ye tasted a bit of the spicy stir-fried pork, "It’s indeed very tasty."

Seeing the man nod in agreement, Ruan Li found immense satisfaction in sharing her favorite.

The small female soon found her eyes brimming red from the spice, her mouth swollen as if harshly ravaged, her nose tip blushing, yet she remained relentless in savoring the deliciousness.

Zhe Ye felt the food tasteless, sipping tea on the side to quench his thirst.

The water cup beside Ruan Li had long run dry, and she hurriedly filled it again.

"Would you like a cold drink?" Zhe Ye initially intended to advise against the spicy pork, but seeing her relish it despite the heat, he silently changed his suggestion.

Ruan Li nodded vehemently.

Zhe Ye approached the waiter for an iced drink, placing it beside Ruan Li. "There are ice cubes in it. Since you’ve just had spicy food, drink slowly, or your stomach might suffer."

Ruan Li gazed up at him with watery eyes, as if to say, "You see how pitiful I am, won’t you let me drink?"

Zhe Ye’s heart softened momentarily, though his face remained stern, his voice firm and authoritative, "No, it’s a matter of health, we can’t be careless."

Ruan Li was mildly furious that this cold man refused her so readily, glaring at him with wet eyes like a shimmering lake reflecting under dazzling light, where Zhe Ye could see his reflection.

Devoid of any real menace, the man merely thought she was being coquettish.

His heart softened a notch more, his face only appearing sterner.

"Only small sips are allowed."

Ruan Li, thinking her fierce stare had won him over, delightedly cupped the iced cherry drink, sipping it delicately.

The dessert arrived, and having drunk the cold beverage, Ruan Li no longer felt as spicy, even though her lips now resembled ripe, water-soaked cherries, making people wonder how juicy they might be.

As she ate the dessert, her cheeks ballooned like those of a cute hamster, her misty eyes slightly hooded, appearing quite dazed.

Ruan Li alone knew she was daydreaming at that moment.

After eating her fill and feeling fatigued, starting on dessert was like venturing into a second stomach.

The cherry drink meant for small sips had, unbeknownst to her, already seen the bottom.

Outside the glass window, the image of the dazed small female chewing had already become a picturesque sight.

"Your Highness, what are you looking at?"

Following the gaze, she turned to look inside the glass, eyes wide in astonishment, "Is she... is she still alive?!"