Chapter – 35
The White Lotus Unsullied by the Mud…
The three of them arrived at the mall next to the school.
As soon as they entered, a blast of cool air greeted them. Pei Nian’an said, “You guys go buy ice cream. I want vanilla flavor.”
Xia Qingqing immediately rushed to say, “I’ll go buy it! I know which shop Sister Pei loves best!”
After saying that, she dashed towards the counter.
Soon, Xia Qingqing came back holding two ice creams. She handed one vanilla one to Pei Nian’an, then smiled apologetically at Yu Zhi:
“Sorry, Yu Zhi, I didn’t know what flavor you like. Why don’t you go buy one yourself? I’ll keep Sister Pei company while she shops?”
Yu Zhi had been in a pretty good mood after earning ten thousand, and she had already seen what kind of person Xia Qingqing was last time. She hadn’t planned to bother with someone like that, but now things were different.
Yu Zhi felt her position as a lackey was being threatened.
So, Yu Zhi lowered her eyes and looked at Xia Qingqing with feigned sadness:
“Qingqing, do you not like me, so you didn’t buy me an ice cream?”
Xia Qingqing: “???”
Pei Nian’an also looked over. Xia Qingqing panicked a little: “No, no, that’s not it…”
Pei Nian’an frowned: “Xia Qingqing, what’s your problem?”
Xia Qingqing was on the verge of tears: “Then… should I go buy you one now?”
Pei Nian’an raised an eyebrow: “Well, hurry up and go!”
As she spoke, Pei Nian’an linked arms with Yu Zhi: “Come on, let’s go look around first!”
Watching the figures of Pei Nian’an and Yu Zhi walking away, Xia Qingqing was practically fuming.
How outrageous! How dare Yu Zhi try to push her luck like that!?
…After quickly buying another ice cream, Xia Qingqing found Pei Nian’an and Yu Zhi in a cosmetics store.
After handing the ice cream to Yu Zhi, Xia Qingqing seized the chance to get close to Pei Nian’an:
“Sister Pei, your outfit today would go perfectly with that new saddle bag from CC. How about I go with you to look at it later?”
Pei Nian’an’s eyes lit up: “Alright then, you actually have pretty good taste.”
Xia Qingqing smiled:
“Actually, I’ve been keeping an eye out specially for you, Sister Pei. That bag really suits your vibe, and it’s a limited edition. If you don’t buy it now, it’ll be gone…”
Pei Nian’an bit her ice cream spoon, nodding thoughtfully.
Seeing Pei Nian’an nod, Xia Qingqing was delighted too. She picked up a lipstick and tested it on the back of her hand, then looked at Pei Nian’an:
“Sister Pei, do you think this color looks good on me?”
Pei Nian’an glanced at it and then rolled her eyes: “That color makes you look so old. It doesn’t suit you.”
As she spoke, Pei Nian’an casually picked up another lipstick and tossed it to Xia Qingqing. “This color suits you better.”
Xia Qingqing caught it, looked, and immediately started lavishing praise: “Wow, Sister Pei really has the best eye for style!”
Pei Nian’an lifted her head and casually pulled out a few more lipsticks, handing them all to Xia Qingqing.
Then she walked to the counter and scanned the code to pay.
Yu Zhi, who had been watching the entire interaction between Xia Qingqing and Pei Nian’an, rolled her eyes inwardly:
Xia Qingqing’s calculations were so obvious, the beads on her abacus were practically flying into Pei Nian’an’s face.
But the young lady was completely unaware.
“Let’s go, come with me to look at bags.” Pei Nian’an got up and walked towards the luxury section.
Xia Qingqing’s eyes lit up, and she quickly followed.
Today, she was determined to get that bag she had been coveting for so long!
Yu Zhi walked slowly behind, watching Xia Qingqing buzz around Pei Nian’an.
“Sister Pei, look! This is the one!” Xia Qingqing excitedly pointed to a brown saddle bag in a display case. “It’s so perfect for you!”
The sales assistant walked over with a smile: “You have a great eye, miss. This is the latest limited edition, only 10 available worldwide.”
Pei Nian’an picked it up and looked it over: “It’s alright.”
Xia Qingqing couldn’t wait to add: “It would look definitely amazing on you, Sister Pei! And it matches perfectly with that dress you bought last week!”
Pei Nian’an, feeling more and more pleased by the flattery, said to Xia Qingqing: “Fine, you go pick one out too.”
Xia Qingqing instantly beamed with joy.
Then, without any hesitation, she pointed to a pink bag next to it.
“Sister Pei, how about this one? Do you think it suits me?”
Yu Zhi, standing to the side, suddenly had the feeling that their prized cabbage was about to be trampled by a pig.
Although Pei Nian’an’s money wasn’t her money, for some reason, Yu Zhi felt a strong sense of possessiveness over the young lady’s funds…
Honestly, she really couldn’t bear to watch Pei Nian’an waste her money…
Or rather, she really couldn’t bear to watch Pei Nian’an spend money on others…
“Oh my, Qingqing!” Yu Zhi suddenly spoke up. “The bag you picked out costs over 300,000! How are you so wealthy?”
Xia Qingqing, hearing this, immediately changed her expression. She glanced quickly at Pei Nian’an and said:
“What are you talking about? I don’t have that kind of money. It’s Sister Pei who’s rich and generous. When she gives gifts to friends, she naturally gives the best…”
Yu Zhi clicked her tongue in amazement.
Pei Nian’an heard this too. Although 300,000 wasn’t a huge amount, she remembered that every time she came to the mall before, Xia Qingqing and the others would tag along…
And she never looked at the bill when paying. Thinking about it now, if this accumulated over time, it would be a significant expense.
No wonder her brother always said she spent money too freely…
Pei Nian’an glanced at the bag in Xia Qingqing’s hand and suddenly asked: “Are you buying it yourself?”
Xia Qingqing’s face turned green.
She looked awkwardly at the bag in her hand, wanting to say something, but Pei Nian’an had already turned and walked away.
On the other side.
“Yu Zhi,” Pei Nian’an said slowly, “which one do you think looks nice?”
Yu Zhi was startled, then pointed to a rather inconspicuous backpack in the corner: “All these bags are pretty similar, but that backpack looks quite practical.”
“Wrap it up,” Pei Nian’an said to the sales assistant. Then, turning to Yu Zhi, “It’s for you.”
Yu Zhi’s eyes widened: “Huh?”
Pei Nian’an waved her hand dismissively. She glanced at Xia Qingqing and said lightly:
“If you hadn’t reminded me, I would have lost 300,000 today.”
Yu Zhi smiled slightly.
So the young lady wasn’t completely brainless!
Xia Qingqing, hearing their conversation from the side, nearly fainted from anger.
…
In a famous brand store opposite, Wen Ying was standing before a rack of dresses with Gu Chengnian.
Gu Chengnian held up a light blue dress against Wen Ying: “Try this one? It suits you well.”
Wen Ying gently shook her head and hung the dress back up: “It’s too expensive, and I’m not really interested in these things.”
Gu Chengnian was somewhat surprised:
“Don’t all girls like pretty clothes, bags, jewelry, and such?”
Wen Ying pursed her lips and smiled: “Liking is one thing, but one should choose things within one’s means. One shouldn’t overreach. Before I have the ability myself, I can choose to do without these things.”
Gu Chengnian felt his heart soften.
Wen Ying was the most special girl he had met in his 23 years of life.
She wasn’t like Pei Nian’an, that kind of arrogant, free-spending young lady, nor was she like those hangers-on around Pei Nian’an, vulgar people blinded by money.
Gu Chengnian thought, if he had to use a flower to describe her: Wen Ying was like… like a white lotus, unsullied by the mud.
“Senior Chengnian?” Wen Ying called softly. “Could I trouble you to accompany me somewhere?”
Gu Chengnian snapped back to attention.
No matter what, this was Wen Ying’s first time actively inviting him out!
He forcibly suppressed his rising smile: “Of course, where to?”
Pei Nian’an: Hah, what a white lotus!
Yu Zhi: Yo yo yo, white lotus, white lotus (sarcastic version with raised eyebrows and meaningful looks)
