Zhang Yanyan casually flipped through the ready-to-wear pieces that had been hung up, then picked out two outfits to try on and check the fit. When she came back out, she pointed to two garments on the rack and said, “The silhouette on this one is too limp. Don’t include it. The color on this one is too dark, so set it aside too. Pack up everything else.”
She then turned her attention to the handbags displayed on the table. The store manager hurried over and introduced each one in turn, explaining the leather, color scheme, and design details.
After listening, Zhang Yanyan tapped two of them with her fingertip. “These two are too similar in color. Keep the golden-brown one and pack up the other four.”
“Of course, Miss Zhang! I’ll arrange it right away!” the store manager replied hurriedly, directing the staff to wrap everything with the utmost care.
Su Yuan looked around beside her, then leaned close to Zhang Yanyan’s ear and said softly, “Sis, these styles are all a little too mature for me. None of them really suit me. I’m going to look at the casual section next door.”
“Sure. Go ahead,” Zhang Yanyan said, turning to glance at her.
Su Yuan smiled and walked over to the casualwear section. She picked out two simple sweatshirts, a pair of straight-leg jeans, and a pair of white sneakers—all understated styles suitable for school that wouldn’t attract too much attention.
By the time she finished choosing and came over to pay, Zhang Yanyan was just about to swipe her card.
“Let’s ring everything up together,” Zhang Yanyan said.
“No need, Sis.” Su Yuan smiled and waved her off, handing over her own card. “I can afford this much. You already treated me to such a delicious lunch. How could I let you pay for my shopping too?”
Zhang Yanyan didn’t insist and let her pay for herself.
After leaving Hermès, the two of them continued on to several other stores, including Chanel, Dior, and Gucci.
Every time they entered a shop, the store manager and sales associates would greet them immediately, bowing respectfully. “Welcome, Miss Zhang and Miss Su!”
They would then carefully introduce the season’s new arrivals and put together complete outfits with matching accessories.
Zhang Yanyan would have the staff bring over the appropriate sizes, inspect and try everything on one by one, discard any pieces with unsuitable cuts or colors, and signal for the rest to be packed up. By the time they were finished, she had bought more than a dozen bags of clothes, shoes, and jewelry. She had all of them delivered directly to the estate.
When they reached the Chanel boutique, Su Yuan’s gaze suddenly fell on a pale pink crossbody bag.
She walked over to take a closer look and lightly brushed her fingers over the bag’s pebbled leather.
The sales associate beside her immediately stepped forward with a smile. “Miss Su, this is one of this year’s seasonal limited editions. Only eight arrived in the entire country, and this is the only one we have in stock. The color is soft and elegant, and the size is just right. It’s especially suited to a young lady of your age.”
Su Yuan quietly asked how much it cost. After hearing the price, she stuck out her tongue, then secretly tugged on Zhang Yanyan’s sleeve and leaned close to her ear. Her voice was soft and coaxing, with a hint of childish wheedling.
“Sis, I really love this bag, but I spent all my allowance for this month buying things for Su Chen. Will you get it for me, please? Once I get into Tengyuan, I promise I’ll study hard and never make you or Mom angry!”
Looking at her bright, sparkling eyes, Zhang Yanyan couldn’t help smiling. She turned to the sales associate and said, “Pack up this bag. Put it on my bill.”
“Of course, Miss Zhang! I’ll wrap it up right away!” The sales associate instantly broke into a delighted smile and carefully took the bag down, placing it inside a gift box.
Su Yuan was so happy that she immediately threw her arms around Zhang Yanyan’s and hugged it, swaying back and forth.
“You’re the best, Sis! I love you so much! From now on, I’ll do whatever you say!”
Zhang Yanyan patted her hand. “Oh? Then tomorrow, you can do two more practice exams.”
“No way.”
After nearly three hours of shopping, the two of them were exhausted. They went to the café on the top floor of the mall, ordered cold drinks, and rested for more than half an hour.
As the sky gradually darkened, Su Yuan linked her arm through Zhang Yanyan’s and gave it a little shake.
“Sis, I don’t want to go home tonight. Can I stay at your place for one night?”
“Sure. Let’s go,” Zhang Yanyan said with a nod. She got up, paid the bill, and drove Su Yuan toward the Zhang family estate.
By the time the car passed through the estate gates, dusk had already settled in. The butler, Uncle Chen, and the housekeeper, Auntie Chen, had long since brought the servants out to wait by the entrance.
Once the car came to a stop, Uncle Chen stepped forward first and opened the door, bowing slightly. “Miss, Miss Su, welcome back.”
Auntie Chen also hurried over, a warm smile on her face. “Miss, Miss Su, you must be tired from the trip.”
Only then did Su Yuan jump out of the car with a smile and greet them as familiarly as if she were at home. “Uncle Chen! Auntie Chen!”
Auntie Chen quickly came forward and took Su Yuan’s hand, her voice full of affection.
“Yuanyuan’s here. What would you like for dinner? Auntie Chen will make it for you right away.”
“Auntie Chen, I want the mango pancakes you make!” Su Yuan replied with a bright, sweet smile, her tone completely natural and free of any awkwardness. “Anything light for dinner is fine. I ate too much at lunch, so I’m not hungry yet.”
“All right! I already have fresh mangoes and whipped cream in the refrigerator. I’ll make them for you right now. For dinner, I’ll prepare some rice and two light dishes. How does that sound?” Auntie Chen asked with a smile.
“Perfect! Thank you, Auntie Chen!” Su Yuan said sweetly before following Zhang Yanyan inside.
She had often stayed at the estate in the past. The south-facing guest room on the second floor was always kept ready for her, with seasonal pajamas and fresh clothes in the wardrobe and her usual brands of toiletries in the bathroom. She knew the place as well as her own home.
After entering the room, Su Yuan carried her shopping bags into the guest room. Once she had put everything away, she ran downstairs to wait for Auntie Chen’s mango pancakes.
Zhang Yanyan, meanwhile, returned to the master suite. She washed up, dried her hair, and changed into comfortable loungewear.
Her master bedroom was part of a spacious suite with a separate sitting room. A huge beanbag chair sat beside the window.
She curled up in it and began scrolling through short videos on her phone. Before long, there was a knock at the door.
“Sis, are you in there?” It was Su Yuan’s voice.
“Come in. The door’s unlocked.”
Su Yuan pushed open the door, clutching her phone in one hand. Her face was full of excitement.
“Sis! Play a few rounds of that super-popular multiplayer game with me! I’ve been practicing a new support character, but I’ve been on a losing streak in ranked and my teammates keep flaming me. Carry me for a few games!”
Zhang Yanyan put down her phone and stood up with a smile. “Sure. Come on.”
The two of them settled side by side on the enormous sofa and opened the game on their phones, logging into their accounts.
Su Yuan chose a support character who could both heal and protect her teammates, while Zhang Yanyan locked in the jungle role, which was particularly strong in the current version. As soon as the match began, she headed straight for the enemy jungle to invade.
Before three minutes had passed, Su Yuan was ganked by the enemy mid laner and jungler. She lost her Flash and could only retreat beneath her tower, crying out in distress.
“Sis! Help! They’re both camping me! I’m almost dead!”
“Got it. I’m on my way.”
The moment Zhang Yanyan finished speaking, she controlled her champion as it circled around through the river and attacked from behind. With one precise combo, she took down the enemy mid laner, then forced the jungler to retreat, saving Su Yuan while she was on the verge of death.
In the games that followed, Zhang Yanyan kept the tempo firmly in her hands. She secured dragons, invaded the enemy jungle, and ganked the side lanes with equal skill. She led Su Yuan all the way to victory, winning four games in a row, and was named the match’s top performer every time.
Su Yuan sprawled across the sofa and stared at the victory screen. Then she looked at Zhang Yanyan with open admiration.
“Sis, you’re seriously amazing! You’re practically a jungle god! It feels so good getting carried to victory by you!”
“Keep practicing and you’ll get the hang of it. Stop charging ahead by yourself all the time. Stick with the minion waves, and don’t scout bushes alone.”
Zhang Yanyan set down her phone and took the glass of warm water a servant had brought in. She took a sip.
The two of them played another match. By the time it was nearly midnight, Su Yuan let out a huge yawn and rubbed her sore, tired eyes before setting her phone aside.
“Mm, I can’t do this anymore. Sis, I’m sleepy. I’m done playing—I’m going back to the guest room to sleep.
Oh, right. Remember to wake me up tomorrow morning. I want to have breakfast with you.”
“Got it. Go on, then. Good night.”
Su Yuan waved at Zhang Yanyan, quietly slipped out of the master bedroom, and thoughtfully pulled the door shut behind her.
The suite instantly fell silent. Zhang Yanyan curled back up in the beanbag chair and covered her mouth as she yawned.
She got up to turn off the lights, then lay back down on the soft, spacious bed. Before long, she had drifted into a deep sleep.
