Chapter 28: High School Shopping Spree

Xu Chen looked at the three pairs of shoes, hesitating.

Feng Qingqing blinked, suddenly recalling a boy she’d seen before.

That boy had tried to show off his wealth in front of Feng Qingqing by entering an expensive brand store—only to have the clerk bag the shoes and him realize he couldn’t pay.

Feng Qingqing had stood awkwardly nearby, her embarrassment off the charts.

She glanced at Xu Chen, concern flickering in her eyes.

If Xu Chen pulled the same stunt, the good impression he’d just made would shatter.

After all, a guy she actually liked was rare for Feng Qingqing.

…

The clerk seemed to notice Xu Chen’s dilemma and gently offered,

“We have entry-level shoes, too. They range from two to three hundred.”

“We also have some clearance sizes at a discount, but it depends on your size.”

Xu Chen froze, looking troubled.

“I really don’t know her shoe size…”

Feng Qingqing inwardly panicked and a trace of disappointment crossed her face.

So he’s planning to buy clearance sizes?

Well, it’s a bit embarrassing, but at least he’s not forcing a show of wealth.

“Since you’re handsome…” she thought.

Unaware of her inner thoughts, Xu Chen turned to her and asked,

“Feng Qingqing, how tall are you?”

Feng Qingqing: “I’m 1.64 meters.”

She couldn’t hide a hint of pride—1.64 meters is quite tall for a girl.

Xu Chen thought for a moment, then turned back to the clerk:

“My friend’s about half a head taller, so maybe 1.74 meters… what would her shoe size be?”

Feng Qingqing: “…”

At those words, Feng Qingqing’s expression soured.

Me, Feng Qingqing—am I not worth it?!

The clerk smiled and said,

“A 1.74-meter girl is very statuesque. She’d likely wear anywhere from size 38 to 40.”

Xu Chen: “Then I’ll take one pair each in sizes 38, 39, and 40 and let her try them. If they don’t fit, I can return them, right?”

Clerk: “Of course. Just keep the receipt and bring back any you don’t want.”

She paused, then added,

“But clearance sizes aren’t complete stock.”

Xu Chen replied,

“Then wrap up these 899-yuan ones—sizes 38, 39, and 40, one each.”

The clerk stared in disbelief, then broke into a delighted smile.

She never expected a high schooler not only to skip the clearance but also to pick the priciest style…

And to buy three different sizes at once.

Even though he planned to return the extras, all three counted toward her sales.

“Sir, please wait a moment. I’ll go wrap them right away!”

She’d started calling Xu Chen “Sir.”

With that, she turned to the counter, excitement clear on her face.

Feng Qingqing stared up at Xu Chen, her expression growing more complex.

What kind of family does he come from?

He runs a factory in town—what kind of factory…

Could he casually spend nearly a thousand yuan on shoes? Or even three pairs?

Feng Qingqing’s eyes widened in shock.

Before long, the clerk returned with the three boxes.

“Sir, here they are—all red.”

Xu Chen glanced at them and said, “Fine. How much total?”

Clerk: “Three pairs for 2,697 yuan. It’s the latest style, so no discount.”

Xu Chen nodded, pulled out 2,697 yuan in cash from his bag, and handed it over.

Feng Qingqing peeked over, swallowing hard.

Also a third-year student, she’d never seen someone carry that much spending money.

Her curiosity about Xu Chen’s family business deepened.

Could a small-town factory really afford that?

Though she had high standards, she was just a town high schooler and had never seen so much cash at once.

Three thousand yuan spent without a second thought.

What Feng Qingqing didn’t know was that buying shoes for Xie Bingran wasn’t spending—it was an investment for Xu Chen.

A high-return investment, at that!

Carrying the three shoe boxes, Xu Chen glanced around and said,

“Get me a tracksuit, too.”

The clerk’s face lit up again.

“Sir, which style? We have autumn and summer lines.”

Xu Chen: “They even have seasonal sets… then I’ll take one of each.”

He figured Xie Bingran probably didn’t have many clothes, so he might as well get them all at once.

He paused. “But I don’t know her sizes.”

He turned to Feng Qingqing and sized her up.

The clerk caught on but offered,

“A 1.74-meter friend won’t be a great reference… ”

Feng Qingqing’s face fell—why was she suddenly insulted? Feels like ten points of hurt.

Am I not worth it, Feng Qingqing?!

Who is this 1.74-meter woman anyway? So unfair!

Her mind raced, but she merely forced an awkward smile.

The clerk said with a laugh,

“For a 1.74-meter girl, XL should fit just fine.

Clothes aren’t as precise as shoes—an XL will work well.

Just pick any style you like.”

…

…

Fifteen minutes later, Xu Chen emerged with arms full of bags.

Feng Qingqing followed, her expression tangled.

She envied his “girlfriend” a little…

What’s going on here?

No boy had ever bought things like this for me…

Compared to the boys who chased me, their cheap gifts were nothing.

Xu Chen turned and asked,

“Do you want to shop anywhere else?”

Still caught in her inexplicable gloom, Feng Qingqing pursed her lips. “No…”

A barely noticeable look of loneliness crossed her face.

Xu Chen: “Then how about we go to the Internet café?”

Feng Qingqing: “Really?!”

At the mention of an Internet café, she lit up with curiosity and excitement.

“Let’s go. There’s one just around the corner,” Xu Chen said.

Feng Qingqing nodded, both nervous and thrilled, and followed him toward the café.

Internet cafés back then weren’t as strict as in later years—minors could still get in easily.

Of course, Xu Chen and Feng Qingqing were both over eighteen, but the guard at the door didn’t check IDs.

Xu Chen, familiar with the place, set up two PCs and led Feng Qingqing inside.

Feng Qingqing, like a girl who’d never been out, looked around in awe.

Xu Chen glanced at her, amused.

No wonder she’s a leader’s daughter—strictly raised and unused to Internet cafés.

Or maybe she had a computer at home and never needed one.

Xu Chen picked a relatively clean shared desk and sat with her.

Feng Qingqing didn’t know how to log in and sat silently, unsure what to say.

Xu Chen subtly scooted halfway in front of her, logged her in, and set up her account.

“All set. You can chat on QQ, play games, watch movies—whatever you like.”

“Oh… thanks.”

Feng Qingqing smiled and grabbed the mouse.

Xu Chen turned back to his PC and started logging into QQ to check for unread messages.

Just then, Feng Qingqing asked,

“What’s this Midnight Channel?”

Xu Chen glanced over and saw her opening a movie page.

Alongside action, romance, thriller, and drama, there was a “Midnight Channel.”

Xu Chen’s heart sank as he warned,

“That’s content minors shouldn’t watch.”

Feng Qingqing paused. “What is it?”