Chapter 203: Shopping and Secrets

Lin Zheng Ran held Lily’s hand, her cheeks burning with heat as her mind replayed scenes from that night—him being completely unrestrained with himself.

She stole glances at Lin Zheng Ran’s profile, her thoughts consumed by naughty fantasies.

She wondered which night he might try that with her—surely not tonight…

Lin Zheng Ran steered the conversation away and asked, “You’re planning to buy me a jacket, right?”

His words startled Lily.

Lin Zheng Ran had to tap her forehead to snap her out of it. “We’ll talk about that later when it happens. Why think about it now while we’re shopping for clothes?”

Lily clutched her head, wanting to argue, but one word made her face flush even more: “What do you mean, ‘when it happens’?”

He gave her forehead another quick flick to calm her down again.

The female clerk approached just then: “What can I help you two with? Pants or jackets?”

Lin Zheng Ran replied, “We’re good browsing on our own.”

The clerk couldn’t help but admire how handsome he was—this level of good looks was rare, though she knew he had a girlfriend. Still, her cheeks turned a bit pink as she nodded: “Alright, just let me know if you have any questions.”

Ever since starting her relationship, Lily’s intuition had sharpened; she could now sense other girls’ interest in Lin Zheng Ran.

Like the clerk’s gaze just now. Lily quietly moved closer to him, staking her claim.

Those forehead flicks had helped clear some of the steamy thoughts from her mind.

They wandered over to the jacket section.

Lily held Lin Zheng Ran’s hand while checking out various jackets: “Zheng Ran, do you prefer gray or white? Both seem to suit you perfectly.”

Lin Zheng Ran said, “White, I guess. My mom already got me a gray one.”

“White it is then! This one!”

She picked out a simple white jacket—clean, sharp, and stylish—holding it up against him.

She thought it looked amazing.

But then Lily realized something and quickly compared it with a few others against him.

It wasn’t the jackets that were great—it was Lin Zheng Ran’s looks and build that made everything look good.

Lily felt both proud and frustrated: “This makes it impossible to judge the jackets properly. He looks fantastic in anything.”

Lin Zheng Ran shrugged: “Just pick one. I like the ones you’ve shown me so far.”

Lily shook her head: “No, that’s too hasty. Besides the white one, the others were just random picks. I want to do this right since I’m shopping for you.”

She noted the white jacket and kept looking for better options. With Heqing out of the picture for a few days, Zheng Ran was all hers anyway.

Lin Zheng Ran’s phone buzzed then; it was a message from Han Wenwen.

It felt like they were taking turns, one after another.

Han Wenwen: “Has Brother Zheng Ran woken up yet?”

Lin Zheng Ran replied: “Woke up early. Out shopping with Lily right now.”

Han Wenwen: “????”

Followed by a cartoon fox baring its teeth emoji.

“Han Wenwen?!” Lily pulled Lin Zheng Ran around a corner and spotted a familiar face—long hair flowing, holding a white jacket in one hand and scrolling her phone with the other, her fox-like eyes fixed on the screen, dressed in a dress and standing there.

It was unmistakably the Little Fox.

Han Wenwen heard her name and turned, surprised to see Lily and Lin Zheng Ran.

Han Wenwen hadn’t expected this: “Zheng Ran, and classmate Lin Zheng Ran—wait, and Lily?”

Lin Zheng Ran noticed Han Wenwen too and was just as surprised to find her here.

They both quietly put their phones away.

Han Wenwen laughed awkwardly and waved: “What a coincidence! Good morning, you two!” Then she spotted their linked hands and felt a twinge inside.

Lily nodded: “Yeah, quite the coincidence.” She added, “We’re here buying clothes for Zheng Ran. What about you?”

“Me?” Han Wenwen said casually, “Just browsing.”

Lily frowned: “Browsing?” She pointed to the signs around: “This is a men’s clothing store. You’re here alone, and you’re holding a guy’s jacket. Who is it for?”

Han Wenwen glanced at the white jacket in her hand and quickly put it back.

Truth be told, she wanted to surprise Lin Zheng Ran with some clothes and keep them at her rental house as his backup wardrobe.

They’d talked about it before during cozy moments; she’d mentioned getting him extras for her place.

Han Wenwen gave an awkward smile: “I just popped in since it’s a new store. Not buying for anyone.”

Lily’s relationship radar was about to go off, but Han Wenwen cut in:

“Lily, you’re shopping for Lin Zheng Ran, right? I don’t have anything on today—mind if I help pick some out?”

Lily’s focus shifted, and she smiled: “Sure, I was just struggling because he looks good in everything and it’s hard to choose.”

Han Wenwen totally agreed; that’s why she’d been browsing all morning without picking anything.

Naturally, the two girls teamed up to select clothes for Lin Zheng Ran.

They say three women make a scene, but two were already putting on a show.

Lily and Han Wenwen dove into a lively debate about what would suit him best.

They analyzed option after option without getting tired.

When Han Wenwen was busy picking, Lily slipped in and grabbed Lin Zheng Ran’s hand, getting extra close.

And when Lily was focused, Han Wenwen seized the moment to sneak a quick kiss on Lin Zheng Ran’s cheek, then shot him a jealous glance before acting casual again.

She jumped right back into clothes-picking with Lily as if nothing happened.

After over half an hour, they settled on two white jackets and one gray one.

Lin Zheng Ran said, “One’s enough.”

Lily looked at the three jackets: “But we couldn’t decide which suits you best, so let’s get them all. It’s not like the money matters.”

Since becoming a singer, Lily had plenty of spending cash.

With the clothes in hand, they left the store, and Han Wenwen asked, “Where are you two headed next for your date?”

Lin Zheng Ran answered, “Taking Lily to get her hair done. That was the main plan; shopping was just a side stop.”

“Hair?” The Little Fox checked Lily’s ponytail: “It’s not even that long—shorter than mine.”

Lily blushed and corrected, “Actually, it’s for dyeing. Zheng Ran thinks I’d look good with yellow hair, and I agree, so I want to try it.”

Han Wenwen was surprised and blurted, “Yellow hair? That would suit you perfectly! You’ll look amazing once it’s done.”

Lily asked, “You really think so?”

Han Wenwen replied quickly, thinking Lily’s personality matched yellow hair just right.

Though she noted how thoughtful Zheng Ran was with Lily—shopping, hair dyeing—stealing moments with him had its perks and pitfalls. The biggest downside was not being able to date him openly.

Han Wenwen smiled: “Alright then, I won’t crash your date anymore. I’ll head out. You two enjoy.”

She waved goodbye.

Lily nodded: “Take care on your way home.” Then to Zheng Ran: “Let’s go to the salon. It should be less crowded now.”

“Okay.”

Lin Zheng Ran and Lily went one way while Han Wenwen headed the opposite.

But once around the corner, the Little Fox stopped and peeked back at them, her face full of jealousy.

Jealousy written all over her.

“Dyeing hair? Something’s off. I can’t put my finger on it, but Lily’s expression didn’t seem like it’s just about that… and they bought changeable clothes.”

Han Wenwen realized: “Wait, are they planning to get a room later? Is that why for the clothes to change into?!”

Before turning eighteen, Han Wenwen never worried about this because Zheng Ran had principles, but now? He was anything but predictable.

That kiss last time proved he wasn’t the same anymore.

After thinking it over, the Little Fox decided to tail them discreetly. She wouldn’t interrupt their date, but if they went to a room, that was a line she couldn’t let them cross!