Not long after, the older shop assistant returned with light, brisk steps.
She carried two high-quality shopping bags in her hands, along with a smaller, more discreetly wrapped paper bag.
"Sir, both dresses you requested are here, and the sizes have been confirmed," she said, her smile noticeably more sincere and brimming with visible enthusiasm. "Since your purchase exceeds twenty thousand, we’re also giving you a membership card for our store."
Then, she handed over the small paper bag. "Additionally, these are the complimentary gifts selected according to your sister’s… your request. They’ve been packaged as well."
"If you’re satisfied with the quality of our clothes, we’d be delighted to welcome you back."
Su Qi reached out and naturally took all three bags into his hands.
The two larger shopping bags felt slightly heavy due to the weight of the dress fabrics.
As for the small paper bag… despite containing two items, it was almost weightless, barely registering in his grip.
Well, freebies are freebies… they really skimped on the materials…
Ah well, no point complaining now. It’d be awkward to ask for an exchange.
Next, Su Qi handed the shopping bag containing the dress Liu Yuan had picked out to her.
"Here, take it."
It wasn’t a matter of lacking courtesy or unwillingness to carry it—after all, the dress wasn’t that heavy.
But he could feel his sister’s gaze practically glued to the bag, unable to look away.
Just as Su Qi expected, Liu Yuan showed no displeasure. Instead, she accepted it with sheer joy, cradling it carefully against her chest, her face alight with pure happiness.
"Thank you, brother!"
Her radiance outshone even the vibrant colors of the surrounding clothing.
Su Qi then passed Yun Huang’s dress to her as well. "This one’s yours."
As for the two freebies?
Sorry, but unless Su Qi got hit by a truck on the way home, he’d sooner burn them to ashes before passing out.
Ugh, who even comes up with such gifts?
They’re practically a public menace!
"Let’s go," Su Qi called out, taking the lead.
Liu Yuan clung tightly to her bag, following closely behind.
Yun Huang maintained her usual composure, walking behind them, her thoughtful gaze lingering on Liu Yuan’s skipping figure.
Stepping out of "Neon Silhouette," the afternoon sun remained warm.
The city’s bustle surrounded them—cars honking, crowds chattering, the urban clamor rushing in.
Under the sunlight, the young girl hugged her beloved gift, the young man carried the shopping bags, and behind them walked an ethereal beauty with an air of quiet elegance.
The scene was warm and harmonious.
Su Qi glanced at Liu Yuan beside him, then at Yun Huang half a step behind.
This kind of peaceful routine… wasn’t so bad, was it?
Liu Yuan swung her bag lightly, her steps buoyant. "Brother, brother! There’s an ice cream shop up ahead that looks really good!"
Su Qi, who had only just recovered from the earlier shaved ice ordeal: "…"
He felt the urgent need to correct someone’s itinerary—and his own digestive limits.
"Let’s find a place to sit first," Su Qi suggested, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Liu Yuan rarely opposed her brother’s ideas. "We’ve been walking for a while, so a break sounds nice."
"There’s a park right ahead!"
Just past the commercial street, a small urban park came into view.
It wasn’t large, but it was neatly maintained.
Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground.
A short distance away, children chased each other across the grass, their laughter ringing intermittently.
They found an empty bench and sat down.
The wooden bench carried the warmth of the sun.
Without much thought, Su Qi took the middle seat.
The moment he settled in, Liu Yuan’s attention was captured by an elderly man pushing a small cart selling popsicles nearby.
"Brother…" She tugged lightly at Su Qi’s sleeve, her voice tinged with hopeful caution.
Su Qi followed her gaze.
An old-fashioned pushcart, an insulated box, a few simple flavors.
Clearly, his sister was in a snacky mood today.
Then again…
It might also be because he’d stolen her milk tea earlier.
With a quiet sigh, Su Qi stood. "I’ll get it."
He walked over and ordered a simple milk popsicle.
The old man deftly opened the cooler, retrieved the treat, and handed it to him.
After a brief pause, Su Qi added an ice cream to the order.
Then, he returned with the frosty popsicle and ice cream in hand—only to find his seat usurped.
Yun Huang sat on the left, Liu Yuan in the middle.
Only the rightmost spot remained for him.
He passed the popsicle to his sister.
Her face instantly lit up as she peeled back the wrapper and took a delicate lick.
"Mmm… so sweet!"
Liu Yuan’s eyes curved with contentment, a dab of white cream soon clinging to her lips.
Su Qi had to stretch his arm to hand the ice cream to Yun Huang.
Yun Huang glanced at the treat, then at Su Qi, before accepting it gracefully.
She unwrapped it with refined movements, taking small, measured bites.
Her usual aloof demeanor softened slightly, touched by the simple pleasure of the ice cream.
Su Qi leaned back against the bench, watching Liu Yuan enjoy her treat with unbridled delight.
The sunlight was warm, the breeze carrying the scent of grass and earth.
The children nearby continued their play.
A little boy snatched a ball from a girl, who stomped her foot in frustration and yelled, "I’m not playing with you anymore! Never again!"
The boy stuck out his tongue and ran off with the ball.
Yet, within minutes, he returned, sheepishly shoving the ball back into the girl’s hands.
The two exchanged a look, their earlier "falling out" forgotten as they giggled and resumed their game.
Young hearts—quick to anger, quicker to forgive.
Su Qi watched the scene, an indescribable feeling stirring in his chest.
Simple. Pure.
But…
Not all troubles, not all unhappiness, could vanish as swiftly as a child’s quarrel.
He turned his head, observing Liu Yuan’s serene profile as her nimble tongue swiped the melting popsicle.
Her quiet smile, half-lit by the sunlight, seemed almost dreamlike.
Yet…
Let’s not forget one thing.
Today’s outing wasn’t meant to be a date with his sister, nor was it to critique the "questionable" freebies from "Neon Silhouette."
The afternoon sun still warmed his skin, lulling him into comfort, but the faint weight in his heart refused to dissipate.
"What’s really happening on Great Xia’s frontlines?"
"Have the Descendants’ activities been more frequent lately?"
How long would this fleeting peace last?
Su Qi didn’t know.
But he knew now wasn’t the time to ask Yun Huang.
Such topics would only ruin the moment.
Next time, then.
For now…
The sunlight was gentle, the breeze mild.
That was enough.
【Prologue: The Beginning of It All – Use holy water to heal the saintess tainted by demonic energy, then converse with her.】 Shen Nian stared at his older sister sipping yogurt, lost in thought. So you’re telling me my sister is the saintess, and yogurt is the holy water? 【Main Quest 1: Brave Youth, Become an Adventurer! Reward: Rookie Adventurer Title.】 【Side Quest 1: Find the Adorable Kitty! Reward: 1000 Gold Coins.】 Shen Nian: "Wait, I’m a high school senior here—did some guy who got isekai’d accidentally bind his system to me?" Hold on, completing quests gives gold rewards? Titles even boost stats? Is this for real? (A lighthearted, absurd campus comedy—not a revenge power fantasy.)
close your eyes and open them again, only to find yourself transmigrated into the role of a villainous male supporting character. Readers familiar with urban wish-fulfillment novels know that it is only through the relentless antics of the villainous male supporting character that the plot between the male and female leads can progress. As the villainous male supporting character, Long Aotian not only has to bully the female lead, harass the second female lead, and flirt with the third female lead, but he also has to go all out to antagonize the male lead. In the end, when his body is discovered, he is still clutching half a moldy fried dough stick in his hand. Fully aware of the plot, Long Aotian is determined to change his fate, starting with the female lead! In the beginning, the female lead lacks confidence: "Big brother, I hope I didn't scare you?" In the middle, the female lead treads carefully: "Brother Long, please don't hit me, okay?" Later on, the female lead becomes coquettishly clingy: "Aotian, it's time to pay the 'public grain' tonight." Long Aotian's legs go weak, and he feels like crying: "I taught you to be thick-skinned, not shameless!"
ither go to a cultivation world where a single sword strike can defeat ten thousand enemies. Or they travel back to historical dynasties to alter history and wield imperial power. At the very least, they'd go back a few decades to get rich using their future knowledge and build a harem. Who the hell would transmigrate here!
ine. During your journey, you save an abandoned baby girl and become her elder brother】 【You rely on each other, becoming each other's support】 【At the end of the simulation, you shield the now-grown girl with your life, sacrificing yourself to block numerous demonic cultivators. You die, and the light in the girl's eyes fades】 …… 【Second Simulation: You are transported to a world where steam and magic coexist】 【You immerse yourself in the study of magic, obsessed with its research. One day, while out, you encounter a half-blooded demon girl wandering the streets. You take her in as your student】 【You teach the demoness what it means to be human, show her the beauty of the world, and nurture her into a miracle that surpasses even the gods】 【At the end of the simulation, you die of old age in front of the nearly immortal demoness due to your mortal lifespan】 …… One simulation after another, one encounter after another. Xu Xi suddenly felt something was off: "Wait, you said you're coming to the real world to find me?"
