Quite Filial~

Chapter 266

The supermarket's promotional broadcast was deafening.

"20% off all pork! Don't miss out as you walk by!"

The high-decibel loudspeaker perfectly drowned out Ye Zhenzhen's gritted, low growl.

This jerk!

Always talking nonsense!

The young girl turned around, puffing her cheeks in anger, and walked toward Ye Shulian, who was about to disappear from her line of sight.

She had barely taken a step when her waist suddenly tightened.

Immediately after, her body fell backward uncontrollably, crashing into a firm and warm embrace.

The girl looked up with a bewildered face, not yet understanding what was going on.

Feeling a softness on her lips, her eyes widened as she looked at the person who was smiling with a smug expression.

Ye Zhenzhen instinctively wanted to blow her top.

But catching a glimpse of Ye Shulian ahead from the corner of her eye, she forcefully swallowed the scream that had reached her lips.

She looked warily ahead at the back of her mother, who was bending over the refrigerated display case, intently turning over the pork ribs with a pair of tongs.

The girl's small face burned bright red, and she shoved Gu Ran away.

Lifting her delicate foot clad in a white cotton sock, she gave him a vicious kick right on the shin.

Thank goodness she didn't notice!

This jerk, in broad daylight!

In plain sight!!

The latter showed no sign of guilt, calmly pushing the shopping cart.

He rubbed his calf, a smile playing at the corners of his lips.

Ignoring Ye Zhenzhen's anger, he slowly walked past her.

"Aunt Ye, what are we having for dinner tonight?"

Ye Shulian straightened up and looked at him with a smile.

"Tonight, I'm going to roast some lamb chops for you guys to try!"

"Just hearing about it makes my mouth water. I'll have to call my dad later and tell him to come home early!"

The young man said, turning his head nonchalantly.

He blinked at Ye Zhenzhen, who was still standing in the same spot.

His eyes were full of provocation.

It made the latter grit her teeth, wishing she could pounce on him right then and tear him apart!

"You kid, you always know how to make me happy!"

The woman smiled so much that fine lines appeared at the corners of her eyes, but it still couldn't conceal her underlying beauty.

Cold air puffed out from the fresh food section, and the incandescent lights overhead were dazzlingly bright.

After selecting the lamb chops, Ye Shulian pushed the shopping cart and continued toward another destination.

Gu Ran was about to follow when he suddenly gasped in pain.

"Hiss—"

He looked at the girl beside him, who had caught up at some unknown point.

Her hand was pinching his waist, twisting it with absolute precision.

"Sister, how could you sneak attack me?"

Ye Zhenzhen narrowed her eyes, raising her small fist and warning through gritted teeth.

"If you dare get handsy in broad daylight again, I'll tear you apart!!"

After saying that, the girl puffed out her small face and walked forward angrily to link arms with her mother.

She didn't forget to look back and shoot him a warning glare.

Gu Ran rubbed the sore spot where he was pinched, silently grimacing behind them.

This girl, her grip is getting stronger and stronger...

The three finished their shopping and arrived at the checkout counter.

Gu Ran was quick; he took out his bank card a step ahead and swiped it with a beep.

Ye Shulian pretended to be serious, keeping a straight face.

"You child, how could I let you pay?"

The young man put the items into the shopping cart, turning his head to reply.

"How could I not? We aren't little kids anymore. It hasn't been easy for you and my dad."

"Besides, I'm making money now, so isn't it only right? If I don't spend it on my own family, who else would I spend it on?"

Ye Shulian patted the back of his hand, her tone softening.

"There's no such thing as 'only right'. In our hearts, you will always be children. As long as you two are doing well, your dad and I are doing well. Next time, let me pay."

As they spoke, they soon walked into the underground parking garage.

Ye Zhenzhen trailed half a step behind them. Listening to this conversation, the corners of her lips unconsciously curled up.

This jerk really knows how to sweet-talk.

And he's quite filial too~

Gu Ran stuffed the bags of groceries into the trunk of the car and slammed the door shut with a bang.

He dusted off his hands and turned to look at Ye Shulian, who was about to open the car door.

"Aunt Ye, since we're already out, why don't we go upstairs and walk around the mall? We can treat it as a post-meal stroll to digest our food."

Ye Zhenzhen immediately caught on to someone's intentions.

She knew Gu Ran wanted to buy something for her mother, so she stepped forward.

She affectionately linked arms with Ye Shulian, gently shaking her arm and acting spoiled.

"Mom, I haven't gone shopping with you in ages. Look at you, always busy around the stove at home every day. Just treat today as a day off for yourself."

"Oh my, look at the time. I still have to go home and stew the ribs."

Ye Shulian verbally declined, but seeing the expectant looks in her children's eyes, the smile in her eyes couldn't be hidden.

"It's fine to eat a bit later. Besides, we came out with full stomachs, so we're not hungry at all right now."

Gu Ran stepped right up and pressed the up button for the elevator.

Well then!

Unable to withstand their enthusiastic offensive.

Ye Shulian was half-pushed, half-pulled into the elevator going straight up to the mall.

......

Third floor of the mall, women's clothing section.

The three of them walked into an elegantly decorated, high-end Chinese-style clothing store named "Yunjin".

The incense in the store was light and pleasant, and the warm yellow spotlights shone on the silk, giving off a premium luster.

As soon as Ye Shulian walked in, she was immediately drawn to a navy blue embroidered qipao in the center of the display area.

The texture of the silk was excellent, with large peonies hand-embroidered with silver thread at the hem, exuding a low-key luxury.

She couldn't help but reach out to touch the fabric, which felt cool and smooth.

She instinctively flipped over the price tag hidden in the cuff and glanced at it.

Oh my god!

Five zeros?!

Ye Shulian quickly let go.

"The clothes here don't suit me. Let's go, let's go, we'll try another store."

She waved her hands repeatedly, turning around to pull the two of them away.

Gu Ran stepped forward, steadily blocking their path of retreat.

He naturally wrapped an arm around Ye Shulian's shoulders and spoke seriously.

"Aunt Ye, this dress is so beautiful. It's low-key, luxurious, and elegant. I know it will suit you perfectly without you even having to try it on."

Ye Zhenzhen chimed in with tacit understanding.

She took the navy blue qipao straight off the hanger and stuffed it right into Ye Shulian's arms.

"Mom, little brother Gu Ran is right. This dress matches your vibe perfectly. Just try it on, trying it on is free!"

The two echoed each other, cooperating flawlessly.

Before Ye Shulian could recover from the heartbreak over the price, the young girl had already pushed her into the fitting room.

"Sigh, you two kids..."

The fitting room door closed, and Ye Shulian's helpless sigh could be heard from inside.

A short while later.

The fitting room door was pushed open.

Ye Shulian, wearing the navy blue qipao, walked out looking slightly self-conscious.

The tailored fit perfectly outlined her gentle and mature curves.

The passage of time had not robbed her of her beauty.

Instead, it had endowed her with a dignity and charm that young girls lacked.

The navy blue made her skin look as smooth and pale as jade.

The store clerk's eyes immediately lit up, and praise blurted out.

"Ma'am, your aura is absolutely stunning! Wearing this piece, you exude a natural, aristocratic elegance!"

Ye Shulian blushed and tugged at the hem of the dress, looking a bit uncomfortably at the two children.

"At my age, wearing something so form-fitting... isn't it too flashy?"

"Not at all!"

Gu Ran and Ye Zhenzhen immediately stepped forward, flanking her on the left and right, and launched into a bombardment of compliments.

"This is called dignified and elegant! Aunt Ye, if you walk out wearing this, people would believe it if I said you were my sister."

Gu Ran gave a thumbs up, his face full of sincerity that didn't look faked.

"Mom, trust me, it looks absolutely stunning!"

Ye Zhenzhen's eyes sparkled as she circled Ye Shulian again and again, keeping her thumbs up in enthusiastic approval.

This straightforward and passionate praise finally put Ye Shulian's anxious heart at ease.

She walked over to the floor-length mirror and looked at her completely transformed self in the reflection.

Beaming with joy, she admired the outfit from side to side, completely in love with it.

While Ye Shulian was busy looking in the mirror and discussing sizes with the shop assistant, Ye Zhenzhen slowly strolled over to another clothing rack.

She picked out a long, pale-yellow traditional qipao. Holding it up against herself to check the fit, her eyes curved into a pleased smile.

Dress in hand, she walked into a solitary fitting room tucked away in the deepest corner of the shop.

Gu Ran stood not far away, watching her figure disappear behind the curtain.

He casually grabbed a matching qipao one size larger from the rack.

Seeing that the shop assistant hadn't even turned her head and was still chatting enthusiastically with Ye Shulian—both entirely focused on each other and paying him no mind—Gu Ran took a long stride forward.

Seizing the moment while both the assistant and Ye Shulian had their backs turned, he slipped sideways and silently squeezed through the half-open door of the fitting room.

......