Auntie's Performance, the Attacking Bear-Lion Group

"Can you make it cheaper? Maybe let me look at some other clothes?"

The shop owner didn’t take it seriously at all.

She heard this kind of bargaining every single day.

In the end, the result was always the same—the customer would buy something at a slightly lower price and leave.

"Alright, since you said so, how could I not take care of you?"

"Seventy. At this price, you won’t find anything better anywhere in Pingchuan."

"Let me get you a new one. Feel free to browse some other items in the meantime."

This time, Lin Yu didn’t stop her.

Chen Qimeng, who had been listening the whole time, let out a small sigh of relief.

Seventy wasn’t bad—it was acceptable.

Even if she had haggled herself, she might’ve only managed to knock off another ten or twenty yuan.

Getting it for less than fifty was pretty much impossible.

But more importantly,

Chen Qimeng noticed that even after coming into money, Lin Yu still didn’t disregard small amounts.

Whether it was ten or twenty yuan, he cared.

This alignment in values made Chen Qimeng feel particularly at ease.

"Qimeng, isn’t it your turn to pay today?"

"If so, could you pick out a couple of short-sleeved shirts for me too?"

"Lately, I’ve been feeling like I don’t have enough clothes!"

At their current financial level, spending a few dozen yuan was practically painless.

In this kind of situation, handing the "performance opportunity" to Auntie Qimeng—

letting her feel that she was still "needed" by Lin Yu—would make her happier.

Chen Qimeng smiled warmly and replied,

"Of course, Xiao Yu!"

"What else do you want? We can look here… or go to another shop if you prefer."

Lin Yu glanced around and said,

"Qimeng, the shirts here look really good quality."

"Let’s just pick two here, okay?"

"This time, why don’t you do the bargaining?"

"Haha, let’s see if you can beat me!"

Chen Qimeng: "!!!"

A bargaining competition…

She had never heard of anyone making a game out of this.

Shopping at Yipin Street had been Chen Qimeng’s idea in the first place.

Plus, she was a regular here—how could she possibly lose to Lin Yu in haggling?

These days,

in most aspects of life, she had gradually been falling behind Lin Yu.

But on her "home turf," she absolutely couldn’t let him look down on her!

……

The final price for the shorts was seventy yuan.

Lin Yu knew perfectly well

that if he had pushed harder, he could’ve gotten it even cheaper.

But today wasn’t about showing off "brilliant bargaining skills."

It was just a small warm-up—

to give Auntie Qimeng, who would take the stage next, plenty of room and motivation to shine.

For such a long time before this,

Auntie Qimeng had lived with Lin Yu in the role of the "parental figure."

Now,

Lin Yu had become reliable, someone she could lean on.

That was a good thing, of course.

But if the change happened too abruptly,

Auntie Qimeng might start feeling like she was "no longer needed."

Maintaining one’s independent sense of self was crucial in a relationship.

……

Over the next twenty minutes,

Chen Qimeng carefully picked out two shirts for Lin Yu.

For a guy, trying on a couple of shirts in a shop without fitting rooms was no big deal.

But to make sure they truly suited Lin Yu,

Chen Qimeng scrutinized how they looked on him.

Even though they were only buying two,

Lin Yu ended up trying on six!

The whole time,

the shop owner watched in mild bewilderment.

When they were buying the shorts, she had assumed the older woman was treating the younger guy.

But now, the one asking all the questions seemed to be Lin Yu.

However.

As soon as Chen Qimeng took over, she tried on the clothes, asked for prices, haggled...

All in one smooth motion!

She kept squeezing the profit margins tighter and tighter.

The 70-yuan shorts from earlier became the sufficient but not necessary condition for closing the deal on three pieces of clothing.

Especially after settling the prices for all three items.

Chen Qimeng even got the shop owner to knock off another 10 yuan and threw in two pairs of socks for free!

Stepping out of the store.

Chen Qimeng felt exceptionally pleased.

She hadn’t let Lin Yu down—she’d successfully showcased her bargaining skills.

Lin Yu, who had been standing around as a model and waiting all this time.

Was even happier than Chen Qimeng after leaving the shop.

He kept giving her thumbs up, praising her:

"Impressive, truly impressive. I thought I was good at haggling."

"Qimeng, today you’ve completely outdone me!"

"Next time we come here, I’m definitely bringing you along. We’ll save enough for a whole week’s worth of meals!"

[Ding!]

[A brilliant move—the casual, heartwarming words between partners made the acting sect leader’s heart swell with affection!]

[Reward: 50 spirit stones.]

"Lin Yu, should we check out some lightweight shoes next?"

"Something affordable for wearing around the neighborhood or at home."

Chen Qimeng was floating on cloud nine from Lin Yu’s praise.

She felt like she had boundless energy.

They’d only been shopping for half an hour.

There were still so many places to explore, so many things she could buy for Lin Yu.

"What are we waiting for? Let’s go!"

Lin Yu agreed without hesitation.

Chen Qimeng glanced at the other side of Lin Yu:

"Lin Yu, let me carry some of this, okay?"

"You’re already holding the bags and carrying a backpack."

All the newly bought clothes, along with Chen Qimeng’s purse, were currently in Lin Yu’s hands.

When she tried to help, Lin Yu insisted:

"Hey hey hey, leave the heavy lifting to me."

"Our star negotiator needs to save her strength—there’s more haggling to come."

As he spoke.

Lin Yu’s free hand gave Chen Qimeng’s shoulder a little squeeze.

Like a pre-game warm-up to loosen her up.

Chen Qimeng beamed, gradually growing accustomed to Lin Yu’s teasing flirtation.

Qimeng… our meal money… our home…

Every keyword from Lin Yu effortlessly struck a chord in Chen Qimeng’s heart.

At first, she had felt a little awkward.

But the more she heard it.

The discomfort faded, replaced by a quiet, sweet warmth.

This sense of being cared for, respected, and valued slowly steadied Chen Qimeng’s restless heart.

She clasped her hands behind her back, walking side by side with Lin Yu.

Her steps even seemed lighter.

[Ding!]

[A critical hit—the prolonged wait wore down the patience of the Black Bear and Yellow Lion duo, leaving them fuming!]

[Reward: 50 spirit stones.]

But Lin Yu wasn’t the only one who had been waiting.

The moment they stepped outside, Lin Yu noticed the sweaty Black Bear and the miserable-looking Yellow Lion.

The underground mall’s weak air conditioning was pure torture for big guys like them.

Stuck in a crowded place for so long.

Black Bear had already smoked two cigarettes and devoured one and a half ice pops.

He was long past impatient.

Finally, finally, Lin Yu and Chen Qimeng had emerged!

Yellow Lion: "Damn, these two really took their sweet time shopping."

Black Bear: "Stop whining. Let’s move—all the bags are on that guy. Makes it even easier."

...

(First update for today, sorry for the delay! Still working on the next chapter, more updates coming soon!)