"Hello, Brother Zihao. It's been a long time. It is good to see you again," Su Ke Xin spoke in a softened coquettish tone. She greeted Shen Zihao with a gentle yet dazzling smile on her face. Her eyes twinkled like a young maiden, who was seeing her first love after a long time.
"Hmmm…" Shen Zihao graced her with his usual courteous but cold nod response.
"Your grandmother would be so happy that Xin'er was able to make it back before her birthday this time. Xin'er, you must apologize to grandmother for not coming for her birthday all these years," Xia Liqin happily remarked. Her last statement was said to Su Ke Xin.
"Aunty, you don't need to worry about that. I will definitely get grandma a big gift as my apology," Su Ke Xin promised in a courteous manner. She tucked a few strands of her hair behind her right ear.
"Good girl~" Xia Liqin praised as she patted Su Ke Xin on her head.
"Aunty, what do you think about this dress? I think the colour suits your eyes," Su Ke Xin spoke softly, gesturing to a gown held by the store worker who was accompanying them.
The store worker quickly stepped forward with the dress sprawled in her hand when Su Ke Xin gestured in her direction.
The gown they were talking about was a deep blue full-length formal dress. The long sleeveless A-line gown was made from soft, satiny fabric and had a soft overlaying lace array with embellished glittering stones delicately arranged in a semblance of the star constellations.
Xia Liqin smiled as she looked at the gown. Then she said while gazing lovingly at Su Ke Xin, "You are still as filial as always, Xin'er. But unfortunately, this type of gown does not suit this old lady. They will be more suitable for you or Hua'er."
"Ah! Why don't Brother and Sister Xin go in together? It would be perfect! You will wear this dress while Brother will wear a complimenting suit or tie. Anyways, I can always accompany Second Brother instead," Shen Zihao's sister spoke out all of a sudden.
Hearing her daughter's words, Xia Liqin smiled happily, knowing that her daughter had just helped her with her plan. She was so happy that she wanted to give her daughter a mental high five.
A light blush crept up on Su Ke Xin's cheeks as she heard Shen Zihao's sister's suggestion.
"What are you saying, Hua'er? You have always been Brother Zihao's partner for every event. I cannot possibly accompany him during grandma's birthday," Su Ke Xin spoke out shyly. Her cheeks had turned crimson now as she thought of the idea of accompanying him.
"What Hua'er said is correct. You just came back. So why don't you let Zihao accompany you during the banquet since you might not really know your way around yet? You have been in a foreign country so long. We even thought you might have forgotten about us. Besides, you are like family to us, so it doesn't matter whether it's you or Hua'er that accompanies Zihao," Xia Liqin tried to persuade her.
Su Ke Xin stole a glance at Shen Zihao. Only to be disappointed as she met with his rigid and cold expression. She pressed her lips together and gave a half-hearted smile as she nodded in response to Xia Liqin's request.
"If Brother Zihao is okay with it. Then okay, Aunty," Su Ke Xin Said.
"Son, you are fine with it, right?" Xia Liqin asked.
With the way, their conversation has been going. It seemed like they had already decided as to what they wanted to do and happen. So, Shen Zihao couldn't care less about the conclusion they arrived at.
"Do whatever pleases you, mother. If that is all, I left some documents unattended to at the company," Shen Zihao curtly replied. Then he turned back to leave.
"Wait! We haven't settled on your outfits yet?" Xia Liqin said.
Shen Zihao initially halted in his steps. Without turning back, he replied, "Wang Li will send my measurements." Then he quickly left.
"Have a good day, Madam, Misses," Wang Li said in a courteous manner before following after his boss.
Xia Liqin heaved a deep sigh before shaking her head. "This kid. He is still as cold as always."
"Aunty, we shouldn't force Brother Zihao to do what he doesn't want to," Su Ke Xin commented.
"Mom, Sister Xin, come on~ let's forget about brother for now. We still need to pick out the perfect outfit for them," Shen Zihao's sister beamed. She was overly excited as her brother had told them to do as they liked. So she wasn't going to let this chance go to pair her brother with Su Ke Xin.
What she said made sense, so the three ladies distracted themselves with their shopping, trying to get the perfect gowns for themselves and a suit matching with Su Ke Xin's gown for Shen Zihao.
Shen Zihao was never one to spend time on such trivialities. He had quickly left the shopping mall and went back to his company without wasting time, but if only he had stayed in the store for a little while longer.