The shopkeeper was stunned when he heard this. It was the first time he had seen someone so bold when buying thermal pants.
"What size do you need, sir?"
Lin Qiong reported Fu Xingyun's size. After hearing this, the shopkeeper took out a few pairs saying, "These are some good quality options. You can see how warm these fleece ones are."
Lin Qiong reached out and touched the thickness of the material, "Okay, I'll take them all."
The shopkeeper packed up the thermal pants with a cheerful smile, and Lin Qiong came out carrying the bag.
Fu Xingyun emerged from a prominent family at a young age, with wealth and influence. He was accustomed to being surrounded by flattery and having access to various luxuries wherever he went. Expensive antiques were beyond Lin Qiong's affordability, and high-priced items that he could afford might not interest Fu Xingyun if he already had too many.
Then he lowered his head and looked at the thermal pants in his hand. Though plain, they were durable and essential for daily life.
Lin Qiong shook his head with a smile.
Ah, he really was a clever little devil.
"Is this the birthday gift you gave me?" A voice filled with anger and disbelief suddenly came from not far away.
The guy beside the exclaiming girl quickly raised his hand to cover the girl's mouth, looking around awkwardly. "Oh my, can't you be a bit quieter?"
"How can I be quiet?!"
Only half a meter away, Lin Qiong was at a loss and walked directly to the nearby hat store.
The shop owner,
Lin Qiong: "Just taking a look around."
The shop owner stared intently at the couple, "Sure."
"Look at what you gave me for my birthday. Are you embarrassed for me to take it out? We've been together for five years, and you give me this for my birthday."
The shop owner took a sharp breath, "Do you think that guy is going too far?"
Lin Qiong:?
Who is he talking to?
Lin Qiong looked around, then raised his hand and pointed at himself, "Me?"
The shop owner nodded, "Yes."
Lin Qiong was about to speak when the arguing girl continued, "When it was your birthday, did I not give you the sneakers you liked or the watch you hesitated to buy? Is this how you treat me?"
"Alright, speak quietly. Don't you feel embarrassed to make a scene?"
Lin Qiong frowned, "Scumbag."
The shop owner agreed, "Couldn't agree more."
Lin Qiong had just arrived, so he had no idea what happened earlier. He asked, "What did the guy give her?"
The shop owner shook his head, "I don't know, but it must be worthless. The girl took one look and threw it into the trash bag."
The guy involved in the argument had an unpleasant expression, and his tone became impatient, "Isn't our love beyond material possessions? Why are you getting materialistic now just because I gave you a cheap gift?!"
The girl felt wronged, looking at the man, she shouted, "Money can't measure love, but you also need to put some thought into it! But look at what you gave me?!"
Lin Qiong looked down at the thermal pants, "Exactly, exactly."
"You accuse me of being materialistic, why don't you talk about your poverty?"
Lin Qiong grumbled, "Exactly, exactly."
Pah! Scumbag.
The more the girl thought, the more infuriated she became. She took something from the bag and threw it at the guy, "Let's break up. Go have a date with these thermal clothes."
Lin Qiong: "Exactly, exactly..."
Wait! The gift he gave to his girlfriend was thermal clothes?!
Lin Qiong lowered his head and looked at the thermal pants in his hand.
In shock, he sat up from his metaphorical deathbed – turns out the scumbag was himself!
After the couple finished their argument, the shopkeeper made a post-match analysis, "What a scumbag, after being together for four years, he gave her thermal clothes on her birthday!"
Lin Qiong felt a bit lacking in confidence for a moment, "Yeah."
As Lin Qiong looked at the thermal pants in his hand, he felt more and more like a scumbag. Since arriving in this world, Fu Xingyun has been his closest companion.
He helped him rise from the poverty class to become a wealthy man.
Providing him with food, clothing, and money.
He couldn't just give thermal pants; he needed to think of something more thoughtful.
Even at noon at the traditional Chinese medicine clinic, Lin Qiong was still in distress, looking at Fu Jinglin lying on the bed in pain.
"Nephew."
Fu Jinglin, with his tall stature of 185 centimeters, lay on the bed with a provocative posture, "What's up?"
"This year, what are you going to give your uncle for his birthday?"
Fu Jinglin shook his head, "I haven't decided yet. What about you?"
"I don't know either."
Fu Jinglin thought for a moment, "Actually, you can just ask Uncle what he likes."
"Then it won't be a surprise, right?"
"If you casually mention it, he won't pay much attention to it."
Lin Qiong nodded in agreement.
----
In the evening, after dinner, Lin Qiong went to Fu Xingyun's room as usual to massage his legs. After finishing, instead of leaving, he snuggled up next to Fu Xingyun, lying side by side.
"Xingyun."
Fu Xingyun looked up from the book in his hand, "Hmm."
"Can I ask you a personal question?"
Fu Xingyun said, "Go ahead."
"What do you like?"
The male's hand holding the book paused, and he turned to meet the expectant eyes of Lin Qiong.
Lin Qiong leaned closer to him eagerly, "What do you like?"
Fu Xingyun instantly averted his gaze, "Nothing..."
It seemed that wealthy individuals had little interest in worldly desires.
"Don't you have something you really, really like?"
Seeing the hopeful eyes of Lin Qiong, Fu Xingyun tightened the hand holding the book, causing the once smooth pages to gradually wrinkle.
He wanted to speak but found it hard to express. For a moment, he felt warmth on his face.
Fortunately, the room was dimly lit, concealing the slight embarrassment on Fu Xingyun's face.
Lin Qiong playfully shook his hand on Fu Xingyun's forearm, "Tell me, I want to understand you better."
Fu Xingyun cleared his throat, "I like you... I like the meals you cook."
Lin Qiong's face lit up instantly at this answer, "Really?"
Although happy, the answer didn't seem to have much practical use.
In a good mood, Lin Qiong stayed with Fu Xingyun for a while longer before finally getting up to leave the room.
"Xingyun, good night."
Fu Xingyun looked at the door where Lin Qiong had left, "Good night."
Not long after the door closed, Lin Qiong popped his head back in, "By the way, Xingyun?"
In the dim light, Fu Xingyun's gaze softened, "What's up?"
Lin Qiong pointed out, "Your book is upside down."
Fu Xingyun:...
After Lin Qiong left, Fu Xingyun lowered his head and glanced at the page he had been staring at for twenty minutes. Then, he took a deep breath and closed the book with a loud "thud."
----
The next day, Fu Jinglin sat in the car, looking at Lin Qiong, "Did you ask Uncle yesterday?"
"I asked."
"What did my uncle say?"
"He said he likes the meals I cook."
Fu Jinglin, caught off guard by this sudden forced eating of
"Then why not just make a meal for him on his birthday?"
"That won't do!" Lin Qiong looked serious, "It lacks sincerity."
Saying this, he suddenly came up with an idea, his eyes brightened, "Do you know any places that offer customized items?"
Fu Jinglin: "I do."
"Tell me."
With a confident smile, Fu Jinglin said, "Beg me."
Lin Qiong's face drooped upon hearing this, "I'll send you back home right now."
"No, no!" Fu Jinglin quickly added, "I'll give you the address. If I go home now, my mom will definitely break my legs."
Lin Qiong got the address and, after dropping Fu Jinglin off at school, drove to the location. However, when he reached the entrance of the store, he hesitated for a moment. Looking at the luxurious appearance and extravagant displays, he felt a bit overwhelmed and wondered if he could afford it.
Even in his past life, he wouldn't dare to step into such a place, even if encouraged by a celebrity. After all, he had a bit of self-awareness as a poor guy.
Lin Qiong took a deep breath and walked in.
The staff immediately approached with a polite smile, "Hello, sir."
"Hello."
Although Lin Qiong was dressed casually, the staff was professional and asked, "Is there anything you need, sir?"
Lin Qiong spoke up, "I heard that your custom services are excellent, and I'd like to order some items."
The staff looked a bit apologetic, "I'm sorry, sir, our custom services are by appointment, and we are not accepting orders for the next two months."
Lin Qiong said, "My nephew mentioned that if I want to place an order now, I can use his name."
"May I ask the name of your nephew?"
"Fu Jinglin."
Bingo! The name of the big boss's nephew, even though Fu's family is not directly connected to their boss, they can't afford to neglect it.
The staff quickly went to the back to inquire and returned promptly.
Following them was the manager, "Mr. Lin, right? We can have a better discussion inside to understand the style and concept you are looking for."
Lin Qiong felt a bit awkward but followed them inside.
The manager and Lin Qiong sat face to face, "Would you like to order tailored clothing or..."
Lin Qiong was direct, "I want to customize a cane."
The manager wasn't surprised; after all, they had crafted many gentlemen's canes, "For personal use, or...?"
"For my nephew," Lin Qiong said, standing up and gesturing the desired height for the cane, "I want it to be sturdy and provide strong support."
"Of course, no problem," said the manager, taking out a large book. "Here are many cane styles crafted by our store. Of course, Mr. Lin, if you wish, you can also design your own. I recommend using ebony wood."
Listening attentively, Lin Qiong then asked, "Can I participate in the crafting process?"
The manager was momentarily surprised; Lin Qiong was the first customer to make such a request.
"If Mr. Lin wishes, there's no reason you can't."
Lin Qiong's eyes lit up at this, and when school was over, he saw Fu Jinglin waiting for him at the school gate.
One of his friends teased him, "Damn, who's that with Fu Jinglin? Not bad-looking, are you dating?"
Fu Jinglin immediately lifted his leg and gave his friend a kick, saying, "What dating? Damn, that's my uncle's wife."
His friend, upon hearing this, instantly shut up, "Did you hear that? I never said anything."
Fu Jinglin got into the car and looked at Lin Qiong who had a huge smile, "Why are you so happy?"
Lin Qiong, with a sly look, glanced at Fu Jinglin, "Nephew, I didn't expect your name to be so useful."
Fu Jinglin, feeling proud, said, "Well, it's not a big deal. I have to be given face wherever I go."
He then asked, "What are you planning to give my uncle?"
Lin Qiong didn't directly reveal his plan but hinted, "Something to help your uncle walk."
Fu Jinglin understood, "Foot massager?"