If he wanted to catch the bus to his cousin's within an hour, he wouldn't make it. He had no choice but to flag a taxi. If he was even a second late, his cousin would never let him off the hook. Sitting in the car, an image of her as a tiger mom popped into Zhang Ziwen's mind, causing a bitter smile to form on his lips.
Binjiang Road New District, this commercial new district had only been built a year ago. But now, it was already quite bustling. He Li's boutique was located on this street.
Zhang Ziwen hovered outside his cousin's shop for quite a while, glancing at his watch. It was almost the agreed time. He gritted his teeth, pushed open the glass door of the boutique, and as soon as he walked in, his face involuntarily turned red.
There were several ladies in the shop looking like they were buying something. As soon as they saw him walk in, they all simultaneously looked at him in astonishment, and likewise, their faces turned red as well.
"He Li's Boutique: Ladies' Lingerie" – that was the name on He Li's shop sign. Upon entering, one could only see colorful and sexy lingerie everywhere, no wonder Zhang Ziwen felt unusually embarrassed. For a grown man to enter such a place, it would be impossible not to feel awkward.
"Hmph, I saw you sneaking around outside for quite a while. Finally decided to come in, didn't you?" He Li voiced her displeasure.
Zhang Ziwen gave a shameful bitter smile and didn't dare to respond. The other ladies browsing in the shop, seeing a man has walked in, stealthily slipped out, showing that women are indeed bashful about such items.
"You're guilt-stricken with dirty thoughts in your mind," He Li said, her slender jade finger poking Zhang Ziwen's forehead without courtesy.
Zhang Ziwen did not dare to dodge, humbly accepting He Li's admonishment. If he tried to dodge, he knew he'd be in for something unpleasant.
"Hmph, learned some manners, have we? You know your older sister's temper. Go sit." Since He Li found him looking pitiful, she didn't scold him further, asking, "What do you want to drink?"
"...Anything is fine," Zhang Ziwen responded as he obediently walked towards the sofa by the shop counter to take a seat.
Soon, a cup of coffee was placed on the table in front of Zhang Ziwen. He Li sat on the sofa across from him, her beautiful eyes staring fixedly at him.
"Go ahead, tell me where you were fooling around all day yesterday."
"I... didn't go anywhere, just met up with friends," Zhang Ziwen dodged He Li's intense gaze.
"Were you gambling with them again?"
"No... no, just having a few drinks, socializing."
"Socializing? You didn't come home all night, you call that socializing?" He Li smirked. "Hmph, I told you not to hang out with those hooligan friends of yours, but you don't listen to me, do you?"
"I was listening. Next time, I'll definitely come home earlier. I just got drunk last night, so I stayed over at a friend's place," said Zhang Ziwen. He didn't dare to reveal that he had spent the night in the police station. If she found out, he would be skinned alive.
"Hmph, listen here, Zhang Ziwen. If I catch you staying out all night again, you'll see what happens," He Li warned, glaring at him sharply.
Zhang Ziwen let out a silent sigh of relief, picking up the coffee in front of him to take a sip. His cousin's interrogation was over, fortunate that she didn't dig too deep, otherwise he might have given himself away.
"Do you know why I asked you to come today?" He Li shifted her body on the sofa, crossing her legs.
"...to help out with something?" Zhang Ziwen guessed.
He Li was wearing a spaghetti strap dress that seemed a bit short when she sat down. The smooth and slender beauty of her stockinged legs was inadvertently exposed. Zhang Ziwen quickly shifted his gaze away, not daring to linger for even half a second.
"You're sharp, knew I needed you for something." A sly light glinted in He Li's eyes as she continued, "So, are you willing to help your older sister?"
"How could I refuse? Sister, just say the word. I'll make sure it gets done."
"It's a promise then, don't back out," He Li's smile grew wider.
"Sure, your affairs are my affairs, how would I dare to back out."
"Well done...not in vain that your older sister spoils you from time to time. It's quite simple..." He Li looked at him with playful eyes, "I have to go out for a few days, you'll look after the shop for me."
"Ah..." Zhang Ziwen's jaw dropped, and after a long pause, he managed to respond with a bitter face, "This... is... I... it's not very convenient, is it?"
"Hmph, having second thoughts now?" He Li caught the look on his face and almost burst out laughing, but kept a serious face. "What? Is it that hard for me to ask a small favor from my little brother?"
"I....." Zhang Ziwen was distressed, "All the things you sell here are for women, how can I, a big man, help you?"
"You say it should be done and it will be done. Will you help me or not? Hmph, if you don't want to help me with the shop, just say it." Despite his dispirited look, He Li frowned in mock anger, her lips curling in a show of disapproval. "I knew I couldn't count on you. Whether your big sister lives or dies, it's none of your business anymore. Get lost." Saying this, she stood up with feigned anger, her eyes full of mischief.
This trick from He Li always worked. Zhang Ziwen pulled a long face and said, "Sis, don't be angry. I'll help, okay?"
"That's more like it." He Li immediately changed to a smiling face, sat down next to Zhang Ziwen, reached out her hand and squeezed his face playfully. "This is my good little brother. Say, what do you want to eat? Today, your big sis is treating."
A intoxicating feminine scent went straight up Zhang Ziwen's nostrils. Chanel, He Li's favorite perfume, which probably was also every man's favorite. Zhang Ziwen couldn't help but sniff.
"I have another condition." He Li leaned against him with a playful smile, "If the sales for the two days are less than 3000 yuan, I won't let you off the hook when I come back."
".....Really?" Zhang Ziwen made a face, "It'll be a miracle if I, a man, can sell even one piece."
"Hey, I don't care, just remember if the sales are less than 3000 yuan, get ready to face my wrath." He Li moved closer to his face, blowing warm air his way, "If you do well, I'll reward you with a set of branded casual wear. How about that?"
"Let's see..." Zhang Ziwen mumbled. He could feel the softness of He Li leant against him, smelled the fragrance from her body, and was rubbed by the plumpness of her chest. His lower body involuntarily reacted. Luckily, he was sitting, otherwise, it would all be revealed.
He Li, unaware of Zhang Ziwen's bodily reaction, leaned onto him and continued on her own, "Just to warn you, don't take this lightly. Your big sister might call you anytime to check."
Zhang Ziwen suppressed his throbbing heart and replied with a wry smile, "I got it. Dare not to take it lightly."
"Hmm, that's my good boy." He Li suddenly pecked his cheek.
Feeling a warmth on his face, Zhang Ziwen's face turned rosy, "Sis, I'm not a child anymore, stop treating me like I'll never grow up."
"Oh... You're even blushing, my baby brother. In your big sister's eyes, you'll always be a little boy." He Li found it funny to see his pinkish face. He was already grown up, but still so shy. This wouldn't do. She needs to find a girlfriend for him.
Seeing his embarrassed look, He Li stood up and teased him, "Alright, don't be shy anymore, like a girl. We're off to dinner. Your big sis is treating you tonight."
Zhang Ziwen dilly-dallied for a while, waiting until the thing between his legs calmed down a bit before he dared stand up.
He Li laughed softly, "After dinner, I'll leave. You can stay here tonight. It's convenient upstairs and downstairs. No need to go back."
What could Zhang Ziwen say? He could only quietly accept He Li's arrangement.
He Li might have really considered Zhang Ziwen to be still a child. As they strolled down the street, she didn't care about appearances, her arm linked through his, her body leaning close to him in a familiar manner. The man was handsome and tall, the woman was as beautiful as a flower, slender and curvaceous, drawing back glances from passersby. Walking so close together, they really looked like a couple.
After lunch, back to the shop. He Li packed up some items and carried a small travel bag downstairs, seeing Zhang Ziwen standing in the shop, neither sitting nor standing, she held back a laugh and said, "Silly boy, it's not like you're being asked to commit a crime. Can't you be more at ease? Stop thinking about naughty stuff."
Zhang Ziwen blushed and mumbled, "Who's thinking about naughty stuff?"
He Li chuckled, "Great... then I assume you're not. I'm going, take good care of the shop." After that, she planted a kiss on his cheek, gave him a knowing wink, and left the shop with her bag. Her enchanting silhouette disappeared at the entrance, leaving behind a lingering fragrance.
Zhang Ziwen heaved a sigh. He had seen a fair share of beautiful women, but there weren't many like his cousin who was not only beautiful, but also exuded such a feminine allure. Sometimes, he found himself unable to contain himself, only blaming her attractiveness. There must be many people pursuing her, but he wondered who would be fortunate enough to marry her one day. Zhang Ziwen was a bit melancholy.
Zhang Ziwen walked to the entrance and hung the sign for 'Temporarily closed'. He decided not to do business for the day and to instead get familiar with the new environment and relax. He would think about doing business tomorrow. Zhang Ziwen found an excuse for himself, thinking that taking one day off wouldn't hurt.
After making a cup of coffee for himself, Zhang Ziwen sat on the sofa and lit a cigarette. He looked around the shop filled with bras and panties, as well as some garter stockings. Bold, avant-garde, sensual, panties that were small to the extreme, lacy and transparent. Some were even put on plastic models. A glance was enough to make one's blood boil...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Should his cousin really be labeled just as a cousin? Or a distant one? Add the word 'distant', and it changes the whole perspective. What to do then?