Shen Lang waited in the car for about fifteen to twenty minutes before Li Liusi finally came out of the neighborhood.
She had changed into a brown floral dress, swapping her school uniform for something that looked both a bit country and quite pretty.
At that moment, she looked like a village beauty—simple and shy, with a touch of charm. If she had a flower in her hair, she'd fit right in.
"This is the first time I've seen you in a dress."
After Li Liusi got in the car, Shen Lang adjusted the edges of her dress and smiled with satisfaction. "It really looks nice, quite pretty."
"Th-thank you."
Li Liusi's cheeks flushed slightly as she said thanks.
"No need to thank me."
Shen Lang chuckled, pinching Li Liusi's soft cheek. "I'm your boyfriend, so you don't need to say thank you. Next time, just say it straight out, okay?"
"Yeah, got it."
Li Liusi nodded bashfully and then glanced out at the open-air market. "Aren't we going to buy vegetables? Where are we headed?"
Li Liusi usually bought her veggies at a nearby open-air market, where it was close and cheap—grown by local vendors.
"We're not going to the market. We're heading to the supermarket."
Shen Lang expertly handled the steering wheel. "After we're done with the shopping, I'll get you some clothes too."
"Still keeping track of expenses?"
Li Liusi looked down, her mood a bit conflicted. She didn't want to feel like she was taking Shen Lang's money just because they were in a relationship.
"Don't overthink it. My family isn't a bank, so every penny spent now will be deducted from the dowry."
Shen Lang could sense her concern and smoothly continued with a bit of cheesy charm. "Let's consider the dowry to be 300,000. So far, I've spent around 30,000, so we still have 270,000 left."
The mention of the dowry made Li Liusi shiver a bit, her hands gripping the seatbelt tightly as she blushed and looked down. "I don't have such an expensive dowry."
"Well, I don't care. It's set at 300,000 to avoid you adding more later."
Shen Lang said decisively, "Once we've spent the dowry, you'll be mine. Got any objections?"
Li Liusi shyly shook her head and then, as if a thought struck her, asked seriously, "What about the bride price?"
Li Liusi didn't have much money right now, let alone the 30,000.
"Wow, really?"
Seeing Li Liusi getting too serious, Shen Lang quickly changed the subject with a tease. "We've just met, and you're already thinking about marriage? Isn't that a bit fast?"
Realizing she had gotten too absorbed in the conversation, Li Liusi blushed even more and turned her gaze out the window, leaving Shen Lang with a view of her neck.
The once cheerful atmosphere became chilly, with the hum of the air conditioning clearly audible.
"It's really sunny today."
Shen Lang glanced at the shy Li Liusi, sighed slightly, and put on his sunglasses.
Under the sunglasses, there was a hint of helplessness in his eyes.
He reminded himself to avoid sensitive topics with Li Liusi in the future, and the same goes for other girls too.
...
To buy clothes for Li Liusi, Shen Lang drove to a large department store further away, where he could buy groceries and clothes.
It was rush hour, and the store was crowded, with some students in school uniforms shopping.
Li Liusi wasn't used to crowded places. She hesitated, looking at Shen Lang's hand but didn't dare to hold it.
Strangely enough, even though the open-air market was crowded and dirty, Li Liusi didn't have social anxiety and would even bargain confidently with the vendors.
But in a fancier supermarket, she felt out of place, as if she might inconvenience others.
"Come on, hold my hand."
Shen Lang extended his hand with a smile. "It's crowded here. I don't want to have to go searching for you if you get lost."
"I won't."
Li Liusi mumbled a bit proudly but still happily took Shen Lang's broad hand.
Shen Lang wasn't too fond of this casual holding and preferred a more intimate hold. So, he adjusted his grip, interlocking their fingers, and kissed the back of her white hand. "What do you want to eat tonight?"
In such a busy place, Li Liusi was incredibly shy, her face turning red. "Anything, I'm fine with whatever."
The simple girl didn't realize that in 2024, public displays of affection weren't unusual. Couples showing affection in public were common, and passersby usually just watched curiously, sometimes even rating the couple's looks in their minds.
Seeing Li Liusi's shy and innocent demeanor, passersby were envious, especially the men who cast jealous glances at Shen Lang.
"Let's just browse for now."
Shen Lang wasn't paying much attention and led Li Liusi through the store.
It was evening, and the store was filled with couples shopping for supplies. Unlike the reserved Li Liusi, these girls were bold and affectionate, clinging to their boyfriends without a care.
"Do you want to buy some...?"
As Shen Lang picked up an apple and was about to say something, he suddenly felt a soft sensation on his arm.
Looking back, he saw Li Liusi hugging his arm, carefully leaning in.
Her proud features were pressed close to his arm.
"What's up?"
Shen Lang gently reassured the shy girl, "Not scared of the crowd anymore?"
Li Liusi paused and asked shyly, "Is it... okay?"
"Of course, go ahead, hugs are free."
Shen Lang replied generously. He was happy to see Li Liusi act like a normal girlfriend, being affectionate.
If she kept being so reserved, it wouldn't feel like a normal relationship.
Li Liusi smiled happily, mimicking other couples, and hugged Shen Lang's arm tightly.
"How about the apple? Should we get some?"
Shen Lang held the red apple up in front of her.
Li Liusi, still adjusting to the closeness, shyly nodded without saying much.