Now, let's pull the perspective back to Bianca, Rita, and Mei, who had been tailing Fu Lin all this time.
"Who's that woman with Fu Lin? They seem pretty close…"
Bianca rubbed her chin and glanced back and forth between Fu Lin and the woman. After a moment, her eyes widened in realization.
"Could it be… Fu Lin's girlfriend? That would explain everything! No wonder he didn't want us following him—he was afraid we'd interrupt their date!"
-----------------------------
Mei's face turned pale. She stared at the woman's face, clenched her hands tightly, and said bluntly, "Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"
Bianca touched her head and looked puzzled at Mei's unusual state. "Why are you so worked up?"
Rita narrowed her eyes slightly, thoughtfully staring at the backs of the two people. Although Lady Bianca's reasoning made sense, something still felt off.
"I actually think it's more likely a friend or an elder."
Rita shared her thoughts. Hearing this, Mei's expression softened a bit, but her eyes remained fixed on the big sister in the distance.
They followed them all the way and saw Fu Lin and the big sister arrive at a doll shop by the street.
The big sister took out a bunch of keys, picked one, and opened the door. Fu Lin's figure then disappeared through the doorway.
The three of them exchanged glances and silently walked to a milk tea shop across the street. They ordered three cups of milk tea and sat down at a spot where they could keep an eye on the doll shop across the street.
...
Time passed in a blur.
As the sun set and the senior students of Chiba Academy finished their Saturday extra classes, the once quiet street gradually became lively.
After watching intently all afternoon, Bianca's excitement had completely cooled down. Frustrated and disappointed, she complained, "What the heck? So he really was just working? I actually wasted an entire afternoon watching him work. Cat-like charm is deceptive! Totally deceptive!"
After spending so much time together, Rita, who already knew Fu Lin's identity, smiled slightly as she glanced at the pocket watch in her hand and said, "Lady Bianca, that was already your 24th complaint. It's only been five minutes since the last one, and you keep staring at Mr. Fu Lin every time you finish complaining~."
"You don't need to keep track of it so clearly, Rita." Bianca's face turned red. She shot a glare at Rita in annoyance, then pointed at Mei, who was lovestruck, and argued,
"Besides, I wasn't staring at Fu Lin all the time. I was looking at... his ears! But Mei..."
"Serious Fu Lin is so handsome~" Mei held her face with both hands, as if lost in another world. She ignored Bianca and gazed at the busy Fu Lin in the store with starry eyes.
But when she saw a senior girl from Qianyu Academy chatting with Fu Lin, she clenched her fists, her eyes full of jealousy. If Bianca and Rita hadn't held her back, she probably would have rushed into the store to intervene.
Unaware that someone outside was jealous over him, Fu Lin, after filling the empty shelves with dolls, smiled and asked a shy girl in a Chiba Academy uniform standing nearby, "Hello, is there anything I can help you with?"
The girl nervously gripped her phone and glanced toward her friend, who was hiding behind a shelf and cheering her on. Taking a deep breath, her gaze became determined as she said, "Um... can I have your contact information?"
As soon as the girl spoke, the lively chatter around them suddenly vanished, leaving only the sound of shallow breathing. An eerie silence filled the air.
Fu Lin looked at the shy girl in front of him and silently cast a helpless look toward the big sister.
The big sister shook her head sympathetically and winked at Fu Lin, 'Weren't you very straightforward before? Just reject her directly.'
Fu Lin rubbed his forehead inwardly. That was because the other person had been forceful and gave him no room to refuse—but this time was different!
Seeing the hopeful look in the girl's eyes, Fu Lin's gaze faltered. His mind raced through various polite ways to refuse, and finally, he said,
"Sorry, I don't have a phone."
The big sister, "..."
The girl's face turned pale, as if the surrounding gazes were mocking her. She tightened her grip on her phone, apologized several times, and then quickly turned and left. Her friend, seeing this, also hurried after her.
The scene caused other girls who had been planning to ask for Fu Lin's contact information to give up. They pretended to browse the dolls while stealing glances at Fu Lin.
The big sister didn't mind this outcome. At least, out of embarrassment, they'd usually buy something small before leaving—so why not let it be?
But the earlier scene made the big sister feel troubled. She wondered if she should put up a sign to warn these love-struck girls that Fu Lin could only be admired from afar, not approached casually.
As for Fu Lin himself, he touched his nose and watched the girl's departing figure with confusion—but he didn't dwell on it.
He picked up a box and prepared to head to another empty shelf. But as he took a step forward, he felt something under his foot. He moved his foot aside and picked up the student ID that the girl had dropped when she left.
After briefly scanning the student information on the ID, Fu Lin handed it to the big sister and continued organizing the shelves and promoting the dolls.
During this time, a few outgoing girls took the opportunity to ask Fu Lin for a photo together. Soon, it was time to close the store.
After locking the shop door, the big sister lightly brushed her hand over Fu Lin's palm, leaving the store key in his hand. She clasped her hands together and said sweetly, "Tomorrow's a day off, so you don't need to come in. I'll be busy on Monday, so I'm counting on you to take care of the store. Love you, little brother~"
"I'll make it up to you when I get back~"
Fu Lin tightened his grip on the key, his expression serious. "Just give me a raise."
Big sister, ".....Of course, no problem."