After dinner.
The group said their goodbyes at the restaurant entrance, watching Ye Fan drive away with Zuo Yao. Qiao Meina turned around to see Lin Can, who had instantly transformed into a "dutiful son," already getting along wonderfully with her mom.
One moment it was, "Auntie, your skin is so nice," and the next, "Auntie, you look so young! If I saw you on the street, I'd think you were some trendy twenty-something young wife," and then, "Meina-jie is so pretty—must've inherited it all from you."
Wang Min kept laughing and asking, "Really? Auntie really looks that young?"
Lin Can had quite the silver tongue—charming women effortlessly.
"Okay, okay, stop flattering my mom."
"I'm not lying, Auntie really does look young," Lin Can insisted.
"Hehehe~ A-Can, I like that sweet little mouth of yours," Wang Min giggled.
Ew~~
Qiao Meina got goosebumps. Cringe overload! She couldn't take it anymore. She grabbed Lin Can by the hand and started dragging him home.
"Meina-jie."
"What?"
"You're really beautiful."
"Aiya, you've been complimenting me all day—aren't you tired?"
"Not at all."
Qiao Meina giggled sweetly and playfully smacked Lin Can.
"Silly little bro, you're just full of sweet talk, hmph~"
Truthfully, Qiao Meina was feeling conflicted. She didn't even dare check the group chat because of a guilty conscience. She felt like everything happening now was a betrayal to her bestie, Chu Qingning.
Looking over at Lin Can—he was totally lost in the moment, totally forgotten about everything else. Yes, that was it. Because Chu Qingning was in Chengdu, Lin Can was so smitten he didn't want to go back.
Qiao Meina lived nearby in the luxury residential complex, Junyu Haoting. The average price there was over 100,000 yuan per square meter. Her family owned a 109-square-meter three-bedroom unit worth over 10 million yuan. And that wasn't even the only property—there were two other compensation units from a demolition deal in nearby developments, both currently rented out. In total, their real estate holdings were worth several tens of millions.
But even with housing prices going up, it hadn't really changed their lifestyle. After all, they weren't selling. It just meant higher rental income. Life went on as usual. Between the two rental units, her dad's salary, and investment income, they were bringing in around 100,000 yuan a month—plenty comfortable.
At the entrance of the complex.
Wang Min said, "Oh right, A-Can doesn't have a change of clothes. Meina, take him to buy a fresh set. I'll head home and tidy up the guest room."
"Okay."
So Qiao Meina brought Lin Can to a nearby upscale lingerie and underwear store. She was a frequent visitor, and over time had become friendly with the staff. As soon as the staff saw her, they warmly greeted her:
"Meina, you're here! That nude lace transparent front-clasp bra you asked about last time is in stock. Want to check it out?"
Lin Can chimed in, "Yes yes yes, Meina-jie, let's check yours first."
"What are you saying! Go pick your underwear, go on." Qiao Meina slipped into big sister mode and sent a staff member to help Lin Can over to the men's underwear section while she headed to the women's lingerie area, heels clicking as she walked.
She picked up the bra. "Wow, so pretty."
Meanwhile, from the other side of the store, she overheard the conversation between Lin Can and the sales associate:
"Mr. Lin, do you usually prefer to hang left or right?"
"Left."
"This one is our newest design—comfortable and breathable. Do you like it?"
"The style's not bad... but it feels a bit snug."
"You're not big, you should fit fine—it won't be tight."
"I'll fit, sure, but my buddy might feel a little trapped. Grab me a bigger size."
Huff~
Over in the women's lingerie section, Qiao Meina exhaled sharply, biting her lip as her cheeks grew inexplicably hot from what she was hearing.
Lin Can finished picking out his underwear and came over. "Meina-jie? Meina-jie?"
"Ah~" She snapped out of her thoughts.
"What's wrong?"
"N-Nothing." She quickly hid the lingerie behind her back. "Uh… go pick out some pajamas."
"Okay." Lin Can was surprisingly obedient tonight and walked off to the sleepwear section.
"???" Qiao Meina was confused. Since when was he not mischievous?
A moment later.
Lin Can came back with pajamas and called over to Qiao Meina, who was still browsing lingerie. They headed to the counter to check out.
"Meina-jie, I picked out a piece of lingerie for you too."
"You bought one for me?"
Qiao Meina grabbed the bag and rummaged through it, terrified he'd picked out something risqué.
"Relax~ I picked matching pajamas—sibling style. One for each of us."
"Siblings' pajamas? Never heard of that before."
Qiao Meina pulled them out and burst into laughter. She couldn't help but smack him—only she forgot she was still holding the bra, and smacked him with that.
"Matching siblings' outfit? This is totally a couple's set."
She gave Lin Can a playful glare. Maybe it was because he'd behaved so well today, pampering her like crazy, but Qiao Meina found herself being pretty lenient with him.
Mmm... just this once.
"How much?"
"783."
Ding—WeChat payment: 783 yuan.
"Let's go."
She carried the bag, grabbed Lin Can by the hand, and walked out of the store.
Under the night sky of the bustling city, the lights shimmered.
"A-Can, you had a presidential suite and gave it up just to squeeze into my tiny apartment—what's in it for you?"
"Take a guess~"
"…"
Qiao Meina refused to guess. She didn't dare. She led him across the street to her complex.
Lin Can, ever the polite guest, bought fruit and premium milk at the entrance before entering.
Once inside, Qiao Meina's whole vibe changed. Head down, she zoomed past the gossiping aunties in double time and made it to her building.
"Meina-jie, wait up!"
"What are you yelling for?"
Qiao Meina stomped her foot in frustration.
This brat was doing it on purpose! Ughhh...
"Huh? Isn't that Wang Min's daughter, Qiao Meina? Bringing home her boyfriend?"
"Looks like her. She's 19 now—time for a boyfriend."
"Bringing him home so late... he's staying overnight?"
"Coming over this late? Maybe she's pregnant?"
Pfft—
Qiao Meina nearly choked on a mouthful of imaginary blood.
Ugh, these aunties and their wild imaginations.
And then more of them showed up, gathering around while gossiping and speculating about Meina and Lin Can as they "fled" toward the elevator. That night's hot neighborhood gossip: Qiao Meina.
Once in the elevator, Qiao Meina finally exhaled in relief. She turned around, cutely fierce, glared at Lin Can, gave him a few light punches, and then clawed at her own hair in frustration.
"Do you have any idea how vicious the aunties here are? Now they're saying you came over because I'm pregnant. Tomorrow it'll be even worse—maybe they'll say I had to get multiple abortions for you!"
"Seriously?"
"Yup."
Lin Can set down the fruit and gently pinched Qiao Meina's pouty cheeks.
"Don't worry. I'm not that kind of guy. I'd never make you get an abortion for me."
"Well, of course not!"
Ahhh~
"Who the heck wants to have your baby, you stinky brat, bad little brother. Hmph! I don't like you anymore!"