The shopping district was bright, noisy, and alive with movement.
Glass buildings reflected sunlight like mirrors.
But inside one of the luxury boutiques—
the atmosphere was calmer.
More refined.
More intentional.
Lila Chen stood in front of a display shelf, carefully observing antique gift pieces.
Beside her, Serena Goon leaned slightly forward, arms crossed.
"You're really serious about this gift thing," Serena said.
Lila nodded lightly.
"It's for Grandpa Li."
Serena blinked.
"You already met him once and you're calling him that?"
Lila paused slightly.
"…It feels natural."
Serena sighed dramatically.
"Old people scare me sometimes."
Lila gave a faint smile.
"and Pat Serena's head "
Serena immediately straightened.
And smile
They continued walking through the store.
Elegant items.
Rare collectibles.
Carefully priced luxury.
Serena leaned closer.
"So… what kind of gift does a man like Li Zhongyuan even like?"
Lila thought for a moment.
"Something meaningful."
A pause.
"Not loud."
Serena nodded slowly.
"That sounds like him already."
The air in the store changed slightly.
Not loud.
But noticeable.
Heels clicked against polished marble.
Confident.
Deliberate.
A group entered.
Security subtly shifted.
Whispers followed.
The woman at the center stepped forward.
Elegant.
Sharp-eyed.
Controlled smile.
Zhou Mei.
From the Zhou family.
Ethan Li's childhood friend.
And someone who never liked sharing attention.
Her eyes scanned the store.
Then stopped.
On Lila.
A faint smile formed on Zhou Mei's lips.
"Oh."
Her voice was soft.
But not friendly.
"So this is her."
Serena frowned immediately.
"Do we know her?"
Lila didn't respond yet.
She simply observed.
Zhou Mei walked closer.
Her gaze locked onto Lila.
"You're more ordinary than I expected."
Serena immediately stepped forward.
"Excuse me?"
Zhou Mei ignored her.
Her focus stayed on Lila.
"I heard you've been standing very close to Ethan Li lately."
A pause.
Her smile sharpened.
"That must feel… exciting for you."
Serena's expression darkened.
"Who are you supposed to be exactly?"
Zhou Mei finally glanced at her.
Then smiled faintly.
"No one important to you."
Her eyes returned to Lila.
"But I am important to him."
Silence.
Pressure Rising
The air in the store felt tighter now.
Customers slowed down.
Staff became quiet.
Even background music felt distant.
Zhou Mei stepped closer.
"I grew up with Ethan Li."
A pause.
"I know what kind of people he prefers around him."
Her eyes slowly scanned Lila.
Then she smiled.
"And you… don't fit that picture."
Serena whispered.
"She's trying to provoke you…"
Lila finally spoke.
Calm.
Controlled.
"Did I ask?"
Zhou Mei paused slightly.
Then smiled wider.
"Oh?"
"That's your response?"
She leaned in slightly.
"You should be careful."
A pause.
"People who don't understand their position tend to disappear quietly."
The store went silent.
Lila's Calm Response
Lila placed a gift box down gently.
Then looked at Zhou Mei directly.
"I'm not interested in competing for someone's attention."
A pause.
"I'm here for a gift."
A faint smile crossed her face.
"Not for insecurity."
Serena almost smiled at that.
Zhou Mei's expression changed slightly.
Just for a moment.
But then she recovered.
"Oh, how confident."
She tilted her head.
"Let's see how long that lasts."
Zhou Mei stepped back slightly.
But her voice lowered.
"You may be standing beside Ethan Li now…"
A pause.
"But that doesn't mean you belong there."
She turned slightly.
Her heels clicked against the floor.
Then stopped.
Without looking back, she added:
"Some people are just temporary."
And walked away.
After She Leaves
Silence returned.
Serena exhaled sharply.
"What was that?"
Lila looked at the gift again.
Then calmly said:
"Noise."
Serena blinked.
"That's it?"
Lila nodded.
"If I react to everything, I lose focus."
Serena stared at her.
Then slowly smiled.
"…You're really not normal, you know that?"
Lila's lips curved faintly.
"I've been told worse."
Outside the store, Zhou Mei stood briefly.
Her assistant spoke carefully.
"Miss Zhou… should we continue watching her?"
Zhou Mei's eyes narrowed slightly.
"No."
A pause.
"I want to see Ethan's reaction instead."
She smiled faintly.
"Let's see how long she stays interesting."
Back Inside
Lila picked up the gift box that contained Antique Jade Thumb Ring
"This one."
Serena nodded quickly.
"Good choice. Let's go before another rich person appears to insult your life choices."
Lila actually smiled this time.
"Agreed."
They walked out of the store.
Unaware—
that another layer of pressure had just entered her world.