Chapter 318: Street Performance

Arriving at the mall, Chen Shanni couldn't wait to lead Shen Yan into a Gucci boutique; the store was filled with an array of suits, shirts, and ties that were dazzling to the eye.

Under the clerk's enthusiastic recommendation, Shen Yan tried on a black slim-fit suit, matching wool dress trousers, a white shirt, a grey vest, and a dark blue tie.

He paired it with his own pair of black leather shoes.

When he emerged from the fitting room, Chen Shanni was stunned for several seconds, her eyes flickering with a look of infatuation.

He really is handsome!

Walking to the mirror, Shen Yan examined his new look.

He had to admit, this suit truly made him look more spirited and dashing, while still maintaining a sense of maturity and composure.

He smiled slightly at the mirror, feeling very satisfied as well.

Chen Shanni walked to Shen Yan's side, carefully straightened his collar and cuffs, and said softly, "Let's just buy this one; it suits you exceptionally well."

Shen Yan gladly agreed.

Arriving at the checkout counter, Shen Yan prepared to take out his card to pay, but Chen Shanni blocked him, smiling as she said, "Don't fight me on this, I want to give you a gift."

As she spoke, she handed her bank card to the clerk.

Shen Yan was slightly taken aback; one had to know that this outfit totaled twelve thousand, and apart from Shen Nainai, no one had ever been willing to spend that much money on him.

He vividly remembered that when buying plane tickets earlier, Chen Shanni had solemnly stated that there was no need to spend so much money on first class, as economy class wasn't actually that bad.

Truth be told, Chen Shanni didn't have a single habit of a wealthy young lady; she saved money where it shouldn't be spent, and she never pursued high-end luxury brands for her own clothing.

Her main focus was on comfort.

And yet, such a girl was willing to spend so much money to buy him clothes; it would be a lie to say Shen Yan wasn't moved.

Most people in sales are experts at reading people, and the female clerk immediately flattered them: "Sir, you are truly blessed to have such a loving girlfriend."

Chen Shanni's cheeks instantly flushed red, and she hurriedly explained, "Don't misunderstand, I'm not his girlfriend."

The clerk glanced back and forth between the two, just smiled, and said nothing.

Looking at that affectionate appearance, who would believe they weren't boyfriend and girlfriend?

It's really hard to understand the thoughts of young people these days.

Shen Yan didn't care about this trivial matter at all and asked Chen Shanni, "How much pocket money does your dad give you a month? How about I pay for it myself?"

Chen Shanni said with a blushing face, "It's okay, I still have quite a bit of savings."

Shen Yan nodded and said, "How about I buy you an outfit too?" Chen Shanni shook her head gently: "No need to waste money, I won't be able to wear it many times anyway."

That dejected expression made Shen Yan feel somewhat uneasy; he raised his hand to rest on Chen Shanni's shoulder and said firmly, "I won't allow you to say such things again, otherwise... otherwise..."

For a moment, Shen Yan couldn't think of a powerful threat, so he simply slapped her on her perky bottom.

"Ah!" Chen Shanni exclaimed, covering her little bottom while looking at him with a face full of red.

"I won't allow you to say such things again, or I'll spank you again," Shen Yan said fiercely.

"Oh!" Chen Shanni replied obediently.

Her head hung low, almost buried in her chest.

She couldn't figure out how, in just one night, Shen Yan had become like a completely different person, becoming so bad and so flirtatious... always making her heart race.

Was it just because of that one intimate contact?

Throwing a peach to someone, they return it with a precious jade.

Afterwards, Shen Yan bought Chen Shanni a beige mink coat in the mall.

"The sky above, the sky of a man, the boy who once dreamed under the starry sky..."

As they left the mall, a light and melodious song rang in Shen Yan's ears, as if an invisible hand had gripped his heartstrings.

He couldn't help but stop in his tracks, his gaze following the direction from which the sound came.

The sky was high and the clouds were wide, with sunlight casting charming halos; on the open ground diagonally across from the mall entrance, a weathered middle-aged man was holding a worn-out but still gleaming guitar, standing there quietly.

His eyes were focused and deep, and as his fingers gently plucked the strings, strings of beautiful notes flowed from his fingertips like water.

Additionally, there was a professional microphone placed in front of the man, and a small speaker beside it.

It was obvious that this was a street performer showcasing his talent.

His singing was full of story, making people unable to help but be moved. Passersby stopped to listen, their faces showing expressions of intoxication.

Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck Shen Yan, and he pulled Chen Shanni toward the man.

The song ended!

The pedestrians applauded and cheered to express their admiration.

Shen Yan stepped forward and asked, "Sir, do you know how to play the song 'Just Like You'?"

"I do!" The man's answer was concise and clear; he didn't seem to like interacting with people much.

Shen Yan didn't care about his attitude; without a word, he took a hundred-yuan bill from his pocket, placed it into the basin on the ground, and asked the man to play it once.

He would do the singing himself.

The man nodded and agreed.

Immediately after, Shen Yan stood in front of the microphone, his eyes fixed on Chen Shanni in front of him, and said solemnly, "Shanni, I want to dedicate this song to you; I hope you can be strong and brave. I believe your life will not stop here."

This one sentence left Chen Shanni shaken to her core; mist filled her eyes uncontrollably, and she covered her red lips, watching Shen Yan with tears streaming down her face.

As if thinking of something, she hurriedly took out her phone and started recording.

She hoped to record this scene forever.

The audience and the man both understood the meaning behind Shen Yan's words; looking at the vibrant Chen Shanni, everyone couldn't help but feel sympathy.

Sigh!

At such a flower-like age, why did she have to run into such a thing?

After a burst of prelude, Shen Yan slowly began to sing:

Who is it that gently pats my shoulder when I need it most~

A smile on my face, just like you, singing out loud, applauding for myself~

I am just like you~ just as strong~

Just as determined to go all out in chasing my dreams~

Even if I might get hurt~ even if there are wind and waves~

Only after the wind and rain will there be a charming fragrance~

Shen Yan's singing voice could not be called heavenly, but he was able to grasp every note just right, making his singing level far exceed that of an ordinary person.

Moreover, Shen Yan's voice was full of magnetism, as if it possessed a kind of magic, making people involuntarily immerse themselves in it. The most crucial thing was the rich emotion he poured into his singing, which made the listeners feel the sincerity deep within his heart.

Perhaps out of a love for the song itself, or perhaps out of sympathy.

The surrounding audience also began to sing along.

Although the voices of these audience members were all different—some high-pitched and impassioned, some low and gentle, and some even off-key—it was precisely this chaotic chorus that instead became a unique way of cheering and encouragement.

Chen Shanni only felt a warmth in her heart, and hot tears could not stop flowing down her cheeks.