Chapter 96

Cheng Chen accompanied Gao Yuanyuan as they strolled through Xidan and Wangfujing.

Cheng Chen wasn't from Jingcheng, but after so many years of drifting north, he'd developed a faint sense of belonging to this city.

Even so, he still couldn't accept walking while sipping fried liver and soybean juice, then saying: "Mom's flavor, authentic."

But after living here so long, at least he could speak old Jingcheng dialect without thinking.

Most of the time, Gao Yuanyuan did the shopping while Cheng Chen tagged along.

Listen up, folks: when accompanying a woman shopping, you must promptly offer appropriate remarks and actionable advice.

Women, young or old, love to browse stores, holding up clothes and trying them against their bodies.

Whether they buy or not doesn't matter—they just enjoy imagining how the new clothes will look on them.

Then they'll turn their gaze to you—don't wait for them to ask:

"What do you think of this dress? Does it suit me?"

Just comment directly on the style and color, and if possible, suggest matching pieces.

Never sit there dumbly staring at your phone, then mutter: "Looks nice."

That's hitting the exact minefield!

If you meet a girl who says nothing, tries on clothes, finds the size fits, and just buys them—

Brother, cherish her!

Brother, you're doomed!

Veteran driver Cheng Chen, of course, avoided every wrong answer—he gave the perfect example.

He offered suitable outfit advice, and when she hesitated, he silently swiped his card and bought everything.

Of course, Gao Yuanyuan didn't buy much—she mostly peered left and right, driven mostly by curiosity.

The two had lunch together; Gao Yuanyuan had a poor appetite and ate little.

After the movie, Gao Yuanyuan realized she was hungry, and Cheng Chen suggested afternoon tea.

"Why do you seem so distracted today?"

Gao Yuanyuan sipped her coffee, frowned at Cheng Chen across from her, and asked.

"Huh? Really?"

Of course he was distracted—he checked the time; it was nearly six-thirty in the afternoon.

Less than half an hour remained before Yan Danchen's event ended at seven.

In those thirty minutes, he had to drop Gao Yuanyuan off at home, rush to Yan Danchen's event venue, and endure Jingcheng's traffic jams…

Gao Yuanyuan glanced at her watch, then stretched and said:

"I haven't felt this relaxed in ages—I forgot you had plans tonight."

Hearing her words, Cheng Chen startled, then remembered she meant his meeting with a director about the theme song.

He'd become overly jumpy.

"You okay? Jumping at shadows. Fine, I'm heading to the office to find Xiaoxiao—go do your thing, no need to see me off!"

Gao Yuanyuan picked up her bag and stood.

"Let me see you off, sis."

Cheng Chen quickly stood up and said.

"Nah, I feel like you're not yourself today—is the person you're meeting tonight that important?"

Don't stress—you're the Cheng Heavenly King! Who could possibly overwhelm you? Go get 'em!"

Gao Yuanyuan turned back, flashed him a brilliant smile, and clenched her fist to cheer him on.

…

Cheng Chen rushed toward Yan Danchen's event hotel, but even so, he was still half an hour late.

Just as he was about to call Yan Danchen, a flash of pink sprinted toward him.

She held up the hem of her dress, wearing over it the handmade custom down jacket Cheng Chen had given her.

She ran carefully yet with determined focus, her small face flushed red from the cold, yet beaming with a heart-stopping smile.

"Phew, it's freezing—Jingcheng nights really are as cold as you said. Glad you prepared this down jacket for me—it's warm and pretty, awesome, Xiao Chengzi."

Yan Danchen slid into the passenger seat and adjusted it to the right angle.

Hearing this,

Cheng Chen smiled wryly—he clearly couldn't escape the nickname "Xiao Chengzi" with her.

"Sorry I'm so late picking you up—did you freeze?"

Cheng Chen apologized.

"It's fine—I was chatting with the staff inside and had a good time. Didn't expect Jingcheng has so many delicious foods—I'm starving, I want to eat."

Yan Danchen pouted, gazing at Cheng Chen with a pitiful look.

Oh my god, who could resist that?

"Fasten your seatbelt—I'm going full throttle!"

…

He took Yan Danchen to eat roast duck.

Yan Danchen said this was her favorite restaurant—she visited every time she came to Jingcheng.

Cheng Chen took a bite—indeed, the skin was crispy, the meat tender, the flavor exceptional.

Talking about roast duck, Cheng Chen suddenly remembered that little black chubby guy—he should be holding a Xiang Province show at Guangde Building Theater in Dashilan now.

I should go support him sometime.

"Why aren't you eating, Xiao Chengzi?"

Yan Danchen's lips glistened with oil, her cheeks puffed out as she stuffed roast duck into her mouth.

"I-I'm eating."

Saying so, Cheng Chen picked up a roll of roast duck and stuffed it into his mouth.

He had already eaten a meal at noon, and not long ago had afternoon tea, so his stomach was already full.

Not wanting to dampen Yan Danchen's enthusiasm for eating, he had no choice but to also pretend it tasted very good.

Look, being a player doesn't just require a broad chest — you also need a sea-stomach capacity for eating!

After the meal, Cheng Chen clutched his stomach, which was so stuffed he could barely stand up straight, and Yan Danchen proactively suggested they go window-shopping together to help digest.

"That suggestion sounds good…"

"The venue staff said Jingcheng's snack street is liveliest at night — give us a recommendation."

Cheng Chen shut his mouth just in time, looked at the visibly excited Yan Danchen, swallowed back what he was about to say, and with great effort forced out a smile:

"Sure."

This snack street… recalling what happened last time, Cheng Chen instinctively felt some resistance.

Watching Yan Danchen, who was brimming with excitement, Cheng Chen felt deeply depressed inside:

How can this girl's heart be so big? She never learns!

……

"What's there to browse? Let's just buy some stuff and take it home to eat. It's way too cold, and I still have a matter to deal with!"

Wang Tianxiao complained, looping her arm through Gao Yuanyuan's.

"You, you should get moving too — sitting in the office every day has softened your bones!"

On the snack street, Gao Yuanyuan and Wang Tianxiao were leisurely strolling.

Sure enough, just as she had predicted, Wang Tianxiao — who had neither boyfriend nor time — had indeed spent her New Year's holiday in the office.

Both were a bit hungry, so Gao Yuanyuan dragged her out to get some activity, and to grab a bite together along the way.

"You're a big star, what are you doing strolling around? What if, like Cheng Chen last time, you get snapped by paparazzi until…"

Oh right, speaking of that, I just remembered — who exactly was Cheng Chen out strolling with late at night last time?

Don't beat around the bush and say it was you. I personally worked on those online announcements. Didn't you ask that kid who he was out strolling with?"

Wang Tianxiao looked at Gao Yuanyuan and suddenly asked.

A strange emotion flickered in Gao Yuanyuan's eyes:

"Maybe it was him…"

"Hey, that girl is wearing the same style of clothes as you!"

"Huh?"

Gao Yuanyuan hadn't finished speaking before she was cut off by Wang Tianxiao.

She raised her head and looked in the direction Wang Tianxiao was pointing…