Lou Tingsi gazed at Qiao Chuchu through the mirror, her face flushed with a rosy hue from agitation. "Watching you grow up alongside this ti and seeing you blossom into such beauty is quite moving," he mused.
Qiao Chuchu, in a sour mood, retorted, "Yeah, and watching you reverse-age, getting even younger, is equally touching."
Lou Tingsi paused, then chuckled softly, admiring her as she adjusted the dress.
His eyes brimd with affection and appreciation, tendrils of adoration unfurling like vines. "This dress suits you perfectly."
Qiao Chuchu glanced at her reflection.
It really did.
Lou Tingsi stepped behind her, hands resting lightly on her arms. "I’m the first to see you in this dress. Lin Qing will only be the second. Doesn’t that feel thrilling?"
Qiao Chuchu sighed. "You’re genuinely twisted. Now, how do we get out? Are you just going to hide in the corner?"
Lou Tingsi’s smile deepened as he pulled out his phone and sent a ssage. "Patience."
Outside, a sales assistant suddenly called out, "Miss Lin, we’ve just received so new arrivals. Would you like to take a look?"
Lin Qing readily agreed. "Sure!"
As the footsteps faded, Lou Tingsi peeked out from behind the curtain, scanning the area.
"Coast is clear."
He took Qiao Chuchu’s hand and led her out of the fitting room, flashing her a wink. "See you tonight."
With a casual wave, he strolled out of the store, utterly unashad of having cut in line.
Qiao Chuchu glared at his retreating figure, grinding her teeth in frustration.
Ever since his rebirth, Lou Tingsi had been acting out of character—just as unruly as Weisheng Huailing, always stirring up trouble!
Lin Qing returned just then. "Oh, Chuchu, you’ve changed! You look stunning!"
Qiao Chuchu forced a smile. "Thanks!"
Lin Qing bead. "This one suits you best. Let’s get it! I’ll take you ho."
The sales assistant awkwardly interjected, "Um… a gentleman has already paid for Miss Qiao’s dress."
Qiao Chuchu blinked. "What?"
Lin Qing frowned. "Who paid?"
The assistant hesitated. "Mr. Lou… He transferred the money to just now."
Lin Qing’s face darkened as she whirled on Qiao Chuchu. "Lou Tingsi was here to see you?!"
Qiao Chuchu stamred, "Uh—"
She had no idea how to explain.
Lin Qing clenched her phone, seething. "That Lou Tingsi! Even after drawing the worst lot, he still can’t behave! I knew him asking where I was taking you shopping was suspicious! Sneaky bastard!"
She turned to Qiao Chuchu, eyes blazing. "No, I need to buy you sothing else to vent my anger!"
Qiao Chuchu faltered. "Huh?"
Lin Qing grabbed her hand energetically. "Let’s go pick out so shoes, okay?"
Qiao Chuchu suddenly felt exhausted, nodding weakly. "Fine, whatever you say."
By the ti she finally dragged herself ho, she could barely keep her eyes open.
On the surface, it didn’t seem like much.
But interacting and talking with them was utterly draining.
She collapsed onto the living room sofa and drifted into a hazy sleep.
BOOM!!!!
An explosion jolted Qiao Chuchu off the couch!
Her heart leaped into her throat as she scrambled up, disoriented. "Who’s trying to kill now?! Who’s here to kill ?!"
The acrid sll of burnt food wafted into the room.
She rushed to the kitchen, where the stench was overpowering—but the door was shut.
She tried the handle a few tis, but it wouldn’t budge. Just as she raised her hand to knock, Weisheng Lin’s furious voice erupted from inside—
"Ying Chen, are you an idiot?! Do you have to blow up the whole damn house before you’re satisfied?!"
Qiao Chuchu’s expression shifted as she pressed her ear to the door.
Ying Chen shot back, "How was I supposed to know it’d explode?! And you’re one to talk! You can’t even asure water right!"
Weisheng Biehe growled through gritted teeth, "You two amateurs have no right to criticize each other! Can’t you just follow the recipe?! Is it that hard?!"
Ying Chen huffed, "I am following it!"
Weisheng Lin snapped, "You call that following?! The recipe says sugar, and you dumped in salt! It’s so salty I can see my ancestors!"
Ying Chen crossed his arms. "How was I supposed to know sugar and salt look the sa?! They should’ve used different colors! They both look like sand!"
Weisheng Biehe scoffed, "You can’t tell the difference between fine white sand and coarse white sand?!"
Ying Chen bristled. "I didn’t know sugar was fine sand!"
Weisheng Lin slamd the counter. "Sugar is coarse sand! Coarse! Coarse!"
Weisheng Biehe massaged his temples. "Even an idiot could tell! And if you can’t see it, at least taste it! Are your eyes and tongue broken?!"
Weisheng Lin nodded—then froze. "Wait, who are you calling an idiot?!"
Qiao Chuchu’s eyes widened.
[Are they… cooking in there?]
The arguing inside abruptly stopped, replaced by the clatter of pots and pans.
The kitchen descended into chaos!
The door suddenly swung open.
Qiao Chuchu nearly fell forward, catching herself just in ti to see three n glowering at her. "Chuchu, when did you get back?"
Her eye twitched as she took them in.
Ying Chen’s handso face was dusted with flour, streaks of black soot sared across his features like a soldier returning from battle.
She turned to Weisheng Lin.
His hair stood on end, as if electrocuted, his clothes streaked with flour.
Only Weisheng Biehe looked unscathed—
But the way he was gripping his prayer beads, they might as well have been on fire from friction.
She forced a smile. "What are you all doing? Need help?"
Weisheng Lin shook his head frantically. "No, no, you should go!"
Weisheng Biehe’s gaze dropped, brows furrowing. "Why are you barefoot?"
Qiao Chuchu glanced down. "Oh, I forgot my slippers. I’ll just—"
Before she could finish, Weisheng Biehe scooped her up into his arms!
She yelped, "I can walk!"
Ignoring her, he carried her to the sofa, eyeing the pile of shopping bags. "Finished shopping?"
She nodded.
Weisheng Biehe checked the ti, then glared at Ying Chen and Weisheng Lin. "Chuchu’s already back, and we still haven’t finished this simple task. Being paired with you two is the worst luck."
Weisheng Lin crossed his arms. "Don’t bla ! Shopping was my job, but Lin Qing refused to switch, so I’m stuck here cooking."
Ying Chen, still covered in flour, sneered. "What’s Lin Qing got to do with this? You’re just incompetent."
Weisheng Lin shot back, "You’re the incompetent one. I’ve got the hang of it, but you’re still fumbling like a toddler."
Weisheng Biehe took a deep breath, veins bulging at his temples. "Enough! The second-to-last has no right to lecture the last-place!"
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