Ye Ning lazily curled up on the sofa beside Hua Niao, her legs tucked against her chest as her fingers swiftly swiped across her phone screen.
After reading the shopping invitation Xu Zhihe had sent, she casually turned off the screen, tilted her head, and gently nudged Hua Niao—who was leaning against the headboard reading a book—with her elbow.
Her voice was soft and clingy, carrying a hint of playful anticipation.
“Nana, Hua Niao, Xiao He invited me out shopping for new clothes tomorrow. Do you wanna come?”
Hua Niao slowly lowered her book at the words, glancing down at the little ball curled up beside her.
Her fingertips gently brushed through Ye Ning’s soft, pink-tinged white hair, the warmth of her touch seeping through the strands as she murmured to herself,
“Shopping, huh… It’s about time Ningning got some new clothes. You keep wearing those same few uniforms every day. If you go out like that again, people will think I’m mistreating you.”
A strange expression crossed Ye Ning’s face as she muttered under her breath, “Why do you sound like an old mother hen, Hua Niao? That’s so dumb! My clothes are still perfectly fine—they look great after washing! I’m not embarrassing anyone!”
The moment she finished speaking, her fair, soft cheek was mercilessly pinched by Hua Niao’s outstretched fingers.
“Who are you calling dumb?”
Hua Niao’s tone carried a hint of mockery as her fingers gave her cheek another gentle squeeze.
Watching the pale skin slowly flush red, she drawled lazily, “Say that again, and I’ll deduct your allowance.”
“I’m wrong, I’m wrong! I admit it! Hua Niao is the smartest!”
Ye Ning quickly begged for mercy, her voice tinged with a pitiful nasal tone.
“Stop pinching, stop pinching! My face will get deformed, and then I won’t be cute anymore!”
Hua Niao looked at her pitiful, submissive expression, a barely concealed smile flickering in her eyes.
She slowly released her grip and gently rubbed Ye Ning’s reddened cheek with her thumb.
First, meet Xiao He at the coffee shop on the first floor of the mall.
Order some sweet milk tea and little cakes, chat about recent fun stories, then head up to the clothing stores on the second floor to shop for clothes.
Help Xiao He pick out some pretty dresses, then choose two adorable outfits for herself.
When they get tired, grab a delicious meal at the restaurant on the fourth floor.
Finally, she’d put on her “big sister” act and treat everyone to the bill, showing off in front of Xiao He and making her think she’s super reliable!
That’s how it was supposed to go…
—
In the coffee shop, Ye Ning sat on pins and needles in her chair.
Her gaze darted frantically across the table.
First, she glanced at Hua Niao, who was sitting to her right, casually holding a coffee cup with a relaxed expression.
Then she looked across at Xu Zhihe, who sat in a light gray knit sweater, calmly staring at her phone.
Finally, her eyes locked onto the figure sitting across from Hua Niao—Xu Zhiyuan!
Why is Xu Zhiyuan here too?!
Ye Ning felt like crying.
Xu Zhiyuan was dressed in a simple cream-colored trench coat, her long hair casually draped over her shoulders.
The cold sharpness she usually carried during missions was gone, replaced by a more relaxed, everyday air.
But her eyes, like tempered ice, were fixed intently on Hua Niao.
Her gaze was deep, carrying a chill, and the pressure radiating from her was so low it was suffocating, as if she were silently confronting Hua Niao.
Hua Niao, however, seemed completely oblivious to her oppressive stare.
She leaned back in her chair with a relaxed air, elegantly pinching the handle of her coffee cup, sipping her warm latte slowly, one mouthful at a time.
Her expression was calm, and she even reached out to gently smooth the messy strands of hair on Ye Ning’s forehead.
Why does Xu Zhiyuan’s gaze feel even colder now?
Ye Ning couldn’t take it anymore. She stiffly tugged at the corners of her mouth, letting out an awkward laugh.
“Ahahaha, what, what a coincidence. I never thought the sister I met in the neighborhood that day would actually be Xu Zhihe’s older sister. Hahahaha…”
Ye Ning felt like she was laughing like an idiot.
Xu Zhihe, Xu Zhiyuan, Hua Niao: …
Ye Ning: “…”
Come on, say something!
In a panic, Ye Ning quietly pulled out her phone.
While the other three weren’t paying attention, she quickly opened her chat with Xu Zhihe.
Her fingers trembled slightly from nervousness as she typed frantically, nearly smashing the screen:
“What’s going on?! Why is Xu Zhiyuan here?! Xiao He, why didn’t you tell me in advance?! I’m terrified! What if she figures out my identity?!”
Xu Zhihe glanced down at her phone screen, a deep look of apology and helplessness flashing in her eyes.
She quickly typed back: “I’m sorry, Sister Ye Ning. I couldn’t help it. Before I left, my sister heard I was going shopping with a friend and insisted on coming along, saying she was worried I’d be in danger alone.”
Ye Ning stared at the reply on her screen, her mouth twitching uncontrollably.
“You can just say whatever you need to say directly. There’s no need to secretly text each other under the table. We’re not strangers here.”
A gentle yet slightly intimidating voice suddenly came from across the table.
Xu Zhiyuan wore a faint smile on her face, but it didn’t reach her eyes.
Her gaze remained deep and piercing, making Ye Ning’s whole body stiffen.
Goosebumps rose on her skin as a chill shot from the soles of her feet straight to the top of her head.
“!!!”
Ye Ning’s hand jerked in fright, nearly dropping her phone onto the table.
She fumbled to put it away, hiding it behind her back.
Then, in an instant, she forced a bashful expression onto her face, blinking her big eyes wide.
She deliberately pitched her voice higher, making it syrupy sweet with a hint of forced grievance.
“Well… I’m actually pretty shy, you know? Facing such a beautiful and gentle sister like you, I’m too embarrassed to speak directly. I’m afraid I’ll say something wrong and upset you, and I’m scared I’ll sound stupid and make you laugh at me~”
Xu Zhiyuan’s eyelid twitched involuntarily.
Why is she talking like this?
Was she like this before?
Suppressing the turmoil in her heart, Xu Zhiyuan’s gaze returned to Hua Niao.
Her tone seemed polite and gentle, but her words carried a strong whiff of gunpowder, as if she were deliberately probing.
“So, Miss Ye Ning has been living with Miss Hua Niao?”
A strange sense of guilt rose inexplicably in Ye Ning’s heart.
A faint blush spread across her cheeks as she nodded instinctively, her voice as quiet as a mosquito’s buzz.
“Y-yeah, we’ve lived together for a long time. Hua Niao… she’s been really good to me.”
Hua Niao looked up and gave Xu Zhiyuan a casual glance.
Her tone remained indifferent but carried a subtle hint of provocation as she gently took Ye Ning’s hand.
“I’m very happy living with Ningning, and Ningning is quite dependent on me.”
Back and forth, they exchanged words that seemed like a calm conversation, but the gunpowder in the air grew thicker and thicker.
Ye Ning could only sit quietly in the middle, not daring to say a word.
Xu Zhihe, stuck in the middle, watched the two of them at each other’s throats and let out a helpless sigh.
She quickly put down her phone and tried to mediate, “Sister, Miss Hua Niao, why don’t we just go shopping first?
It’s already past three in the afternoon.
If we don’t go now, a lot of stores will be closing soon. I really want to see the new clothes, and Ye Ning said she’d help me pick out some pretty dresses. Let’s not waste time here.”
As she spoke, she secretly shot Ye Ning a look, signaling her to chime in and help ease the tension.
Otherwise, the two of them might keep arguing, and the shopping trip would be completely ruined.
Ye Ning nodded frantically, clutching at the lifeline.
“Right, right, right! Let’s go shopping first! Shopping first! Xiao He is still waiting for me to help her pick out clothes. Let’s stop wasting time here and go!”
Hua Niao and Xu Zhiyuan exchanged a glance.
Neither continued the argument.
They both withdrew their gazes, slowly stood up, and walked out of the coffee shop.
—
“Ningning, try this on. A white knit sweater—soft and fluffy. It’ll suit you perfectly. You’ll look adorable in it.”
Hua Niao picked up a pure white, lightweight knit sweater and handed it to Ye Ning.
Her voice was gentle, her eyes full of affection, and she even lightly ruffled her hair.
Before Ye Ning could take the sweater from Hua Niao, Xu Zhiyuan stepped forward quickly and picked up a sky-blue dress, holding it out to her with a warm smile.
“Miss Ye Ning, try this one. Sky blue—it complements your skin tone. Much prettier than that knit sweater, and it shows off your temperament more. You’ll really stand out.”
Ye Ning looked at the clothes both of them were offering, the corners of her mouth drooping in misery.
How did I end up becoming a mannequin?!
She was supposed to be helping Xiao He pick out clothes, but somehow it had turned into them picking out clothes for her and forcing her to try them on!
But she didn’t dare refuse.
On one side was Hua Niao—if she refused her kindness, she’d definitely be punished when they got home, maybe even “bullied” again.
On the other side was Xu Zhiyuan—if she refused her, she might get upset and start investigating her identity, and that would be the end.
Left with no choice, Ye Ning obediently took the clothes from both of them and went into the fitting room one after another to try them on.
Her face was full of grievance, but she didn’t dare complain.
Hua Niao and Xu Zhiyuan stood at the fitting room entrance, their eyes locked on the door.
Every now and then, they exchanged remarks, their tones carrying a barely noticeable sense of competition as they criticized each other’s clothing choices.
The pile of tried-on clothes had grown into a mountain.
The sales clerk’s smile gradually froze.
“So, Ningning (Miss Ye Ning), whose clothes do you like best?”
Hua Niao and Xu Zhiyuan were finally in sync for once.
Ye Ning: “…”
Do I have to die today?