Chapter 33: A Hint of Romance

Wen Jin bought her grandmother a new set of bright red clothes—new year, new beginnings.

“What do you want to buy?” Wen Jin tilted her head up at Gu Yao.

He carried a shopping bag in one hand, and with the other, naturally reached out to pat her head. “Shoes,” he replied.

Wen Jin nodded lightly.

The two walked into a large, branded shoe store, filled with men's and women's shoes of every style imaginable. After entering, Wen Jin wandered idly, waiting for Gu Yao to pick out his shoes. But before long, she saw him approaching with a pair of glittering high heels in his hand.

Wen Jin was somewhat dazed as he led her to a seat.

“Try these on. I think they suit you,” Gu Yao said with a smile, as if all men believed women loved shiny things.

“Huh? Are these for me?” Wen Jin still hadn’t quite processed it.

Gu Yao simply bent down, placed the shoes by her feet, then knelt in front of her and reached out to help her take off her shoes.

Startled by his actions, Wen Jin instinctively pulled her foot back.

“What’s wrong?” Gu Yao looked up at her, and Wen Jin saw her own hesitance mirrored in his dark eyes.

He was always so proud and untamable, wild and unrestrained, yet here he was, kneeling before her because of her, like a loyal knight serving his princess, helping her change shoes. Somehow, it all felt wrong.

Wen Jin froze.

But Gu Yao didn’t wait for her answer. He kept his head down and gently slipped off her shoes, helping her into the new pair.

Wen Jin looked down at him. The store’s lighting was a soft yellow, and mellow music played in the background.

The young man before her had his lashes lowered, his expression serious, all the sharpness and defiance he showed others wiped away. The light softened his features, and his tousled hair fell over his forehead, lending him a gentle air, the charm of a grown man quietly settling around him.

His fingers were beautiful—long, fair, well-defined. Wen Jin felt even more guilty: these were hands made for the piano and the guitar, now kneeling to help her with shoes.

After fastening the buckle, Gu Yao nodded with satisfaction, stood up, and said to Wen Jin, “Try them on, see if they fit.”

Wen Jin stood and took a few steps. They were extremely comfortable, and the excitement and joy in her heart were beyond words. “Why did you suddenly buy me shoes?”

“A New Year’s gift, of course!” Gu Yao replied matter-of-factly. “Well? Do you like them?”

Wen Jin nodded shyly.

“Touched? Then say yes to me soon.” He leaned in close to her ear, his breath hot against her neck, his voice low and seductive.

Wen Jin trembled all over, goosebumps rising on her skin.

Blushing, she shuffled a step to the side and mumbled to change the subject, “Let’s… let’s hurry. Xiao Xi and the others must be waiting…”

“Mm.” Gu Yao didn’t push her, just chuckled softly, his thin lips curving as he agreed, “Let’s go.”

-------------------------------------

Meanwhile, Lin Xi and Lu Yuxiu were shopping together, and before long their cart was full—mostly with snacks and drinks. Even though Lu Yuxiu quietly put some back when Lin Xi wasn’t looking, it hardly made a difference.

“Don’t eat so much junk food,” Lu Yuxiu cautioned, worried about her stomach.

Lin Xi protested, “How can you call them junk food? They all have health permits! If they’re on the shelves, they’re not junk!”

Lu Yuxiu could only shake his head and laugh. His little girl always had her own brand of logic.

After picking up the items they needed for their project, they found a buffet restaurant, eating and waiting for Gu Yao and Wen Jin.

Nearby stood a claw machine, catching Lin Xi’s interest. She exchanged bills for a handful of coins, eager to try her luck—she’d only ever seen it online before, never tried it herself.

She played three or four times, each time watching the claw almost make it, only to drop the prize at the last moment. After several more failed attempts, Lin Xi plopped down at the table, sulking.

Lu Yuxiu noticed, grinning to himself. He stood and held out his hand to Lin Xi.

“What?” Lin Xi, still pouting, didn’t understand his intent.

“Give your brother two coins, and I’ll get one for you.” His voice was low and teasing, and he even winked at her.

Lin Xi, who had been slouched in her chair, immediately sat up straight. Something’s off! The ‘God of Xiu’ must be possessed again!

Trying to act calm, she handed him the coins. “Can you really do it?”

“You’ll see,” Lu Yuxiu replied, raising his eyebrow at her. The gesture was usually frivolous, but when he did it, Lin Xi only found it alluring…

She patted her cheeks lightly. Oh no, oh no! Lin Xi, don’t be swayed!

Her body, however, obediently followed Lu Yuxiu to the claw machine. She watched him bend down to insert the coins and then ask her, in his deep voice, “Which one do you want?”

Lin Xi looked at him in surprise. So confident?

Lu Yuxiu tilted his chin at her, signaling her to pick—he’d get it for her, no problem!

“…” Lin Xi hesitated, then pointed. “That little panda.”

A national treasure—who wouldn’t love it?

“Alright.” Lu Yuxiu was unhurried, as if everything was under control.

He moved the giant claw above the panda, skillfully shaking the joystick, swinging the claw back and forth, then pressed the button at the perfect moment. Even as the claw descended, it swayed from side to side.

He caught it! Lu Yuxiu remained calm.

But Lin Xi held her breath. She’d been there herself—thinking she had it, only to watch it drop at the last second, all her hopes dashed.

Yet Lu Yuxiu stayed composed. Once the claw had the panda, he shook the controller at just the right moment, keeping the grip tight, and dropped it straight into the prize chute.

When Lu Yuxiu handed the panda to Lin Xi, she was still wide-eyed in disbelief.

Lu Yuxiu’s lips curled in a faint smile, his skill hidden deep.

They returned to their table. Lin Xi hugged her adorable panda, pressing Lu Yuxiu for answers. “How did you do that? How did you get it on the first try? That’s amazing!”

Lu Yuxiu chuckled softly, handing her a peeled crayfish, only to find her still gazing at him with stars in her eyes.

At last, he explained, “It’s all about technique. If you press the button again after grabbing the toy, the claw holds on tighter, which prevents it from dropping.”

“Ohhh,” Lin Xi said, enlightened. “But how did you know that?”

“Cough.” Lu Yuxiu coughed lightly into his fist. Seeing her curiosity, he relented. “When I was a kid, I won first place in a taekwondo competition. My dad asked what reward I wanted, and I asked for a claw machine.”

Lin Xi stared at him in disbelief. Was the God of Xiu really so childlike as a kid?

“Oh right, you do taekwondo? What rank are you?” Lin Xi, as usual, focused on the unexpected.

“Black belt,” he answered.

Lin Xi almost blurted out, “Maybe we could spar sometime—” but stopped herself halfway.

“Xiao Xi!” Just as Lu Yuxiu was about to ask more, a strong voice interrupted.

It was Gu Yao—they’d found them.

“Xiu, you two are fast,” Gu Yao said, as he and Wen Jin sat across from them.

“Whew—” Lin Xi quietly breathed a sigh of relief. That was close! Her eldest brother had always told her not to let others know about her skills.

She didn’t notice Lu Yuxiu’s deep gaze fixed intently on her face, growing ever darker, like an abyss.

Lin Xi picked up a shrimp, feigning composure as she scrolled through her phone, only to see messages from Miya and Zhou Xin.

She hurriedly opened Weibo and scanned the feed.

They were trending!

“God Xiu and Lin Xi spotted at the mall, romance suspected!” Hot topic.

“God Xiu and the Little Princess of the Stars acting intimately.” Buzzing.

Lin Xi looked at the candid photos—she and Lu Yuxiu shopping, caught by passersby and posted online.

Now, the comments were split into several camps: onlookers gossiping, disbelievers hurling insults, some suspecting a publicity stunt, and even a few of Lu Yuxiu’s fans expressing support. Lin Xi’s own fans, however, remained rational and refrained from comment.

There were also a few marketing accounts taking the opportunity to kick her while she was down, posting all kinds of nasty remarks—calling her shameless, saying she was pestering him, and worse.

It was a mess.

“We’re trending again,” Lin Xi said helplessly, showing her phone to the others.

“These people are really too bored,” Gu Yao said after a glance, clearly annoyed.

Wen Jin studied the phone and suggested, “Let’s take a group photo and post it on Weibo, say we’re just having a meal together.”

“Right! Xiao Jin, you’re so smart!” Gu Yao beamed.

“Mm,” Lu Yuxiu agreed.

So Lin Xi stretched out her arm, snapping a group selfie and a shot of their food.

She edited the post and hit send.

@LinXiV: Just out for a New Year’s meal together~ Has everyone had lunch yet? [Photo][Photo]

Immediately, Lu Yuxiu liked it and Wen Jin reposted. The tide of online negativity finally turned.

“Unbelievable! God Xiu actually shopping at a mall! Where is this? I want a chance encounter!”

“Wow, all my favorite idols are friends in private—what a New Year’s surprise! They seem so close!”

“I knew our Xiao Xi is upright and unafraid of rumors. Clearly it’s four people hanging out—all the marketing accounts are just stirring the pot!”

“My Yao-ge is there too? Probably just out with his little sister. So jealous.”

But Gu Yao, ever the rebel, jumped right into the fray.

@GuYaoV: Got nothing better to do during the New Year? Don’t you have relatives to visit? All those marketing accounts, better protect your alt accounts—one of these days, I might just decide I’ve had enough of you.

The fans went wild.

“Ahhh, my Yao-ge is so domineering! Certified sister-protection maniac! No need to show mercy to people like that!”

“Am I the only one who noticed the seating arrangement? I think I’ve uncovered something big!”

“My New Year was missing something—it was Yao-ge roasting people! Now it’s perfect!”

The four ignored the rumors, chatting and laughing as they finished their meal.

Gu Yao suggested they go to the movies. The Aisi Cinema was the most unique in the country—not so much a movie theater as a collection of private screening rooms.

Each private room was like a mini-cinema, with food and drinks provided. It was a paradise for entertainment, a place where friends, couples, and families alike sought atmosphere and a sense of ceremony.

“What do you want to watch?” Gu Yao asked the two girls.

“I want to see ‘Safe Harbor,’ the new romance that just came out. I hear it’s gotten great reviews,” Wen Jin said, looking hopefully at Lin Xi.

But Lin Xi caught her fourth brother’s pleading look. She didn’t want to be a third wheel, so she politely declined Wen Jin. “I’d like to see ‘He’s the Suspect’—the one starring God Xiu. Haven’t seen it yet.”

She looked at Lu Yuxiu, raising her eyebrows at him.

“I’ll go with you,” Lu Yuxiu replied, quick on the uptake.

“Alright, let’s go,” Gu Yao said, elated.

The four split up with tacit understanding, booking two separate private rooms.