Chapter 77: An Unexpected Encounter with a Scoundrel (Second Update)

Ming Han had been in a good mood lately, his face carrying a look of springtime infatuation. Even his appetite had improved, though he normally ate quite a lot to begin with.

Now, with less than a week until the New Year, Su Yan said to him one evening, “How about helping out at my shop these days? I’ll pay you.”

As the holiday approached, business at Su Yan’s store grew busier, and she was running short on staff.

Seeing Su Yan busy every night until midnight, Ming Han felt a pang of sympathy. Besides, his wallet was rather thin lately, making him reluctant to go out with friends. So he agreed to help.

Just then, Chen Li called, “Ming Han, I want to go shopping.”

Ming Han teased her, “Miss, instead of spending your holiday studying at home, you’re always thinking of shopping. You’re squandering your youth.”

Chen Li sighed, uttered, “I don’t care,” and hung up.

Ming Han knew she mostly called him because she wanted a free chauffeur. The thought stung a little.

Lately, Chen Li had resumed her nightly check-ins, always calling him in the evening when he was heading home after playing basketball.

When he picked her up, she looked dissatisfied, “Ming Han, are you always this perfunctory when you see me? Your hair looks like a bird’s nest.”

Ming Han gave her a sidelong glance, “That’s the latest trend. Don’t be so old-fashioned, okay?”

Chen Li pursed her lips, thinking to herself how stubborn he was about appearances.

Guided by Chen Li, they arrived at the busiest commercial district in the county. Most shops on the street were boutiques, with steep prices.

Ming Han seldom shopped for himself; Su Yan usually took care of his purchases. Though his family wasn’t wealthy, his mother never bought him anything cheap.

“Chen Li, what do you want to buy?”

“Do girls need a reason to go shopping?” she retorted confidently.

Ming Han felt a headache coming on; Chen Li seemed determined to shop till she dropped.

They entered a lavishly decorated clothing boutique, and to Ming Han’s surprise, it was all men’s wear.

“Chen Li, are you buying clothes for your father?”

She shook her head, “That busy man won’t be home for New Year this year.”

Ming Han had no idea what Chen Li’s father did, but vaguely recalled Huang Ying saying her father owned a large enterprise in the provincial capital.

The wealthiest classmate Ming Han had encountered was Deng Qingqing, who had a private car and driver. Yet Huang Ying had scoffed, “Compared to Chen Li’s family, Deng Qingqing’s is just a restaurant owner.”

Ming Han had glared at her, “My family runs a restaurant. What, you got something against restaurant owners?”

Chen Li walked to a display where most clothes suited boys around eighteen or nineteen.

“Ming Han, let me pick out some outfits for you, okay?”

He mentally calculated the money he’d brought—about three hundred yuan. Glancing at the price tags, most were four digits. He was stunned. “Uh, no need.”

Chen Li understood his refusal, pouting, “Just try them first.”

Ming Han became like a robot, changing into outfit after outfit. Chen Li always found a flaw, though Ming Han saw no real difference.

After nearly an hour, Chen Li finally found one she liked.

“This one’s perfect!”

Ming Han sneaked a look at the price: 4,999 yuan. That was more than half a month’s profit for Su Yan.

“Chen Li, you’re dressing me up like this for no reason—are you planning to make me your consort?”

Chen Li laughed, “You look incredibly handsome in this.”

“You girls are too caught up in appearances, always overlooking inner beauty,” Ming Han said, changing out of the outfit, searching for an excuse to refuse.

The sales assistant placed the clothes in an exquisite bag and handed it to Ming Han. “Hope to see you again.”

Chen Li pulled Ming Han out the door, clearly aware he wanted to decline the outfit.

“Chen Li, we haven’t paid yet! Are you planning to join me in prison, sharing a cell?”

Chen Li shot him a glare.

Ming Han realized Chen Li was probably a VIP customer here, with all her purchases recorded for the year-end summary.

Suddenly, he felt he didn’t know Chen Li as well as he thought. She rarely spoke of her family in their conversations, only mentioning that her parents were in business.

Though she hadn’t lied, Ming Han never imagined her family’s business was that big.

Back then, Ming Han had naively replied, “My mom runs a business too. Same industry!”

Now, thinking back, it was a little embarrassing.

They found a milk tea shop and sat down. Ming Han was momentarily at a loss for words.

“Ming Han, when you start earning money, you’ll have to treat me to lots of lavish meals.”

Her words were oddly phrased, since Ming Han wouldn’t start making money until after university—about seven years from now. Most middle school classmates drift apart after a year or two, but Chen Li firmly believed they would still be close.

Sadly, Ming Han missed the deeper meaning in her words. He replied with a smile, “Starting tomorrow I’ll help my mom manage the restaurant, with a salary. After New Year, I’ll take you to the city for some good food.”

Seeing he hadn’t grasped her meaning, Chen Li inwardly cursed: Ming Han, you blockhead, are you a pig?

“Alright!”

“Oh my, is this a little couple out on a date?” came a sarcastic voice—Huang Ying. She and Yu Hang had happened to pass by.

Ming Han covered his forehead, “Just my luck, running into you two troublemakers everywhere.”

Ever since Huang Ying realized she’d successfully helped them make up, she’d been in high spirits, boasting of her matchmaking skills and claiming she’d open a huge marriage agency when she grew up.

“Ming Han, aren’t you going to treat me to express your gratitude?” Huang Ying demanded.

Yu Hang looked at his girlfriend helplessly. Huang Ying was famous for her brains, but she was careless and loud, lacking the composure expected of a top student.

Seeing Yu Hang’s slightly annoyed look, Huang Ying got angry and pinched his ear, “What are you sighing for? Dissatisfied with me?”

Yu Hang pleaded, “Miss, I’m just sighing for Ming Han’s sake.”

“If he’s treating, why are you upset? You think I’ll eat so much I’ll bankrupt him?”

Yu Hang drooped, “I was wrong!”

Just as no one had expected them to end up together, no one could have predicted that the reserved Yu Hang would be firmly dominated by such a spirited girl...