She became a heartthrob among internet celebrities.

When Jiang Lai arrived at the mall entrance, she saw Lu Jin already standing there with two cups of milk tea. He wasn't even looking at his phone; he was just waiting. When he saw her, his eyes lit up, like a puppy waiting for its owner to come home, looking very happy.

She jogged over, calling out, "Lu Jin!"

Lu Jin had already seen her coming. He had turned his attention to her from the start. As she ran toward him, he happily raised the two cups of milk tea in his hand, but before he could shake them, he awkwardly put them down.

"Have you been waiting long?" Jiang Lai felt a little guilty. She walked quite slowly, mainly because it was hot and she couldn't walk much.

"No, I timed it to be about right before coming out." Seeing that Jiang Lai was a little embarrassed, Lu Jin quickly explained, then handed two cups of milk tea to her. "I asked the people at the shop, and they said this is the best milk tea in the mall, it's always been popular, and girls love it. I bought two cups, one with full sugar and one with 70% sugar. Which one do you want?"

Jiang Lai was still wearing a mask, and her voice was a little muffled, "Didn't we agree that I'd treat you to a drink? Why did you buy it?"

“How can I let a girl pay when we’re out having fun? Besides, you already treated me to drinks last time, so it’s my turn to treat you this time. It’s only fair.” Lu Jin insisted on this point. “I’m a guy, I can’t let a girl suffer.”

Jiang Lai raised an eyebrow, glanced at the unusually earnest boy in front of her, licked her lips, and silently told 001, "What should I do? Like a big dog, I really want to xxxxxx."

001 asked in alarm, "What are you thinking about??"

Jiang Lai took the cup with 70% sugar. "70% sugar is fine with me. But won't it be too sweet if you drink it all sugar?"

Lu Jin shook his head and said, "I really like sweets. To be honest, I was quite chubby when I was a child. I only lost weight gradually later."

Jiang Lai looked at him in surprise, "I couldn't tell at all!"

"So you've successfully lost weight!" Lu Jin said proudly. "My mom is an excellent cook, and she's also very good at making desserts. When I was little, she fed me all kinds of dishes and desserts every day, and I gradually grew as big as a balloon. Later, the doctor said that my obesity was affecting my health, so my family started to control my diet. That's when I started learning to swim and became a sports student."

"I see!" Jiang Lai's eyes lit up even more, and her gaze couldn't help but fall on Lu Jin's waist and abdomen. "So you're a swimmer, so you must have a great figure, right? You must have a V-line and abs, right?"

001 screamed in Jiang Lai's mind, "I told you to go and conquer, not to act like a hooligan!!!"

Lu Jin blushed with embarrassment, turned to the side and took a big gulp of milk tea as if to cover it up, and then started coughing violently.

Jiang Lai only wanted to tease him, but she didn't expect Lu Jin to be so easily amused. She quickly patted his back, "Are you alright?"

Lu Jin's body stiffened for a moment when Jiang Lai's hand landed on his back, then he immediately straightened up and tried to calm his breathing. "It's okay, I just choked." His face was flushed as he tried to appear calm.

Jiang Lai drawled, "Oh—"

She smiled maliciously, "I thought you were just embarrassed? You guys who study swimming shouldn't be like this, right?"

Lu Jin responded in a muffled voice, "Hmm," but refused to say another word. He quickly walked to the front.

"Wait for me?" Jiang Lai chased after her.

After a while, Lu Jin started the conversation, "I originally said I'd teach you how to play PUBG, but last time I played Honor of Kings with you, and it seemed like you weren't used to mobile games. How about I teach you PUBG on PC next time? Or do you have any other games you like?"

Jiang Lai shook her head. "Forget about PUBG. I can play a couple of games in Honor of Kings, but I've watched PUBG videos. I'm completely hopeless at it. My hands and brain seem to be out of sync. When I get anxious, I just press buttons randomly. I'm totally useless."

Lu Jin generously stated, "I'll carry you to victory."

"Never mind, casual games are better," Jiang Lai quickly waved her hand.

"That works too," Lu Jin said. "There's a two-player puzzle game I think is really fun, how about we try it together sometime?"

"Sure!" "But I feel like it might all depend on you. I don't have the brains for it, haha."

Jiang Lai exclaimed, "Don't think too highly of me. I'm not good at games."

"You're so smart, you'll definitely be fine. It's just like taking an exam."

"Help! Now that you've said that, I've lost all the fun in playing the game."

"Hahahaha!" Lu Jin laughed. "Sorry, my bad. So even good students are afraid of exams?"

"Good students are the ones who are most afraid of exams, okay? What if they fall behind?"

“The sports student doesn’t understand,” Lu Jin said. “Anyway, in my heart, you are a top student, and your college admission letter is the most impressive in my circle of friends.”

"Just lucky, keep a low profile." Jiang Lai waved her hand dramatically, amusing Lu Jin.

"What are you going to buy today?" The two of them took the escalator to the second floor of the mall, and Lu Jin asked her, since this was still a clothing store.

Jiang Lai replied, "Let's buy a suitcase. By the way, are we really going to the capital together?"

"Do your parents agree?" Lu Jin asked, a little embarrassed. "Won't they misunderstand? If possible, it would be nice to go together and have company."

“I’m an orphan,” Jiang Lai said. “So I’m more than happy to go with you. It’s safer to have someone with me.”

Lu Jin scratched the back of his head. "Sorry, I didn't know—"

"It's nothing, it's no big deal." Jiang Lai shrugged nonchalantly. "Are you taking the high-speed rail or a plane?"

What kind of seat would you like to sit in?

"Let's take a plane, it's fast and convenient."

"Hmm, just like I thought. Do you mind if my parents come along?" Lu Jin originally thought that the two of them could go together with their respective parents, but since Jiang Lai didn't have any relatives to see her off, wouldn't it be better for him to go alone as well?

Jiang Lai thought for a moment and said, "I don't mind. It's better to have my parents take me, so I won't have to run around all by myself."

"That's great! Let's fly together then, and I'll buy your tickets."

Jiang Lai shook her head, "I can buy it myself. It's not appropriate for me to squeeze in when you three are sitting together."

Lu Jin didn't dwell on it. "Okay, it's all one flight anyway. We'll arrange which day to book then."

"Ah."

Lu Jin led Jiang Lai to the luggage section of the mall with ease. Jiang Lai, who had money to burn, picked out a nice and sturdy red suitcase.

The two walked around the floor together again. Jiang Lai took the last sip of her milk tea and threw it into the trash can. "I want to look at makeup and skincare products."

She had only bought basic skincare products when she came to the mall before because she didn't have enough money. Now that she had money, she wanted to buy a complete set to upgrade her appearance. Although she still had an ordinary face, she still needed to have the right products. Besides, her makeup skills were undeniable, so she could definitely make her face look like a 7 out of 10.

"You actually want to expose what you look like right now in front of your crush?" 001 was extremely surprised. "Didn't you say that this mask was always part of your body before you became beautiful? And you were just trying to woo him, is it really okay to expose your appearance now?"

Jiang Lai smiled insincerely and said, "Did you see me take off my mask when I drink milk tea? Don't worry, I don't plan to show my face right now. Besides, do I need to try things on with my face when I buy them? I can tell whether they suit me or not at a glance."

"Oh," 001 responded, and then fell silent.

Jiang Lai led Lu Jin to various cosmetic stores on the first floor. After looking around for a few moments, they selected what they needed and then asked the sales assistants to pack it up.

In just a short while, several thousand yuan were gone.

Lu Jin watched her buy the items, seemingly wanting to say something but holding back.

Jiang Lai immediately understood what he was worried about and said, "I did part-time work and earned a lot of money, so I can afford it. Don't worry."

"I'm sorry, I was being nosy." Lu Jin thought about it and realized that Jiang Lai didn't seem like someone who couldn't think straight. His meddling only made her more annoying.

He had already finished his milk tea, and now he consciously took the things the saleswoman handed him, asking, "Let me hold these for you. These bags are so big and small, they're hard to carry. Do you want to buy anything else? Take a look around."

Jiang Lai glanced at him with a smile and teased, "Do you know what you look like right now?"

"Like what?" Lu Jin looked at her in confusion.

"Like a perfect boyfriend who carries his girlfriend's bag."

Lu Jin's ears turned red again, but he calmly said, "Isn't this just normal gentlemanly conduct? My dad never lets my mom carry anything, whether he's at home or out."

"Furthermore, my dad said that when accompanying a girl shopping, carrying her things is the bare minimum, and you should also offer to pay for them."

"Hold on, offering to pay is something boyfriends do for girlfriends, it's not appropriate for us right now. But, your girlfriend won't be angry that you came shopping with me, right, brother?"

The way he said "brother" was so melodious and sweet, his voice seemed to be filled with honey, so sweet it would make your teeth fall out.

001 gagged, "Why did you deliberately disgust him?"

"I advise you to shut up."

But as it turns out, Lu Jin liked this style.

Jiang Lai watched with satisfaction as the woman on the other end of the line hurriedly explained, "I don't have a girlfriend!" "I just—I just felt I should help you carry your things. It's not good for a girl like you to carry them alone—with me here, why don't you use me?" "I didn't mean anything by what I just said—"

The sound gradually faded away.

His flustered appearance was so adorable that Jiang Lai even had the idea of ​​trying to win him over.

"Hey, Lu Jin, what kind of girl do you like?" Jiang Lai asked.

001: "Although I'm glad you're trying to win him over, I don't know why I always feel sorry for him."

Jiang Lai ignored 001 and instead gestured with his chin toward Lu Jin, "Why don't you say anything?"

Lu Jin avoided her gaze and said, "I haven't thought about it." When you meet someone you like, you just like them.

Jiang Lai asked, "So, do you like pretty things?"

Lu Jin answered very seriously, "Everyone likes things that are good-looking."

"What if I'm not good-looking?" Jiang Lai continued to ask.

Lu Jin looked at her in confusion, "Aren't you pretty?"

"You ever met me?"

"I've seen it before, but I don't remember it."

"That's terrible, I don't look good."

At this moment, Lu Jin stopped avoiding Jiang Lai's gaze and said very seriously, "I think you are beautiful, smart, confident and generous, and have many advantages. In my heart, you are beautiful."

"You've never seen me before. I've been wearing a mask the whole time we've been out together, haven't I? I only wore a mask because I was afraid of looking ugly."

Lu Jin shook his head, "That's not important. What's important is that I just think you're good-looking."

001 was almost crying: "Waaaah, please win him over, he's so sincere!"

Jiang Lai laughed, "Alright then, let's not talk about this anymore."

Lu Jin wisely refrained from speaking again.

Jiang Lai asked Lu Jin to pack the skincare and makeup products she had bought into the suitcase, and then handed the suitcase back to Lu Jin.

Jiang Lai tucked the straw under her mask. "Um, is there anything you want to buy?"

“I’ve already prepared my things,” Lu Jin said. “I’ve been working part-time here lately, haven’t I? Sometimes my mom will ask me to buy something whenever she thinks of it. Guys don’t usually have that many things.”

“You’re right.” Jiang Lai took a sip of her milk tea. “I didn’t actually plan to buy many.”

Summer bedding can be provided by the school, and it's more convenient to buy other daily necessities after arriving at school. If that doesn't work, there's always online shopping.

Jiang Lai actually went out shopping today mainly to buy a suitcase and gifts to take back to the orphanage tomorrow.

Thinking it over, Jiang Lai said, "Let's go to the basement." There are specialty stores selling daily necessities and school supplies on the first floor.

"I'm going back to the orphanage tomorrow, so I wanted to bring some gifts for the children there."

Lu Jin said, "Then I'll buy some too?"

"Hey, it's me going back. What are you buying?" "I—I'm going to do charity work?"

Jiang Lai glanced at him amusedly, "Whatever."

The orphanage wasn't very big. Besides Jiang Lai, there were thirteen other children of varying ages. Jiang Lai was the oldest, and the next child was three years younger than her.

The children who leave the orphanage will give back to it, but their efforts are always limited. The orphanage itself is not large and does not receive much donation. It is almost entirely the director who is using her own retirement money for charity. It is estimated that the orphanage will be closed down once this group of children have all come of age.

Jiang Lai bought a bunch of school supplies and toys, while Lu Jin bought several books and various snacks. Jiang Lai packed all the shopping bags into her suitcase, tried carrying it, and felt it was manageable.

Jiang Lai breathed a sigh of relief. "Finally, I've finished shopping. Thank you so much for today. I appreciate it if you could help me carry these things, and I'm sorry to have troubled you with the expense."

Lu Jin flashed a bright white smile. "It's okay, I'm very happy. You can come to me next time, and I can volunteer at the orphanage."

Jiang Lai nodded and smiled, "Then I'll definitely invite you next time. I'm going back this time to celebrate getting into university."

"They must be very proud of you."

"Yes," Jiang Lai sighed softly.

The two wandered around the mall for a while longer, and seeing that it was getting late, they decided to head back.

"See you next time," Jiang Lai said.

"See you next time."

Jiang Lai walked out of the mall, and Lu Jin watched her leave.

"Ding-dong—" Lu Jin's WeChat rang.

Dad: How did it go? Did the date go well?

Lu Jin's wheat-colored face began to flush again. He pursed his lips. Was this a date? He didn't know, but he still typed: Good luck.

"Affection +4." 001 reminded Jiang Lai as she walked down the road.