Chapter 13: A Beauty in Full Bloom

Gu Yazhi dramatically gasped, clutching her chest as she rushed forward in a few exaggerated steps:

“My god, Tiantian! My little fairy! Are you trying to blow up the whole street or what? A celestial maiden descending to earth—give us mere mortals a chance to breathe, will you?!”

Si Tiantian burst into laughter, her eyes crinkling into crescent moons as a soft blush colored her cheeks. “It’s not that serious. I just threw something on.”

“This is what you call just throwing something on?”

Gu Yazhi didn’t buy it for a second. She circled her slowly, carefully inspecting her from head to toe, clicking her tongue in amazement.

“I’m telling you—this figure, this face, this aura—your head-turn rate out there is going to be at least 300%! No, make that 500%! I solemnly swear to act as your gallant flower knight today, guarding you against all the thirsty beasts!”

She thumped her chest in mock seriousness, playing up her ‘knight on duty’ act so well that Tiantian couldn’t help but laugh even harder.

Si Tiantian reached out and tapped her forehead. “You’re so dramatic.”

But deep down, she felt sweet and warm from her best friend’s compliments. After all, what girl doesn’t enjoy being called pretty—especially when… a certain someone’s face suddenly flashed through her mind.

“I mean it, Tiantian,” Gu Yazhi said as she looped her arm through hers and leaned in to whisper like she was sharing a state secret. “If Lord Han sees you like this today, he’d probably glue his eyes to you and never let you out of his sight again. He’d want to tuck you into his pocket and keep you there forever.”

The moment Li Hanye’s name was mentioned, Si Tiantian’s cheeks turned red again, and her heart skipped a beat without warning.

In her mind, she saw those deep, focused eyes of his, and recalled the gentle dominance in his voice—both maddening and intoxicating.

She gave Gu Yazhi a small shove, pretending to be annoyed. “Alright, alright! Quit teasing me already. Didn’t you say that jewelry store everyone’s dying to get into just released a new collection? If we’re late, all the good stuff’ll be gone!”

“As you command, my little princess!” Gu Yazhi saluted with a grin and tugged her toward the door. But deep inside, she thought: To make someone like Li Hanye fall head over heels… only Tiantian could pull that off. This girl still doesn’t realize just how stunning she really is.

—

Si Tiantian had the family driver take them straight to “Tianjie,” the largest luxury mall in Jing City.

As soon as the car stopped, Gu Yazhi couldn’t help poking her head out to look. She knew this place well, but every time she came, it still amazed her.

This mall gathered all the top luxury brands from around the world—everything from high-end beauty and fashion to fine jewelry and watches. There were also gourmet restaurants, private cinemas, and exclusive VIP lounges. Every corner screamed elegance and wealth, making it the go-to shopping destination for Jing City’s upper class.

A polite doorman opened the car door for them, and it felt like even the air carried the scent of money.

Gu Yazhi was obviously hyped. The moment they stepped inside, she dragged Tiantian straight toward the cosmetics section.

“Tiantian, look at this! A brand-new limited edition eyeshadow palette. The colors are insane!” she said, holding up a shimmering case like a treasure.

Tiantian leaned in to look and nodded with a smile. “It’s really pretty. With your fair skin, you’d totally look like a fairy in that.”

The palette’s shimmery pigments and dazzling hues fit Gu Yazhi’s bold personality perfectly.

“Obviously!” Gu Yazhi tossed her hair smugly and then let her gaze wander to the rows of dazzling lipsticks.

“Tiantian, you have to try this one. It’ll look amazing on you.”

After carefully picking through options, she settled on a rosewood bean-paste lip tint and dragged Si Tiantian over to the counter to try it out.

The beauty advisor eagerly applied the gloss to her lips, and the moment Si Tiantian looked in the mirror, her lips had turned plump and glossy—just the right touch of youthful tenderness. It made her already fair complexion appear even more delicate and radiant.

Gu Yazhi practically melted beside her, dramatically cradling her own face.

“Oh my god, Tiantian, your lips are way too pure and tempting! Just looking at them makes me want to kiss you! If I were a guy, I’d be the first to snatch you up and marry you—then hide you away so no one else could see! Wait—I need to calm down before people think I’m some kind of perv!”

Si Tiantian giggled uncontrollably at Gu Yazhi’s teasing and gave her a playful smack. “When did you turn into a rogue?”

They lingered in the beauty section for quite a while. Gu Yazhi grabbed plenty of goodies for herself and, satisfied at last, excitedly dragged Si Tiantian to browse a few clothing stores.

Si Tiantian picked out a simple yet elegant white dress that perfectly highlighted her fresh and pure aura.

Gu Yazhi, on the other hand, went for a cool and edgy denim two-piece outfit. Paired with her newly bought shimmery eyeshadow, she looked absolutely fierce.

—

Meanwhile, in the study of the Li family mansion.

Li Hanye put down his fountain pen and rubbed his temples. Though the desk in front of him was stacked high with documents, his mind was clearly elsewhere.

Ever since he received that short message from his girl—reporting her day’s whereabouts—there had been the faintest curve at the corner of his lips, one that had yet to fade.

She was starting to get used to his presence. That was progress.

But it wasn’t enough.

He wanted to see her. Now.

And once the thought surfaced, it grew like wild vines in his heart, distracting him from everything else.

So she had plans with someone? Fine. He’d just have to engineer a little “coincidence.”

He picked up the phone. His voice, as always, was low and calm: “Yan Chengyang. Come out. Let’s play golf.”

A groan echoed from the other end. “Seriously, Han-ge, it’s the weekend! Can’t you let me sleep in for once? I was out entertaining clients until midnight last night—my bones are about to fall apart.”

“Tianjie. Half an hour,” Li Hanye said flatly, cutting off further argument before hanging up.

He turned slightly. “Lin Ke.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll prepare the car,” Lin Ke, who had been quietly managing emails from the corner, immediately stood and got to work.

As Li Hanye’s personal assistant, Lin Ke had long since adapted to his boss’s workaholic tendencies. But a weekend golf outing? That was a first.

“Wait,” Li Hanye said, stopping him mid-step.

Lin Ke paused and stood at attention, awaiting instructions.

“Find out exactly where she is in Tianjie.”

Li Hanye’s voice was calm, almost as if he were asking about the weather.

A glint of knowing flashed behind Lin Ke’s glasses. As expected—if anyone could make the cold, all-business Lord Han abandon work and lower himself to playing golf on a weekend, it could only be the Si family’s little princess.

He couldn’t help but mutter to himself—Boss’s methods of courting are… unique. Possessive too.
But outwardly, he remained calm and professional: “Yes, sir. I’ll check right away.”

—

Half an hour later, at Tianjie Mall Square

Yan Chengyang strolled over in casual wear, hair still messy, looking thoroughly unmotivated. One glance at the man beside him—Li Hanye, dressed in a sharp suit radiating a “don’t-talk-to-me” aura—and he couldn’t help clicking his tongue in disbelief.

“I mean, Han-ge, what’s up with you suddenly deciding to play golf? And dressed like you’re about to sign a billion-dollar deal!”

Normally, on weekends, Li Hanye was either buried in work or accompanying Old Master Li at the family estate. Engaging in “recreational activities” like this was unheard of.

Li Hanye gave him a cool glance, his tone unbothered. “Just dropping by to inspect some work.”

Yan Chengyang rolled his eyes. Yeah, right. Like anyone was buying that excuse.