Shen Siyan nodded. “Then let’s do it your way.”

“Um.”

Xu Zhilu looked up at him, and Shen Siyan happened to lower his head. They locked eyes for a moment.

After a brief silence, Xu Zhilu spoke softly, “I’m sorry.”

Shen Siyan was surprised. “What are you apologizing for?”

Xu Zhilu turned away and stared at the people coming and going downstairs. “I was wrong about this.”

Shen Siyan replied, “Don’t handle things on your own in the future. If you want to know something, just ask me directly.”

“…Um”

“It’s nothing to be ashamed of. Xu Zhijia gave it to me, so how could I not give it to you?”

Xu Zhilu listened quietly to his gentle reprimand.

Shen Siyan, feeling he had said enough, took a deep breath and checked the time. “Let’s go downstairs.”

Xu Zhilu was puzzled. “What are we doing?”

Shen Siyan said nothing, simply pulling her toward the elevator.

They entered the elevator.

–

They reached the third floor.

Xu Zhilu looked at Shen Siyan in confusion, unsure of what he was planning.

A few minutes later, they found themselves in front of the watch counter.

The clerk greeted them with a polite smile. “Hello, is there anything I can help you with?”

Shen Siyan tapped on the display case. “I’d like to check the watches.”

Xu Zhilu widened her eyes and turned to him. “You…”

Before she could finish, Shen Siyan interrupted, “Pick one.”

Xu Zhilu pursed her lips. “Didn’t you already give me one?”

“You didn’t receive it.”

Shen Siyan said calmly, “Pick one first.”

“You don’t have to buy me another watch. I wasn’t asking for a gift when I mentioned it today.”

Shen Siyan tilted his head and looked at her intensely for a long moment. “I know.”

He paused. “I’m not as clueless as you think.”

Xu Zhilu: “…”

She couldn’t think of a response. After glancing at the prices, she felt disheartened.

“No.”

She said, “Just buy something else.” Shen Siyan paused and asked the clerk, “Do you have any pieces from the Sun, Moon, Starry Sky series?”

The clerk’s eyes lit up. “There’s one left. Would you like to see it?”

Shen Siyan nodded. “Yes.”

Xu Zhilu turned around and asked, “Didn’t you already buy one?”

Shen Siyan hummed and whispered, “Can you return it now?”

“…No.”

Shen Siyan understood. “Then let’s buy a new one.”

“…”

“No.”

Xu Zhilu looked at him. “It’s a waste. I’ll take the watch back.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

Shen Siyan bent down and whispered in her ear, “Buy the same style. It’ll be more exciting.”

Xu Zhilu: “…”

She rolled her eyes and suddenly had an idea.

“Then I’ll pay you back when I have the money.”

Shen Siyan was taken aback. “I don’t mind that.”

Xu Zhilu said, “Then I’ll get you one for your birthday.”

“…”

Shen Siyan couldn’t argue with her and lazily agreed, “Let’s talk about it later.”

Xu Zhilu promised, “I will make money.”

She was determined to work hard and earn a bonus for her English skills.

Shen Siyan glanced at her but didn’t press the issue further.

There happened to be another watch that fit Xu Zhilu perfectly. Shen Siyan didn’t wait for her approval and swiped his card to pay.

After the transaction, he looked up at the clerk and asked, “I have a question.”

The clerk, being polite to a paying customer, responded, “Go ahead.”

Shen Siyan pointed to the watch. “This is a limited edition, correct? Every purchase is registered, right?”

The clerk nodded. “Yes, you need to register your name and phone number so we can follow up and offer repairs.”

Shen Siyan continued, “No matter which counter you buy it from, the registration is unified, right?”

“Correct.”

Shen Siyan looked at the clerk and said, “Could you please check the customer information?” Before the clerk could refuse, Shen Siyan added, “I’m just asking if there’s a record of a purchase.”

The clerk laughed nervously and whispered, “Sorry, but we can’t disclose that information due to privacy concerns.”

Shen Siyan understood. “Really?”

He didn’t push further. “Okay, sorry.”

After leaving the watch shop, Xu Zhilu looked at him suspiciously. “Are you planning to use this method?”

“Um.”

“But the clerk won’t check it for you.”

Shen Siyan chuckled and looked back at the store. “Doesn’t this mall look familiar to you?”

Xu Zhilu blinked. “It looks familiar; we come here often.”

Shen Siyan raised an eyebrow. “I’m asking if you remember who developed this mall. Do you have any idea?”

Xu Zhilu was stunned for a moment before realizing.

“This…”

Shen Siyan confirmed, “My father’s company developed it.”

Xu Zhilu: “…”

***

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