Ye Yiyi and Li Muyan turned toward the voice. A young man in a suit glided over like a sleek shadow, with a girl in a yellow dress trailing like a sunflower.

“Oh, Mr. Xue. What a coincidence, bumping into you here.”

Xue Yupeng, only son of Ninghai City’s Mayor Xue, lived loud, a peacock strutting from bloom to bloom. Like Ye Yiyi and Li Muyan, he studied at Ninghai University, a sophomore, not in their class. He’d chased Yiyi for months; she had zero interest, ice to his fire. Sensing her friend’s mood, Li Muyan stepped in, like a shield raised.

“Yeah, what a coincidence. An honor to meet Miss Li and Yiyi here.” His smile spread like polished lacquer. “Shopping for clothes? Pick anything; my treat.”

“No thanks. We’re buying for someone else. Go keep your friend company.” Li’s tone fell cool as shade.

“Uh—no, don’t get me wrong. She’s my distant cousin. I’m just helping her shop.”

“Yupeng, what are you saying? I’m not your—” The girl started, then froze as his glare cracked like a whip. Disgust pricked both women; scum, through and through.

“Yiyi, got time later? I’ll take you to a movie. There’s a hot one this afternoon.” His voice oiled the air.

The girl in yellow flared like a struck match and turned away. That movie had been promised to her; he’d just swapped the name.

“I can’t. I’ve got plans with a friend,” Yiyi said, cold as winter glass.

“Oh, what a pity. Next time, then.”

Yiyi lowered her head, her attention sliding onto her phone like a drawn curtain.

“Hey, Mr. Xue, your distant cousin just left. Aren’t you going to check on her?” Li’s words carried a thin blade of mockery.

“It’s fine. Her family called—something urgent. Let her go. I’ll keep Yiyi company.” His face stayed smooth as stone. Speechless, Li bit back a sigh; this guy’s hide was armor.

A ripple of surprise rose from the fitting rooms. They all looked over. A slim figure stepped out, her light blue dress like clear sky after rain. The fit traced perfect lines; a white neck and long legs caught the light. Paired with that face, she carried a lotus-pure aura.

“How can someone be this stunning? How have I never seen her?” Xue’s eyes burned, dazzled and hungry.

“Coco, you’re out! Mm, this dress is perfect on you—too pretty,” Yiyi said, pulling Tang Coco into a gentle spin, like a breeze turning a petal.

“Tsk tsk. Heaven spoiled you. That figure makes me jealous,” Li added, eyes bright.

Tang Coco stuck out her tongue, playful as a kitten. The look said, Score one for me.

“It still feels like something’s missing,” Li mused, tapping her lip like a metronome. “Right—get her a good pair of heels to try.”

The clerk, envy simmering like tea, hurried off.

“No, I can’t wear heels,” Coco said quickly, nerves fluttering.

“You can learn.” Li’s reply came firm, a line drawn in sand.

Coco shot Li a tiny glare, muttering, “You’re so fussy.”

“It’s fine, Coco. I’ll help you. It’s easy,” Yiyi said, her voice warm as spring sun.

“Hello, beauty. Would I be lucky enough to be your friend?” Xue drifted closer, eyes glued to Coco’s face like moths to a lamp.

Great, we forgot about this jerk. Trouble. The thought hit both girls after the chill; they knew what Xue was—street-scum in polished shoes.

“Who are you?” Coco asked, brows lifting like small wings.

“I’m Xue Yupeng, at Ninghai University. My father’s the vice mayor,” he said, pride flashing like a badge.

So, a second‑generation official. The thought cooled in Coco’s chest like a splash of water. Li leaned in and whispered, “He’s here chasing Yiyi.”

Hearing that, Coco’s warmth dropped like a shutter.

“Oh, the vice mayor’s son. Hello. I’m just an ordinary citizen. We’re probably not fated to be friends.” Her politeness wore a frost edge.

“How could that be? Being friends with a beauty like you would be my honor.” His shamelessness slid like oil.

The clerk came back with white heels set with two diamond glints, bright as dew.

“Come on, Coco, I’ll help you put them on,” Yiyi said.

“No… no need. I’ll do it myself.” Coco hesitated.

“It’s your first time. Let me. Sit.” Yiyi’s tone was gentle, firm as a guiding hand.

Coco gave in and sat on the sofa, obedient as a small bird. Yiyi knelt and slipped off her shoes and socks. A soft, fair foot gleamed; Coco’s cheeks flushed like rose petals. Off to the side, Xue’s heart thumped like a drum.

Yiyi fastened the heels with care. Coco stood and wobbled, a reed in wind. Li caught her and steadied her.

“Mm. That works beautifully. This pairing is perfect.” Yiyi faced Coco and praised her, eyes shining.

Coco lowered her head, shy as moonlight behind clouds. Inside, a thin thread of joy hummed.

They ignored Xue, picked a few more dresses, then paid and left the boutique. Xue tried to pay; Li blocked him, firm as a shut door. They wouldn’t owe him a thing.

Watching their backs fade like swallows into the sky, Xue vowed, heat flaring in his chest, “I’ll make her mine.”

He pulled out his phone, made a call, then walked out of the store.