Though the situation seemed utterly embarrassing, the solution was surprisingly simple.

"How old are you?"

I didn’t beat around the bush and asked directly.

"Sixteen."

The girl before me looked confused.

"I mean your bra size…"

As the words left my mouth, my face burned.

*Since we’re in a women’s clothing mall,* I thought, *I could just buy Jiang Muqing a bra from any store and solve this.*

"Pervert…"

Jiang Muqing murmured, head bowed, cheeks flushed.

"I just need your size to buy you one," I explained awkwardly.

"What size does Lu Fan like?"

The girl suddenly asked something bizarre.

"That’s not the point! Just tell me your size."

My face darkened.

"I’m… still small now… but I’ll grow…"

She stammered, eyes wide with anxiety like she was begging for forgiveness.

"Just tell me the size. Do you even want to leave?!"

*Why should I care about your bra size anyway?*

"Hmm…"

After a long pause, she leaned close to my ear and whispered like a mosquito’s hum.

"Got it."

I had no idea what the letters and numbers meant, but I’d gotten the size. Now I just needed to hand it to a shop assistant.

"Stay here. I’ll be back."

I turned to leave.

"Mm."

She nodded.

"Oh—any preferences? Since I’m buying it, might as well get one you like."

I felt bad about grabbing something random.

"Anything Lu Fan likes is fine."

She covered her mouth, giggling softly.

My whole body radiated nervous tension—this was uncharted territory for me. To Jiang Muqing, I probably looked ridiculous. Her fear had vanished, replaced by amusement at what I was about to do.

"I’ll pick randomly then. Don’t blame me if it doesn’t fit."

*Easy. No brand or style requests—just size.*

"I won’t!"

Her eyes sparkled with anticipation.

I explained Jiang Muqing’s situation to a shop assistant, asking her to watch over her while I left my bags at the counter. Then I headed for the lingerie section.

The floor map showed it was just upstairs.

I took the escalator, blindly entering the first store I saw.

As expected, the shop overflowed with blush-inducing lace and satin under soft yellow lighting—a private sanctuary for women.

My entrance shattered that sanctuary. Every head snapped toward me. Stares pinned me like insects under glass.

"I need to buy a bra."

I forced my expression neutral, approaching a wary saleswoman.

"Sir, this is a women’s boutique. We don’t sell men’s underwear."

Her smile was stiff.

"For my girlfriend."

I kept my voice steady.

"Oh! I see!"

She visibly relaxed.

"Her size is…"

I recited the numbers and letters Jiang Muqing had whispered.

"Got it. Any style preference?"

"Whatever’s good quality."

"You’re the first boyfriend I’ve met who picks lingerie this casually."

She raised an eyebrow but fetched a bundle from the back.

*Well, the girl wearing it has zero preferences!*

"Lu Fan? Shopping for women’s lingerie?!"

A shocked female voice cut through my impatience.

*Shit—classmate?* I ducked my head, panic rising.

*How do I explain this without sounding like a freak—*

I looked up.

Not a classmate.

I glared at the short-haired girl gawking beside me. Neat bob, cartoon tee, denim overalls—still rocking that cute aesthetic. Small world. Of all stores, I’d stumbled into the one near Room 213, Jiang Muqing’s neighbor. She’d helped me twice before. I owed her.

"Who says guys can’t shop here?" I scratched my neck, avoiding her eyes.

"Buying for your girlfriend? You two moved fast!" Her eyes gleamed with mischief.

"…Yeah, I guess."

No other excuse would work.

"If I’m not mistaken… she’s my neighbor. Definitely."

She grinned, eyes crinkling.

"My girlfriend’s none of your business!"

Her wild guesses grated on me.

"Sorry! Sorry!"

She winced, realizing she’d overstepped.

Just then, the saleswoman returned with a lacy crimson bra.

"…"

My throat locked.

The thing looked violently intimate. One glance made me feel like a creep. I couldn’t bring myself to touch it.

"Just… wrap it up."

I turned crimson, waving her off.

"Hold on."

The short-haired girl snatched the bra from the saleswoman.

"How old is your girlfriend? This looks ancient on her!"

She held it up, frowning as she compared it to her own chest in the mirror.

"How should I know if it’s old-fashioned?!"

*Stop waving lingerie in a guy’s face!*

"My neighbor would hate this."

She tossed it back to the saleswoman.

"Hey—*I’m* buying it!"

I’d lost all control as a customer.

"As a girl, I know better what girls like. Let me pick for her."

She beamed with confidence.

*She’s right. I’m only here out of desperation.*

"…Thanks. I’ll wait outside."

I fled the scorching shop.

"Shouldn’t I try it on for you? Boyfriends’ tastes matter too~"

Her teasing voice chased me to the door.

"Absolutely not."

My face burned hotter.