Outside Starlight Plaza in Jianghai City.

A pretty girl in a light cyan ancient-style dress was devouring street food under the utterly speechless gaze of another pretty girl.

Watching the grease-slicked lips moving nonstop, Liu Xiyun finally grabbed the arm of the girl bouncing ahead.

"Hold on."

"Hm? What’s up? Want a skewer too?" Little Green turned back, hugging several buckets of barbecue. "But didn’t you just say you wouldn’t eat this stuff?"

"Honestly, it’s so good. Such a waste if you skip it. Couldn’t resist, huh?" She rummaged through her paper bucket, then reluctantly fished out a grilled wheat gluten skewer she didn’t fancy much. "Here. You paid for it—take one."

"..." Liu Xiyun hesitated, then took the offered skewer. But her other hand still held Little Green’s sleeve.

"What? Want more?" Little Green frowned, glancing between Liu Xiyun’s grip and her dwindling stash. She peered into the bucket again. *Which one to give up? I like them all...*

Honestly, this was normal—anyone would hesitate sharing favorites.

But as Little Green debated, she missed the conflicted look on Liu Xiyun’s face. When Liu Xiyun’s eyes locked onto the bent head searching the bucket, she made up her mind. Mimicking Little Green’s earlier move, she clamped the skewer sideways in her mouth, freeing her hand.

*Poke poke—*

Little Green looked up, puzzled by the gentle taps on her hair. Before she could react to Liu Xiyun’s odd stance, a clean tissue pressed against her lips.

"Huh?" Little Green froze mid-motion, startled by Liu Xiyun wiping her mouth.

"What are you doing?" She scowled, pulling back.

Liu Xiyun’s eyes flickered at the rare seriousness in Little Green’s expression. She tucked the grease-stained tissue around the skewer stick, removed the mianjin from her teeth, and said calmly: "You had oil all over your mouth. You ate too much."

"No," Little Green shook her head sharply. "I mean—why wipe it *for* me? You could’ve just handed me a tissue!"

"You were holding the buckets."

"But I could’ve managed! Doesn’t it feel kinda..."

"Kinda normal?" Liu Xiyun cut in smoothly. "Girlfriends help each other out. See anyone here judging us?" She gestured around the pedestrian street. Though heads turned at the two striking girls, no whispers followed.

"Oh." Little Green blinked. *Am I overreacting?* "Hehe, my bad! You’re right—girls helping girls is no big deal." She grinned sheepishly. "Sorry if I snapped at you..."

"Don’t apologize," Liu Xiyun shook her head. "I should’ve considered your feelings."

"Mmm, it’s fine! Let me wipe your hands too—they’re greasy." Little Green shifted her buckets but didn’t move.

"Okay." Liu Xiyun simply extended the hand holding the skewer.

"Ugh..." Resigned, Little Green took the tissue and cleaned her fingers.

Afterward, Little Green frowned under the lingering stares. "Maybe... we should head back?"

"Done eating already?" Liu Xiyun glanced around the bustling street.

"Full enough—and there’s still plenty left." She hugged the buckets tighter. "Besides, spending too much of your money feels wrong."

"...Right." Liu Xiyun’s gaze drifted to the Starlight Building beside them. *I wanted to take her shopping there... but now—*

*Wait.* Her eyes lit up. *Didn’t she say Qin Ling would cover this outing?*

"How about we browse some clothing stores?" she suggested brightly.

"Clothes?" Little Green recoiled. "No way. I’m broke."

"I’ve got money." Liu Xiyun dropped the skewer back into Little Green’s bucket and tugged her forward. "Qin Ling’s rich—we’ll make him pay later!"

"But... isn’t that kinda gold-diggy?" Little Green protested weakly.

"Not at all! Just a few things." Liu Xiyun’s voice turned coaxing. "Come on, just *look*? No pressure to buy, okay?" She looped her arm through Little Green’s, gazing up with puppy-dog eyes—like someone dragged to dessert after a huge meal, torn between refusal and surrender.

"...Alright," Little Green sighed, letting herself be pulled along. "But I’m *only* looking."