Since Alena suddenly said she wanted to go out and buy a few things, Elwin seized the opportunity immediately and offered to go with her.

"No need," Alena refused. "I'll ask Lixin and my sister when they're heading out. I can just go with them."

"Oh, don't be so clueless," Elwin chided, his expression exasperated. "Look at your sister—she clearly wants to go out and have fun with Lixin. And it's for... that kind of shopping. Isn't it rude to crash Cleyna's date?"

"Really?" Alena fell into thought, wondering if that was true.

"So," Elwin pressed on, "going alone would be inconvenient, right? I can come with you and help carry things."

Alena stayed silent, eyeing Elwin's slender, otaku-like frame. A trace of disdain flickered across her face. "No thanks. I'm just buying daily necessities and some snacks."

What's with that look? Elwin felt utterly crushed. He'd forgotten Alena was a Gigantic Strength Ability User—offering to carry things was pointless!

Elwin flopped onto the sofa, clutching his chest and thumping his head in regret. Why pick such a terrible excuse?

"Heh." Alena had already turned to leave but, seeing Elwin's state, let out two soft chuckles.

At the stairs leading to the bridge entrance, she called back to him: "Hey, I don't need physical help, but I don't want trouble either. So..."

"Yes, ma'am! Service guaranteed to satisfy!" Elwin snapped to attention like Melly, saluting before Alena finished her sentence.

Alena's lips twitched, but she was pleased. After Melly dropped them off, they hailed a taxi to the mall in G City.

Soon after Melly left, Cleyna and Lixin departed too. Then Melly and Qin Fan went monster-hunting. The group split into three pairs.

In the taxi, Alena mentioned the transport issue Melly often complained about—how she usually had to shuttle everyone. Elwin claimed he had connections. By then, they'd arrived.

"So, since I've got you as my sucker," Alena said at the mall entrance, grinning wickedly with an ω-shaped mouth, "I'll shop freely. You get what I mean, right?" Elwin felt a bad omen.

"Let's go! I suddenly want to browse clothes. But I only brought my initial budget..." She winked. "So, Mr. Elwin, I'm counting on you~"

Before Elwin could react, Alena dashed excitedly into the clothing section.

Later, Elwin described his feelings then: "I must've seen a fake Alena."

Alena's spirits soared. After hours of browsing, she found a store she liked.

"Elwin, what do you think of this?" She held up a beige turtleneck sweater with perfectly spaced striped patterns.

Caught off guard, Elwin stammered, "Uh... um..."

He said nothing useful. Alena sighed in disappointment, shaking her head at this blockhead. "Never mind. I like it. I'll try it on first." She headed to the fitting room.

Elwin still missed her hint, only worrying he'd messed up.

*Rustle...* Five minutes later, the fitting room curtain parted. Alena stepped out.

Shoulder-length golden curls framed her delicate face, slightly flushed with shyness. The beige patterned turtleneck reached mid-thigh, her hands half-hidden in long sleeves. Tight blue jeans and white ankle boots completed the lively winter look of a Western girl.

Elwin froze completely in place.

"Hey, don't you have anything to say?" Though secretly pleased he was stunned, Alena felt a hint of annoyance at his silence.

"A-ah! It's pretty! Really pretty!" Jolted awake, Elwin clapped enthusiastically—*clap-clap-clap*—in his fluster.

This silly kid... doomed to be alone...

Alena didn't comment. But she thought, for Elwin, this might actually be his best effort.

Next, Alena picked a bear-print onesie pajama set and a fleece winter coat.

"That's all." She headed to checkout. Cleyna or Melly would've bought far more—but Alena's unique upbringing kept her from obsessing over shopping like other girls.

"I'll handle it!" Elwin scanned the tags with his phone and rushed to pay.

Oh right, this pile too...

While wandering randomly, they spotted Cleyna dragging a reluctant Lixin. The pair didn't notice them.

"Let's tail them," Alena whispered, weaving through the crowd. Elwin followed helplessly.

Alena loved this. Watching Cleyna and Lixin interact, she giggled like she was part of it. Lixin was just that entertaining—even Elwin chuckled. But he rarely saw Alena smile so openly at him. Not even at the amusement park; only during their heart-to-heart when she first joined them.

Later, Cleyna heard this and didn't mind the stalking. She clapped Elwin's shoulder: "Keep at it, kid. You might have a shot."

Cleyna said Elwin's story reminded her of young Alena. When someone shows their true self to you, it means deep trust.

Elwin didn't dwell on it. But when Cleyna and Lixin entered a lingerie store, he blushed and pulled a disappointed Alena away mid-show.

They bought daily supplies and way more snacks than planned. With Melly busy monster-hunting, they found a restaurant for dinner.

The place had a subtle charm—especially the... ahem... romantic atmosphere?

Alena had picked it randomly. Though Western, she'd lived long in G City's Eastern districts and craved Western food.

"How about a Stargazy pie? A historic tradition back home~" Elwin urged Alena to order. She studied the menu, then pointed at a pie crammed with fish heads. The sight horrified him—he was Western, but not British—and he couldn't appreciate its visual appeal.

Still, he forced a smile. "Order whatever you like."

Alena had Elwin pick some dishes too. They handed the order to the waiter and waited.

An awkward silence fell. Elwin stayed frozen, failing to start conversation.

"Relax," Alena finally said. "We're here to have fun. How are you feeling today? Happy?"

"O-of course!" Elwin answered too loudly. Alena shushed him, finger to her lips.

Right... right. Loud voices were rude here.

"Elwin," she pressed, "why were you so set on coming shopping with me today?"

"I... it's..." Elwin fumbled.

"Why?" Alena pushed. Defeated, he blurted, "I... I just don't know why!"

That's no answer at all...

Alena's face fell. She gave a flat "Oh" and fell silent.

Elwin panicked. He knew he seemed distant, even if he was shy.

"Sorry... it's just..." He steeled himself to be bold.

*Got him.*

Alena thought, *So easily tricked. Elwin really is naive.*

"Well..." Elwin lifted his head, meeting her eyes squarely. "Alena, I like you. I want to date you."

"Mm..." Though she'd expected this, hearing it shook her. She liked him too... but after so long, would it...

Prepared as she was, Alena felt flustered. Elwin waited for her reply. Silence returned.

"Pardon the interruption. Your order has arrived." The waiter set down the Stargazy pie. Alena breathed a sigh of relief, thanked him, and started cutting into it.

"What a shame, but it's best hot. Let's eat first." She hastily cut a piece for Elwin, her movements slightly rushed.

Though Alena served it herself, and the taste was surprisingly good, Elwin swore Stargazy pie was now his most hated food ever.