“I think taking sneaky photos of other people invades their personal privacy and right of publicity.”
Having received the message from Su Mengli—with the styles for the desired chairs and tables now confirmed—Mo Xiangwen and Su Mengyao chatted as they made their way back.
“Aw, I get it already.” Su Mengyao puffed out her cheeks. “I didn’t even manage to snap the photo for real.”
“I hope you’re telling the truth,” Mo Xiangwen said noncommittally.
That said, he didn’t have the nerve to ask to check a girl’s phone gallery.
Su Mengyao shot him a dissatisfied glance and grumbled, “What about trust? Don’t we have the most basic trust between us?”
“That got wrecked just a moment ago.” Mo Xiangwen sighed. “I didn’t even have time to give it a proper burial. I hope it’s doing well down there.”
“No, I think it can still be saved.” Su Mengyao shot back. “It’s just a kid—don’t give up on it yet.”
“You knew it was just a kid, and you still had to do something so cruel to it?”
“Umph—”
Su Mengyao pressed her lips together, at a loss for words.
She wasn’t great at arguing with people to begin with, and now she was clearly in the wrong.
After a moment’s thought, Su Mengyao simply threw in the towel. “Sorry! How about I get you a game during the autumn sale?”
Her words drew glances from the nearby store clerks.
Who was it? Who had the guts to bully the boss’s relative right here in the store?
Then they took a closer look at Su Mengyao’s smiling face.
Oh. Never mind, carry on.
It was Su Mengyao’s go-to apology as “Xiao Huo” online, but hearing it in real life caught Mo Xiangwen off guard, leaving him a bit embarrassed.
It made him sound like he was strong-arming her into buying him a game. That was way too sleazy.
“Never mind. I believe you.” Mo Xiangwen shook his head. “I was just joking.”
“No worries. Anyway, once I buy it for you, you’ll have to be our gaming buddy.”
Su Mengyao’s smile grew even brighter at the thought of playing games together.
“So basically, I’m paying you to be my gaming buddy.”
“You might have the right to place an order, but I can choose not to accept it.”
“Then I’ll have my sister place the order.”
…That shut down the conversation.
It was just a joke, but if Su Mengli actually asked him, he really wouldn’t know how to turn her down.
No particular reason—he just owed her too many favors.
“Favoritism.” Su Mengyao pouted in dissatisfaction.
“Except when I’m busy with something.” Feeling a sudden chill down his spine, Mo Xiangwen hurriedly added, “I haven’t turned down any of you others when you’ve asked me to play games.”
“…Now that you mention it, you’re right.” Su Mengyao pondered for a moment, then nodded, her tone softening. “Fine, whatever.”
Sensing the awkward shift in the air, he wisely didn’t pursue it. Soon enough, they returned to the front counter area.
As they approached, he spotted Su Mengli chatting with a graceful middle-aged woman on the sofa. From Su Mengli’s smile, the two seemed to be getting along quite well.
“The person chatting with my sister is our aunt—be careful around her,” Su Mengyao whispered, probably worried about his otaku social skills. “Her surname is Jiang. Just call her Sister Jiang.”
Their aunt? No wonder the sisters were so familiar with the place and insisted on shopping here.
Still, supporting a friend’s family business wasn’t a bad idea. Given his relationship with Su Mengli and the others, they probably wouldn’t overcharge him.
Mo Xiangwen gave her a small nod to show he understood.
As they drew near, the two women on the sofa noticed and waved them over.
The moment they got close, Su Mengyao called out first.
“Auntie, long time no see!”
Sister Jiang stood up at once and pulled Su Mengyao down to sit beside her.
“Little Yao, it’s been ages. Did you miss your auntie?”
Su Mengyao didn’t bat an eye. “Of course! That’s why I came to see you.”
Sister Jiang wasn’t buying that obvious fib and rolled her eyes. “After all the spoiling I’ve done. Ungrateful girl.”
Then her gaze shifted to Mo Xiangwen. She looked him up and down with an approving smile. “You must be Classmate Mo. Little Li mentioned you earlier. I’m their aunt—just call me Sister Jiang.”
“Nice to meet you, Sister Jiang.” Mo Xiangwen went with the flow.
“Have a seat. You’re Little Yao and Little Li’s friend—no need to stand on ceremony.”
“It’s been a while since I’ve seen Little Yao. I missed her, so I’ll chat with her a bit first. Sorry if I’m neglecting you.”
“No problem at all. Makes sense.” Mo Xiangwen replied.
Sister Jiang turned back to Su Mengyao with a smile and resumed their conversation.
He was wondering where to find a seat and wait them out when Su Mengli blinked at him and patted the spot on the sofa next to her.
Uh… sit on the same sofa as all three of them?
Better not.
Mo Xiangwen followed his gut and chose a sofa a bit farther away instead.
He was just about to pull out his phone for some gaming when Su Mengli stood up and walked over to him.
He figured she had something to say, but instead, she simply sat down beside him.
Of course, she kept a perfectly polite distance between them.
“Don’t worry about me. I’ll just play on my phone until you’re done chatting.”
He could tell it was her way of being considerate.
“It’s fine. I’ve already caught up with Auntie for a bit.” Su Mengli smiled. “Besides, it would be rude to leave you sitting alone.”
“I don’t mind.”
“But I do.” Su Mengli shook her head, then changed the subject. “Weren’t you two looking at chairs? Find anything good?”
With Su Mengli steering the conversation to chairs, he had no choice but to follow suit.
“Yeah, we did.” Mo Xiangwen nodded. “Su Mengyao and I picked some out. We can place the order whenever.”
“Perfect. I’ll let Auntie know later.” Su Mengli smiled. “She can have someone deliver them this afternoon.”
“Sounds good.” Mo Xiangwen nodded. “I’ll transfer you the money afterward.”
Su Mengli blinked in surprise, her fine brows furrowing slightly. “It’s my aunt’s store. It won’t cost much.”
“Besides, this is for the studio equipment. No need to pay me back.”
Your aunt’s store? That explained why they were so at home here and why the clerks were so deferential.
Mo Xiangwen insisted. “Even if it’s your aunt’s store, all those desks and chairs will add up. I can’t let you foot the bill.”
“I wouldn’t even have to pay.” Su Mengli shook her head, explaining. “Even if I offered, Auntie wouldn’t take my money.”
“Plus, I can just tell my dad later, and he’ll reimburse her.”
“…That still means you’re paying.” Mo Xiangwen refused. “Studio stuff—there’s no way I’m letting you cover it.”
Su Mengli let out a soft sigh. “Sigh, Xiangwen.”
“Hm?” Mo Xiangwen looked puzzled.
“If you keep being this polite with me,” her tone grew serious, “I’m going to get mad.”
