Chapter4: She Stood for Her Husband

"The prices here are outrageous. This boss must be a man-eater—one piece of clothing costs a thousand bucks!"

She whispered quietly. Yu Man leaned against the railing with one hand, the other cupped over her mouth.

Huo Jingze immediately felt like she was scolding him.

His lips twitched.

"I've got a friend working here. They gave me a membership card. It's half off."

But what he didn't expect was that, to Yu Man, half off still meant being a sucker.

"Half off is still five hundred bucks," she snapped.

At this moment, Yu Man's brain was working faster than ever. She used to struggle with math problems as a kid, but when it came to money—this was her time to shine.

Huo Jingze pressed his lips into a line and said nothing.

Then, seeing he was about to pull her into the store, Yu Man quickly wrapped her arms around the mall railing.

She didn't want to rack up more debt. Clothes were just clothes—she already had plenty, and they worked fine.

Right then, as if summoned by fate, Huo Jingze's ex-fiancée suddenly appeared in front of them.

"Well, well! Isn't this the broke loser and the club girl? What are you doing in this high-end mall?"

Lin Lin's sarcastic voice slithered into Yu Man's ears.

She turned her gaze to Huo Jingze.

If they were going to act, they had to go all the way.

Yu Man mustered her courage, her petite frame stepping protectively in front of Huo Jingze.

Facing Lin Lin head-on, she was slightly shorter, but her proportions were better. She tilted her chin with confidence.

"So what? Can't we browse if we're not buying? This isn't your territory. You think you rule this mall or something?"

Huo Jingze looked down at her back—small, but full of strength. Cute and fierce.

Lin Lin looked her up and down, her eyelids fluttering.

"You look so tacky. Let me guess—you just got to the city? Total country bumpkin."

"What's wrong with being from the countryside? The food you eat was grown by us country folks. Without us, you'd be starving. If you've got the guts, why don't you stop eating altogether?"

Yu Man shot back, proud and unflinching.

Huo Jingze nodded silently behind her.

He had dated Lin Lin for half a year, and she'd always acted like money meant nothing to her. Turns out, that was all just an act.

"When you've been in the city a few more years, I doubt you'll still love this broke guy," Lin Lin said, casting a sideways glance at Huo Jingze.

She wasn't entirely wrong. Would Yu Man change after spending more time in the city?

Huo Jingze's dark eyes locked onto Yu Man's back, his expression unreadable.

His uncle's ex-wife had also been drawn to money. She'd cheated and secretly transferred a large chunk of the family's wealth, leaving the business in turmoil.

That was why he approached relationships with extreme caution.

Yu Man placed her hands on her hips, then looped one arm through his.

"So what if we're broke? Even if he's got no money, we'll just go back to the countryside and farm. We won't starve. So you don't need to worry about us."

Lin Lin's lips were drawn into a tight line.

It was useless arguing with her. They clearly didn't speak the same language.

She spun around on her heels and sashayed into a nearby boutique.

The moment she was out of sight, Yu Man quickly let go of Huo Jingze's arm.

"How was that performance? Not bad, right? Don't forget my thir—"

Huo Jingze's cold gaze landed on her.

All that passionate speech… turned out it was just acting?

Still thinking about that thirty grand, huh?

He scoffed.

"I'll have to reconsider things."

He turned and walked straight into the boutique Lin Lin had entered.

Yu Man hurried to catch up.

"It's too expensive in there!" she whispered in protest.

Huo Jingze casually grabbed a few outfits from the racks.

Several pieces came flying her way.

Yu Man scrambled to catch them like they were priceless treasures.

Once she had them all secured, her heart finally settled.

If she'd let anything hit the ground, they'd definitely make her pay.

Seriously, Huo Jingze? He was just a regular employee, yet he was acting like a rich male lead from some idol drama.

"Go change," he said casually, hands tucked into his gray sweatpants.

She wanted to say no, but then she spotted Lin Lin trying on clothes nearby.

Yu Man guessed Huo Jingze was asking her to change because she hadn't performed well earlier and embarrassed him. He wanted to get the upper hand.

Fine. She'd go along with it—at least until Lin Lin left.

She carried the clothes into the fitting room and sat down, not moving.

Her plan: wait until Lin Lin was gone, then walk out.

But soon enough, Huo Jingze knocked on the door.

"You taking forever in there? Want me to come help you change?"

"N-no no no! No need!"

Yu Man leapt up in a panic, quickly throwing on a long white dress and stepping out.

Huo Jingze rubbed his temples and lifted his gaze.

Her long hair cascaded over her shoulders, the white dress hugging her creamy skin and slender waist.

She looked elegant and alluring.

But—what was with the cartoon-print socks and floral canvas shoes?

He hadn't noticed them before under her pants.

Huo Jingze sighed and shut his eyes briefly.

He gestured for the staff to bring over a pair of proper shoes.

Not far away, Lin Lin pretended not to notice them, but her eyes were glued to their reflection in the mirror.

Trying to act rich, huh? What a joke.

A staff member respectfully offered Yu Man a pair of rhinestone-studded flats, motioning for her to lift her foot.

Yu Man quickly waved her off—she had hands and feet, no need for others to serve her.

She took the shoes and sat down to change.

Her feet were delicate and fair, her toenails neatly trimmed.

Absolutely beautiful.

She stood and walked toward Huo Jingze.

His gaze flickered—amazing what a little styling could do.

He turned to the staff.

"Put together a few more outfits in this style. With matching shoes. I'll pay."

He hadn't wanted to go this far, but if it meant not having to see her awkward fashion again, he'd take it.

Yu Man rushed over when she heard that, but spotted Lin Lin still watching them through the mirror.

She lowered her voice.

"I'll try on a few more outfits, buy some time until she leaves. But don't buy anything!"

Huo Jingze followed her gaze, then turned back.

"You know she's watching. That means we have to buy."

"That's months of your salary!"

Yu Man was so anxious she almost stomped.

She didn't know what job he had, but a typical office worker made what—maybe a few thousand?

Ma Xin, who worked security in the city, said he earned a little over 3,000.

So Huo Jingze probably earned around that too.

A staff member returned, holding five high-end shopping bags.

Huo Jingze handed over his card.

Yu Man grabbed his hand, lips pressed tightly, eyes pleading.

What an idiot. Was pride really worth this much?

Clearly, Huo Jingze didn't get the message.

He dodged her hand and raised his card high.

At 1.85 meters, there was no way her 1.6-meter frame could reach it.

The card was swiped.

Yu Man pouted, dragging five oversized shopping bags behind her as she followed Huo Jingze like a little mule.

Lin Lin ran ahead, blocking their path.

"So you were just playing me all along?"

Hearing Lin Lin's angry voice, Yu Man rushed forward.

Chapter 4: She Stood Up for Her Husband

"The prices here are outrageous. This boss must be a man-eater—one piece of clothing costs a thousand bucks!"

She whispered quietly. Yu Man leaned against the railing with one hand, the other cupped over her mouth.

Huo Jingze immediately felt like she was scolding him.

His lips twitched.

"I've got a friend working here. They gave me a membership card. It's half off."

But what he didn't expect was that, to Yu Man, half off still meant being a sucker.

"Half off is still five hundred bucks," she snapped.

At this moment, Yu Man's brain was working faster than ever. She used to struggle with math problems as a kid, but when it came to money—this was her time to shine.

Huo Jingze pressed his lips into a line and said nothing.

Then, seeing he was about to pull her into the store, Yu Man quickly wrapped her arms around the mall railing.

She didn't want to rack up more debt. Clothes were just clothes—she already had plenty, and they worked fine.

Right then, as if summoned by fate, Huo Jingze's ex-fiancée suddenly appeared in front of them.

"Well, well! Isn't this the broke loser and the club girl? What are you doing in this high-end mall?"

Lin Lin's sarcastic voice slithered into Yu Man's ears.

She turned her gaze to Huo Jingze.

If they were going to act, they had to go all the way.

Yu Man mustered her courage, her petite frame stepping protectively in front of Huo Jingze.

Facing Lin Lin head-on, she was slightly shorter, but her proportions were better. She tilted her chin with confidence.

"So what? Can't we browse if we're not buying? This isn't your territory. You think you rule this mall or something?"

Huo Jingze looked down at her back—small, but full of strength. Cute and fierce.

Lin Lin looked her up and down, her eyelids fluttering.

"You look so tacky. Let me guess—you just got to the city? Total country bumpkin."

"What's wrong with being from the countryside? The food you eat was grown by us country folks. Without us, you'd be starving. If you've got the guts, why don't you stop eating altogether?"

Yu Man shot back, proud and unflinching.

Huo Jingze nodded silently behind her.

He had dated Lin Lin for half a year, and she'd always acted like money meant nothing to her. Turns out, that was all just an act.

"When you've been in the city a few more years, I doubt you'll still love this broke guy," Lin Lin said, casting a sideways glance at Huo Jingze.

She wasn't entirely wrong. Would Yu Man change after spending more time in the city?

Huo Jingze's dark eyes locked onto Yu Man's back, his expression unreadable.

His uncle's ex-wife had also been drawn to money. She'd cheated and secretly transferred a large chunk of the family's wealth, leaving the business in turmoil.

That was why he approached relationships with extreme caution.

Yu Man placed her hands on her hips, then looped one arm through his.

"So what if we're broke? Even if he's got no money, we'll just go back to the countryside and farm. We won't starve. So you don't need to worry about us."

Lin Lin's lips were drawn into a tight line.

It was useless arguing with her. They clearly didn't speak the same language.

She spun around on her heels and sashayed into a nearby boutique.

The moment she was out of sight, Yu Man quickly let go of Huo Jingze's arm.

"How was that performance? Not bad, right? Don't forget my thir—"

Huo Jingze's cold gaze landed on her.

All that passionate speech… turned out it was just acting?

Still thinking about that thirty grand, huh?

He scoffed.

"I'll have to reconsider things."

He turned and walked straight into the boutique Lin Lin had entered.

Yu Man hurried to catch up.

"It's too expensive in there!" she whispered in protest.

Huo Jingze casually grabbed a few outfits from the racks.

Several pieces came flying her way.

Yu Man scrambled to catch them like they were priceless treasures.

Once she had them all secured, her heart finally settled.

If she'd let anything hit the ground, they'd definitely make her pay.

Seriously, Huo Jingze? He was just a regular employee, yet he was acting like a rich male lead from some idol drama.

"Go change," he said casually, hands tucked into his gray sweatpants.

She wanted to say no, but then she spotted Lin Lin trying on clothes nearby.

Yu Man guessed Huo Jingze was asking her to change because she hadn't performed well earlier and embarrassed him. He wanted to get the upper hand.

Fine. She'd go along with it—at least until Lin Lin left.

She carried the clothes into the fitting room and sat down, not moving.

Her plan: wait until Lin Lin was gone, then walk out.

But soon enough, Huo Jingze knocked on the door.

"You taking forever in there? Want me to come help you change?"

"N-no no no! No need!"

Yu Man leapt up in a panic, quickly throwing on a long white dress and stepping out.

Huo Jingze rubbed his temples and lifted his gaze.

Her long hair cascaded over her shoulders, the white dress hugging her creamy skin and slender waist.

She looked elegant and alluring.

But—what was with the cartoon-print socks and floral canvas shoes?

He hadn't noticed them before under her pants.

Huo Jingze sighed and shut his eyes briefly.

He gestured for the staff to bring over a pair of proper shoes.

Not far away, Lin Lin pretended not to notice them, but her eyes were glued to their reflection in the mirror.

Trying to act rich, huh? What a joke.

A staff member respectfully offered Yu Man a pair of rhinestone-studded flats, motioning for her to lift her foot.

Yu Man quickly waved her off—she had hands and feet, no need for others to serve her.

She took the shoes and sat down to change.

Her feet were delicate and fair, her toenails neatly trimmed.

Absolutely beautiful.

She stood and walked toward Huo Jingze.

His gaze flickered—amazing what a little styling could do.

He turned to the staff.

"Put together a few more outfits in this style. With matching shoes. I'll pay."

He hadn't wanted to go this far, but if it meant not having to see her awkward fashion again, he'd take it.

Yu Man rushed over when she heard that, but spotted Lin Lin still watching them through the mirror.

She lowered her voice.

"I'll try on a few more outfits, buy some time until she leaves. But don't buy anything!"

Huo Jingze followed her gaze, then turned back.

"You know she's watching. That means we have to buy."

"That's months of your salary!"

Yu Man was so anxious she almost stomped.

She didn't know what job he had, but a typical office worker made what—maybe a few thousand?

Ma Xin, who worked security in the city, said he earned a little over 3,000.

So Huo Jingze probably earned around that too.

A staff member returned, holding five high-end shopping bags.

Huo Jingze handed over his card.

Yu Man grabbed his hand, lips pressed tightly, eyes pleading.

What an idiot. Was pride really worth this much?

Clearly, Huo Jingze didn't get the message.

He dodged her hand and raised his card high.

At 1.85 meters, there was no way her 1.6-meter frame could reach it.

The card was swiped.

Yu Man pouted, dragging five oversized shopping bags behind her as she followed Huo Jingze like a little mule.

Lin Lin ran ahead, blocking their path.

"So you were just playing me all along?"

Hearing Lin Lin's angry voice, Yu Man rushed forward.