Chapter 5

When I arrived at the supermarket downstairs, the shop owner’s wife noticed me lingering in front of the underwear rack and approached with interest. “Buying for your dad?”

“Yeah.” I grabbed a random pair, hoping to get away with it.

She pressed down on my hand, “Too small. Your dad’s belly is so big, he needs this pair.”

“He… he’s on a diet.” I pulled back the pair she had returned and then dashed to the clothing section to grab a sports T-shirt and shorts.

As I paid, the shop owner’s wife scanned the items and gave me a strange smile, “Got yourself a boyfriend?”

Startled, I shivered, my face turning red immediately.

“No, no, my cousin came over, and I’m buying for him.”

I grabbed the clothes and bolted.

When I got home, my mom saw my flustered face and asked, “Why are you out of breath? Where did you go?”

“Morning run.” I jogged in place for a few steps, hiding the plastic bag behind me, then opened the door and slipped into my room, locking it behind me.

Once I calmed down, I tossed the plastic bag to him.

His hands, busy with a game, finally paused. He glanced at me, then at the bag.

He said nothing, didn’t move.

Was he unhappy with my attitude?

I hesitated for a few seconds, then took out the clothes, laying them out in front of him, and whispered, “This is all they had downstairs. Can you make do?”

“Sure, but aren’t your demands a bit much?” His slender fingers hooked the clothes I bought, gave them a glance, and sighed.

How was it too much?

“You’ve seen it all, and you want me to go commando?” He teased, looking at me.

Me: ?

My mom was knocking on the door again.

Annoyed, I opened it a crack.

“You forgot something, the shop owner’s wife said.” With that, my mom handed me a black plastic bag.

I took it, opened it, and quickly closed it within a second, “My underwear.”

Guiltily, I shut the door.

Turns out, in my panic, I forgot to take the underwear I bought.

I felt like my life was over.

I turned away, waiting for him to get dressed before crouching in front of him, earnestly explaining everything.

“It’s all just a misunderstanding,” I said.

“Hmm.” He continued playing his game, with an attitude of “go on, keep making it up.”

“Can you cooperate with me a bit when we go out later?” I softened my voice.

It was the weekend, and chances were my parents would be home all day, so making him disappear was impossible.

He didn’t answer.

Seeing his nonchalant demeanor, I regretted my actions.

Finally, when he finished a game, he stopped, stared straight at me, and asked in a low voice, “Wasn’t last night cooperative enough for you?”

He reached out, pressing a finger to my forehead, dragging out his words, “People shouldn’t be too greedy.”

I slumped to the ground. Was he trying to threaten me?

“What do you want?”

“What do you think?” he retorted.

Oh boy, using his good looks to negotiate with me.

I glanced at the dressing table, at the birthday gift my mom gave me, picked it up, and handed it to him, “This is a new bag, take it and give it to your little girlfriend, okay?”

Even hiring a duck wouldn’t be this expensive; I was truly heartbroken.

He looked at me, stood up, towering over me, “Alright, I’ll keep it with you for now.”

With that, he walked to the door, opened it, and left casually.

He…

My mind went blank.