In her past life, Qin Yu hadn't had much luck with women. Now, as a woman herself, she'd been a solitary legend before awakening her past-life memories—a beautiful girl who walked her own path completely alone...
In short, in neither life had she ever gone shopping with other girls her age.
Let alone with a group of four.
For Qin Yu, this felt quite novel—though Hu Tao didn't quite seem to be her age... Hu Tao seemed a year or two younger, maybe?
And her chest...
Qin Yu considered her own to be small, but Hu Tao's was even smaller.
"Fishy Treasure, why do you keep staring at my chest?"
"N-no, I'm not! My eyes just happened to wander that way."
Hu Tao playfully covered her chest and grinned. "Really? Not thinking anything strange?"
"No!"
"Hmph~ Sigh, let's just leave it at that. Small has its advantages, big has its troubles. In this heat, if they were too big, the sweat would be unbearable. And when you get old, they'll sag. If your face ages too, you'll look like some ugly old hag."
Why are we still on this topic? Qin Yu forced a dry laugh. "You're right..."
"But you can't judge a book by its cover! Someone who looks as flat as a stone slab might be wearing a chest binder underneath their clothes!"
That's impossible, right? Chest binders aren't magic—there'd still be some curves. And wouldn't it feel suffocating? You're so lively and energetic, you don't seem like you'd put up with that.
If I don't say something, I'll feel stifled. But to stay in character... Fine.
Qin Yu flashed an innocent smile. "I believe in Hu Tao's potential!"
"Hey!" Hu Tao planted her hands on her hips, looking displeased.
Qin Yu quickly changed the subject. "Speaking of which, we're finally at Gourmet Street! What should we eat?"
Yanfei's gaze shifted from her own chest.
As a half-Adeptus, I won't age as quickly, she thought with a sigh of relief. "But didn't we just have lunch? If anything, we should get drinks. I recommend something easy to digest!"
"Hmm, what about Shenhe?"
Shenhe was staring at her own chest, then glanced at Qin Yu's.
What is she doing...?
"Will they sag when I get old?" Shenhe asked.
"Yeah," Hu Tao nodded.
"Mine too..." Shenhe muttered.
Why does she even care about that?
"N-no problem! Everyone's like that! By the way, Shenhe, what would you like to drink?" Qin Yu asked.
"Medicine."
Are you serious? Qin Yu's lips twitched.
Hu Tao casually pointed. "The pharmacy's over there."
One dared to suggest it, one dared to point, and the other dared to actually go. Shenhe nodded and started walking toward Bubu Pharmacy, but Qin Yu quickly grabbed her hand.
Oh my god, she's actually serious! Who in their right mind would enjoy drinking that bitter stuff?!
No, Shenhe probably didn't enjoy medicine; she was just drinking it for her cultivation. Qin Yu remembered her saying something about how the pleasures of food could distract her from her training.
Hmm... whatever. If she wants it, I'll just buy it for her later!
Don't try to be special. What kind of impression would it make if she was the only one chugging medicine while the rest of us are enjoying drinks? A crane among chickens... no, a crane among chicks?
Qin Yu sighed inwardly but maintained a cheerful smile. "We rarely come to the city. Why not try some of the local drinks?"
Shenhe immediately replied, "Alright, I'll have whatever you're having."
Don't leave it up to me! How am I supposed to know what you like? Wait, Shenhe's a girl, she probably wouldn't turn down something sweet. I'll just order a sweet fruit juice.
Upon entering the shop, Hu Tao asked, "Who's treating?"
You are— Though that's what I wanted to say, I had to maintain my persona and offer to pay first.
Qin Yu proposed that she should cover the bill, as she was the one asking for their help.
"Consider it a token of my gratitude," Qin Yu said with a smile.
Alright, I've said my piece. Who's going to snatch the bill? Who? I really don't want to spend my money...
Yanfei, suspecting nothing, chuckled, "Then I humbly accept your offer!"
Huh?
Hu Tao exclaimed dramatically, "Fishy Treasure, you're so kind! You're the kindest person on earth!"
Wait a minute, neither of you is planning to pay for me?! How is this happening...? Hu Tao held Qin Yu's hands and shook them up and down, making Qin Yu's heart bounce with anxiety, rising and falling with despair.
Shenhe, oblivious to Qin Yu's inner turmoil, simply stated, "I'll pay."
Thank you so much!
Qin Yu's mood brightened instantly. She quickly chose her drink, and the others followed suit.
"Alright, that'll be..."
Ah, being treated to a drink is such a delightful experience! Qin Yu's heart swelled with joy as she lightly tiptoed, awaiting the great Shenhe to produce her noble Mora.
Shenhe nodded, then fell silent.
"I'm sorry, I seem to have forgotten the wallet my Master gave me."
Qin Yu's smile froze.
Yanfei quickly interjected, "Then... then I'll pay! The cost of four drinks is nothing."
Thank you so much...
Why does even buying a drink feel so exhausting? Qin Yu swallowed her sigh, took a sip of orange juice, and forced a sugary smile onto her face.
I'm alive.
Shenhe sipped her grape juice. "Hmm..."
"How is it?" Qin Yu asked.
"Too sweet."
"Oh... I see..."
She doesn't like it. Tsk, I messed up. Qin Yu thought gloomily.
Wait, there's still a chance to fix this!
An idea struck Qin Yu. She offered her orange juice. "Then you can have mine. It shouldn't be as sweet. And I'll take yours—I actually like sweet things, so it's no problem."
Give her mine? Shenhe considered this. It seemed reasonable, yet a subtle unease lingered... She couldn't quite grasp it.
Still, she handed over her grape juice to Qin Yu and accepted the orange juice.
Qin Yu gazed at the rim of the cup, where a faint mark lingered—the spot where her lips had touched.
Shenhe couldn't help but turn to Qin Yu, who sat beside her, also staring at the faint mark on the cup.
Hmm... I should probably act like it's nothing, Qin Yu thought. Making a fuss about an indirect kiss would be a bit gross. We're both women—why should it matter? It doesn't! I'm not that kind of girl.
With that thought, Qin Yu casually drank her grape juice.
Should I really not care? Shenhe withdrew her gaze, but her unease remained. Why doesn't Qin Yu mind? But perhaps it's best not to ask... Is this how friends keep secrets? Burdened by these questions, Shenhe drank her orange juice.
"How is it?" Qin Yu asked.
"Hmm... just right."
No, it's still too sweet.
But sometimes, a small lie might be better than the truth. As Shenhe pondered this, she saw Qin Yu's smile and felt certain she had done the right thing.
[Evaluation: D+ (Shenhe)]
"That's great!" Qin Yu said with a smile.
"Fishy Treasure, let me try your grape juice. Of course, you can have my black tea."
"Hmm? Sure."
Shenhe: "....."
A faint, unfamiliar emotion surfaced within Shenhe, drawing her gaze involuntarily to Qin Yu.
The feeling she had experienced earlier had gripped her heart tightly, and while this new sensation shared that intensity, it carried a distinct nuance...