Chapter 32: This is too much

Bai Yao wasn’t planning to head home right away.

Her sister and Ye Xiaoxiao were at school, and Ye Rou was at work.

The house would be empty, so going back felt pointless.

She thought about hanging out with Huang Ran and her partner, but their flower shop was swamped with orders today.

They were busy packing bouquets, with no time to meet up.

So, Bai Yao decided to stroll through the mall, something she hadn’t done in ages.

It had been a while since she last shopped.

Stepping into the mall, the air conditioning hit her like a wave.

The sprawling space was filled with cool air, making Bai Yao feel at ease.

A smile crept onto her face; the freedom of being her own master felt amazing.

Back when she was a magical girl, she couldn’t just wander off to shop—she had to be on standby.

Bai Yao headed straight to the luxury section; she had money to spend now.

Splurging on something extravagant once in a while wouldn’t hurt.

Girls, after all, loved these kinds of indulgent, overpriced things.

Her eyes landed on a white qipao, and she reached out to touch it, only to be stopped by a staff member.

“Miss, please don’t touch. This qipao is quite expensive.”

The young woman spoke politely, her face wearing a professional smile.

“Okay.”

Bai Yao pulled her hand back and glanced at the price tag—five figures!

No wonder they didn’t let customers touch such a costly qipao.

A scratch from jewelry could ruin the fabric, causing a mess.

Bai Yao studied the qipao closely: white with cyan accents, styled like water lotus and blue-and-white porcelain, elegant yet fresh with a touch of opulence.

A qipao over seventy thousand—was it worth it?

She hesitated; spending that much on one piece of clothing felt excessive.

It wasn’t something she’d wear daily, only for special occasions.

She considered buying one for everyone, but four qipaos would cost nearly three hundred thousand.

That kind of price was astronomical for an average family.

If Xiao Bai hadn’t secured her triple retirement compensation, Bai Yao wouldn’t even be in the luxury section.

“Please take down these three qipaos. I’ll buy them.”

Bai Yao decided to splurge; she’d skip one for herself but get them for the others.

The woman beside her froze, stunned. She’d worked here a long time, and hardly anyone bought these items.

Yet this young-looking girl was buying three?

“Please pack these three and charge this card.”

“Oh… right, right, please wait a moment!”

Wearing white gloves, the woman carefully took down the three qipaos Bai Yao chose.

Bai Yao knew their sizes well.

Bai Feifei was her little sister; knowing her size was second nature.

Ye Xiaoxiao’s figure was similar to Feifei’s, close enough.

As for Ye Rou, her constant clingy hugs—despite Bai Yao’s protests—made her size clear over time.

Buying three pricey qipaos in one go, Bai Yao wasn’t worried about fit.

If there was an issue, she could exchange them.

Luxury items were expensive for their quality, brand, and service.

“Miss, they’re packed. Anything else you need?”

The woman’s voice trembled with excitement—her sales quota for the month was smashed!

Her gaze toward Bai Yao shifted from professional to fawning.

Bai Yao was her golden ticket; who else would she cater to?

“No, thank you.”

Bai Yao took her card and the packaged qipaos, ready to explore elsewhere.

Hearing this, the woman felt a pang of regret.

“Miss, take care.”

Leaving the luxury section, Bai Yao collided with a woman at a corner.

“Sor—” She started to apologize, but her face darkened when she saw who it was. “Why is it you? What are you doing here?”

Greedy’s eyes lit up; she hadn’t expected to run into Bai Yao at the mall!

She’d been plotting a kidnapping to get Bai Yao to hang out with her.

What a stroke of luck!

“Pride~ Can’t I just go shopping too?”

Greedy pouted playfully, looping her arm through Bai Yao’s without hesitation.

Her sudden coyness caught Bai Yao off guard, and for a moment, she saw a familiar figure.

Ye Rou?

No, this was the Greedy Witch, not Ye Rou.

Ye Rou was slaving away at work.

“Come on a date with me, Pride.”

Greedy pressed her cheek against Bai Yao’s hair, beaming with bliss.

To her, nothing was happier than being close to Bai Yao.

Well, maybe a family dinner with all four of them.

Bai Yao stiffened, wanting to refuse.

But this was a witch. If Greedy got upset, what if she went on a killing spree?

The mall was packed; a flick of her finger could wipe out countless lives with her magic.

Even if Bai Yao transformed into a witch, she’d be no match for Greedy. After weighing her options, she agreed.

“Fine, but on one condition.”

“Sure~ Anything you want~”

Greedy was thrilled Bai Yao agreed. If she’d refused, Greedy would’ve threatened the entire mall’s lives.

“You cover all the expenses.”

A date, huh?

Bai Yao wasn’t going to be polite.

She’d show up, and Greedy would pay—fair enough, right?

“No problem~”

Greedy cooed, her peach-blossom eyes fixed on Bai Yao.

The intensity of her gaze made Bai Yao uneasy.

Greedy’s hand slid down Bai Yao’s exposed arm, their fingertips brushing.

Her fingers laced tightly with Bai Yao’s, holding her hand.

“Pride~ Where to next?”

Where?

Wasn’t this her idea to go shopping?

Shouldn’t she pick the plan?

Bai Yao frowned slightly. Was she supposed to plan the date?

She’d never dated anyone, only fantasized about dates with a future boyfriend.

She had no clue how to handle a date!

Since she was clueless, she decided to start by buying that white qipao she’d eyed earlier.

Seventy thousand was nothing to the Greedy Witch, right?

“Let’s shop. And don’t call me Pride—call me Bai Yao.”

“Okay~ My adorable Yao~”

Greedy leaned down, planting a light kiss on Bai Yao’s cheek.

Bai Yao covered her face, glaring at her in annoyance.

“Yao~ We’re on a date~ A little kiss isn’t too much, right?”

“…”

It was absolutely too much!