Chapter 8: Not Inherited.

“Baby? Baby, what’s wrong?”

Yan Qingxin waved her hand in front of Lu Zhao’s face, noticing he seemed off, like something was weighing on him.

“Huh? What’s up?”

Seeing his dazed look, Yan Qingxin frowned slightly and sat beside him.

“You’re asking me? I should be asking you! Why do you look so out of it?”

Gazing into eyes that bore a slight resemblance to Yan Ruyue’s, Lu Zhao smiled and pinched her cheek.

“Nothing, just didn’t sleep well last night. I’m a bit tired.”

Yan Qingxin didn’t doubt him, pinching his face back. “Heh, you pinch me, I pinch you!”

After some playful tussling, seeing Lu Zhao perk up, Yan Qingxin dragged him off to shop.

In any world, a woman’s stamina while shopping is ferocious—especially here, where it’s amplified.

Though they were supposedly buying clothes for Lu Zhao, he felt no joy, only exhaustion from head to toe.

Now, standing before a mirror in a black suit, the saying “clothes make the man” proved true. Already handsome, the high-end suit made him shine like the brightest star in the night sky.

To paint the picture: the two female shop assistants nearby were practically drooling.

Yan Qingxin, swallowing hard, her eyes gleaming, felt a rush knowing this was her boyfriend.

She held two more suits—one white, another white, just different styles, though Lu Zhao saw no difference.

“Baby, try these on, quick!”

Seeing her eager expression, Lu Zhao’s eyelid twitched.

The assistants chimed in. “Yeah, yeah, try them! We’ve got tons more to try on!”

If they’d just watched quietly, it’d be fine, but their comments irked Yan Qingxin.

Why should my boyfriend be your free eye candy?

“Hm?” She shot them a sidelong glance.

The two assistants, realizing they’d come off too eager, backed off to avoid complaints, retreating reluctantly but still sneaking glances.

Lu Zhao found her possessiveness both amusing and exasperating.

Old habits die hard—he figured if roles were reversed, he’d act much the same.

In the end, Yan Qingxin carried three bags, Lu Zhao two, as they left the store.

She even sighed regretfully. “If we had more time, we should’ve gotten you some custom suits. These will have to do.”

Have to do…

Lu Zhao’s mouth twitched. Five suits cost nearly 50,000 yuan, a sixth of his hard-earned money.

Damn rich people!

Next, they got haircuts. Yan Qingxin bought jewelry and cosmetics, asking if he wanted any, noting she’d never seen him wear makeup.

He brushed it off, claiming sensitive skin.

In this world, he was probably the only man who didn’t wear makeup.

At lunchtime, they found a restaurant.

“Let’s drop the stuff at your place first, then head to mine. Sound good?”

Yan Qingxin sliced a piece of steak and popped it into her mouth.

It was her fourth piece. Lu Zhao glanced at her still-flat stomach, then thought about the steak’s price.

Good thing you’re rich!

“Sure. Um… is Auntie Yan home?”

Lu Zhao lowered his gaze, hiding a flicker of unease.

“Probably not. She left early this morning. Oh, and I think my mom’s in love.”

“…” Lu Zhao’s hand trembled slightly.

“Oh? How so?”

Yan Qingxin leaned in mysteriously. “Yesterday, she was chatting with someone on her phone. When I asked, she said it was a ‘naughty little man.’”

Lu Zhao’s throat tightened. “And… then what?”

“Then today, she got up super early, spent ages on makeup and picking an outfit. She looked so young, people might think she’s my sister.”

“Oh…”

Yan Qingxin finished her last bite of steak. “You don’t seem curious.”

“It’s not my business to be curious about.” He paused. “It’s got nothing to do with me, right?”

Yan Qingxin nodded, understanding. “True, but I still need to look into it. What if some guy’s after her money? And she said ‘little,’ so he’s probably young.”

“Yeah, makes sense. Got any leads?”

Yan Qingxin shook her head, troubled. “Nope, no signs before yesterday. The only clue’s in her phone, but I don’t know the password. I tried our birthdays once, got caught, and she chewed me out. Ugh… it’s tricky.”

Lu Zhao listened to her ramble, quietly finishing his steak and wiping his mouth.

“I think, with your mom’s smarts, she’s probably fine. Maybe you’re overthinking?”

Yan Qingxin propped her chin, looking at him. “Hope so, but I’ll keep an eye out. Done eating? Let’s go.”

On the way back, Lu Zhao brought up his hesitation about the gala.

It might seem like buyer’s remorse after shopping, but Yan Ruyue’s impact lingered, and with Yan Qingxin dragging him around, he hadn’t thought it through earlier.

She didn’t suspect ulterior motives, instead pulling him into a long kiss to answer.

“I want everyone I know to see you’re my boyfriend. I’m going to marry you someday.”

The first half stunned him; the second made him laugh.

That earned him a round of her grumbling.

Back at her place, the moment they stepped inside, Yan Qingxin pulled him into the bedroom and pinned him to the bed.

Her hungry gaze told him exactly what she wanted.

Though he wasn’t in the mood, he went along, hoping the heat of the moment would burn away his lingering melancholy.

“Baby, you know, back at the store, I could barely hold back.”

Yan Qingxin leaned over him, nibbling his ear, her soft tongue trailing from his ear to his neck, down his chest.

“Hiss…” Lu Zhao winced slightly.

“Mm… feels good? I… learned it from a movie.”

Her speech was muffled, her mouth full.

Honestly, this was a first for Lu Zhao. Yan Ruyue? She was the one who enjoyed it.

About ten minutes later, Yan Qingxin lifted her head, cheeks puffed. Lu Zhao started to get up to grab a trash can, but she’d already swallowed.

“Qingxin, you—”

Lu Zhao stared, momentarily lost, as she breathed heavily, steam practically rising from her.

Licking her lips, her eyes ablaze, she kissed her way back up to his neck.

“It’s okay, baby. I love everything about you… mm!”

Summer without AC was hell. In under three minutes, sweat soaked the sheets.

Yan Qingxin held Lu Zhao, letting him rest against her chest, one hand toying with his earlobe. “Feel good?”

“Yeah… good.”

In this world of reversed gender strength, stamina followed suit.

With Yan Ruyue, he’d often go all night, waking to another round of intense activity.

It wasn’t great to think of another woman now, but he couldn’t help it: Qingxin didn’t inherit that from her mom…

As they lay in the afterglow, a knock came at the door.