Chapter 9: Who Are You, Handsome?

"Try this one, and this one... and bring this over to try as well."

"Certainly."

"Wait a second!"

Chen Fan, already laden with a mountain of shopping bags, suddenly spoke up. How did a perfectly pleasant stroll turn into a shopping spree for him?

It all started a few hours ago. After buying some premium liquor for his father-in-law and some gold and silver jewelry for his mother-in-law, Peng Jiaxin’s spirits were high. Chen Fan had suggested they buy some gifts for her parents as well. Peng Jiaxin agreed, but then promptly ducked into a men’s clothing store and began picking out clothes for him.

"Just this one shop, then we’ll go buy gifts for them," she had promised. Chen Fan believed her, and his hands became burdened with several shopping bags.

"Just two shops! I promise I’ll go buy them after this!" Chen Fan believed her again, and his burden of happiness grew heavier.

"The last one, this is really, truly the last one!" Chen Fan believed her yet again, and soon, he had bags hanging from his neck as well.

And that led to the scene at the beginning—this was already the fifth "last" shop. Yet, Peng Jiaxin couldn't stop. She discovered that buying things for her husband was far more satisfying than buying for herself! She had always used shopping to vent her pent-up frustrations, which was precisely why her father, Peng Guojun, had built a mall right outside their home.

"I’ll spoil my daughter however I want!" was Peng Guojun's motto.

Not to mention, Peng Jiaxin had realized that Chen Fan looked good in everything—he was a walking clothes hanger—which only made her more addicted. Chen Fan was on the verge of tears; he was practically drowning in shopping bags! So much for the idea that rich people just have clothes delivered to their doorstep; why did he have to carry them himself?

The shopkeepers, observing the scene, thought, *They look so happy together, it must be some cute couple's game,* so they didn't dare interrupt.

Chen Fan: "Heh."

"Chen Fan, come and try this one too~"

Despite his exhaustion, seeing Peng Jiaxin’s joyful expression, Chen Fan couldn't bring himself to refuse. He set down his pile of bags. "Coming."

Peng Jiaxin had picked out a deep blue suit for him. Previous outfits had been casual wear like T-shirts, and she was eager to see what he would look like in formal attire. Chen Fan took the suit and glanced at the price tag without batting an eye. *Well, that’s another long string of zeros.* As for the brand... Chen Fan had given up; he knew it was a luxury label, but he didn't recognize it. After all, you couldn't expect a guy who was buying clothes from street stalls a year ago to know everything just because he’d spent a year writing novels.

*Just put it on!*

Peng Jiaxin had prepared the full ensemble: shirt, vest, jacket, and even a pair of prop glasses. It took Chen Fan a bit of effort to get it all on. Before walking out, he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. To put it narcissistically, he looked incredible. Standing there, calling himself the "Yanzu of Sucheng" felt perfectly natural.

"No wonder they say clothes make the man. It’s hard not to look good when you’re wearing something worth over a hundred thousand." He didn't dare move too much, fearing he might tear the expensive fabric.

"Chen Fan, aren't you ready yet?" Peng Jiaxin had picked out several more outfits while he was in the changing room.

"Ready."

A gentle voice drifted from behind him, and Peng Jiaxin turned to look. They say clothes make the man, but she didn't believe that; some people could wear the most expensive garments and still exude the air of a nouveau riche. But Chen Fan was different. In a suit, he was a successful professional; back in a T-shirt, he was just an ordinary citizen. The clothes were merely an accessory to him. She didn't know where he had cultivated such poise, but she just knew her husband looked truly handsome in that outfit.

Chen Fan tugged at his tie. It had been a while, and he’d knotted it a bit too tightly.

*Hmm? Where did that sound of someone swallowing come from?*

"Jiaxin, are you hungry?"

"Huh? Ah... yes, I’m hungry." Peng Jiaxin snapped out of her trance, her face flushing crimson. She scolded herself for being so weak-willed—it wasn't as if she’d never seen a man in a suit before, so why was she so mesmerized?

"Let’s go, then. Let’s go eat."

"Sure, let me go change back."

"No need, just keep it on!" Peng Jiaxin’s desire to show off her husband had peaked. "I want that dashing-yet-wicked look!"

"..."

"What about our bags?"

"They know where I live; they’ll have them delivered."

"Alright."

Peng Jiaxin fished out the leather shoes she’d bought for him from the pile of bags, along with a few watches—so expensive that Chen Fan wanted to put them on a pedestal at home. She held them up against his wrist to compare, felt they didn't quite match, and dragged him off to buy yet another one. With a light swipe of her black card, another month of Chen Fan’s royalties vanished.

Chen Fan: "..."

He used to think the lives of the wealthy were too extravagant and decadent, something to be looked down upon! Now? *Heh-heh...*

The mall had five floors. The first and second were for various goods, featuring both luxury items and accessible domestic brands. The third and fourth floors were home to all sorts of restaurants, and the fifth was for entertainment. To ensure Peng Jiaxin had a good time, Peng Guojun had gone to great lengths to invite famous, delicious, and fun establishments from all over the country.

However, spending so much money to bring these shops in came with a condition. Every month, he conducted an audit: "Honey, how do you like this place?" If Peng Jiaxin liked it, the shop could stay; if she thought it was lacking, another one would take its place immediately. Perhaps that was why the Xinxin Mall had remained so popular. The owner of this mall really kept up with the times!

Peng Jiaxin linked her arm with Chen Fan’s, basking in the envious gazes of those around them. "Chen Fan, so many people are looking at us. Do you think they think I’m a college student you’re keeping as a mistress?"

Chen Fan wiped the sweat from his brow. What a wild thing to say. "I don’t know about that, but they’re definitely envious of me, that’s for sure."

Peng Jiaxin was wearing a simple, grey athletic set—a loose fit that was both casual and stylish—with form-fitting dark blue jeans that accentuated her long legs, paired with a casual set of white sneakers. Just as she had said, she looked no different from a youthful, vibrant college student. With such a beauty by his side, Chen Fan could feel the envy, jealousy, and resentment radiating from the men they passed.

The pressure was indeed high, but it certainly felt good!

"I’ve bookmarked this Japanese restaurant a few times; the food is quite good."

"Then let’s eat there." Chen Fan waved his hand, deciding on their lunch spot.

Peng Jiaxin was a VVIP at the restaurant and even had a private room reserved for her, but today, she chose to eat in the main dining hall. The server recognized the woman whom even the manager treated with great reverence and hurried over to take their order, casting curious glances at the handsome man beside her. It was the first time they had seen her bring a man along, and they couldn't help but wonder about their relationship.