Su Ding gently took Xiao Xi's hand, a flicker of unease in her heart.
Soon, Jin Ye approached, his handsome face set in its usual stern expression, revealing neither joy nor anger.
Su Ding lowered her eyes. "Mr. Jin..."
Jin Ye cast a faint glance at her, softly acknowledging her greeting, and took Xiao Xi's other hand. "Let's take a walk nearby. I'll take you home later."
Jin Xiao Xi happily looked at the two adults beside her, suddenly feeling as though she had a mother and father.
Su Ding felt something was amiss everywhere she looked.
However, she couldn't bring herself to spoil Jin Xiao Xi's good mood and could only accompany them.
What was this situation?
Su Ding followed them into the mall and happened upon a women's clothing store. A sparkling purple fishtail dress in the window caught her eye, incredibly striking.
"Wow! Auntie will look absolutely beautiful in this dress!" Jin Xiao Xi tugged on her father's hand.
Su Ding smiled shyly. "Xiao Xi."
This was a foreign brand store specializing in high-end luxury. All the clothes inside were prohibitively expensive. Judging by the design of the dress, it was clearly very costly, and she estimated she couldn't afford it.
At that moment, a sales associate, seeing them paused outside, smilingly approached. "Sir, Madam, this is our store's latest arrival, designed by the renowned international designer Nick. Would you like to try it on?"
Su Ding waved her hand. "No, thank you."
"What a pity that such a beautiful dress cannot be worn by this lovely young lady. With your tall stature and fair skin, you would be stunningly captivating in this dress..."
The sales associate said with a look of regret, shaking her head, and then turned her gaze to Jin Ye beside them.
Jin Xiao Xi clutched her father's sleeve tightly.
Jin Ye said in a deep voice, "Let's go inside and try it on."
Jin Xiao Xi immediately grabbed Su Ding's hand and pulled her in. "Auntie, hurry and try it on! You'll definitely look beautiful in this dress."
Before Su Ding could refuse, the sales associate had already gone to get the dress.
The sales associate, experienced in sales, could tell that Jin Ye was fully capable of affording it and began to enthusiastically praise the dress's design.
"Auntie, hurry and go inside!"
Jin Xiao Xi pushed Su Ding into the fitting room.
Su Ding emerged. The low-cut design revealed her fair, slender swan-like neck, her delicate collarbones exuding a captivating allure. Her tender, fair skin was on display, making it impossible for onlookers to tear their eyes away.
"So beautiful..." the sales associate exclaimed sincerely.
"Wow..." Jin Xiao Xi's eyes widened.
Su Ding's cheeks flushed slightly. Her shy gaze inadvertently drifted to Jin Ye, and she noticed his eyes on her had become even more intense.
She instinctively covered her somewhat exposed chest and took small steps towards the full-length mirror.
The woman in the mirror had a graceful and exquisite figure, with beautiful, refined features, exuding a gentle, dignified charm with a hint of sultriness.
Su Ding also felt the dress looked good, but upon considering its price, she felt a pang of regret.
"Perhaps it's not quite suitable. I'll go change out of it."
As soon as she stepped into the fitting room, the sales associate called out to her. "Miss, the gentleman has just picked out another one for you. Please try this one on."
Su Ding's gaze met Jin Ye's across the distance. Flustered, she turned her head. "Oh... alright."
This was a light pink dress, a regular style, with star pendants on the hem, appearing dreamy and girlish.
When Su Ding emerged, she was once again showered with compliments by the sales associate and Xiao Xi, making her feel quite embarrassed.
By the time she had finished trying on the clothes and came out, Jin Ye had just finished swiping his card and was holding several shopping bags.
Then, the sales associate placed the two dresses she had tried on into bags and handed them to her, her eyes crinkling with a smile.
"These are gifts from this gentleman for you," the sales associate explained with a smile.
Su Ding did not refuse any further. She knew that resisting would be futile, but her feelings upon receiving the clothes were truly complex.
At that moment, Jin Ye's phone rang.
He glanced at his phone and then hung up. Soon, the phone rang again.
He had no choice but to go to a corner to answer the call. Less than a minute later, he returned. "I apologize, something urgent has come up, and I have to leave now."
"What's wrong?" Jin Xiao Xi looked up, puzzled.