Chapter 21: Shopping He said men all like gentle and soft…

**Chapter 21 Shopping—He Said Men All Like Gentle, Water-Like Women...**

When Tang Tang returned to the apartment, Zhu Yanyan had just woken up. In her snow-white satin PJs, she was humming along to electropop while brushing her teeth with a pink bunny-shaped electric toothbrush.

It should have been an adorable scene.

So why did it feel so bizarre in a male-targeted web novel?

Tang Tang couldn’t help but recall the over-the-top descriptions of her friend from the book: Yan Yan was like a little white rabbit, always wearing lace-trimmed white pajamas, never gaining weight no matter how much she ate, and constantly complaining to Lin Xiangyuan about how her clothes couldn’t fill out her bust. She’d pout and ask in a coquettish voice, “Brother Lin, would you ever look down on me for my figure?”

Tang Tang facepalmed.

Last night’s orange chicken was threatening to come back up.

“Tang Bao! You’re back?”

Zhu Yanyan noticed Tang Tang loitering outside the bathroom and waved at her with her free hand.

Tang Tang placed the freshly bought dim sum from Cantonese Delights in the oven to keep warm and turned to remind her, “Mhm, come grab some when you’re ready~”

“Yay! I just looked it up—the dim sum place downstairs is legit! Since I’ve come all this way to visit you, I’m gonna indulge myself before heading back to London to diet!”

Perhaps triggered by the earlier recollection of the plot, Tang Tang experienced a PTSD flare-up hearing this. After hesitating for a long time, she couldn’t hold back.

“…You’re already so beautiful! You’re the prettiest Yan Yan in all of London—no, the entire world!”

Caught off guard by the compliment, Zhu Yanyan didn’t react with the coy affectation from the novel. Instead, she laughed so hard her eye smiles showed, toothpaste foam still clinging to the corner of her mouth.

“I’ve always been a pretty sprite!”

Tang Tang froze for a moment, then burst into laughter too.

This was the Zhu Yanyan she knew.

The more she saw this side of her, the more determined Tang Tang became to keep her away from that Lin Xiangyuan. She couldn’t bear to watch her vibrant friend lose herself in a man’s trap-laden web, reduced to nothing more than a background ornament.

Speaking of which, she could use this as an opportunity.

Thinking back to her morning encounter, Tang Tang turned the story over in her mind and hatched a devious scheme.

She returned to the dining area, set the table, and suddenly adopted a sorrowful, dejected expression—like a frost-wilted eggplant, utterly wilted.

Zhu Yanyan, ever observant, immediately noticed something was wrong.

“What’s the matter? You were just joking around earlier. Why is our Tang Bao so upset now?”

Summoning all her acting skills, Tang Tang pressed her lips together, shook her head, and feigned optimism. “It’s nothing. Let’s eat.”

She knew Zhu Yanyan’s temperament well—this girl had a bottomless well of compassion, willing to give her all even to strangers, let alone her best friend.

Sure enough, Zhu Yanyan couldn’t focus on eating anymore.

“No, you have to tell me properly. They say you shouldn’t eat while upset—it throws off the food’s qi and hurts your liver, lungs, and heart! Talk to me. What will you do after I go back?”

Seeing the timing was perfect, Tang Tang poured it all out at once.

“That boyfriend I mentioned before... he’s a sponge! And... he betrayed me..."

She then melted into Zhu Yanyan’s arms.

Her words were sincere, but the tears were an act.

Zhu Yanyan was completely stunned. She'd been too sheltered growing up. When it came to romance, she was just as clueless as Tang Tang had been in her past life.

She carefully chose her words, keeping up a steady stream of comfort for Tang Tang in her arms.

"What an idiot—he doesn't deserve you!"

"Don’t be so upset. He’s not worth your tears."

"No way, I'm gonna go give him a piece of my mind!"

Tang Tang grabbed Zhu Yanyan and forcefully pinned her to the chair. No way was she letting Zhu Yanyan get mixed up with a jerk like Qin Zixian—Lin Xiangyuan was trouble enough already.

"You're right, he's not worth it. I won't cry anymore, really."

Tang Tang turned her emotions on and off like a switch—the moment she decided not to cry, the tears stopped flowing entirely.

If Xu Miaoli, the actress from her past life, had seen this scene, she'd probably bow and beg, "Master, teach me your ways."

"Exactly! There are plenty of handsome guys out there. What kind do you like? I'll scout some options for you in the UK too. Next time, I’ll have them flown over on a private jet. No more moping, deal?"

Zhu Yanyan picked up a crystal shrimp dumpling for her.

Tempted as she was, Tang Tang pushed further.

She shook her head, putting on a jaded act. "No, I’m better off alone. Men are the worst! Especially those smooth-talkers who never actually deliver—those are the scariest!"

"Right, your happiness is what matters most."

Zhu Yanyan nodded along, ducking her head to sip her porridge.

She chewed on Tang Tang's words, replaying her friend’s painful story in her mind, as if gradually coming to some realization.

Meanwhile, in London, England.

Lin Xiangyuan heard the system's relentless notifications and slammed two cheap IKEA plates in frustration.

*Crack—*

Amid the sharp sound of breaking porcelain, the system buzzed again, making his head pound.

"System Alert: Target Zhu Yanyan's favorability decreased!"

Lin Xiangyuan stared at the ceiling, his chest rising and falling with rage. As he closed his eyes in silent fury, the system pinged twice more with the same message.

By his calculations, Zhu Yanyan’s Christmas trip to New York had already cost nearly 20 points in favorability.

Heaven knew how much work it took to win over a pampered princess like her—and how much more it would take to make up for the loss.

"Tang Tang… Tang Tang…?"

Lin Xiangyuan opened his eyes, finally putting it all together.

He had originally thought Zhu Yanyan had found someone new. Now it seemed his rival wasn’t some hot European model or Asian celebrity—it was Zhu Yanyan’s so-called best friend.

But why had her favorability dropped?

Could it be that after hearing Yan Yan’s description, this Tang Tang had her eye on him? Was she trying to steal him away?

Lin Xiangyuan puckered his lips and began to ponder.

It seemed he’d have to meet this Tang Tang in person.

After an authentic Cantonese brunch, Tang Tang and Zhu Yanyan kicked off their Christmas shopping spree.

Aside from the Black Friday sales that broke the bank every Thanksgiving, the Christmas season was undoubtedly the most irresistible time of year to splurge.

Their car looped past the Empire State Building and pulled up smoothly in front of Bergdorf Goodman on Fifth Avenue.

Even with thousands of boutiques across New York, this iconic century-old department store remained a favorite among many wealthy shoppers.

It housed not only the world’s top fashion brands but also the most prestigious bespoke services. Handbags, shoes, hats, accessories—from lavish and bold to sleek and subtle—if you could dream it up, the most celebrated creations from every corner of the globe would be brought before you.

“Ah, I remember now,” Zhu Yanyan said as she stepped out of the car, taking in the signature gray façade and black signage. “When I was little, I think I came here to buy a pair of bracelets, but my wrists grew too fast. I never got to wear them—no clue where they vanished to.”

As soon as they walked in, Tang Tang ran into a familiar personal shopper.

Standing by the Tiffany & Co. turquoise-blue sign, the bilingual attendant in a black uniform clocked her shopping routine for the day, offered a subtle nod, and silently stepped aside without a word.

Tang Tang noticed his discretion.

She brushed it off. If she needed anything, all she had to do was snap her fingers—literally or figuratively—and the personal shopper would reappear within two minutes.

“What are you looking for? The buyers here have great taste—the selection outshines London’s. Weren’t you into that one brand…?”

The two slowly browsed deeper into the store under the Tiffany-blue signage, their arms piled high with more and more shopping bags.

Tang Tang loved shopping.

If she hadn’t been busy with exams after her rebirth and later caught up in seizing opportunities that required careful planning, she would’ve gone on a spree ages ago at Saks or Bergdorf Goodman.

Rebirth or not, you’ve gotta live a little.

Thrift’s a virtue, sure, but that doesn’t mean women can’t crave a little retail therapy. If she wanted it, she got it.

After a full round of browsing, both Tang Tang and Zhu Yanyan were carrying five or six small bags each. Fortunately, the department store offered delivery services—otherwise, they’d have had to hire a team of bag carriers on the spot.

“All shopped out?” Tang Tang checked the time.

But Zhu Yanyan hesitated.

Tang Tang narrowed her eyes and asked directly, “What’s wrong? Is there something else you want to buy? You can always order it online.”

Zhu Yanyan shook her head and gave a dry laugh. “I was originally planning to get Lin Xiangyuan a Christmas gift too. We were supposed to spend the holiday together, but I came to New York instead, so I wanted to make amends.”

Hearing her ditch the cutesy “Brother Xiangyuan” for his full name, Tang Tang felt even more thrilled than when she swiped her card for a hundred thousand dollars earlier.

Zhu Yanyan continued, “But he always says I spend too extravagantly, and every time I give him a gift, he says it makes him feel guilty and tells me to go for something more affordable next time.”

“So… you want to get him something cheaper?”

Tang Tang keenly picked up on her friend’s implication.

Sure enough, Zhu Yanyan nodded. But soon, she shook her head again, her brows furrowing as if she’d realized something.

“I feel so unhappy—this heaviness in my chest. Why should I bend for someone else? That’s just not who I am.”

"What do you mean?"

Tang Tang was bubbling with joy.

At last, after all her daily reminders, Zhu Yanyan was finally starting to get the idea. It looked like her awakening as the heroine wasn't far off.

"He always says I'm throwing childish tantrums, that I should be more docile to be cute and attract admirers, that men prefer sweet, demure women... But why should I, Zhu Yanyan, change? Why can't he change his preferences instead?"

Tang Tang was practically cheering.

She hadn't forgotten her other mission in this second life, so she immediately barraged her with questions:

"Does he buy things for you based on what you like? You love jewelry and bone china—has he ever gotten you any?"

"What has he ever changed for you? It doesn't sound like he genuinely likes you. Someone who truly likes you wouldn't nitpick like this."

"Besides, why should you lower your standards for him? Just because of some pathetic male ego? Does he also keep telling you he's worried he's not good enough for you?"

Zhu Yanyan's eyes widened at this, and she nodded like crazy.

"How did you know he said that?"

Tang Tang smirked.

Having been fooled once before, she could spot his game a mile away.