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The first thing Yueyin did after getting money—
Wasn't saving it.
Wasn't investing.
Wasn't even asking me what to do with it.
She dragged me to the mall.
"We're going shopping."
"No," I replied immediately.
"Yes," she corrected, already pulling my sleeve. "You promised I could use my own money."
"I promised you could use it responsibly."
She smiled sweetly. Too sweet.
"This is responsible. Emotional investment."
"That's not—"
She ignored me and kept walking.
The mall was crowded.
Weekend crowd. Families, couples, students.
Yueyin walked with confidence now. Not arrogance—just certainty. Like she belonged anywhere she stepped.
No one recognized her.
Yet.
That was good.
She went straight for a clothing store.
For herself.
Obviously.
Dresses. Jackets. Accessories.
She tried things on, walked out, spun once.
"How about this?"
"It's fine."
"Just fine?"
"It fits."
She huffed. "You're useless."
She bought it anyway.
Then another.
And another.
I kept mental notes.
Budget.Receipts.Limits.
She didn't go overboard.
That surprised me.
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Then she stopped.
In front of a men's clothing store.
I frowned. "Why are we here?"
She tilted her head. "Why wouldn't we be?"
"I don't need clothes."
She stared at me like I'd said something stupid.
"You absolutely do."
Before I could protest, she pushed me inside.
She circled me slowly.
Like a predator.
"This," she said, pulling a jacket off the rack. "Try it."
"I'm fine."
"You manage an idol," she said flatly. "You can't look like an NPC."
I froze.
"…Did you just—"
"Try. It. On."
I sighed and went to the fitting room.
When I stepped out, she didn't speak.
She just stared.
"…What?" I asked.
She clicked her tongue. "Annoying."
"What's annoying?"
"You look good."
That caught me off guard.
I glanced at the mirror.
Clean lines. Proper fit. Nothing flashy.
Just… competent.
Like someone people would listen to.
"I'll take it," she said.
"I didn't agree."
She held up her phone. "Already paid."
I frowned. "Yueyin."
She crossed her arms. "You spend money on me all the time."
"That's different."
"How?"
I didn't answer.
She smiled, satisfied.
She bought more.
Shirts. Shoes. A watch.
Not expensive.
Just intentional.
"You don't stand next to me anymore," she said casually. "You stand slightly behind."
I paused. "So?"
"So stop."
As we walked, bags in hand, she looked unusually quiet.
"Hey," I said. "You okay?"
She nodded. "I just…"
She hesitated.
Then said softly, "I like that you're here."
I looked at her.
Not teasing.
Not spoiled.
Just honest.
"…I'm not going anywhere," I replied.
She smiled.
Bright.
Genuine.
At the food court, she insisted on paying.
"I earned it," she said proudly.
"You earned part of it."
She pointed her fork at me. "And you earned the rest. That's why I'm sharing."
I laughed quietly.
That was new.
The system flickered briefly.
[Minor Bond Strengthened.]
I ignored it.
Some things didn't need a notification.
As we left the mall, loaded down with bags, she bumped my shoulder.
"Next time," she said, "we'll buy something nicer."
"For who?"
She grinned. "Both of us."
I shook my head.
But I didn't say no.
Money hadn't changed her.
Not yet.
It just gave her the ability to express what was already there.
And that—
That mattered.
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