Chapter 80 - Ch?teau Rousseau (1/2)

The next day, Luo Jingyi spent her whole morning cooped up in the bedroom. That was the reason why Nicolette took away Luo Jingyi's laptop and hauled her out of the room. ”You are too busy!” She complained. ”Accompany me to buy clothes. I need new clothes.”

”You always need new clothes.” Luo Jingyi replied, looking at Nicolette who was like a nagging mother with her hand on her h.i.p.s.

”I need office clothes. Besides, I didn't bring much.” Her answer made Luo Jingyi wonder what was in the two suitcases Nicolette brought with her. ”Oh, those are my favorite shoes and bags. They are a girl's absolute best friend. Besides, I don't think I can afford to buy shoes with the allowance I am getting. Father took all my credit cards so I need to pinch my spending habits too.”

Luo Jingyi sensed that this whole idea of Nicolette experimenting on being a simple person would be a good learning curve. She just hoped nothing would go wrong. ”Give me back my laptop first. I just need to send the doc.u.ments and I am free.” Luo Jingyi said. Ji Min needed her approval within today and if she was going to accompany Nicolette shopping, they would surely be spending hours.

Nicolette was adamant but eventually, she returned the notebook to Luo Jingyi. Luo Jingyi instructed Nicolette to get ready while she was busy with her things because the latter takes a long time to change.

Since Nicolette planned to buy clothes with no brand, they took a taxi to Z Mall. It is a shopping complex that offers affordable options to shoppers. Luo Jingyi's shopping style was very systematic. Even before shopping, she knew already what she wanted to buy and where to get them. Thus, she never wandered around, checking one shop to another or from top to bottom, which was the exact opposite of Nicolette. Nicolette was fond of studying the design or material used and discussed it. Nicolette found shopping as a relaxation activity while Luo Jingyi thought it was a waste of time. Not surprising when she barely had the time to get a proper rest most of the time.

After the laborious checking, running around, and buying, both of them were starving. They decided to eat at the first restaurant they spotted. It was a casual dining restaurant with a trendy ambiance. A call made Luo Jingyi pause outside so she told Nicolette to find a seat for both of them first. As Nicolette hurried in, she nearly slipped because the floor was wet. A man caught her from falling and steadied her.

”Are you okay?” Yu Qing asked.

”I'm...I'm fine.” Nicolette was fl.u.s.tered and embarrassed. If he wasn't there, she might have embarrassed herself.

Yu Qing signaled the restaurant's manager. When the manager came forward, he didn't speak any word and simply pointed to the floor. The manager hurriedly took them away and apologized to Nicolette. Seeing how scared the manager looked, Nicolette didn't want him to be in trouble. She said, ”It's nothing. I wasn't really paying attention.”

The manager meant to say something but Yu Qing's eyes quieted him. He understood what the boss wanted: to make sure it wouldn't happen again. He would have to scold the person who mopped the floor and didn't leave a caution board sign.

Nicolette turned to face the man. ”Hmm—Thank you.” She had met handsome men and all the likes but she couldn't understand why she was nervous in front of him. He smiled but it barely reached his eyes. ”Are you dining alone?” He asked.

'Is he asking to have dinner with me?' Nicolette asked inwardly. ”I came with a friend.” She pointed to Luo Jingyi. The only reaction she got from him was an 'okay.' Then she heard him say, ”Please follow me.”

Nicolette did as told albeit puzzled. She was ushered to a private room that was enough for 10 people. ”This is nice but the outside seating is also good. It's wasteful when there's only me and my friend.” She emphasized the last sentence hoping that Yu Qing would understand that she didn't want him to join them.