Chapter 44

The landlady wasn't lying.

As Mandy stood at the entrance of the store, Lip's eyes immediately locked onto a black coat with large white lapels.

Lip and Mandy walked directly toward the coat.

"Do you like this one?" Lip asked.

"Yeah," Mandy replied with a bright smile, nodding.

Just then, the shop assistant approached them with a warm smile. "Lip, hello! My sister called and told me to take good care of you."

"Thank you!" Lip said cheerfully.

"This is one of our latest designs this season," the assistant continued. "If you like it, the lady can try it on."

"Then let's give it a try," Lip said, gesturing toward Mandy.

As Mandy put on the coat, Lip carefully observed her. The coat looked fantastic on her, but he quickly noticed that her other clothes—pants and shoes—didn't quite match the coat's elegance.

Not wanting to stop there, Lip encouraged Mandy to browse the store a little longer. Eventually, Mandy picked out a white T-shirt with black pinstripes, a pair of dark blue denim shorts, and a pair of khaki leather boots.

When Mandy stepped out of the dressing room in her new outfit, Lip's eyes lit up.

"Wow, you look stunning!" he exclaimed.

"Thank you!" Mandy giggled.

As Lip admired her, an idea suddenly struck him. With a mischievous smile, he said, "Mandy, stay here and look around a bit. I'll be back in two or three minutes."

"Okay," Mandy replied curiously.

Lip dashed out of the store and hurried to a nearby women's underwear shop. When he returned, he held two small packages in his hand.

"Mandy, put these on too!" he said with excitement.

"Uh, what's this?" Mandy asked, slightly puzzled.

"Black winter tights! I figured your legs might get cold if they're bare, so I got these for you," Lip explained with a grin.

Mandy laughed. "Thank you, Lip! I've never worn tights before, but since you bought them, I'll give them a try."

A short while later, Mandy reappeared wearing the tights along with her new outfit.

"Perfect! Mandy, you're absolutely gorgeous!" Lip exclaimed, completely captivated by her beauty.

Mandy couldn't help but smile sweetly at Lip's admiration.

"How much is everything?" Lip asked the assistant.

"The total is $225."

Hearing this, Mandy quickly stepped forward, gently pushing Lip aside.

"Lip, $225 is way too expensive. I'll just take the coat," she said, starting to take off the clothes.

"Silly girl, keep everything on," Lip said firmly. "It's perfectly normal for a man to spend money on his woman. I have the money, and I'm more than happy to spend it on you."

"No one's ever been so kind to me," Mandy said, her eyes welling up with tears.

Lip pulled her into a tight hug. "Fool, you're my girlfriend. If I don't treat you well, who will? Don't cry—it won't look good."

Mandy sniffled and nodded obediently. Then, with a bright smile, she kissed Lip on the cheek. "Mwah!"

Lip handed over $300 to the assistant.

After a moment, the assistant returned with $75 in change and a small box. "Here's your change, and this is a complimentary pair of women's sunglasses," she said with a smile.

"Thank you," Lip replied, taking the box and placing it in Mandy's hands.

The two left the store, walking closely together and laughing as they made their way home.

When they passed by an iron bridge, the setting winter sun cast a golden glow on the Qiaoshan River. Lip couldn't help but admire the breathtaking view. Turning to Mandy, he thought she looked even more beautiful.

"Mandy, let me take a picture of you!" he said excitedly.

"Sure!" Mandy agreed.

Following Lip's direction, Mandy put on the sunglasses and posed on the red slant of the iron bridge.

Click, click, click! Lip snapped several photos with his Nokia 5230.

He showed the photos to Mandy.

"Wow, they look amazing!" Mandy said, her eyes sparkling with love for the pictures—and for Lip. She suddenly wrapped her arms around him and kissed him passionately.

After a few minutes, Mandy leaned against Lip's chest, looking up at him with admiration.

"Lip, the woman the shop assistant accidentally mentioned earlier—was that Karen?" Mandy asked softly.

"Yeah," Lip admitted honestly, not wanting to hide anything.

"Well… I'm not angry," Mandy said, her voice tinged with jealousy. "I'm just a little sad. Why couldn't I have met you first and been your first girlfriend?"

"Does it really matter?" Lip asked, confused.

"Of course it does!"

"Why?"

"I don't want to possess you," Mandy said sincerely. "I just wish I'd known you sooner so I could've experienced the happiness of being loved and pampered by you earlier."

Lip smiled, patting her gently on the back. "Silly girl, you'll always be happy from now on. I promise."

"Really?"

"Absolutely," Lip replied.

"Hehe, Lip, you're the best!" Mandy said, beaming. Then, as if remembering something, she suddenly raised her head.

"What is it?" Lip asked.

"I need you to answer me honestly," Mandy said seriously.

"Okay, ask away."

"Did you and Karen hold hands? Hug?"

"Yeah," Lip admitted.

"Did you kiss?"

"Yeah."

"And… what about… you know?"

"Silly girl," Lip said with a chuckle, tapping her nose gently. "Karen and I did everything we should and shouldn't have done."

"What?! How did things progress so quickly?" Mandy exclaimed, pouting.

Lip nodded sheepishly.

"That won't do. I have to make up for the things Karen has done with you—and more," Mandy declared boldly.

"Wait, what?!"

"I don't want to fall behind Karen!" Mandy said, her competitive streak showing. "I'm staying at your place tonight!"

Lip was stunned.

This girl is too wild, he thought. Too competitive!

Yet, deep down, he couldn't help but feel a mix of jealousy, amusement, and anticipation for what lay ahead.