Seeing Yu Qiao Qiao's reply, Chen Yan sent back, "Alright, I'll come pick you up later."

After that, Chen Yan thought for a moment and added another line, "Eat less, or you won't have room for dinner tonight."

...

Meanwhile, at Qin Island University's cafeteria.

Yu Qiao Qiao was stuffing rice into her cheeks with gusto.

Her munching face was like that of a hamster.

"Ding-dong."

Hearing the sound of WeChat, Yu Qiao Qiao picked up the mobile phone that Chen Yan had given her before and glanced at it.

"Eat less, or you won't have room for dinner tonight."

Upon seeing the WeChat message, Yu Qiao Qiao, with her mouth full, paused mid-chew.

She looked at the remaining tomato-covered rice on her plate and then at Chen Yan's message, feeling torn inside...

...

At 6:30, after finishing his work, Chen Yan tidied up his desk, put on his jacket, and left the company.

Driving his most affordable BMW, which was worth hundreds of thousands, Chen Yan arrived at the entrance of Qin Island University.

Before long, Yu Qiao Qiao and Zhao Ying came over, running toward him.

Yu Qiao Qiao was wearing a puffy down jacket that looked somewhat deflated.

The down jacket was gray, rather plain, and unisex in style.

Moreover, judging by its deflated appearance, it seemed to have lost a lot of down.

Zhao Ying, on the other hand, was wearing a black woolen coat, which looked dashing and handsome.

As they got to Chen Yan's car, the two girls naturally opened the doors, climbed in, and said while rubbing their hands, "It's so cold. It's suddenly become so cold these past few days."

"Right, it's really cold."

Chen Yan, considerately turning up the heater a bit, said with a smile, "It's gotten colder these last few days, quite cold indeed. Remember to bundle up."

Having said that, Chen Yan took another look at Zhao Ying and asked, "Brother Ying, do you have any winter clothes in the dorm?"

Zhao Ying shook her head, "Nope. This is what Nuan Nuan lent to me."

"The thickest thing I have in my dorm is a sweater, and I'm already wearing it."

Chen Yan nodded; this was not unexpected.

He then glanced at Yu Qiao Qiao and asked, "Qiao Qiao, you've also had that jacket for quite a while, haven't you?"

Yu Qiao Qiao tightened the jacket around her and replied, "It's okay... I guess. It's just five years old. The director's wife bought it for me when I got into high school."

Chen Yan nodded.

Down jackets are not really meant to be worn for many years because they are filled with down, which tends to escape with each wear, especially in jackets of moderate quality. After a few years, there won't be much down left.

So, it was time for Yu Qiao Qiao to get a new jacket.

Thinking this, Chen Yan said, "Okay. Before our late-night food trip, let's go buy a few pieces of clothing first."

Saying so, he started the car and headed toward a nearby upscale clothing mall.

Upon arriving at the mall, Chen Yan dragged the two to various down jacket specialty stores.

The prices of down jackets weren't cheap, especially the ones sold at this clothing mall.

Therefore, after looking at a few price tags, Yu Qiao Qiao repeatedly waved her hands, saying she was fine with what she was wearing.

However, Brother Ying was much more at ease.

She seemed to regard Chen Yan as one of her own, and thus felt that it was perfectly fine for her to accept a few items of clothing from someone close. Hence, she was looking at the clothes quite naturally.

So, the entire process of choosing clothes involved Brother Ying browsing, Yu Qiao Qiao trying to escape, and Chen Yan holding her back, forcibly making her choose a down jacket she liked.

Perhaps finally caving to Chen Yan's persistence, Yu Qiao Qiao reluctantly agreed. Chen Yan took her hand and guided her to look for down jackets.

By this time, Brother Ying had disappeared into another area so the two chatted quietly.

Chen Yan asked, "Why did you choose gray for your down jacket?"

Yu Qiao Qiao looked up at Chen Yan, asking, "Doesn't it look nice?"

Chen Yan shook his head, "Not really."

Yu Qiao Qiao said embarrassingly, "I thought the same. But... it's durable and hides dirt well. Even if it's a little worn, it doesn't show."

She touched her jacket and added, "Back then, my younger brother and sister still wore cotton-padded clothes, and I was the first in the orphanage to get a down jacket."

"They were younger and more frail, so I thought it was best if we all shared the down jacket."

"In that case, colors like pink or white wouldn't be suitable."

"Also, since everyone would be wearing it, it was bound to get dirty and worn out. That's why I chose gray. It would last longer."

Chen Yan looked at her sympathetically, asking, "Then why not black? Wouldn't black be even more dirt-resistant?"

Yu Qiao Qiao's eyes twinkled like a rainbow, "Chen Yan, you clearly didn't buy your own clothes."

"Black shows dust and dirt very clearly."

Chen Yan was taken aback.

Is that how it was...?

As they talked, they continued looking for down jackets.

Since Yu Qiao Qiao had mentioned her siblings, Chen Yan encouraged her to pick out several. He ended up buying for her younger brother, sister, and the director's wife as well.

After all, the money wasn't a big deal for him.

Hearing Chen Yan say this, Yu Qiao Qiao once again tried to refuse in panic. She insisted Chen Yan should not spend this money; she had enough and could buy them herself.

However, Chen Yan silenced her protests with a kiss, not sparing her any mercy.

After being cornered and deeply kissed for more than ten seconds, feeling Chen Yan's dominance and fervor, Boss Qiao Qiao, her cheeks flushed as red as a monkey's backside and steam coming off her head, naturally stopped bringing up the jackets and the bill...

They visited a few stores, and soon enough, Yu Qiao Qiao chose her down jacket. True to her thrifty and utilitarian character, she picked out a Canada Goose jacket.

It looked... a bit bulky and somewhat ugly, but it was indeed warm.

When she tried on the jacket, Yu Qiao Qiao's slim figure was enveloped by the puffy garment, making her look as if she'd gained weight.

The sleeves of the Canada Goose jacket seemed too long for her, and her hands could not even extend out. Thus, as she moved, her body wobbling and her hands swinging, she resembled an adorable little penguin, causing Chen Yan to watch with barely contained laughter.

After paying for the clothes, they went to look for Zhao Ying.

They searched several stores and finally found Zhao Ying.

She had already chosen her clothes, but they were... odd, to say the least.

She had discovered a green military coat and was happily trying it on.

Hmm. Chen Yan remembered seeing online comments that said as long as someone is attractive, they look good in anything—or rather, they look good in nothing, cough, they mean anything.

At the time, Chen Yan believed it, but seeing Brother Ying in a military coat, he swore that if he ever believed that phrase again, he'd be a dog!

Usually, Brother Ying, though dashing, was still extremely beautiful.

Last night with Brother Ying wearing evening attire, she was like a fairy descended to earth.

But now, wearing the green military coat, she just looked... very plain...

Especially during the fitting, where Brother Ying, eyes gleaming, walked around enveloping her hands in the sleeves mimicking a scene from a TV drama. It was quite... indescribable.

Honestly, looking at her face and then her clothes felt like two different artistic styles.

Chen Yan covered his forehead, not wanting to admit he knew her.

Yu Qiao Qiao was also staring at Zhao Ying in shock.

After a while, she pointed at Zhao Ying and looked up to ask Chen Yan, "Chen Yan, can I choose those cheaper clothes, too?"

Chen Yan: .....

Indeed, military coats were notably cheaper than down jackets.

After arguing with Brother Ying for a while, Chen Yan still couldn't talk her out of wanting the military coat.

When he was paying with his card, Chen Yan felt utterly defeated: If Zhao Xuan knew he had whisked his daughter away, only to buy her a military coat for the winter, wouldn't he come after him?

Having bought the military coat, Chen Yan was "scared" of Zhao Xuan's potential pursuit, so he decided to buy Zhao Ying another down jacket.

He didn't bother letting Zhao Ying choose further and simply got her a Canada Goose like the one he bought for Yu Qiao Qiao. It didn't matter if it looked good, as long as it kept her warm...

After the clothes shopping, Chen Yan took them to buy more of Zhao Ying's clothing and daily necessities.

For the more private items, he let Yu Qiao Qiao and Zhao Ying shop together while he waited outside.

While waiting, he wasn't idle either.

He remembered something about Yu Qiao Qiao he had noticed when they were newly acquainted during a visit to Qin Island. So, he took a detour to a store and bought Yu Qiao Qiao a gift, hiding it in his pocket.

Back at the storefront, the two girls had finished shopping.

Chen Yan joined them in bringing the items to the car, then he took them out for late-night snacks.

After snacking, Chen Yan accompanied them to Wanxiang City, bought Zhao Ying a mobile phone, and went to a small shop on the street to get her a SIM card.

Leaving the mobile store, Chen Yan handed Zhao Ying a credit card and told her to use it for now.

Thus, for the short term, Zhao Ying's life could get back on track.

Chen Yan planned to talk to Song Chuang in a few days, give Zhao Ying a job title, and let her work for some wages—as a basic security for her future life.

As to why he'd choose Song Chuang's company: because he wholly owned it, and it was related to Lu Man, the company that offered a double cashback!

With Zhao Ying's situation handled, Chen Yan drove the two girls back to the university.

On the way back, Chen Yan touched his pocket contemplatively, thinking about when would be the best time to give Boss Qiao Qiao the gift he had prepared for her...

After the late-night snacks, Chen Yan again took them to Wanxiang City, bought Zhao Ying a mobile phone, and went to a small shop on the street to get her a SIM card.

Exiting the mobile store, Chen Yan handed Zhao Ying a credit card, telling her to use it for now.

Thus, for the short term, Zhao Ying's life could get back on track.

Chen Yan planned to have a talk with Song Chuang in a few days, get Zhao Ying a formal position, and let her work to earn some salary—as a basic security for her future life.

As for why Song Chuang's company: because it was Chen Yan's sole proprietorship and could be linked to Lu Man, the company that offered double cashback!

With Zhao Ying's matter settled, Chen Yan drove the two young women back to the university.

On the drive back, Chen Yan touched his pocket, starting to ponder when would be the best time to give the gift he had prepared for Boss Qiao Qiao...

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