16: Call me husband after Chapter 16

Looking at Lin Yu's focused movements in the mirror, Tang Man felt her heart stir. A sense of happiness from being cherished welled up, quietly filling her entire heart.

Ding! Tang Man's intimacy +5!

Current intimacy: 70

Lin Yu took a step back, looked her over, and nodded in satisfaction. "It looks beautiful!"

He then asked the clerk, "How is the quality of this chain?"

"Sir, the chain is made of the same material."

"Alright, let's swipe the card then."

"Alright, sir. The pendant and chain come to a total of 520,000. Would you like me to take it off and wrap it up?"

"No need to take it off."

Tang Man was startled. "Five hundred and... twenty thousand?!"

Before she could say anything, Lin Yu waved his hand and swiped his card. The clerk registered Tang Man's name and phone number and issued a diamond membership card. The brand would organize events such as new product trials, appreciation gatherings, and auctions. Envious yet respectful, several clerks escorted them to the door and bowed.

"Take care, Mr. Lin, Ms. Tang. We look forward to your next visit!"

Stepping out of Chow Tai Fook, Tang Man's heart was still pounding. Her fingertips unconsciously touched the pendant on her neck, and she said softly, "Mr. Lin, this is too precious..."

"Keep it on," Lin Yu said flatly. "And from now on, call me husband!"

Tang Man felt a rush of sweetness in her heart. As they continued walking, they passed the "Far Ahead" flagship store. Tang Man stopped and said shyly, "Hu... Husband, your old phone is too straining on your eyes, and it's not very clear when you watch... dancing. Why don't I buy you a new phone?"

Lin Yu immediately pictured it in his mind. If he switched to a larger screen, hehe!

"My phone is still usable, but since you're offering, I won't refuse. You should get a new one too, and I also promised Old Lin one. Come on, let's go in," a certain shameless person said.

Tang Man smiled, holding Lin Yu's arm as they walked into the phone store. They called over a clerk and bought three tri-fold screen phones in different colors. Lin Yu chose a black one, swapped his SIM card directly, discarded his old phone, paid, and left.

The soft lighting and gentle music in a luxury women's boutique on the second floor created a pleasant ambiance, with the air filled with a faint fragrance and the fresh scent of new clothes.

Lin Yu's gaze fell on a few well-tailored dresses. He picked out two light-colored ones and handed them to Tang Man.

"Go try them on."

"Ah... alright!" Tang Man agreed, taking the clothes and stepping into the fitting room.

A moment later, the door opened and Tang Man stepped out slowly. The light apricot, waist-cinching dress perfectly outlined her slender waist. After turning around in front of the full-length mirror, she looked toward Lin Yu, who was leaning against a clothes rack nearby, with anticipation in her eyes. Her voice was soft: "Husband, how does this one look?"

Lin Yu was looking down playing with his phone, but he immediately looked up upon hearing her. His gaze fell on Tang Man, and his lips curled up unconsciously. Just as he was about to praise her, a gentle and pleasant female voice sounded from nearby:

"This dress looks as if it were custom-made for this beautiful lady. The dress makes her look even more gentle, and she elevates the elegance of the dress. They complement each other beautifully."

The voice wasn't loud, but it was exceptionally pleasant to the ear.

Lin Yu and Tang Man turned around at the same time. The speaker was a woman around forty. She was well-preserved, with exquisite yet understated makeup. Her slightly wavy long hair was casually tied back, and she carried herself with a natural charm. She wore a well-tailored silk shirt and had an elegant demeanor, clearly a woman of experience and refinement.

Standing half a step behind her was a middle-aged man in his fifties. Tall and straight, he wore a simple casual suit, exuding a calm, reserved aura with gentle eyes. A piece of selected women's clothing hung over his forearm, showing he was also accompanying his woman shopping.

Tang Man smiled and said, "Thank you for the compliment! You are the one who is truly beautiful, and your elegance is outstanding."

The middle-aged woman smiled warmly, her eyes curving. "Haha, you have a sweet tongue, young lady, and you are even more beautiful."

Lin Yu looked at the middle-aged man opposite him, who happened to look over as well. Neither spoke; they simply exchanged a brief glance and nodded politely, a silent greeting. It was a tacit understanding between men—each accompanying their loved one shopping, witnessing the same tender and beautiful scene. No words were needed to understand each other.

The middle-aged woman gave Tang Man and her dress another approving look, then took her companion's arm and said softly, "Let's go take a look over there."

The middle-aged man nodded slightly, shielding his woman as they walked slowly toward the racks on the other side.

Lin Yu then looked back at Tang Man in front of the mirror, stepped closer, and said earnestly, "She's right, this dress really suits you perfectly. We'll take this one. Go try these others as well."

"Alright! If you're tired, sit down and rest for a bit."

"Mhm!"

Lin Yu sat down on the sofa, and the middle-aged man from earlier also walked over. Seeing Lin Yu there, he took the initiative to speak, "Brother, you are truly blessed! To have such a beautiful woman whose eyes are practically glued to you with adoration... your way of handling her is truly impressive!" He gave a thumbs-up as he spoke.

Lin Yu laughed. "You flatter me, brother. Your wife's elegance is what's truly amazing—mature and graceful. One can tell at a glance she manages the household wonderfully."

"Haha, likewise, likewise. We should exchange notes when we have time." The middle-aged man leaned back against his chair, glanced around the store, and sighed casually, "Honestly, there are too few fun places to hang out or shop in our Ze City. I feel like there's nowhere to go in our spare time."

Lin Yu silently complained in his heart: 'Tell me about it. There aren't even any high-end luxury venues here, which slows down the system's cashback efficiency significantly.'

On the surface, however, he simply said casually:

"Indeed, it's a small place. When you want to spend some money, you can't even find a place that suits your taste."

It was a casual remark, but it struck a chord with the listener.

The middle-aged man's heart stirred.

Such words were not something an ordinary working-class person would say so casually.

Looking at the Chow Tai Fook VIP jewelry shopping bag and the three "Far Ahead" tri-fold screen shopping bags next to Lin Yu, along with his attitude of not even looking at the price tags when picking clothes earlier—this was no ordinary youth, but clearly a low-key, hidden tycoon. He already had a good impression of Lin Yu and found their conversation agreeable. At this moment, he felt an urge to make friends, and his tone grew warmer:

"You're so young, brother, yet your demeanor is so steady. May I ask what industry you're in?"

"Just some casual investments," Lin Yu said in a relaxed tone.

The middle-aged man's eyes lit up slightly, and he smiled. "Impressive. My surname is Chu, and I run a supermarket chain. It's a traditional business, nothing compared to the great vision you investors have."

"You're too modest, brother. Supermarkets have the most stable cash flow," Lin Yu replied.

"I really feel like we get along well, brother." Mr. Chu pulled out his phone. "Let's add each other's contact info? If you ever need anything in Ze City, just let me know."

"I feel the same way," Lin Yu said. The two added each other on Green Bubble, instantly closing the distance between them.

Once they became more familiar, they spoke more freely.

The middle-aged man glanced toward the fitting rooms and lowered his voice, speaking with a teasing tone only understood between men:

"Brother, seeing how focused you were while picking clothes just now, you're more dedicated than I was when I was pursuing my wife."

Lin Yu smiled softly. "I have to be worthy of her."

"I agree with that!" The middle-aged man slapped his thigh. "As men, don't we make money just to spend it on our loved ones? When they are happy, the atmosphere at home is great."

Lin Yu nodded. "It saves trouble."

The middle-aged man was amused. "Well said! When I accompany her shopping now, I have only one rule: she picks, I praise; she likes it, I buy it. No other words needed."

Lin Yu added flatly:

"Same here. Swiping the card is easier than talking anyway."

The two men looked at each other and chuckled. It was a tacit understanding only adult men would get—keeping it brief, yet sharing a mutual comprehension.

At that moment, Tang Man and the middle-aged woman both came out of the fitting rooms, each holding four or five dresses. The middle-aged woman said, "What are you two chatting about that's making you laugh so happily? You didn't even give us any feedback while we were trying on clothes."

Lin Yu said, "Actually, both of you are so beautiful and have great figures. You are the perfect clothes hangers; anything looks good on you."

The middle-aged man chimed in, "My brother is absolutely right!"

The middle-aged woman smiled and said, "Men's words are as untrustworthy as ghosts. The clothes are selected, let's go."

After paying separately, the four of them walked out of the clothing store together, the atmosphere already resembling that of old acquaintances.

The middle-aged man reached out and patted Lin Yu's shoulder gently.

"Brother, meeting today is fate. When you're free some other day, it'll be my treat. Let's have a meal together."

"Old man, that won't do. It has to be my treat!" Lin Yu said.

"Alright, alright. Let's keep in touch!"

"Take care, old man."

Watching them walk downstairs, Tang Man gently took Lin Yu's arm.

"Husband, you and Mr. Chu really seem like friends despite the age gap."

Lin Yu looked down at her, his fingertips gently brushing the pendant on her neck, and said casually, "When someone is agreeable, a few words are enough to hit it off. Come on, let's keep shopping."

An hour flew by. Lin Yu bought himself two sets of sportswear, and several sets of children's clothes and shoes for Tang Man's daughter, before returning to the hotel carrying numerous bags.

Once the door closed, it shut out all the noise and stares from the outside. Tang Man seemed to cast aside all her poise and restraint. She threw all the shopping bags and handbags they were carrying onto the soft leather sofa with a few soft thuds, and with the press of a button, the curtains automatically drew shut.

Before Lin Yu could react, she had already turned around and thrown herself straight into his arms.

Her arms wrapped tightly around his neck, holding him so hard as if she wanted to embed herself into his body. Her cheek was buried in the crook of his shoulder, her breathing slightly hurried. Lin Yu could feel Tang Man's body temperature rising in his arms. In the next second, she tilted her head up slightly and kissed him of her own accord.

It was not a tentative peck or a light touch, but a deep, passionate kiss without any reservation.

She seemed to have suppressed herself for a long time, clutching his clothes tightly as if fearing that if she let go, the man in front of her would vanish. The moment their lips met, Lin Yu could clearly feel her trembling. Her usual gentle demeanor had turned into obsession. The room fell so quiet that only their intertwined breathing could be heard. Lin Yu raised his hand to gently caress her back, then slid down to her lower back, and further down to her pert buttocks, squeezing them to find a firm and elastic touch.

The kiss was long and deep, lasting until both of them were slightly breathless. Tang Man pulled back slightly, and the two immediately and swiftly stripped away the constraints of their clothes. As the last piece of clothing slid to the floor, Lin Yu scooped her up and rushed into the bathroom with slightly unsteady steps. He then set her down securely and turned on the showerhead with one hand. The warm water poured down like a waterfall, instantly soaking their bodies. Every collision of their limbs, mingled with hurried gasps, sent water splashing everywhere, droplets flying onto the mirror and sliding down, leaving trails of water.

After an unknown amount of time, he turned off the shower, hastily wrapped her in a bath towel, and carried her in his arms. Stepping out of the steam-filled bathroom, he gently laid Tang Man on the soft, large bed. Her long hair was wet, with a few strands clinging to her cheeks, and her chest was still rising and falling slightly. Lin Yu leaned down, his fingertips sliding slowly down her collarbone, and whispered in her ear, "Now, it's only just beginning."

She hooked her arms around his neck and actively met him. As their breaths intertwined, the bedsheets were crumpled into a messy heap...

Before they knew it, night had quietly fallen, and both of them felt hungry. Tang Man got up to tidy her hair and asked housekeeping to change the bedsheets. Since they were too tired, neither wanted to go out. After eating takeout, Lin Yu lay on the bed and opened Douyin. He checked and saw that Li Waner hadn't started a live stream, so she seemed to be very obedient. After Tang Man cleaned up the dishes, she climbed onto the bed and snuggled into his arms, as docile as a kitten. Lin Yu stroked her hair and said, "Tomorrow is the weekend. Once the new car arrives, you can drive it back to spend time with your child. Pick me up in the afternoon—I'll send you the address then—and we'll go look at office buildings together."

"Alright, husband!"

Inside the live stream room, Na Na quickly stood up from her swivel chair. "Brother Yu has arrived, everyone stand up! Welcome, welcome home, Brother Yu!"

"Welcome home, Brother Yu!"

"Husband, you're back!" @Yu

"Mistress upstairs, get lost!"

"Welcome, Level 50 Big Brother!"

Indeed, Level 50 was a complete dimensional strike among minor streamers. The entrance effect alone took up more than half the screen, and the room's popularity soared instantly. Lin Yu didn't bother typing; his finger lightly tapped the gift menu, and he directly sent out a dazzling Carnival.

Brother Yu sent Carnival x1

"Thank you for the Carnival, Brother Yu!" Na Na's voice was sickeningly sweet as she stood up and bowed deeply to the camera. "Thank you for your support, Brother Yu!"

As the Carnival's special effects exploded, the onlookers in the live stream room instantly became active, and the public chat scrolled rapidly:

"Brother Yu! Didn't you say last night that you'd take Na Na to do a PK battle today? Are we still doing it?!"

"With Brother Yu taking action, it'll definitely be a slaughter! Connect the call quickly!"

"Sitting back and waiting for Brother Yu to crush some noobs!"

Looking at the public chat, Lin Yu's lips curled into a faint smile. With a wave of his hand, he typed two words in the chat: Connect call.

Na Na understood immediately and clicked on the random connection. With a bright smile, she said, "Na Na will do as Brother Yu says. Let's go for a random PK!"

Connection successful!

The opponent was a female streamer with five to six hundred viewers online. Na Na asked, "What kind of streamer are you, sister? Do you want to do a battle?"

"I'm a singing streamer. Sure, let's do a five-minute battle."

PK begins

Na Na said, "The opponent doesn't seem to have many votes. We don't need Brother Yu to step in. Brothers, throw in some small votes and take this round!"