Chapter Seven Country Bumpkin?

Rental apartment.

Lin Doudou was sprawled over the coffee table, working on her homework. When she heard the door open, her little ears twitched, and a wary look appeared on her face.

“Could it be a thief?” Lin Doudou thought, a little frightened.

It wasn’t unreasonable for her to think so—Lin Yi usually left for the bar at six in the afternoon and wouldn’t return until midnight. Now it was only seven, and hardly anyone visited their home; even if someone did, they’d knock first.

The shadow of childhood abduction, combined with a young girl’s wild imagination, left Lin Doudou unnervingly tense at that moment.

Click.

The sound of the doorknob turning sent Lin Doudou’s heart racing wildly.

“Who is it?”

Lin Doudou called toward the door, grabbing a ballpoint pen from the table; if anything seemed amiss, she was prepared to act.

“It’s me,” Lin Yi said, pushing the door open.

Seeing who it was, Lin Doudou finally breathed a sigh of relief. She rushed to Lin Yi’s side, threw her arms around his neck, and wrapped her slender legs around his strong waist.

Girls at home tended to be casual, and Lin Doudou was wearing a little floral dress, her feet in doll slippers, snug within white stockings, her warm body pressed tightly against Lin Yi’s chest.

“Bad Lin Yi, you nearly scared me to death just now,” Lin Doudou’s eyes shimmered with a misty layer, making her look very pitiful.

“What’s wrong?” Lin Yi asked helplessly.

He wanted to set Lin Doudou down, but the little girl clung to him like an octopus, refusing to let go.

“You didn’t even tell me you were coming home early—I thought it was a burglar,” Lin Doudou said softly, her long eyelashes trembling.

Lin Yi couldn’t help but laugh; the little one was just as timid as ever.

He soothed her, “Alright, this time it was my mistake. Can you come down now?”

“No, I want you to give me a kiss,” Lin Doudou pouted, acting spoiled.

Lin Yi chuckled, “You’re not a child anymore, still so shameless.”

“Lin Yi, hurry up,” Lin Doudou’s voice was sweet and cloying, her white-stockinged feet fidgeting.

Ever since Lin Yi had taken Doudou in, a shadow had lingered in her heart. Lin Yi doted on her, and gently kissed her cheek. “Now can you come down?”

Lin Doudou’s cheeks flushed, and she smiled sweetly before letting go.

Then, she asked curiously, “Lin Yi, why did you come home so early today?”

“I quit my job,” Lin Yi shrugged.

Lin Doudou exclaimed instinctively, “What? Why?”

Lin Yi was their main source of income; if he quit, how would they make ends meet?

“I’m planning to change careers—my current job can’t support you, little Doudou.” Lin Yi pinched her cheek.

The girl’s skin was fair and tender, like tofu—a pleasure to touch.

“You’re so annoying,” Lin Doudou rolled her eyes, cheeks burning, “Who asked you to support me? I do all the housework.”

Lin Yi smiled at her stubborn denial.

Then Lin Doudou said, “Lin Yi, I’ve been working part-time at the supermarket and earned a bit. Tomorrow, come shopping with me—you haven’t accompanied me in ages.”

---

She pouted, her gaze full of grievance as she looked at Lin Yi.

Lin Yi considered for a moment; since he had nothing planned tomorrow, he might as well accompany her.

Come to think of it, the last time he went shopping with Lin Doudou had been two years ago.

“Alright,” Lin Yi agreed.

“Yay!” Lin Doudou bounced excitedly, her floral dress swaying, looking like a little sprite.

The next morning.

Lin Doudou dragged Lin Yi out early. The girl wore a pink camisole dress, her hair in a ponytail, a fluffy bunny bag slung around her waist, radiating energy.

After breakfast downstairs, Lin Doudou hailed a taxi. “Driver, to Qingfeng Street.”

Qingfeng Street was a famous shopping district in Lan City, home to many luxury stores and countless eateries, drawing crowds of visitors.

Lin Doudou’s main purpose was to stroll; buying things was secondary.

Of course, the real reason was her empty purse.

A dozen minutes later, they arrived.

Lin Doudou affectionately took Lin Yi’s arm, humming little tunes, in high spirits.

“Doudou, is there anything you want to buy?” Lin Yi asked.

Doudou was a thrifty girl; her clothes usually cost no more than a couple hundred, and she owned almost no makeup.

Since they were out, Lin Yi didn’t want to let her feel deprived.

Lin Doudou glanced up at him, “There’s lots I want, but no money.”

She was straightforward with Lin Yi—no secrets.

Lin Yi gently stroked her silky hair and smiled, “Don’t worry about that. If you see anything you like, I’ll buy it for you.”

Lin Doudou’s eyes brightened, then dimmed again, “Let’s not. You work hard for your money, and besides, I have my own.”

She patted her little bag, but it was clearly quite empty.

Unknowingly, they wandered into a Chanel store. Lin Doudou’s gaze lingered on the beautiful clothes inside.

Lin Yi noticed her interest. “Come on, let’s take a look.”

Lin Doudou shook her head, “Let’s try somewhere else.”

Every item in here cost thousands; with what was in her wallet, she’d be lucky to afford a sleeve.

Lin Yi didn’t let her refuse—he took her hand and said, “Looking doesn’t cost anything.”

Lin Doudou blushed, “Alright, alright.”

They entered the Chanel shop, where all the beautiful clothes made Lin Doudou’s eyes shine.

But when she saw the prices, she instantly wilted—it was far too expensive.

“Lin Yi, everything here is so pricey. Let’s go,” Lin Doudou felt like a country bumpkin—out of her depth.

Just then, a female voice sounded behind them, “Well, if it isn’t the class bumpkin. Do you even belong here?”

Turning, Lin Yi saw two girls entering, both quite pretty and stylish, dressed in designer brands.

“Summer Tao, Zhao Huan, what does it matter to you if we’re here?” Lin Doudou’s face darkened.

Pretty girls often attracted jealousy; these two were her sworn enemies.

---

Though Summer Tao and Zhao Huan were attractive, it was all thanks to makeup and styling.

Lin Doudou, on the other hand, possessed natural beauty—stunning even without embellishment.

More than that, she had an aura that drew people in, and countless admirers at school.

Because of this, the two girls envied her, looked down on her in class, and never missed a chance to sneer.

Summer Tao, wearing a cropped top, said arrogantly, “Why shouldn’t we care? Seeing a bumpkin like you here is disgusting.”

Zhao Huan chimed in, equally haughty, “I don’t get it—poor people should just stay in the countryside. Why come out and embarrass themselves?”

“You—you…” Lin Doudou glared, hurt by the cruel words.

“What? Did we say anything wrong?” Summer Tao sneered, casting a contemptuous glance at Lin Yi, “Is this your little boyfriend? How about it, handsome? Big sister’s got money—want to play?”

Her intention was clear—to humiliate Lin Doudou.

Lin Yi frowned, his voice cold, “Are you done? If so, get lost!”

Summer Tao jabbed a finger at Lin Yi’s nose, “You brat, you dare tell me to get lost? Believe it or not, I’ll strip you both and drag you out.”

A cold light flashed in Lin Yi’s eyes. He raised his hand and slapped Summer Tao’s face—her fair cheek instantly swelled.

Lin Doudou looked at Lin Yi in surprise; he was usually so gentle. She’d only seen him hit someone once before—ten years ago, because of human traffickers. Now, for the second time, and both for her…

Lin Doudou secretly glanced at Lin Yi’s profile, feeling an overwhelming sense of security.

“I just got slapped?” Summer Tao was stunned. Raised in luxury, pampered by her parents, she’d never been hit before, especially by a poor boy.

Several seconds passed before she reacted, and she lunged at Lin Yi.

Lin Yi, expressionless, raised his hand and slapped her other cheek.

Smack.

The slap spun Summer Tao around, and she landed on her backside.

Zhao Huan hurried to help her up, protesting, “Are you even a man? How can you hit a woman? Typical bumpkin—no manners at all.”

“Oh?” Lin Yi raised an eyebrow.

So, manners meant cursing and mocking others?

“You—what are you planning? Do you know who I am?” Zhao Huan blustered, face pale, thinking Lin Yi might hit her too.

Lin Doudou, worried the situation would escalate, quickly urged, “Lin Yi, calm down. Summer Tao and Zhao Huan’s families run companies—they’re not easy to deal with.”

Though teaching them a lesson made her happy, the consequences could be severe.

“I’ll listen to you,” Lin Yi said, stroking Doudou’s hair.

Whatever their background, Lin Yi didn’t care in the slightest.

Lin Doudou smiled sweetly, relishing the feeling of being protected.