This director only directs blockbusters.

Around 3 p.m., the number of people in the mall gradually decreased.

Deng Chao had wandered off somewhere, while Hu Jun and Nicholas Tse found a coffee shop to rest.

Li Binbin and Gao Yuanyuan each carried several bags of newly bought clothes and went into another store to try them on.

Yang Ning leaned against a pillar in the courtyard and lit a cigarette.

In the store on the left, Li Binbin was coming out of the fitting room, wearing a black dress, and gently twirled in front of the mirror.

The sales assistant praised her repeatedly, and she smiled slightly, glancing casually at the pillar.

In another store on the right, Gao Yuanyuan was holding up a white shirt in front of her, talking to the sales assistant, her eyes crinkling when she smiled.

Yang Ning took a drag of his cigarette but didn't say anything.

Old Xu strolled over slowly, stood next to him, and lowered his voice: "Yang Zi, with so many women on both sides, aren't you afraid of things getting messy later?"

"What's so bad about it ending up like this?"

"Tsk, so stubborn."

Yang Ning didn't reply, his gaze casually sweeping across the entire floor.

Then he saw Xue Kaiqi.

The girl was squatting alone in front of a shop window in the corner, far away from this luxury goods area.

It was a small stationery shop. She squatted there, quietly staring at the notebooks and pens in the window for a long time, but she never pushed the door open to go in.

Yang Ning looked at her for a few seconds.

This girl has been following the group since this morning, but she hasn't bought anything.

While others went into the luxury brand store, she stood quietly at the door and waited;

While others tried on clothes, she quietly sat on a chair to the side.

He kept clutching that small, light blue backpack in his hand; the edges were already frayed.

He remembered the kiss from last night.

It was gentle, soft, and had a hint of fruity sweetness. After the kiss, she pulled back, her face as red as a freshly caught shrimp.

He flicked off his cigarette ash.

"Old Xu."

"Um?"

"You guys keep looking around, I'm going to the restroom."

Yang Ning did not go to the restroom.

He walked around the courtyard and strolled leisurely to the entrance of the stationery store.

Xue Kaiqi was still squatting there, so focused that she didn't notice anyone behind her. Her eyes were bright as she stared at a dark blue notebook in the shop window, her fingers unconsciously tracing names lightly on her knee.

"Do you like this?"

She was startled and turned around abruptly. When she saw it was him, she sprang up from the ground like a frightened rabbit.

"Director Yang? What's wrong...?"

Yang Ning stood in front of her, his gaze naturally falling on her.

She wore a simple white T-shirt and jeans, her hair was tied in a ponytail, and her face was clean and without any makeup.

She clutched the small backpack tightly in her hand; the cartoon print on it had faded a bit.

"You've been looking around for ages, why don't you go in and give it a try?" He gestured with his chin toward the shop.

"I'm just... looking around, it's not necessary." She lowered her head, her voice soft.

Yang Ning glanced at the shop. Stationery, notebooks, pens, and some small ornaments. The most expensive item in the shop was priced at only a few hundred rand.

"Let's go in and take a look."

He pushed open the door. Xue Kaiqi hesitated for a moment, but followed him inside.

Inside the shop was an elderly white woman wearing reading glasses, who was tidying up the counter. Hearing the doorbell ring, she looked up and gave a gentle smile.

Yang Ning pointed to the dark blue notebook in the display window: "Could you please take a look at this?"

The old lady took it and handed it to him. Yang Ning casually flipped through it; the paper was thick and the texture was delicate—it was a very good notebook.

He turned and handed it to Xue Kaiqi.

"Touch it and see."

Xue Kaiqi took it, ran his fingertips across the notebook, and his eyes suddenly lit up, as if stars had fallen into them.

"This paper... feels so nice to the touch."

"like?"

She nodded, then quickly shook her head: "No need, it's too expensive..."

Yang Ning glanced at the price tag: 280 rand. He put the notebook back on the counter and pointed to a set of colored pens next to him—a set of twelve, in an exquisite box.

"Let's take a look at this set too."

The old lady happily took it down. Xue Kaiqi opened the box, and inside lay twelve pens neatly arranged, the patterns on the pen barrels fresh and unique.

"It's so beautiful..." she murmured softly.

"Take it if you like it."

She started shaking her head again. Yang Ning ignored her, glanced around the store, and ordered a few more items: a canvas bag with a map of South Africa printed on it, a small keychain shaped like a giraffe, and a box of postcards featuring Cape Town scenery.

"Let's wrap these up together."

The old lady beamed and deftly began packaging. Xue Kaiqi stood beside her, somewhat bewildered.

"Director Yang, this is really too much, I..."

Yang Ning had already taken out the card and handed it to the old lady.

"Are there any cosmetics stores nearby?" he asked.

The old lady pointed outside: "There's one on the second floor, just turn right. It's quite big."

The cosmetics store on the second floor was indeed spacious and bright.

When Xue Kaiqi was brought in by Yang Ning, he didn't know what to do with his hands and feet.

She stood at the doorway, looking at the gleaming glass counters and the dazzling array of bottles and jars, her eyes filled with a timid sense of unfamiliarity.

"Come in." Yang Ning turned to look at her.

She then moved over and followed, but didn't know where to look, so she lowered her eyes and stared at the tips of her shoes.

The sales assistant was a young Black woman who greeted us with a warm smile: "What would you two like? I can help you with recommendations."

Yang Ning glanced at Xue Kaiqi.

"Ask her."

The sales assistant turned to Xue Kaiqi and said in a gentle tone, "Miss, are you looking for skincare products or makeup? We also have new perfumes."

Xue Kaiqi opened his mouth, but no sound came out; his fingers unconsciously twisted the hem of his clothes.

Yang Ning chimed in, "Her skin is a bit dry, probably from the sun here. She doesn't wear much makeup, so she needs some basic skincare. Sunscreen is essential too."

The sales assistant nodded knowingly and began to skillfully introduce several suitable basic series.

Xue Kaiqi listened quietly, his gaze carefully sweeping over the exquisite bottles and packaging before finally settling on the price tags, his eyes dimming slightly.

Yang Ning noticed it.

"What's wrong?"

"It's still too expensive..." Her voice was so soft it was almost inaudible, "A set costs several hundred..."

Yang Ning didn't say anything, and simply handed his card to the sales assistant.

"Get her a basic skincare set, two bottles of sunscreen, and a lipstick color that suits her."

Xue Kaiqi grew anxious and gently tugged at his sleeve: "Director Yang, you really don't need to buy these things—"

"Take it," Yang Ning said, looking down at her. "Consider it a reward for your hard work these past few days!"

She paused for a moment, then a slight smile appeared on her lips, revealing an embarrassed blush. A faint blush rose on her cheeks, like the gentle glow of the evening sun.

The sales assistant had already packed everything up in a large paper bag and handed it over. Yang Ning took it and casually stuffed it into Xue Kaiqi's arms.

"Take it."

She held the heavy bag, looked down at it, then looked up at him, her eyes sparkling, a shy smile playing on her lips.

Then, she suddenly stood on tiptoe and quickly kissed him on the cheek.

Unlike last night, this kiss was gentle yet warm; I could feel the soft touch of her lips, and it lingered for a second before leaving.

Yang Ning was taken aback for a moment, which was rare for him.

She took a small step back, her face flushed red, and looked down at her toes, but the corners of her mouth couldn't help but curve upwards.

"Director Yang... thank you..." she said softly, with a hint of shyness. "I... I will act well."

Yang Ning looked at her.

Twenty-two-year-old Xue Kaiqi stood in a cosmetics store in South Africa, her face as red as a ripe apple, holding a gift she had just bought, her whole being enveloped in a shy halo.

He reached out and ruffled her hair.

"Alright, let's go."

She looked up, her eyes curving into crescents, and gave him a shy yet bright smile.

Yang Ning rubbed her twice more, then casually put his arm around her shoulder and led her outside.

"Work hard, I believe in you, really."

Xue Kaiqi stiffened slightly as he was embraced, but then relaxed, his smile deepening.

"Yes!" She nodded vigorously, her voice light and cheerful.

The two came out of the cosmetics store and bumped into Deng Chao.

Deng Chao, carrying shopping bags in both hands, widened his eyes when he saw the two of them walking out side by side.

"Director Yang? Kaiqi? What's wrong with you two...?"

"Just browsing around." Yang Ning said casually.

Deng Chao glanced at the paper bag that Xue Kaiqi had clearly just bought, then looked at the blush that hadn't faded from her face, and his expression became meaningful.

"Oh...just browsing around..." He drawled, then suddenly leaned closer to Xue Kaiqi and lowered his voice, "Kaiqi, why is your face so red?"

Xue Kaiqi's face flushed even redder. She lowered her head and mumbled softly, "N-nothing..."

Deng Chao shouted from behind, laughing, "Still embarrassed!"

Yang Ning smiled and walked unhurriedly toward the coffee shop. Xue Kaiqi followed behind him, his steps light and quick, a faint smile always on his lips.

Everyone had arrived at the coffee shop.

Li Binbin and Gao Yuanyuan had returned and were sitting side by side at the table, with about a dozen shopping bags piled up in front of them. The two were chatting quietly, and the atmosphere seemed harmonious—if one ignored their occasional glances towards the door.

Nicholas Tse and Hu Jun quietly drank their coffee, while Chen Wei scrolled through his phone. Old Xu was counting the number of people.

Yang Ning pushed open the door and went in.

Li Binbin looked up, her gaze sweeping over his back—Xue Kaiqi hadn't come in with her; she wondered where he'd gone. Her lips twitched, but she remained silent.

Gao Yuanyuan also looked up, glanced at him, and then casually lowered her head to continue sipping her coffee.

Yang Ning sat down in the empty seat between them.

As soon as I sat down, my left arm came close to her warm, soft body.

Li Binbin naturally moved closer to him, her arm touching his arm, and she leaned in gently.

"My legs are sore from walking around," she said casually.

Before Yang Ning could respond, his right shoulder slumped slightly.

Gao Yuanyuan put down her coffee cup and leaned closer to him, her shoulder touching his. She didn't say anything, just leaned against him quietly, looking down at her phone screen.

Yang Ning sat in the middle, with Li Binbin on her left and Gao Yuanyuan on her right. The faint scent of their perfumes mingled together, lingering in their breaths.

The coffee shop was quiet for a few seconds.

Deng Chao walked in at this moment and saw the scene at a glance, almost slipping the shopping bag in his hand.

"Oh my god..." he muttered to himself.

Hu Jun raised his eyelids slightly, then calmly continued drinking his coffee, though a slight smile played at the corners of his mouth.

Nicholas Tse glanced this way, said nothing, and turned to look out the window. Chen Wei pretended to be focused on his phone, but his ears were clearly perked up.

Old Xu stood aside, watching Yang Ning with two women on either side, then looked down at his lonely coffee cup and suddenly felt a bitter taste in his mouth.

Paul came in carrying large bags and small packages. He paused when he saw the scene, then silently retreated to the door and looked outside as if nothing had happened.

Xue Kaiqi was the last to enter, his cheeks still slightly flushed.

She saw Yang Ning sitting between the two of them, paused for a moment, then lowered her head and quietly walked to the corner to sit down, quietly fiddling with the things she had just bought, a faint smile still on her lips.

Deng Chao sidled up to Xu Jinglei and whispered, "Brother Xu, is Director Yang's behavior...?"

"Don't ask," Old Xu interrupted him. "If you ask, I'll say I don't know anything."

"Then let's..."

"We're both single, let's just drink coffee."

Deng Chao glanced at Yang Ning, then at himself, and inexplicably felt that the world was a bit unfair.

Yang Ning sat there, with Li Binbin on his left and Gao Yuanyuan on his right, the two beauties sitting very close together.

His face was expressionless, with only a faint smile playing on his lips as he gazed out the window, lost in thought.

Old Xu shook his head and sighed.

"Let's go, let's go for another stroll." He patted Deng Chao, "Out of sight, out of mind."

Back at the hotel that evening, everyone went to their rooms.

When Yang Ning came out of the shower, her phone screen was lit up, showing three new messages.

Li Binbin: "I've taken the left seat today, and I'll take it tomorrow too."

Gao Yuanyuan: "I'll continue to sit to your right tomorrow."

Xue Kaiqi: "Director Yang, I've packed everything away carefully. Thank you, I had a great time today ^_^ I'll keep up the good work."

Yang Ning looked at the three lines and smiled.

He replied to everyone with the exact same two words: "Good night."

He put down his phone, lay down on the bed, and stared at the ceiling.

Today was quite interesting.

One on the left, one on the right.

And in that corner, there's a girl with a flushed face, bright eyes, and a shy smile.

He closed his eyes, a faint smile still lingering on his lips.

The night outside the window was extremely quiet.