Why did the system take my request to take photos with a cosplayer seriously?

Long He crossed his arms, his eyes filled with suspicion.

Ding Heng was both amused and exasperated: "Would you believe me if I said I dreamt about it?"

Long He naturally didn't believe him and warned, "You'd better behave yourself at school."

Ding Heng asked jokingly, "What does 'behave yourself' mean?"

"Just... just be honest! You know that!"

"I am not sure."

"Ding Heng!"

Long He glared at him, then lowered her head guiltily: "I'm going back now. Take good care of yourself at school. I'll come find you again when I have time."

Ding Heng chuckled lightly, then stopped teasing his brother: "Okay, bye-bye."

"Bye-Bye."

Longhe drove away slowly.

It was still early, so Ding Heng strolled over to a nearby commercial street. As he passed a shop, he suddenly stopped.

Several Hanfu (traditional Han clothing) were hanging in the shop window, in red, white, and green, with exquisite workmanship and nice-looking fabric.

Shop Name: 【Qingman Clothing】

Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly heard a voice coming from inside, its tone helpless.

"My dear aunt, have you looked at this month's accounts?"

"Looked."

Another voice rang out, cool and brief, as if the speaker didn't want to continue the conversation.

"You're still so calm after seeing this? We've lost another eight thousand this month!"

The first voice rose a half-octave: "I suggested opening an online store, but you insisted on a physical store. Now look what's happened—rent, utilities, labor—everything costs money! Do the math—how much have we invested? Have we even broken even?"

"It will be alright."

The cool voice remained indifferent.

Ding Heng looked into the store through the glass.

A man stood behind the cashier, looking down at the ledger, his brows slightly furrowed.

She wore a moon-white, modernized Hanfu, her long hair tied up with a wooden hairpin, revealing a section of her fair neck.

His features were cool and aloof, with a hint of unapproachability in his eyes and brows.

Flowers clear.

Ding Heng's pupils contracted slightly.

Another woman came out of the fitting room, carrying a piece of clothing that had just been hung up.

The dark green cheongsam had a slightly open neckline, revealing a delicate collarbone.

Her long hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her eyes were slightly upturned at the corners, giving her an innate alluring charm.

Lin Man.

Ding Heng felt like he might still be dreaming.

Aren't these two people mortal enemies in my dream?

How do we appear to be best friends in this world?

He pushed the door open and went in, and the wind chimes on the door jingled.

Lin Man looked up, a smile plastered on her face.

"Welcome, feel free to browse."

Her gaze swept over Ding Heng.

"What would you like to see, handsome? Something for yourself or for your girlfriend? We've got some new autumn clothes in stock, all made with custom-made fabrics and hand-embroidered details. Take a look at this one..."

Lin Man took a navy blue cross-collar long gown from the clothes rack and unfolded it in front of Ding Heng: "This color suits your skin tone very well. You have fair skin, so it will definitely look good on you."

Ding Heng glanced at the clothes, then at Lin Man.

"Are you the boss?"

"Correct."

What about her?

"She is too."

Hua Qing looked up at Ding Heng, nodded, and then lowered her head to continue flipping through the account book.

The movements were clean and efficient, without uttering a single word.

Ding Heng looked at Hua Qing's aloof face and couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

With this attitude, it's no wonder business is bad.

"Hey handsome, you've got a great body, wanna try this on?"

Lin Man picked up another piece of clothing and held it up against Ding Heng: "This one is a loose fit, it should fit you perfectly."

Ding Heng withdrew his gaze and looked at Lin Man.

"Does your store mainly sell men's or women's clothing?"

"All."

Lin Man pointed to the store's display: "There are more women's clothes, and some men's clothes too. There aren't many styles, but they are all carefully selected."

Ding Heng nodded and began to wander around the store.

Lin Man followed behind, enthusiastically introducing the fabric, craftsmanship, and design concept of each garment.

Hua Qing remained seated behind the cashier, occasionally glancing up before looking down again.

Ding Heng walked around for a moment, then returned to the cashier: "How long has your store been open?"

"Almost a year."

Lin Man sighed: "It opened around this time last year. At first, it was okay because friends supported it, but now there's basically no business."

Just as she finished speaking, her phone rang, and she picked it up.

"Hello? Mom... Yes, I know... I'll be right there."

She hung up the phone and turned to Hua Qing, her tone urgent: "It's my grandfather's birthday, and my mother is urging me to go over quickly."

Hua Qing nodded: "Go ahead, I'll take care of things at the shop."

Lin Man walked to the door, then turned back and threatened, "Hua Qing, you have to close a deal today! Otherwise, I'll really withdraw my investment!"

"Didn't you say we were sisters back then..."

"You can't rip off your sister's money like this!"

Lin Man said irritably, "I must have been fooled by your nonsense to open a physical Hanfu store! Losing money is a small matter, but losing face is a big deal! Do you know how my cousins ​​laugh at me?"

Hua Qing pouted, looking a little aggrieved.

Lin Man pushed open the door and went out, the wind chimes tinkling.

The footsteps gradually faded into the distance.

The shop quieted down.

Hua Qing lowered her head and continued flipping through the account book.

Ding Heng stood in front of the cashier, quietly watching her.

She flipped through the ledger slowly, her brows slightly furrowed, as if she were trying to calculate a problem that she could never seem to solve.

Finally, he sighed deeply, closed the ledger, and looked up.

She was taken aback when she met Ding Heng's gaze.

"You haven't left yet?"

Why should I leave?

Ding Heng leaned against the cashier counter, a half-smile on his face.

Hua Qing felt a little uncomfortable under his gaze and took half a step back.

What do you want to buy?

"You haven't recommended anything to me yet."

"Didn't Lin Man just recommend it to you?"

I don't like what she recommended.

Hua Qing pursed her lips and remained silent for a few seconds.

"So what kind do you want?"

"Whatever you recommend, that's what I want."

Hua Qing frowned again.

This man didn't come for the clothes!

What exactly do you want to buy?

Her tone turned cold, tinged with impatience.

Ding Heng smiled and took out his phone from his pocket: "My dad works at a TV station. They're currently preparing a period drama program and need to purchase a batch of Hanfu (traditional Han clothing)."

Hua Qing was startled: "Really?"

Why would I lie to you?

Ding Heng swiped his phone a few times, pulled out a photo, and handed it over: "This is a concept art for their show. Take a look and see if you can make it."

Hua Qing took the phone and looked down at it.

The clothing design drawings in the photos are very detailed, with the style, fabric, and craftsmanship clearly marked.