Chapter 44: Reopening the Shop part 1
Due to the position of being held from behind, Z’s lips were pressed against the back of Zhu Ran’s neck. The hot breath he exhaled when speaking hit the back of Zhu Ran’s ear—warm and thick.
As Z spoke, he lightly rubbed his cheek against the back of Zhu Ran’s neck.
The tips of his hair brushed past Zhu Ran’s cheek, dotting the fair skin with a touch of gold, eventually resting in the hollow of Zhu Ran’s neck.
It was a bit itchy.
His sensitive neck being touched by someone else made Zhu Ran’s body stiffen slightly.
“Z, let go.”
“Don’t want to.”
Z seemed extremely tired, his voice hoarse.
His consciousness likely wasn’t very clear; his tone was dazed and muddled.
As he spoke, the end of his words trailed off slightly, even carrying a hint of acting spoiled.
“Sleepy. Stay with me for a while, okay, Zhu Ran?”
This was the first time Zhu Ran had heard Z speak in such a tone. It sounded soft and fluffy, not at all like the decisive, noble, and cold person he first met.
Instead, it was a bit like his manner when his mania was flaring up—straightforward and completely unmasking his desires.
Zhu Ran still remembered that when the other was semi-conscious, his scorching temperature and possessive aura had stained Zhu Ran with a different hue.
It was very hot, very burning, similar to the feeling now.
Zhu Ran wasn’t used to being so close to someone else.
His green eyes grew cold, and his originally gentle spiritual power became sharp as a blade.
The vines tied to his wrist were restless under the influence of Zhu Ran’s spiritual power. With just one move from Zhu Ran, the vines could grow in an instant and bind Z.
The change only required a single thought from Zhu Ran.
However, Zhu Ran recalled everything that had happened since he met Z.
The cold deliveryman Z, the manic and unconscious Z, the Z who felt guilty and said “I don’t want to hurt you,” the Z who stayed in the living room with him while he worked, the Z who made small cookies to apologize…
And now, there was the sleepy Z who wanted to cuddle and act spoiled.
Although they hadn’t known each other long, Zhu Ran had already seen many different sides of Z, giving him the illusion that they had known each other for a long time.
It could be said that Z was probably the person Zhu Ran was closest to since arriving in the Interstellar era.
The person behind him still pressed his cheek against the back of Zhu Ran’s neck, making no more sound.
The other’s breathing was very light and hot, like a sleeping big cat.
Zhu Ran hesitated for a moment and finally retracted his spiritual power. The vines that had just poked their heads out also went back.
They coiled around Zhu Ran’s wrist without moving, looking like a decoration.
Forget it… I’ll just sleep with him for a little while…
Z’s embrace was very warm. Because he had just applied the massage oil, he had a peaceful lavender scent mixed into him.
Under the warm body temperature and fragrance, coupled with being somewhat familiar with Z, Zhu Ran’s alertness dropped, and he gradually felt sleepy.
He slowly closed his eyes, his breathing growing deep.
Z, who was holding Zhu Ran, opened his beautiful heterochromatic eyes after feeling the breathing of the person in his arms turn steady.
His expression was satisfied, yet carried a smile that was hard to suppress.
Zhu Ran didn’t reject him.
Z cautiously touched the back of Zhu Ran’s ear with the tip of his nose, and the hand encircling Zhu Ran also moved slightly, feeling the texture of the person beneath him.
Soft, fragrant, and very warm.
In the room filled with the scent of lavender, Z held Zhu Ran and fell into a deep sleep.
In his dream, Z seemed like a beast that had obtained the most precious thing in the world. Under a warm sea of flowers, he retracted his fangs and claws, using his soft paw pads to encircle his treasure.
The flowers bloomed gorgeously, and he felt sweetness.
At midnight, Zhu’s Lingering Fragrance, which had been closed for renovation for a day, was about to reopen.
The new and old customers of Zhu’s Lingering Fragrance had already arrived at the street of District 19 around 11 PM the previous day.
They all intended to rush in and start shopping as soon as the store opened!
Although some people were still skeptical about the new aromatherapy and essential oils, as long as they could buy the natural plants that the store usually released, they would be satisfied!
“I heard the shop has expanded. I wonder what it will look like.”
“Zhu’s Lingering Fragrance was indeed too small before. Seven or eight people could crowd the store. After expanding, we shouldn’t have to squeeze anymore!”
……
“I’m very curious about the new lavender essential oil. I just don’t know the price. If it’s within 500,000, I’m in!”
“Buy essential oil for 500,000? Wishful thinking! I think it will be at least seven figures!”
……
“Quite a few colleagues in the office bought Succulents (Pachyphytum oviferum). I can’t fall behind. I must buy a Succulent today!”
“I’d rather buy Daisy Tea? It’s said that many people in the Blue-Indigo Comprehensive Academy survived the hellish final exams thanks to it. I’ve been working a lot of overtime lately and really need it.”
……
Falk Lee, who used to disdain online shopping, had been obsessed with it ever since he stayed up until 11 PM to grab the surprise release of red roses during the promotion day of Zhu’s Lingering Fragrance.
After receiving the actual item, Falk was completely attracted by this gorgeous and thorn-filled natural plant.
Its flame-like red, strong thorny branches, and full water-cup-shaped petals exuded a sense of exquisite luxury.
Not to mention the rich fragrance of the red rose made him feel refreshed and in a good mood.
Falk’s unpleasant mood due to losing money in stocks also instantly became as bright as a flame.
“It really fits my aesthetic perfectly!”
“I want to take photos of it, find someone to paint it, and then frame it for her.”
“I want to find a companion for you. What do you think of Freesia?”
……
Falk, who had obtained the red rose, was like a child who had received a favorite toy. He posted pictures of the red rose on his Friend Circle, social media accounts, and short video accounts.
This also indirectly led to red roses becoming a hot item in the Interstellar wealthy circles.
Learning that Zhu’s Lingering Fragrance would have a new release at midnight today, besides coming to grab it himself, Falk even mobilized everyone in his manor to grab natural plants together.
As long as someone could buy a natural plant, they would receive a 10,000 Starcoin bonus.
The time had come to 23:59:50.
51 seconds, 52 seconds…
As soon as midnight arrived, the people waiting at the door of Zhu’s Lingering Fragrance swarmed in.
However, after stepping through that door, the customers didn’t rush to buy. Instead, they stopped in their tracks, marveling at the sight they saw.
Heavens, this… this is a holographic online shop?
Are you sure this isn’t some plant museum!
It’s too beautiful!
Although it was midnight on the street of District 19, once they entered the shop, the simulated warm sunlight inside made everyone’s eyes light up.
Bright sunlight fell from the large glass windows above, draping the entire first-floor space in a layer of sunlit white.
And because the first floor of the shop was made entirely of floor-to-ceiling glass, there was no sense of wall boundaries. This made the 60-square-meter space look as spacious as a hundred square meters.
The view was open, and it made one feel refreshed.
From the small ecological garden placed at the entrance of the shop, paths paved with various shades of pebbles extended to the left and right.
Rows of pure white freesias bloomed along the paths all the way to the end. This made the people walking on the pebble roads feel as if they were surrounded and embraced by freesias, creating a great sense of ceremony.
Not only was the floor of the shop filled with natural plants, but hanging plants were also designed in mid-air.
In this way, the entire space was filled with natural greenery. Accompanied by the simulated breeze, bursts of fragrance wafted over, as if one were in a garden.
The difference before and after the renovation of Zhu’s Lingering Fragrance was too great, so many people were dazed for a moment.
The previous 10-square-meter small shop, although designed with a wooden style to highlight a warm atmosphere.
But that couldn’t change its cramped spatial feeling.
And now, whether it was the store that had expanded several times or the transparent design of the floor-to-ceiling glass windows, it not only made the shop area much more spacious but also highlighted the eye-catching natural atmosphere.
Entering Zhu’s Lingering Fragrance was like entering the wilderness, isolated from the clamor and metallic feel of the outside world, enveloped by fresh greenery and brilliant flowers.
“This is too beautiful! This renovation is amazing.”
“I’m completely lost in it.”
“Is that a swing over there? Let’s sit on it and take photos together later!”
“I can’t wait to paint.”
“Stop marveling and hurry up and grab things!”
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