Chapter 18: Supporting a Sugar Baby

"You wicked man, have you been harboring bad intentions all along, using the excuse of teaching me the Eight Brocades to deceive me?"

At this moment, Lizhi, curled up in Chen Hao's arms like a docile cat, traced circles on his sturdy chest with a fair, delicate hand.

"How unjustly accused I am!" Chen Hao replied with a look of feigned grievance. "You were the one who kept urging me to teach you the Eight Brocades! It seems more like you used my teaching as an excuse to throw yourself into my arms!"

"I say you're bad, so you're bad!" Lizhi pouted. "You're bad, you're bad, you're bad! You're a wicked man!"

Her soft, small fists rained down gently on his chest, feeling more like a playful tickle than a strike.

"Alright, alright! I'm bad, I'm bad! I'm a wicked man! And wicked men love doing wicked things!" Chen Hao chuckled with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Hehe! I'm about to do something wicked again!"

The next day, Chen Hao woke up early to find Lizhi still sleeping peacefully, curled up in his arms like a tame kitten. He never imagined that, having been reborn into this world, he would end up with the woman who was the dream goddess of so many men. Life was truly full of surprises.

Lizhi slowly opened her eyes. "You're awake," Chen Hao said with a gentle smile.

"Mm," Lizhi looked toward the window. "It's already dawn."

"Let's get up," Chen Hao suggested.

Lizhi nodded, climbed out of his embrace, dressed, and left the room. Watching her graceful silhouette, Chen Hao smiled, dressed as well, and followed her out. After freshening up, Lizhi went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. Chen Hao cleaned up and stepped onto the balcony to gaze at the view outside.

"Didn't you say you'd continue teaching me the Eight Brocades?"

Suddenly, Lizhi’s voice rang out from behind him. Chen Hao turned around immediately. "Is breakfast ready?"

"The porridge is still simmering. Let's finish the rest of the Eight Brocades while we wait," Lizhi said with a faint smile.

"That works," Chen Hao agreed. He began teaching her the remaining movements. Soon, she mastered them, and they performed a full set of the Eight Brocades together.

"The effects of this are truly impressive!" Lizhi sighed with satisfaction. "After finishing, I feel so much more relaxed and refreshed. My mind feels much clearer."

"That’s why practicing it every day is so beneficial for your health," Chen Hao said with a smile. He sniffed the air and added, "What kind of porridge are you making? It smells so good."

"It's chicken porridge. It should be ready soon. Let's eat!" Lizhi headed back to the kitchen. A few moments later, she brought a fragrant bowl of porridge to the table, and Chen Hao brought the other.

"After we eat, I'll take you to the mall to buy some clothes and daily necessities," Lizhi said.

"Alright." Chen Hao nodded. He had intended to pick up some supplies anyway.

After breakfast, they hailed a taxi to a mall. Lizhi, quite familiar with the place, led him to a large menswear store. She personally selected several outfits for him and had him try them on. Ultimately, she picked out a few sets, including everything from inner to outer wear.

"We'll take these. Please pack them up," Lizhi told the sales clerk.

"Very well, Miss," the clerk replied, efficiently folding and packing the clothes.

The clothes here were incredibly expensive; a single coat cost three or four thousand Hong Kong dollars—a sum equivalent to over a year's income for an average working-class family in the mainland at that time. However, Lizhi didn't care. She simply wanted her man to look handsome so he wouldn't be looked down upon by others.

As the clerk finished packing, Lizhi took out her credit card to pay.

"Oh my! Isn't this our big star, Miss Lizhi?" A shrill, mocking voice cut through the air. "What brings you here to go shopping?"

A provocatively dressed woman appeared, clinging to a middle-aged man with average looks but decked out in designer labels.

"So that's Lizhi? I heard she's a girl from the mainland," some of the store staff whispered, their faces showing disdain. Many of them looked down on people from the mainland, even though Lizhi had been crowned Miss Asia the previous year.

"Chen Hao, let's go," Lizhi said, ignoring the woman. She took the bags and turned to leave with Chen Hao.

But the woman wouldn't let it go. "What a handsome young man! Lizhi, is he your kept boy? Who would have thought our famous Miss Lizhi would keep a gigolo!" She sneered with a sharp, sarcastic laugh.