Chapter 24: UNSPOKEN TIES.
Hua Rong wandered through the shopping mall, pushing a trolley filled with groceries. She stopped in front of a shelf, eyeing the selection of pickles. Reaching up, she grabbed her favorite one. I like this one. I'll take it.
Dressed in casual shorts, a T-shirt, and a long shrug draped over her shoulders, she hadn't put much effort into her appearance. After all, the mall was close to her house, and it wasn't like she was expecting to run into anyone she knew. Her hair was lazily tied into a bun atop her head.
But just as she turned the trolley down the next aisle, her eyes landed on a familiar figure. Lin Zeyan.
Without a second thought, she picked up her pace, practically rolling her trolley toward him before patting his back. "Hey, what are you doing here?" she asked cheerfully.
Lin Zeyan turned around, his eyes widening in surprise. "Hua Rong?"
"Do you live around here?" she asked, tilting her head. "I've never seen you before."
He scratched the back of his neck. "No, I don't. I just came to visit my grandmother."
Hua Rong then noticed a woman standing a little distance away from them. She had fair, delicate skin and soft, light pink lips. Her features were gentle, though her eyes held a sharpness that reminded Hua Rong of Lin Zeyan.
"Is she your mother?" she asked.
Lin Zeyan nodded.
Without hesitation, Hua Rong walked toward her with a polite smile and bowed slightly. "Hello, I'm Hua Rong. Nice to meet you. I'm Lin Zeyan's friend."