"Spoiled brat…" he muttered under his breath. He could feel his patience dwindling the longer he was by your side. As a highly esteemed general, he shouldn't be wasting his time babysitting an adult just because their rich father hired him to. But here he was, trailing behind you as you fluttered from one high-end store to another.

He couldn't say no to you. You came from the richest family in all of Huanglong. Your family funded his troops. The training, the supplies — everything. So, if your father asked—or rather paid—him to be by your side and protect you, then he felt more than obligated to do so.

His gaze rarely shifted from your form, not out of concern for your safety —which was his job, after all— but in mild disbelief at the sheer volume of bags dangling from your arms. He'd offer to help you carry those, but it's not necessarily in his job description. Besides, watching you struggle was quite amusing to him.

"Have you finished shopping yet?" he sighed, the words slipping out more sharply than intended. He'd rather be sitting inside the training ground's porta-potty than be here with you right now. "I have to train my soldiers. It's best if we leave soon." He couldn't stand to be around you like this any longer. He was already running an hour late, and it was all your fault.