10. Shopping

When Jiang Nan went downstairs, Wenwen was squatting next to a shared bike playing on her phone. When she saw Jiang Nan come out, she immediately stood up and looked her up and down exaggeratedly: "Tsk tsk, no wonder you need my help. Aren't you—" She danced with her hands and wrote for a while, "Are you rich?"

Jiang Nan chuckled twice: "Poor people suddenly become rich, poor people suddenly become rich."

Wenwen raised an eyebrow. "Let me ask again. Are you sure this isn't some kind of trap where you're being held responsible?"

"Probably not. So far, I've only signed one agreement. I also searched for him online at the time, and the information is true." Jiang Nan quickly changed the subject and pulled Wenwen towards the subway station. "Let's go. Tomorrow's cocktail party is a business event, and I need to buy some decent clothes."

Wenwen obediently followed Jiang Nan forward. After getting on the subway, Wenwen leaned close to Jiang Nan's ear and asked, "So, what does your cheap husband look like? Do you have a photo?"

"No," Jiang Nan shook his head, "I don't have the courage to take a picture of him."

"That's right. He's your sponsor, not your husband," Wenwen said earnestly, patting Jiang Nan's shoulder. "But I still hope you can win him over." Wenwen's expression changed, and she said with a smile, "That way I can get a bargain."

"There was no chance of getting anything for free," Jiang Nan recalled Chen Yunsheng. "He was very aloof. We didn't see each other very often."

Wenwen shrugged nonchalantly and changed the subject: "Okay. So what style of clothes are you planning to wear tomorrow? Cute and sweet? Elegant and cool? Or a strong workplace guy?"

Jiang Nan thought for a moment. "Just be decent and generous. He said it was a business reception, and people from my maternal and infant product department will also be attending. I think I need to leave a good impression of reliability and competence on the client side."

Wenwen nodded and took Jiang Nan off the subway in the bustling commercial district of the city center. Wenwen took Jiang Nan on a tour of nearly every major shopping mall nearby. From fast fashion brands to affordable luxury stores, the constant walking made Jiang Nan feel like her legs were about to break. But seeing Wenwen's energetic appearance, she persevered.

"How about this one?" Jiang Nan came out of the fitting room and turned around. She was wearing a navy blue suit and skirt, looking smart and neat.

Wenwen rested his chin on his hand and looked around: "It looks too much like work, and it always makes me hallucinate my boss. Let's change into something else."

After trying a few more sets, Jiang Nan was already a little discouraged: "How about we go back to the first set?"

"No!" Wenwen glanced at the clothes in the store, and then her eyes suddenly lit up. She took out a black long skirt from the hanger, "Try this!"

Jiang Nan took the skirt and wiped the fabric - the texture was soft and smooth, with a delicate, large organza bow at the neckline, which was neither too exaggerated nor had a little sense of design.

After changing into her skirt, she was stunned for a moment.

The woman in the mirror has a well-proportioned figure. The black long skirt sets off her fair skin, and the organza bow at the neckline adds a touch of softness. The overall look is both professional and gentle, giving her a more calm temperament.

Jiang Nan brushed her hair helplessly and slowly walked out of the fitting room.

"Wow!" Wenwen whistled. "This is it! It's tailor-made for tomorrow's cocktail party!"

Jiang Nan looked around in the mirror and was very satisfied: "Then this one will do."

"Wait," Wenwen suddenly grabbed Jiang Nan who was about to change out of her skirt, "We're still missing a pair of shoes." She pulled Jiang Nan straight to the shoe section, "A black skirt with black shoes is the safest choice."

In the end, they chose a pair of black pointed stilettos with just the right height to make their legs look longer without making it difficult to walk. As Jiang Nan tried them on, Wenwen marveled, "We've been together since high school. We've seen each other at our ugliest. You've suddenly become so beautiful, I'm still a little uncomfortable. Oh, our Nan Nan is finally breaking away from her student look and embracing elegance."

Jiang Nan blushed and changed the subject: "Let's go, pay the bill, and then we'll go eat."

After paying the bill, the two of them walked out of the mall carrying their shopping bags. It was already two o'clock in the afternoon. Jiang Nan took Wenwen to a nearby barbecue restaurant and found a seat by the window.

Wenwen ordered a bunch of meat and Coke without hesitation.

The sizzling sound of the barbecue and the aroma filled the air made Jiang Nan suddenly feel extremely relaxed.

"Honestly," Wenwen poured Jiang Nan a glass of Coke, "How are you doing now? Is that cheap husband reliable?"

Jiang Nan took a sip of her Coke and thought for a moment before speaking. "He's... complicated. He looks cold, but he's actually very thoughtful." She thought of the sticky notes, the rice balls, and the recent project guidance. "He always looks so businesslike, and it's hard to guess what he's thinking."

Wenwen blinked: "So do you like him?"

Jiang Nan was silent for a minute or two. She gave a sheepish smile and lowered her voice, saying, "Being in front of this handsome guy did make me dazed for a moment, but I quickly came to my senses." Her tone was full of pride, as if she was begging for praise.

"Hey, if it's reliable, then give it a try," Wenwen instructed Jiang Nan matter-of-factly. "If it's not reliable, then take a step back and ensure your own safety, okay?"

"Okay, I'll keep Mr. Wen's teachings in mind," Jiang Nan raised his Coke. "Cheers?"

"Cheers, Mr. Jiang!" Wen Wen clinked Jiang Nan's glass and drank most of the ice cola.

Then, the two of them ate and complained - Jiang Nan talked about Wang Baopi's bad intentions, and Wen Wen cleared out the gossip around them.

When they were chatting excitedly, Jiang Nan suddenly noticed two women who had just walked in.

A woman in her fifties, with fashionable curly hair, wearing a bright purple slim dress, heavy makeup on her face, and carrying a bag with the logo of a luxury brand.

The other was a young woman in her twenties, with delicate makeup, wearing the new Chanel-style suit of the season, carrying a brand-name bag, and with her chin slightly raised, she was looking at the store environment critically.

Jiang Nan just felt that they looked familiar, and it took him a while to realize that they were his aunt Hong Wenzhen and her daughter Guan Qianqian from the next room.

She and her cousin Guan Qianqian were about the same age, so her aunt always liked to secretly step on her and praise Guan Qianqian - she might be a good mother, but she was definitely not a good aunt. And her cousin Guan Qianqian and her mother Hong Wenzhen were of the same lineage - they always liked to step on others to show off.

What's even more unfortunate is that Guan Qianqian also works in Jiangcheng, and in a public institution in a remote area of ​​Jiangcheng. Although it is located in a remote area and not in the main urban area of ​​Jiangcheng, Aunt Wenzhen believes that it is still a stable job, which is better than what a worker like Jiang Nan can ever achieve in his lifetime.

Jiang Nan complained about this to her parents, but her mother Hong Qiuping always asked her to be more tolerant. Jiang Nan had no place to vent her anger, so she could only stay away from the mother and daughter.

At this moment, Jiang Nan was about to lower her head to hide, but Hong Wenzhen's voice suddenly came: "Hey! Jiang Nan! Ouch!" Hong Wenzhen took Guan Qianqian and walked quickly to Jiang Nan's table, looking at her and Wenwen quickly.

"Oh, Auntie, Sister Qianqian," Jiang Nan pretended to be surprised, "Why are you here too?"

Jiang Nan quickly picked up her bag and sat down next to Wenwen, winking at her. Wenwen understood, greeted her politely, and then remained silent.

"Your sister Qianqian is on vacation soon, so take me over and let me enjoy some good life." Hong Wenzhen casually put the bag of luxury goods on the table and took Guan Qianqian to sit in the seat given up by Jiang Nan.

"Mom, please don't be like this." Guan Qianqian seemed to be blaming Hong Wenzhen, but there was a hint of pride in her eyes. She looked critically at Jiang Nan's T-shirt and her ordinary bag, and curled her lips: "Nannan, I'm not saying anything bad, but girls should be nice to themselves. Why are you still like when you were little and don't like to dress up?"

"It's a barbecue restaurant, the smell is strong, there's no need to wear expensive clothes." Jiang Nan felt annoyed, but still maintained basic politeness on his face.

Guan Qianqian's expression changed instantly when she heard Jiang Nan's words. She tugged at her skirt and said, "Are you still working at the advertising company? How much do you make a month? Is it enough for rent?"

The sense of superiority in his tone almost overflowed.

Wenwen rolled her eyes as she listened, but Jiang Nan calmed her down with a look.

Jiang Nan was actually hesitant. Previously, when she encountered this mother and daughter, she had restrained herself because her mother, Hong Qiuping, was there to keep her in check. But now, with her mother, who could control her, gone, the thought of offending them began to stir.