Chapter 58 Even though you're so proud, I kind of want to kiss you.
Hong Kong Island was still crowded with people on New Year's Day, mostly tourists who had come from all over the world the night before to celebrate the New Year.
Xie Qingci didn't want to eat Western food, so they chose a Chinese restaurant. Liang Jingzhuo didn't have any strict requirements when it came to food and listened to Xie Qingci's wishes.
During the meal, when she ate a dish with more mainland Chinese characteristics, Hsieh Ching-Tzu said that it tasted quite different from the one she had at the Jingzhao Restaurant.
The same dish, when taken to different regions, incorporates local specialties, and the taste changes.
Liang Jingzhuo said this was a specialty of the restaurant, and the recipe was deliberately modified in this way.
Xie Qingci then suppressed her disappointment, took another bite, and asked in surprise, "Do people in Hong Kong like to eat this?"
He shook his head, denying the guess, and replied, "No, there are many tourists coming."
Xie Qingci then remembered something, picked up her phone and glanced at it. When she was looking for a restaurant, she had just browsed the recommendation list without paying attention to which list it was from.
Upon closer inspection, it became clear that this was a list of recommendations compiled by mainland tourists.
All right……
They changed the format, added the word "Hong Kong style," but it still appealed to the same group of people.
Liang Jingzhuo sat opposite, looking at the ever-changing face on the other side. After staring at it for a long time, he also smiled.
-
After lunch, they strolled around outside for a while. There were so many people that Xie Qingci was reminded of Jingzhao during peak tourist season.
Locals are joking online, saying that everyone should be patient and stay home for now, because going out will make them look like outsiders.
She felt that Hong Kong Island was similar at this time, with a mix of local dialects, making Cantonese and English seem like minor languages.
The roads on Hong Kong Island were very congested today. They had eaten near Central and walked here, returning via the same route.
Liang Jingzhuo held Xie Qingci's hand, carefully avoiding the crowded throngs, just as they had done when they left Victoria Harbour that day.
Her palms and the backs of her hands were nestled in the warmth of his. Xie Qingci looked down at their clasped hands and remembered the hugs and hand-holding she had made to him that day when she was drunk.
Since then, their contact has increased dramatically, and even when she felt it was unnecessary, he still did it.
She pursed her lips and smiled.
I still find him very interesting.
Hearing a soft laugh, Liang Jingzhuo turned to look at him. "What's wrong?"
Just then, a car drove by, and he switched places with her, moving to the outside and letting her move to the inside.
Xie Qingci shook her head and replied, "It's nothing."
Then, changing the subject, she asked, "Is Mommy going to the dinner party tonight?"
Ms. Zhuang always tells her to let her know when she comes to Hong Kong Island, but she never does, which makes her feel a little guilty.
Looking at her expression, Liang Jingzhuo asked, "Hmm, are you going back to the Half Hill Mansion with her tonight?"
Xie Qingci was taken aback by the question and turned to look at her, "Am I going or not...aren't you going?"
Why did they ask her separately whether she went back with Ms. Zhuang?
Liang Jingzhuo replied, "Yes, I'm going to work tomorrow. There's an early morning meeting after the holiday."
The New Year's Day holiday in Hong Kong Island is only one day, and there will likely be heavy traffic tomorrow, so it won't be very convenient for him to go back.
Xie Qingci nodded, and thoughtfully replied, "Hmm..."
I've come over several times without telling Ms. Zhuang. Why don't you come and stay for a couple of days this time?
"Then I'll go to the pet store."
Liang Jingzhuo countered, "What are you going to the pet store for?"
She took out her phone and searched for nearby pet stores. "I said I'd bring some treats for Duozai last time, but I forgot. I'll bring some back for her today."
I really plan to go back to the Liang family mansion with Ms. Zhuang tonight.
Liang Jingzhuo watched her intently searching the map for a while, then led her forward, saying, "No need to buy anything. It's on a diet lately, and Ms. Zhuang doesn't allow it to eat snacks."
Xie Qingci quickly followed his steps, remembering that Aunt Ali had mentioned that Duozai was participating in a weight loss training camp. After pondering for a while, she said, "Then I'll bring it some small toys."
"..."
There's no way I can leave.
In the end, Xie Qingci still found a pet store and picked out some gifts for Duozai to take away. However, the person beside her had a gloomy expression the whole time and didn't look very good.
She thought about whether she had offended him in any way, and finally concluded that she hadn't.
When it came time to pay, although I had a cold face, I still didn't let her pay herself. I handed over my card before she could.
She tried to stop him, saying that she had promised Duozai and didn't need his help to pay.
The man glanced at her and said the same thing again: "There's a discount."
Although I don't know why a few small toys are worth such a small discount, I decided not to argue with someone who's sulking like that and just let it go.
-
Among the clothes Ms. Zhuang had previously prepared for Xie Qingci were some little dresses, some of which were kept at the Liang family mansion and some at Liang Jingzhuo's place.
Xie Qingci saw it while packing her luggage last night, but she didn't know there would be a banquet event and didn't bring any matching shoes. She had planned to just wear her own dress.
Anyway, Liang Jingzhuo said it was just an internal company dinner, so there were no dress requirements; casual clothes were fine.
But on the way back, he still took her to the store.
When she came last time, he said he would take her to buy shoes next time.
SA has several currently popular styles, but high heels, regardless of price, require a break-in period. To achieve a perfect fit, they need to be custom-made, and it's definitely too late to do that today.
Liang Jingzhuo sat on the sofa, watching Xie Qingci try on shoes. She would subconsciously frown when trying on almost any shoe with a slightly higher heel.
He glanced at the shoe boxes piled on a wool blanket to one side and asked SA, "Do you have any flat shoes?"
SA quickly responded, "Yes, but evening shoes are a better match for formal wear."
He nodded knowingly, "It's okay, get her shoe size and let her try it on again."
Xie Qingci had worn high heels before and knew that every pair of these beautiful instruments of torture had its own temperament, so she said, "It's okay, you'll get used to them after a while."
SA turned to get her shoes, and Liang Jingzhuo glanced at the shoes on her feet.
Hsieh Ching-Tzu has delicate and beautiful feet, and there are very few shoes that don't suit her. No matter what style of shoe she wears, she looks good.
He said, "Comfort is the most important thing."
After saying that, she handed the card to the SA on the side, indicating that she should wrap up the first few pairs of sporty shoes that Xie Qingci had tried on, and continued, "If you like high heels, you can order them after we measure your foot size later."
Buying so many shoes at once, and then placing a private order later, it's quite a big order. The sales associate beamed and agreed, taking the card to get the POS machine.
Xie Qingci turned around and glanced at the casual shoes she had tried on earlier, then quickly said, "I don't need to buy them all, I have plenty of shoes."
Although she wasn't keen on buying every new design from a brand, she already had plenty of clothes and shoes thanks to the Xie family manor and the old house.
If we really have to move over, we can just bring some over. She doesn't need many shoes, she can't wear them all.
Liang Jingzhuo didn't seem to care whether she had many shoes or not, and simply replied, "There's room at home."
The implication is that if you can let go, it doesn't matter how much you have.
During my MBA studies in Boston, I had a classmate from Hong Kong who was also pursuing an MBA. He was married and would often talk about how his wife had an exceptional shopping ability. Her walk-in closet was practically overflowing with bags, shoes, clothes, and more, and she would even have to coordinate different outfits.
When she talked about it, she laughed helplessly yet sweetly: "Tell me, isn't it easy to make money off women? Just put a limited edition label on something, and they'll happily buy it."
His words were sarcastic, but his expression was one of doting happiness.
He didn't understand what this contradictory feeling was at the time, but now he seems to understand it a little.
When Xie Qingci first came to Hong Kong Island, he didn't bring many belongings. A few brightly colored and elegant clothes hung in his wardrobe, like a splash of oil paint that had inexplicably jumped into a dark painting, somewhat out of place.
That morning, when he got up to change his clothes, he opened the closet door and saw that discordant scene, and he was stunned for a long time.
She was still sleeping in the bedroom at the time. It was a strange feeling. His wife was sleeping peacefully in the room where he had lived for more than 20 years. He was about to go to work. Her clothes were hanging in the closet, and they looked out of place but warm and cozy against his clothes.
At the end of that day, he kissed her forehead before leaving.
At this moment, he understood that state of mind, and it was quite nice. He was willing to pay for this wonderful feeling.
Xie Qingci paused for a moment, her heart skipping a beat at the word "home" he uttered.
Like a pebble falling into the water, it creates ripples.
Seeing his resolute expression, she finally gave up on refusing.
...
After Xie Qingci tried on several new flat shoes from SA and said that they were comfortable, Liang Jingzhuo agreed to buy them.
After payment and filling in the address, someone will deliver all the goods purchased today to your door.
Hsieh Ching-Tzu had no plans to have any more high heels custom-made. She didn't need to wear them on many occasions, and one or two pairs of new seasonal styles would be enough.
SA glanced at the two cautiously and reminded them, "What about the wedding shoes? Would you like to take a look? Our wedding dress collection is very classic!"
The wedding date hadn't been set yet, and it was uncertain when it would take. Just as I was about to politely decline, a voice came from beside me: "Okay."
"..."
So, with liberation just around the corner, the glimmer of hope that they could finally leave the store was once again extinguished.
Hsieh Ching-Tzu is really not that enthusiastic about shopping and selecting items.
However, the wedding series is indeed different from the regular series. They are all custom-made, and you can imagine how beautiful the actual products will be just by looking at the pictures in the catalog.
SA meticulously explained the design concept and materials used, and said that customization was possible according to personal preferences, making each pair absolutely unique.
Xie Qingci stared at the exhibition album, lost in thought for a moment.
Liang Jingzhuo glanced at the pictures in the exhibition catalog, then turned to look at it. "Don't you like it?"
A sudden sound pulled her back from her reverie. Xie Qingci snapped back to reality, smiled, and said, "No."
"We just haven't set a date for our wedding yet, so we probably don't need to start preparing so early."
Liang Jingzhuo's gaze was calm and unwavering. "Are you prepared to replace him?"
"?" She just said she wasn't in a hurry, how did it turn into her being prepared to change the candidate?
Xie Qingci moved her lips and replied, "...No."
Liang Jingzhuo withdrew his gaze. "Then it's getting late."
"……OK."
Wedding shoes are mostly worn only once at the wedding, but the design fees can be exorbitant. Xie Qingci recalled the styles of the wedding dress designers that Ms. Zhuang had invited and temporarily selected two styles.
SA happily agreed, saying that she had just checked and found that the sample had her size. Would you like to see how it would look on her feet?
Since we've already seen it, there's no harm in trying it together, she said.
The shoes, which are inlaid with clusters of small diamonds, are naturally stored differently from other shoes. SA led Xie Qingci to the secure shoe storage room at the back to try on the shoes.
SA said that the shoes she was wearing today might not show the best effect, but they had matching dresses available so she could try on the whole outfit.
The shoes don't really stand out from the regular work trousers, but they're already quite nice.
Xie Qingci was about to refuse when SA, who was standing to the side, laughed, "Aren't you going to wear it out and let the master see it?"
She looked at her shoes, which were practically blindingly bright, paused for a moment, pursed her lips, and replied, "Okay."
While waiting for Xie Qingci, Liang Jingzhuo received a phone call from Ms. Zhuang.
It must have been Lin Lexin who tipped them off. Zhuang Shuying knew that Xie Qingci had come to Hong Kong Island and asked if they were going to the banquet tonight. If not, she wouldn't go either, and told them to go back to Mid-Levels for dinner. She told Aunt Ali to start preparing now.
Liang Jingzhuo replied, "Yes, I went."
Zhuang Shuying replied that she would go too, and then continued to ask, "Then why don't you go back to the hillside tonight? I'll have someone change your sheets."
Liang Jingzhuo glanced in the direction of the shoe fitting room and replied, "I don't know, I haven't asked Xie Qingci yet."
Zhuang Shuying said, "Ah..." and then said, "I'll ask her when we meet at the banquet later."
As soon as he finished speaking, a reply came from the other end of the phone: "We may not be staying for long."
Every year at the banquet, Ms. Zhuang would have to socialize with the wives' circle before she had any free time. Sitting in this position, she certainly couldn't leave whenever she wanted.
Upon hearing this, Zhuang Shuying clicked her tongue and said, "Then you should stay with Xiao Ci a little longer."
I'm deliberately trying to annoy her.
Just as a response came through the receiver, the door to the shoe fitting room opened, and several sales associates stood by the door to help open the somewhat heavy door.
Liang Jingzhuo glanced up and replied, "We'll see."
Then I hung up the phone.
The heels, nearly ten centimeters high, were truly no different from instruments of torture, but they were also undeniably beautiful. Hsieh Ching-Tzu occasionally wore high heels, and to make her posture look better, she usually paired them with shoes of this height when wearing evening gowns, so her steps remained steady.
As the resounding thud of high heels hitting the ground rang out, Liang Jingzhuo put down her phone and looked in the direction of the sound.
She walked out in a white satin strapless mini dress, styled like a light wedding gown, with a half-train and a rather long hem. She lifted the sides of the dress.
Her face was unadorned, and her shoulders were fair and smooth. She walked towards him amidst the admiring gazes of the SAs.
He asked, "Is it pretty?"
Xie Qingci was actually a little nervous. She had never worn this style of dress before; it was clearly a wedding dress. She was worried that it wouldn't suit her and that he would say it didn't look good.
Liang Jingzhuo's gaze lingered on her for a moment, and he was momentarily stunned.
Until a look of disappointment appeared on the rosy cheeks of the person in front of her, she thought, "I guess I'm still not suited for this style of dress."
As she spoke, she turned around to change.
He said, "It's beautiful."
Xie Qingci stopped in her tracks, seemingly in disbelief, and turned around. "Really?"
His gaze fell on her face, and he nodded firmly, "Yes."
SA smiled and said, "It really is beautiful. Miss Xie doesn't believe me? Let me show it to the gentleman, and he will definitely think so too."
The word "Mr." is less formal than "husband" but more literary than "husband," and Xie Qingci inexplicably felt a little embarrassed.
Liang Jingzhuo then shifted his gaze to her shoes, and upon seeing the heels, asked her, "Are you uncomfortable?"
Shoes that aren't strictly custom-made to fit your foot shape won't fit as well, but they still feel great on your feet.
Xie Qingci looked down.
Her slender, white insteps showed off the most perfect curve, sexy yet dignified. She shook her head and said, "No, it's fine."
Liang Jingzhuo nodded and offered no further comment.
After leaving the store, I went back to prepare, and it was almost time for the banquet. The little dress was bought by Ms. Zhuang, and the size was just right.
While Liang Jingzhuo was changing his shirt, Xie Qingci was putting on her earrings, and the dressing mirror in front of them captured their images at the same time.
As he buttoned up his shirt, Liang Jingzhuo glanced sideways at another figure in the mirror.
The shoes are a newly purchased flat style, with a very gentle round toe and low-cut design. They don't match the slightly fitted skirt.
She wore a cream-colored long dress, with a fitted strapless bodice and a loose, puffy skirt.
She looks like a princess in a medieval oil painting.
After putting on her earrings, Xie Qingci turned around and found that Liang Jingzhuo hadn't changed yet; the tie she had draped over her shoulder before changing was still there.
She looked at him and asked, "Do you need my help?"
Liang Jingzhuo's gaze lingered on the mirror. Upon hearing this, he turned back to look at the person in the mirror and replied, "Okay."
Hsieh Ching-Tzu was already quite skilled at tying ties, and she tied one and a half Windsor ties in no time.
Today's occasion isn't very business-like, so a half-Windsor setting would be fine.
As she smoothed out the wrinkles and was about to withdraw her hand, she looked up and met the gaze of the person who had been watching her.
The words "It's done" that were on the tip of my tongue got stuck in my throat.
His gaze was deep and clear, yet carried an unspoken directness, as if Xie Qingci had anticipated what he was about to say.
Sure enough, when she lowered her hand, looked away, and said, "That's enough," the person in front of her looked at her and said in a low voice, "I have another question for you."
Although she had already anticipated what he was going to say, Xie Qingci was still taken aback for a moment, turned her eyes to look at him, and said, "Hmm?"
"Is your makeup easy to touch up today?"
Two seconds later—
"I kind of want to kiss you right now."
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Author's Note: Kissing monster! [kissing emoji]
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