In the footwear section, Wei Juan's eyes fell on a pair of delicate little leather shoes, but they were too expensive, so she quickly looked away.
"Waiter, please get my daughter a pair of shoes," Zheng Feng said.
Wei Juan hesitated: "This... is too expensive."
One sentence felt like a needle prick to Zheng Feng's heart.
His Adam's apple bobbed, and he said in a deep voice, "It's not expensive. Dad can afford a pair of shoes."
He asked the waiter to wrap up the little leather shoes, and Wei Juan thought of Su Wantang again, "Sister Wantang's feet are half a size smaller than mine."
"Wrap both sizes up."
The waiter smiled even more attentively.
Next, he bought face cream and clam oil, asking the clerk to bring him two of each item from the counter. He also bought two dozen of Shanghai-made soap.
The surrounding customers and staff gathered around, whispering among themselves.
"My God, whose cadre is this? Buying things like they're free."
"Didn't you see those shoulder insignia? They're high-ranking!"
"His daughter is so lucky."
Amidst these gazes and whispers, Wei Juan gradually grew from initial unease to a sense of déjà vu, and finally, a strange, unreal dizziness washed over her. She felt as if she were walking on clouds, watching Zheng Feng fill her world with all sorts of things she had only ever dared to dream about.
She was almost dizzy.
Is this what it feels like to have a father?
It's so nice to be loved by my dad.
She no longer envied Wei Lili.
She is a child who has a father who loves her.
When Zheng Feng led her to the watch counter on the third floor, Wei Juan grabbed Zheng Feng's sleeve, unable to hold back any longer.
"Dad, that's enough, please stop buying." She grabbed Zheng Feng's arm and whispered.
She's already spent a lot of her father's money...
Zheng Feng looked at a small, exquisite "Shanghai" brand women's watch in the display case and said, "Wrap this watch up."
"Dad!" Wei Juan whispered, "These things are enough, don't buy any more..."
Zheng Feng turned around, his eyes filled with deep remorse. "Xiao Juan, all these years, I've wronged you." He paused, his voice hoarse. "These things aren't sold for their price; they're what I owe you."
"From childhood to adulthood, whatever you lack, Dad will make up for it to you in double the amount."
He rarely spoke so much, and every word struck Wei Juan's heart like a hammer blow. Looking at this tall, unfamiliar father before her, her eyes welled up with tears that surged unexpectedly.
Zheng Feng was at a loss. This man, who shed blood but not tears on the battlefield, was now thrown into disarray by his daughter's tears. He wanted to pat her back, but his hand froze halfway up. In the end, he could only take out a faded military handkerchief from his pocket and awkwardly hand it to her.
"Don't cry... It's Dad's fault."
Wei Juan took the handkerchief and hastily wiped her face. Looking at the watch held up by the waiter in a red velvet cloth, she suddenly asked, "Do you...do you have two?"
Zheng Feng was taken aback, but then he understood what she meant. The corners of his tightly pressed lips unconsciously curved upwards into a very subtle smile.
"Waiter, bring me another one of the same kind."
When Zheng Feng came out of the supply and marketing cooperative, both of his hands were full of shopping bags of all sizes, and the back seat of his military green jeep was packed full.
Wei Juan followed behind him, carrying a paper bag filled with new clothes in her arms, her steps light and airy. The hustle and bustle of the street, the laughter and chatter of passersby, all seemed far away from her.
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