Chapter 78 Too Late to Take Measures
It was late at night, but the tailor shop's lights were still on.
Wen Xiaoxiao sat at the table, her mind still going over the details of opening the shop, and she didn't even hear the door open immediately.
She didn't come to her senses until she heard footsteps behind her. As soon as she stood up, the man pulled her into his arms.
"I'm back." His voice was slightly hoarse from drinking.
Wen Xiaoxiao hugged him back: "Have you been drinking?"
"Yeah, I talked to Old Hu from the feed mill and two bosses from the slaughterhouse about some things, and we also had a few drinks."
"I had something on my mind, so I drank a bit too fast. Now I feel empty in my stomach and it's burning."
"Drank it on an empty stomach?" Wen Xiaoxiao gave him a reproachful look, then pulled him to sit down. "Wait here, I'll go get you something to eat."
She went into the small kitchen that had been built at the back.
Soon, the sound of a stove being started came from the kitchen.
Zhao Fei leaned against the kitchen door frame, watching her busy figure.
It had only been a few days since he last saw him, but it felt like an eternity.
A steaming bowl of dumpling soup was quickly served.
The soup is clear and bright, with scallions and golden egg flowers floating on top, and the dough dumplings are all the same size.
Zhao Fei picked up the spoon and began to eat heartily.
After finishing the bowl, a fine sweat appeared on my forehead, and I felt completely refreshed.
He put down the bowl, leaned back in his chair, and watched Wen Xiaoxiao clear away the dishes.
The light shone down on her head, casting a hazy glow around her.
After drinking the wine and eating the hot soup, my blood seemed to flow faster.
He got up and walked over, wrapping his arms around her waist from behind.
"Xiaoxiao..." he whispered, and kissed her neck.
Wen Xiaoxiao put down the rag in her hand, gently patted the hand that was wrapped around her waist, and said in a low voice, "Don't be silly... not today."
Zhao Fei stopped moving, looked up, and looked at her face.
There was indeed a hint of discomfort between her brows.
"What's wrong? Are you tired?" he asked, a hint of disappointment in his voice.
Wen Xiaoxiao turned around to face him, a slightly apologetic smile on her face, "It's not that I'm tired... I just don't feel well, my lower abdomen is a little sore, I guess... my period is coming soon."
So that's what it is.
He pulled her to sit down on the edge of the bed, his warm, large hands covering her lower abdomen, gently massaging it with just the right amount of pressure.
"Does it hurt a lot? Would you like some brown sugar water?"
"No need, it's just a little uncomfortable, a massage will make it better."
Wen Xiaoxiao leaned on his shoulder and closed her eyes. Zhao Fei didn't say anything more, but just focused on massaging her.
The next day, Wen Xiaoxiao began looking for a shop.
She first walked around the neighborhood she was familiar with, but the rent was too high, the space was too small, or the location was too remote.
When Sister Liu, who sells fried dough sticks, heard about her plan, she sighed while frying the dough sticks: "Xiaoxiao, are you really going to move away? If you leave, our street will lose a capable person. It will be inconvenient for me to alter the hem of my pants."
Wen Xiaoxiao smiled and comforted her, "Sister Liu, I just want to find a bigger place to do more business. Even if we move, we'll still be in the city. If you need anything, just come to me anytime, and I'll give you a discount."
Even so, I still feel a pang of reluctance.
In the afternoon, a regular customer came to the shop. She was a female worker from a nearby textile factory, who came to pick up a pair of pants she had ordered earlier.
While trying on clothes, the two chatted. When the female worker heard that Wen Xiaoxiao wanted to find a shop to open a clothing store, she thought for a moment and said, "Master Wen, if you're looking for a place, I know one. It's next to that newly built 'Workers' Cultural Palace' in our city. There are houses for rent along the street there. The location is great, next to the cinema and department store, and there are lots of people shopping. I just don't know if it's been rented out yet, or how much the rent is."
Next to the Workers' Cultural Palace?
Wen Xiaoxiao's heart skipped a beat.
She knew that place; it was indeed one of the more bustling areas in the city, frequented by young people and office workers.
She thanked the female worker and decided to go and check on her first thing the next morning.
At almost the same time, on a national highway in a neighboring province, Zhao Qingda squatted beside his long-distance truck, eating cold steamed buns with pickled vegetables.
He sold the bus and took over the logistics route to a city in southern China.
The main job is to haul small, scattered goods and earn a meager living through hard work.
The other end of the line happens to be the city where Wen Xiaoxiao lives.
This was something he specifically chose.
Stay away from the provincial capital, and stay away from those acquaintances who know him and are aware of his downfall.
He swallowed the hard, dry steamed bun in large gulps, staring blankly at the gray sky in the distance.
The ailment in my lower body started to flare up again due to the fatigue from the long drive and the lack of hygiene.
The missing little finger on my right hand still evokes phantom pain at the broken end.
These physical pains, ironically, gave him a real sense of unease.
At least, he's still alive.
That evening, Zhao Fei returned, carrying a large stack of account books.
He flipped through the pages, occasionally pressing the calculator buttons.
His brows were slightly furrowed, and his expression was focused.
Wen Xiaoxiao poured him a cup of tea and placed it beside him. She then sat on the small stool opposite him and continued to ponder her plan to open a shop.
After an unknown amount of time, Zhao Fei took off his glasses, rubbed his sore eyes, and let out a long breath.
Wen Xiaoxiao looked up at him. Under the lamplight, she could see fine lines at the corners of his eyes, the marks of years of hard work.
She felt a surge of warmth, got up and walked over, gently placing her hand on his shoulder.
"Take a break if you get tired, and continue tomorrow."
Zhao Fei took her hand and pulled her down to sit on his lap. He buried his face in her neck and rubbed against her, his voice muffled: "My eyes hurt, and my mind is a mess. It's still more comfortable to hold my wife."
Wen Xiaoxiao felt a little ticklish from his rubbing and laughed as she pushed him away, saying, "You're so indecent."
She could feel the warmth of his body, and she also felt that her discomfort had passed.
She leaned against him and whispered, "I feel much better... Let's look at the ledgers tomorrow, get some rest?"
Zhao Fei could easily understand the invitation in those words.
Without saying a word, he picked her up and carried her horizontally, causing Wen Xiaoxiao to gasp softly and instinctively wrap her arms around his neck.
After several days apart, plus last night's "failed attempt," the pent-up emotions and longing need no further explanation.
The temperature in the small inner room quickly rose, clothes were scattered, and breathing became intertwined.
Zhao Fei's kiss was urgent and passionate, filled with deep longing. Wen Xiaoxiao accepted it completely and responded with equal passion.
At the peak of her delirium, Wen Xiaoxiao vaguely tried to remind him of something, but was completely overwhelmed by the surging tide of emotions.
As Zhao Fei lay on top of her, trying to catch his breath, he belatedly realized that he had forgotten to take precautions.
He propped himself up and looked at her flushed face in the dim light coming through the window. He leaned down and kissed her sweaty forehead, then hugged her even tighter.
Whether it happens or not, let fate decide.
The next day, Wen Xiaoxiao's waist and legs were still a little sore, but she was in good spirits.
Following the address given by the textile factory worker, she found the row of street-facing houses near the Workers' Cultural Palace.
The shop she liked was located in the middle, with a spacious storefront and sparkling clean windows.
What surprised her most was that the landlord said the shop had a second floor, the stairs were at the back of the shop and did not take up the business area, and there was also a small courtyard at the back.
She went upstairs with the landlord to take a look.
The second floor is about the same size as the downstairs floor. It has simply painted white walls, a cement floor, and windows, so the ventilation and lighting are quite good.
Selling goods downstairs and living upstairs—it's the perfect way to balance business and family life.
She suppressed her excitement and carefully examined the layout downstairs.
The space is indeed quite large. A row of clothes racks can be placed against the wall, and a few display stands can be set up in the middle. Near the entrance, a small area can be set aside to display some matching shoes and bags.
The light streamed in through the large glass windows, making it bright and airy.
"How much is the rent for this room?" Wen Xiaoxiao asked the landlord, trying to calm herself down.
The price was slightly higher than the other places she had inquired about before, but it was still within her acceptable range.
She didn't agree immediately, only saying she would think about it, but her mind was already racing with ideas.
As she walked out of the shop she had been longing for, her heart was beating a little fast, not because of nervousness, but because of a firm sense of hope.
This is the place.
Her clothing store, her new beginning, is about to take root and flourish here.
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