On Sunday morning, Qiao Chu came out of the system study room early. After a night of study, she was still energetic and not at all sluggish after staying up all night. This was the power of the system. I don’t know how it did it. She stayed in there for so long, and it was no different from having a good sleep. She was even in a better state. It was really unreasonable. However, think about it, the existence of the system itself is an unreasonable thing...
When I walked out of the room, Qiao Weimin had already gone out to open the shop. There were a few side dishes on the table, and the millet porridge that Qiao Weimin had cooked early in the morning was still warm in the rice cooker.
After having a delicious breakfast, Qiao Chu simply dressed up, carried her bag and went out.
She is going to go shopping in the central shopping mall today. Christmas is next week, and she needs to buy some gifts for her friends, as well as some apples, wrapping paper, ribbons and the like. The day before Christmas is Christmas Eve, and Chinese people are accustomed to giving their friends an apple on this day, which sounds like "peace" in Chinese and is a good wish. She also wants to make some peace apples herself and give them to her friends, as a small blessing from her.
Christmas Eve and Christmas were originally foreign holidays to celebrate the birth of our savior Jesus. Foreigners attach as much importance to Christmas as Chinese attach importance to the Spring Festival. I don't know why, but after this holiday was introduced to China, it became more and more popular in China. Even many people who have never heard of Jesus have joined in the fun to celebrate Christmas Eve and Christmas. Merchants have followed the trend and launched gift boxes, exclusive products and other Christmas limited edition products. Restaurants have also created various set meals in the name of the holiday, and they are always sold out. Some even have to be booked several days in advance.
However, the most excited ones are the students in school. As soon as December comes, everyone starts to get excited and counts the days every day in anticipation of Christmas at the end of the month. When I was a student, it seemed like every holiday could make us excited for several days. At that age when we were innocent and naive, we didn’t have to worry about whether we had completed our performance goals, whether we had good relationships with colleagues, or whether we had saved money at the end of the year. There was only pure happiness, and it was... really good.
The joyful festive atmosphere also infected Qiao Chu. She specially sacrificed her study time to come out and choose gifts for everyone. It was not because she attached importance to Christmas, but she only cared about the festival itself. It had nothing to do with Christmas or Dragon Boat Festival.
Festivals are a ritual of life. Their significance is not for anything else but to prove love and being loved. In this world, it is a happy thing to have someone you love and someone who loves you. With love, you are like having a sweet candy, which can bring you comfort and redemption no matter how much suffering you have endured, and also add a bit of sweetness to our dull life.
At this time in her previous life, Qiao Chu was still in a daze. She now couldn't remember how she spent Christmas at that time. The loss of her mother was such a huge blow to her that she completely ignored the fact that there were many people around her who cared for her and loved her...
Fortunately, God favors her and gives her a second chance. This time she will definitely not be like before. She will live every day well and cherish everyone around her!
They took a taxi to the mall. Since he had already decided what gifts to give, Qiao Chu went straight to the destination and quickly bought all the gifts.
She looked at the watch and it was only ten o'clock in the morning. It was a rare trip for her, so she didn't want to go back so early. After thinking about it, she decided to go to the food street next door to eat some snacks and find Shen Ling to play for a while.
As soon as Qiao Chu entered the food street, he saw someone pushing a cart selling candied haws. The red haws were covered with thick sugar coating and were swaying there, looking very tempting. Today's candied haws are not as varied as they would be ten years later, with banana candied haws, strawberry candied haws, and even insect candied haws. At that time, the candied haws were very simple, with only one kind, hawthorn, but the taste was the most authentic.
Qiao Chu couldn't remember how many years it had been since she had eaten this old-fashioned candied haws. She unconsciously secreted a lot of saliva from her mouth and felt a little greedy.
After a while, she walked towards Shen Ling's stinky tofu stall while chewing on a candied haws, holding a candied haws wrapped in thick oil paper in her hand, ready to bring it to Shen Ling to taste.
Before she reached Shen Ling’s house, she heard a familiar scolding coming from the front.
"You little bitch, you can't even do this little bit of work, what's the point of keeping you! You only know how to eat, are you a pig?"
The voice is still as sharp and the content is still unbearable to hear.
Qiao Chu was very familiar with this voice. She had heard it the last time she came here and almost got beaten.
When she got closer, she saw that it was Shen Ling's house again.
The scolding came from the kitchen behind the stall. She stretched her neck to look inside, and saw the middle-aged woman from last time holding a little boy, sitting there pointing at Shen Ling and scolding her, while Shen Ling stood straight, saying nothing.
Qiao Chu thought about it and finally did not go in, but left quietly.
Shen Ling rarely mentioned her family at school, and her background was guessed by Qiao Chu and Jia Xianxian from their daily conversations.
Shen Ling is a poor person. Her mother died when she was very young. The middle-aged woman who just cursed was the one her father married later, and she is Shen Ling's stepmother. Stepmother, no matter where the word is used, it seems to have a slightly derogatory connotation. Although some stepmothers are gentle, kind and amiable, there are definitely many vicious and mean stepmothers. These people simply cannot treat other people's children as their own children. Because of the jealousy unique to women, they even show an indifferent or even hostile attitude towards their stepchildren. Especially after they have their own children, they feel that their stepchildren are particularly annoying.
Shen Ling's stepmother is undoubtedly the latter. She treats Shen Ling like a servant at home. Shen Ling not only has to take care of all the housework at home, but also has to be responsible for setting up the stall on weekends. Even so, she is often scolded and beaten.
As for Shen Ling's father, as the saying goes, if there is a stepmother, there will be a stepfather. This sentence is absolutely correct.
Whenever Jia Xianxian talked to her about Shen Ling's family, she looked indignant, and she almost wanted to rush to her house and give her stepmother a good beating. However, this is just wishful thinking. After all, no matter how long their hands are, they cannot reach other people's homes.
This is also the reason why Qiao Chu didn't go in just now. She can control it this time but not the next time. Besides, Shen Ling is a sensitive girl with a strong self-esteem. She definitely doesn't want her friends to see her being scolded.
All she could do was to care more about Shen Ling and give her more warmth and encouragement from friends.
Since he couldn't go find Shen Ling, Qiao Chu decided to go to the nearby flower market and buy a few bouquets of beautiful flowers to decorate the house or put in gifts, which would be both beautiful and smell good.
As soon as I stepped into the flower market, a strong fragrance of flowers hit my nose. Various varieties of flowers were inserted in vases and quietly bloomed, with different styles and beauty. There were delicate roses, pure lilies, noble tulips, fresh and lovely daisies...
Qiao Chu was simply dazzled, and felt that every flower was so beautiful. Looking at these flowers, her mood was lifted...
After walking around for more than half an hour, she finally picked a bunch of yellow tulips. The tulips were delicate in color and lovely in shape. She loved them so much that she prepared to go home contentedly, holding the flowers.
However, after walking a few steps, she saw a familiar figure standing not far ahead. It was Fu Zhen, whom she had met at "Yunshangyue" yesterday.
How come I can run into him everywhere?
When Qiao Chu thought of yesterday's embarrassment, his face became hot again. Why was it so embarrassing every time he met him? Are the two of them born to clash?
Fu Zhen was standing in front of a potted plant and admiring it. Some people cannot be buried in the crowd. No matter where they go, they are the focus of everyone. His handsome face and slender figure have become another beautiful scenery in the flower market.
Seeing that he didn't notice this side, Qiao Chu decided to pretend not to see it and quickly leave. She covered her face with tulips and blended into the crowd, heading for the door.
Fu Zhen raised his head as if he had sensed something, and saw someone who was about to slip away. An indescribable joy suddenly rose in his heart. He stretched out his long legs, took a few steps and came in front of Qiao Chu to stop her.
"Didn't you see me?"
Oh no, I’ve been discovered!
Qiao Chu's body stiffened, and her delicate little face appeared from behind the tulips. She smiled slightly and said nonchalantly, "Ah, Senior Fu, what a coincidence, you're here to buy flowers too?"
Who is he, Hawkeye? This can all be discovered.
“Buy potted plants.”
Fu Zhen just watched her pretending to be ignorant. He was in a good mood and decided not to expose her.
Potted plant? Qiao Chu was slightly surprised. She didn't expect that a boy of Fu Zhen's age would like something as calm as a potted plant. He was indeed a male god-level figure, and even his aesthetic taste was so unique.
Fu Zhen looked at the shopping bag in her hand and asked, "Are you shopping alone?"
Qiao Chu followed his gaze to the large and small packages in his hands and nodded: "Yeah."
Suddenly, she caught a glimpse of the oil-paper bag she had been holding in her hand, raised her head and said to Fu Zhen with a smile, "Senior Fu, I'll treat you to some candied haws."
After saying that, he opened the oil paper package, took out a red, greasy candied haws, and stuffed it into Fu Zhen's hand.
Fu Zhen looked at the candied haws and fell into a strange silence.
Seeing that he was standing there without making any move, Qiao Chu quickly added, "Senior Fu, it's really delicious. I just ate a skewer and it tasted great!"
She looked at Fu Zhen seriously and expectantly.
That look was irresistible.
Fu Zhen had no choice but to take a small bite reluctantly. As soon as he took a bite, he tasted a strong mixture of sour and sweet. Sometimes sour, sometimes sweet, the two forces fought fiercely in his mouth. In the end, the sweetness prevailed, and there was a sweet aftertaste in his mouth. The taste was actually... not bad?
"Yeah, it's delicious, right?"
Fu Zhen's brows relaxed and he nodded. A sweet taste went straight down his throat and seemed to be moving towards his heart. It felt really good.
Maybe not all sweets are so bad...
"Jinzhi, you met a friend? Why don't you introduce him to grandpa?"
At this time, an old man came over. He was about seventy years old, with a head full of white hair, even his eyebrows were white, but he was in good spirits, with a sense of righteousness between his brows, appearing very majestic, and it was obvious at first glance that he was a person who had held a high position for a long time. He was leaning on a dragon-headed cane in his hand, probably because his legs and feet were not very flexible, but his back was straight and he looked very imposing.
He was looking at Qiao Chu with a kind face.
Fu Zhen held up a candied haws, a rare flash of uneasiness on his face, and replied respectfully: "Grandpa, this is a... friend of mine, his name is Qiao Chu."
grandfather? He is actually Senior Fu’s grandfather?
Qiao Chu didn't expect to meet Fu Zhen's grandfather here. She was a little surprised. She quickly stood up and greeted him obediently, "Hello, Grandpa Fu. My name is Qiao Chu, and I'm Senior Fu's junior."
"Yeah, okay, okay."
Fu Quan looked at the girl with clear eyes in front of him, smiled for the first time, and said, "She is Jinzhi's junior schoolmate. It must be hard to be his junior schoolmate, right?"
This child is good in every way except that he is too cold and aloof. He always treats outsiders with indifference, which causes him a lot of worries.
"Jinzhi?" Qiao Chu's face was full of question marks. Who is Jinzhi?
Fu Quan explained: "Jinzhi is Fu Zhen's courtesy name. I gave it to him."
"oh."
Jinzhi, it sounds really nice. As expected of a wealthy family, they even have a courtesy name, which is really elegant.
However, is it hard to be Fu Zhen’s junior? Qiao Chu shook his head. "It's not hard. Senior Fu is a very nice person. He is very enthusiastic and helped me a lot. I am very grateful."
If Fu Zhen hadn't reminded her during the last sports meet, she would have been embarrassed in front of everyone. And yesterday, because he was worried about her and Jia Xianxian's safety, Fu Zhen personally sent them to a taxi. It seems that Fu Zhen is really a person who is cold on the outside but warm on the inside.
Qiao Chu looked at Fu Zhen who was standing silently beside him with gratitude, and explained to Fu Quan with a smile, "Senior Fu is really nice."
"Oh? Really?" Fu Quan turned his head and glanced at Fu Zhen with a meaningful look in his eyes, and then said to Qiao Chu in a gentle tone: "It is natural for a senior to take care of a junior. If you have any problems, just go to him. If he doesn't help you, I will teach him a lesson."
Upon hearing this, Qiao Chu quickly shook his head: "Grandpa Fu, Senior Fu has already helped me a lot, there is no need to bother him anymore. Well... I won't bother you anymore, I have something else to do and I'll leave first. Goodbye, Grandpa Fu, goodbye, Senior Fu."
After saying that, she left in a hurry. No matter how many times she did it, she was still not good at getting along with elders, especially those with great momentum like Grandpa Fu...
The grandfather and grandson stood there, watching her back until she disappeared from their sight.
Suddenly, Fu Quan said to Fu Zhen: "This girl is good, with clear eyes, calm and not childish. She is much better than the one from the Chen family. She has good taste."
Fu Zhen's face flushed, and he subconsciously explained: "Grandpa, I... am not..."
Fu Quan's face straightened and he said in a low voice, "Jinzhi, you need to explain because you feel guilty."
Fu Zhen was shocked and lowered his head: "I'm sorry, Grandpa."
Looking at his grandson who had grown up to be outstanding, Fu Quan felt relieved. He sighed and said earnestly: "Jinzhi, you don't have to apologize. Just remember to be careful with your words and actions. Never deceive your own heart at any time, and don't do anything to hurt the one you love. Because, seeing the one you love in pain will make you feel a hundred times, a thousand times more painful than she does..."
At the end of his speech, Fu Quan's breathing became increasingly rapid, and the hand holding the cane began to tremble slightly...
"grandfather."
Fu Zhen quickly stepped forward and stroked his heart, "Grandpa, you are not feeling well, let's go back, I will come with you another day."
Fu Zhen carefully helped Fu Quan back to the car, and was finally relieved when he saw that Fu Quan's emotions had stabilized.
Fu Zhen knew that Grandpa was thinking about Grandma again. Grandma had passed away for a year, but Grandpa still couldn't let go...
People tend to forget things when they get old, but they never forget their love for each other.
Is love really so unforgettable?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com