Chapter 47 Shopping
He deftly placed a piece of shredded pork with his chopsticks into her bowl, and then moved the fish meat, after removing the fish bones, to her bowl.
"Eat slowly, and drink soda if it's too spicy." He looked at her eating too fast and, feeling a little helpless, pushed the soda towards her.
The boiled fish was indeed delicious, but Nan Zhiyi didn't enjoy it very much.
With her back to Lu Linlang, she could clearly feel that cold gaze fixed on her back.
"I...I'm done eating." Nan Zhiyi put down her chopsticks, looking sullen.
Gu Xiao didn't say anything and quickly finished the rice in his bowl.
"Let's go." He stood up. "To the department store."
"No……"
"We're missing something at home." Without waiting for a reply, Gu Xiao pulled her outside.
They didn't drive; they walked all the way to the department store.
The store was filled with a unique mix of smells: the starch from new fabric, the glue from plastic sandals, and the fresh scent of soap.
Gu Xiao led her to the clothing counter.
"Sandals, soft-soled. These are a new style from Shanghai, comfortable and good-looking!" The sales clerk introduced them enthusiastically as soon as she saw Gu Xiao's military uniform.
Nan Zhiyi took the shoes, squeezed them in her hand, and asked, "How much?"
Salesperson: "20 yuan."
Nan Zhiyi immediately put the shoes back on the counter. This price was enough for a month's household expenses!
"never mind…"
Gu Xiao said, "Get a pair of size 36."
Before Nan Zhiyi could react, he continued, "That Dacron shirt, a light color, thin material. And several pairs of cotton underwear, soft ones."
He remained expressionless, while Nan Zhiyi was so embarrassed she wanted to disappear into the ground. She secretly pinched his waist with her fingers.
After the sales clerk finished wrapping it up, Gu Xiao naturally took it and pulled her along to continue shopping.
"Your slippers, the pair at home are old."
"Laundry soap, bar soap, toothpaste, toilet paper..."
Nan Zhiyi was initially uneasy because of Lu Linlang's appearance, but seeing Gu Xiao carefully picking out things for her and even using a piece of floral fabric to compare colors on her body...
The gloom in her heart gradually dissipated, and she became interested in shopping.
She picked up a piece of cotton fabric with small floral prints, pressed it against her face to test its softness, and looked up at Gu Xiao with a smile: "How about this as a pillowcase?"
Her smile was bright and cheerful, with a hint of coquettishness.
Gu Xiao looked at her bright eyes and slightly upturned lips, and chuckled softly, "Mm."
He raised his hand and used his fingertips to wipe away the beads of sweat from the tip of her nose.
Nan Zhiyi wrinkled her nose and smiled even more happily.
Across several rows of counters, Lu Linlang held a box of Friendship Snow Cream in her hand, her knuckles turning white from the pressure, staring intently at the two figures.
When Gu Xiao looked down at Nan Zhiyi, his eyes were filled with a tenderness that could almost drown a person; Nan Zhiyi looked up at him and smiled, her expression one of unreserved dependence and adorable naivety...
She thought Gu Xiao was naturally cold-hearted and kept a distance from everyone.
She thought he just hadn't met someone who could melt his heart.
She waited, she tried to get closer, she was transferred to this remote military region... and what was the result?
"Dr. Lu?" The round-faced nurse, Xiao Zhang, noticed her pale face and asked cautiously, "Are you... feeling unwell?"
Lu Linlang snapped out of her daze, her nails digging deep into her palms, barely managing to keep her voice steady: "It's nothing."
She took a deep breath. "This face cream is really good. I'll give it to you."
Xiao Zhang was flattered: "Oh, I can't accept this! Dr. Lu, you're too kind!"
She looked in the direction Lu Linlang had been lost in thought, and lowered her voice: "Oh, you see Commander Gu and his wife? You just transferred here and don't know, Commander Gu is known here for spoiling his wife! The military wives in the family compound all say that as long as he's home, he takes care of all the housework!"
His wife, she never lifts a finger! I heard they bought a new TV, and it hadn't even been that long? His wife said she didn't want to watch it anymore, and Commander Gu donated it to the club without batting an eye! Tsk tsk, what a spendthrift…”
"Enough!" Lu Linlang interrupted, her voice so sharp it startled even herself.
Seeing Xiao Zhang's astonished expression, she forced a smile, "...It's a bit noisy. Let's go."
Nan Zhiyi enthusiastically bought some more skincare products and daily necessities, but felt a pang of regret as she looked at her rapidly shrinking wallet.
"I'm not buying anymore! I'm not buying anymore! That's enough."
Gu Xiao rubbed her fingers. "Then I'll bring you here again next time I have a break."
He drove her home in his Jeep.
As we drove out of the city, the poplar trees along the roadside rushed past us.
The back seats were piled high with the purchase results.
Gu Xiao smiled and glanced at Nan Zhiyi beside him from time to time.
Nan Zhiyi looked at the sunset, feeling exceptionally good, and hummed an off-key song.
The car stopped at the entrance of the family compound.
Gu Xiao turned off the engine, got out of the car, and then went to the passenger side door.
As before, he reached under Nan Zhiyi's legs and back, and with a little effort, lifted her up from her seat.
"Oh! You're injured..." Nan Zhiyi exclaimed, hurriedly grabbing his neck.
"It's alright."
She nestled in his arms, couldn't resist looking up, and quickly kissed his chin.
Gu Xiao glanced around and, seeing that no one was passing by, lowered his head and pecked her lips hard.
Nan Zhiyi, afraid of being seen, quickly said, "Okay, let's go home... put me down first."
The two entered the house.
Gu Xiao put his things down and went to the cafeteria to get his food.
Nan Zhiyi was tidying up her things at home.
I bought two new pairs of plastic sandals. One pair is light green with small flower decorations, and that's hers. The other pair is dark blue, simple and sturdy, and that's for Gu Xiao.
She placed the two pairs of shoes side by side in the bathroom, looked at them, and a smile unconsciously curved her lips.
She also bought some dark gray twill cotton fabric, thick and sturdy, to make two short-sleeved casual jackets for Gu Xiao. There was also a piece of light khaki fine cotton fabric, which she planned to sew for him a few pairs of spare shorts.
She then picked up a small paper bag containing several packs of sterilized absorbent cotton wrapped in kraft paper and a stack of toilet paper.
She put the things into the bottom drawer of the dresser and pressed her fingers against her lower abdomen.
It's been almost three months since her last period. Her periods are usually irregular, sometimes only coming every two or three months.
Thinking of her intimacy with Gu Xiao, a sense of bewilderment swept through her mind. Childbirth... she didn't understand.
But at this moment, she doesn't want a child.
That means more ties...
She gently shook her head, dismissing the thought, and began tidying up other things: her new clothes, sandals, soap, toothpaste, the razor blade for Gu Xiao, skincare products…
After packing her things up, Nan Zhiyi stood at the entrance of the courtyard, leaning against the door frame and looking around.
As dusk settled, a touch of orange-red remained on the horizon.
Gu Xiao appeared not far away, carrying a lunchbox in one hand and a net bag in the other, which seemed to contain fruit.
He quickened his pace as soon as he saw her.
Nan Zhiyi felt a surge of joy in her heart, straightened up, and waited for him to approach.
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