49 New Year's goods
◎Happy New Year, Xiaoyaoer◎
As the New Year draws to a close, the long streets become more lively, with the aroma of steamed buns, steaming rice cakes, and people's happy laughter all floating in the streets and alleys.
The New Year goods displayed on some vendors' stalls are becoming more and more complete, with everything you need. Some famous opera troupes have even set up temporary stages on the streets and sang songs, adding a unique touch of fun to the New Year.
The children walking through the streets have changed into brand new coats. Each of them is running freely with a string of candied haws in their hands, their laughter sounds like silver bells, and they are so happy.
Shu Yao looked at the hustle and bustle in front of her, her eyes curved, and she turned around and was attracted by a vendor selling dried fruits not far away. She pulled Ji Shijing over there, and because of her injuries, she walked very slowly.
The dried fruit vendor saw someone coming and immediately greeted them with a smile: "What would you like to order? The roasted nuts and dried fruits here are all top quality. I guarantee you'll want to eat them again after trying them once." After saying that, he looked at the two of them expectantly and hurriedly handed over the cloth bag of dried fruits, hoping that they would choose more.
Shu Yao picked up the dried longan pulp and tasted it. Her eyes lit up; it tasted quite good, so she bought some. The vendor happily weighed it and handed it to her, saying something nice: "You two are such a talented couple. I hope you will have many children and good fortune in the new year."
Shu Yao paused holding the dried fruit. She secretly glanced at Ji Shijing, and saw that he was also looking down at her. She quickly turned around and said "thank you" to the vendor, then pulled Ji Shijing away, her cheeks turning red belatedly.
Ji Shijing's eyes flashed with a smile, and he took the things from her hand. The two continued to walk forward. Along the way, Shu Yao couldn't help but buy any rare things she saw. Soon, Ji Shijing had countless things in his hands, big and small.
When he passed by a bookstore, he walked in. He had finished reading the books he had bought some time ago, and he wanted to buy some new ones.
Shu Yao did not go with him, but went to a rouge shop to buy a few boxes of rouge to study a new makeup look.
The rouge shop's business was not very hot, with only a few people coming in. She tried a few boxes of rouge and powder, but the powder was rough and she was not satisfied.
Seeing this, the waiter hurriedly took out a batch of newly arrived goods from the counter and handed it to her attentively: "Miss, take a look at this batch of rouge. What do you think? It was just shipped from Jiangnan yesterday."
The moment the rouge was opened, a faint floral fragrance wafted out. The smell was fragrant but not strong, and it was very comfortable to smell. Shu Yao applied a small piece on her hand. It was shiny and translucent. She nodded. The quality of this rouge was quite good.
She said to the waiter, "Please wrap it up for me, I..."
Before she could utter the three words "I bought it", a swollen hand next to her took the rouge from her hand. Shu Yao turned around and saw Ji Zhao and Ge Yong.
Ji Zhao had gained weight due to her pregnancy. Ge Yong held her with one hand and carefully placed the other hand on her belly, looking very doting.
Shu Yao stood up and snatched the box of rouge from Ji Zhao's hand: "First come, first served."
Ji Zhao snorted, "It's a waste for a country bumpkin like you to have rouge. You don't even look in the mirror, and you still want such good rouge. Ugh!"
Ji Zhao spoke very loudly, and everyone around looked over here. After hearing what she said, everyone unconsciously turned their eyes to Shu Yao.
Shu Yao was not wearing any makeup, but she was still fresh and refined, which amazed everyone.
Shu Yao wasn't angry either. She simply ignored her and handed the rouge in her hand to the waiter: "Wrap it up for me."
The waiter quickly and skillfully packed it up and handed it to her: "One tael of silver."
Ji Zhao had lived a pampered life as a young lady for several years, and now that Shu Yao had insulted her, she was furious and immediately went forward to snatch it. Shu Yao dodged flexibly and said, "Miss Ji is pregnant now, it's better not to touch these things."
Ji Zhao pulled Ge Yong over and said with an aggrieved expression, "Yonglang, are you just going to watch her bully me like this?"
Seeing that everyone was looking at him, Ge Yong felt a little embarrassed as a scholar. He lowered his head and patiently coaxed Ji Zhao: "Zhao'er, why don't you give the rouge to her? I'll buy you a better one next time."
Unexpectedly, Ji Zhao got angry and pointed at the rouge in Shu Yao's hand: "I want that, Yonglang, hurry up and grab it for me."
Ge Yong faced the gazes from all around him and felt his cheeks burning.
Shu Yao put Yanzhi in her arms and said: "Ge Yong, you are a scholar, you wouldn't do such a thing as robbery, right? No way, no way." She said sarcastically.
Ge Yong lowered his head and went to pull Ji Zhao out of the shop, but Ji Zhao didn't know where she got the strength from, and she clung to the door frame and refused to leave. More and more people gathered around to watch the fun.
Ge Yong wanted to leave her, but because of her family background, he squatted down and coaxed her softly, but Ji Zhao didn't listen to a word he said and even started throwing a tantrum.
Shu Yao and the onlookers were watching the excitement from the side, but thinking that she was pregnant, Shu Yao still gently reminded her: "The ground is cold, and you are still pregnant, it is best not to sit on the ground."
But when Ji Zhao heard this, he became even more excited and sat on the ground and made a big fuss like a shrew.
She didn't stop crying until a sharp voice was heard.
Mother Ge angrily pushed through the crowd, walked over to Ji Zhao, and slapped him in the face: "You little bitch, if you make my grandson cry to death, I'll tell you how I'll deal with you."
Ge's mother had very high cheekbones and a sharp and sarcastic face, which made her look scary.
Ji Zhao was stunned. When she saw the person coming, she shrank her neck and remained silent like a quail, completely losing her previous aggressiveness.
Mother Ge rudely pulled her up and said, "You want to buy rouge for a face like this? Don't you even look in the mirror? I'm afraid even a box of rouge won't be enough for all this fat. How can our family afford to support a spendthrift like you?"
There were whispers of laughter from the crowd.
Ji Zhao clenched his fists, but did not dare to lose his temper in front of Ge's mother. He let her scold him like a punching bag. Ge Yong, who was standing next to him, had stood on Ge's mother's side at some point. Seeing his mother pointing fingers at his wife, he not only did not stop her, but even a hint of pride flashed in his eyes.
Finally, Ge's mother was tired of scolding and pulled Ji Zhao out. The three of them went to the pork shop across the street and bought two pounds of pork. Then they got on the ox cart and slowly left the long street. Ji Zhao kept his head down from beginning to end and did not dare to resist at all.
Shu Yao pinched the rouge in her arms and sighed silently as she watched the ox cart getting farther and farther away.
As soon as I came out of the rouge shop, I saw Ji Shijing standing in the street in confusion, panic-stricken, his eyes constantly searching. When he saw Shu Yao, he was obviously relieved and trotted to her side.
Shu Yao just remembered that she had come to the rouge shop without telling him.
Ji Shijing stared at her without blinking. Shu Yao smiled apologetically: "I just bought a box of tobacco. It's already noon. Let's go eat something."
He nodded obediently.
The prices in the restaurant were too expensive, so Shu Yao took him to a wonton shop on the street. The aroma of the wontons could be smelled from a long distance away. She had eaten the wontons from this shop before and they tasted really good, so she thought of bringing Ji Shijing to try them.
But she didn't expect to meet Chen Jing'an and Shen Qianxiao here. She was a little surprised. With Chen Jing'an's identity, he should not come to such a stall.
Chen Jingan saw her at a glance, raised his hand to greet her, and smiled brightly in his peach blossom eyes: "Xiao Yao'er, here."
When Shen Qianxiao heard him address Shu Yao, the small spoon in his hand shook, and the wontons fell back into the bowl with a "plop".
She quickly adjusted her mood and looked at Shu Yao and the other person with a smile.
The business of this store was so booming that the small shop was packed with people and there was no extra seat at all. Shu Yao and Ji Shijing could only sit opposite Chen Jingan and Shen Qianxiao.
Chen Jingan looked at the large and small packages on Ji Shijing's body and asked, "Why did Xiaoyao'er and Second Young Master Ji buy so many things today?"
Ji Shijing sat upright on the side, next to Shu Yao, and ignored Chen Jing'an.
Shu Yao coughed twice to ease the awkwardness: "It's almost Chinese New Year, I'm preparing New Year's goods."
Chen Jingan smiled and said, "Qian Xiao said the wontons here are delicious. I didn't expect to meet Xiao Yao'er here."
"Xiaoyao'er, Mei Niang said that you have taken leave these days. Did something happen?" There was a hint of worry in her words.
Shu Yao shook her head: "The New Year is approaching, so I asked Mei Niang for a few days off. I will go back after the New Year."
She didn't want him to know what happened in the Ji Mansion. They were not related at all. Chen Jing'an had already helped her a lot, and she didn't want to owe him any more favors.
Chen Jing'an nodded, then asked, "Xiaoyao'er also likes the wontons here?"
Just then, two bowls of hot wontons were served. Shu Yao looked at both bowls of wontons with coriander floating on them. She slapped her head and realized that she always forgot to ask the boss not to put coriander in them.
She pushed one of the bowls in front of Ji Shijing, but Ji Shijing picked up the spoon and picked up all the coriander in Shu Yao's bowl.
Shu Yao was a little surprised that he knew she didn't eat coriander.
Chen Jing'an looked at the two of them with an unclear expression, then lowered his head and took a sip of soup.
Shen Qianxiao scooped up a wonton and brought it to his mouth, whispering, "Miss Shu and Mr. Ji seem to be very close."
He touched the lip balm on her lips, and said with a slightly unhappy tone: "When did Qian Xiao care so much about other people's affairs?"
Shen Qianxiao smiled and said nothing more.
The atmosphere between the four of them was a little awkward. Shu Yao buried her head in the food in her bowl, oblivious to what was happening outside.
Because the shop was very crowded and she was sitting in the aisle, a fat man walked by after eating and drinking and accidentally bumped into her. Shu Yao almost fell to the ground. Fortunately, Ji Shijing and Shen Jing'an were quick to support her on the left and right.
After Shu Yao stood firm, she pulled her arm out of Chen Jing'an's hand and thanked him politely. Chen Jing'an also smiled, but his expression was a little lonely.
Shen Qianxiao saw all their reactions.
The moment the fat man bumped into her, Ji Shijing and Shen Jingan stood up almost at the same time and supported Shu Yao, both of them with the same worry on their faces.
She lowered her eyes and ate the wontons in the bowl silently, but why were these wontons not as delicious as before?
The collision just now affected Shu Yao's wound. Her face turned pale and she sat down again with the help of Ji Shijing.
The fat man kept apologizing, but Shu Yao waved her hand to indicate that it was okay.
Noticing that she looked unhappy, Ji Shijing approached her and asked, "Did you pull the wound?"
Shu Yao shook her head, not wanting to make him worry.
His brows were tightly furrowed as he carefully helped her up: "Go home and apply medicine." His tone left no room for refusal.
It was the first time she heard such tough words from him. She nodded and said, "Then let's go home."
She stood up and said goodbye.
Shen Jing'an took a long step and stood directly in front of her and Ji Shijing. Ji Shijing took a step forward unhappily. He and Shen Jing'an were about the same height, and the atmosphere between them was tense.
Shu Yao noticed the subtle atmosphere and quickly separated the two of them.
Chen Jing'an regained his usual smile. He carefully took out a fine mutton-fat jade bracelet from his arms and handed it to Shu Yao. The bracelet was crystal clear and exuded a warm luster. It was obvious that it was not an ordinary item.
He looked at her, his deep eyes sparkling with stars, and a subtle tenderness lurked in his eyes: "Xiaoyao'er, Happy New Year."
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