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On the way, Ye Xiaowu and Ye Nuannuan were chattering excitedly, eagerly looking out the window. Sitting in the middle, Su Yi, though more composed than the two children, was also feeling quite excited inside.
Especially when she saw the “bustling” streets outside, she couldn’t help but feel the excitement of a country person entering the city for a market day!
It just goes to show how people can change. Back when she was in a big city, no matter how bustling the streets were, they didn’t evoke much of a reaction.
Now, even this small county town in the northwest in the 1980s was enough to make her feel ecstatic.
Xie Xiaojun parked the car in front of the department store and handed the car keys to Zhou Jinchuan.
“Commander Zhou, I’ll meet up with you again this afternoon!”
Zhou Jinchuan responded with a simple “hmm.”
After he left, Su Yi asked in surprise, “Xie Xiaojun isn’t joining us for shopping?”
Zhou Jinchuan responded with another “hmm,” adding, “He has his own personal matters to attend to.”
Seeing this, Su Yi didn’t ask further. After all, no one in the town knew them.
It didn’t really matter.
Su Yi felt a sense of freedom, like a bird flying out of its cage, and was just about to look for the supply and marketing cooperative.
Then she heard Zhou Jinchuan point toward a three-story building ahead, saying, “This is the county’s department store, the place with the most complete range of goods. Let’s go in and take a look!”
Su Yi glanced at it, and her first reaction was to touch her pocket.
[Will it be too expensive here? I wonder if I brought enough money] she thought.
Zhou Jinchuan, walking at the front, instinctively turned around and smiled at the three of them. “Whatever the three of you want to buy, just pick it. I’ve brought enough money.”
He knew very well that the living expenses he’d given her recently had been mostly spent on the two children.
So, when he said this, he made sure to include her as well.
Su Yi was walking right behind Zhou Jinchuan, and when he turned around, they were face-to-face.
Perhaps because they weren’t at the military base, Zhou Jinchuan’s expression seemed much more relaxed.
There was even a faint smile on his face.
[Oh my god, Zhou Jinchuan can actually smile.]
[And you know what? When Zhou Jinchuan smiles, he has these shallow dimples, kind of like my idol, X Bin-ge.]
Zhou Jinchuan’s steps faltered for a moment, and his first reaction was a bit of embarrassment.
Then—Bin-ge? Who’s that?
Could it be the man who shook her hand during the movie last time?
Does that man also have dimples when he smiles?
Seeing him suddenly stop, Su Yi was a bit puzzled. “Commander Zhou, what’s wrong?”
Zhou Jinchuan gave her a probing glance before silently walking inside.
Su Yi: ……
Could it be that the wealthy guy is having second thoughts?
Su Yi hadn’t really planned on letting him pay for her anyway.
Once inside the first floor, they started by buying new sneakers and autumn clothes for the two children. Then, together, they picked out a school bag for Nuannuan.
As Ye Xiaowu looked on enviously, Zhou Jinchuan asked the shop assistant for a blue one and handed it to him.
Ye Xiaowu hesitated, unsure, “I get one too?”
Zhou Jinchuan smiled, “What’s wrong? Don’t like this color?”
Ye Xiaowu swallowed nervously, “I do, I do, but my old bag isn’t worn out yet.”
“Then get this one to switch out with!”
Ye Xiaowu grinned, showing a mouthful of white teeth.
The military-green shoulder bag he used to carry was also a gift from Uncle Zhou, and he had always taken great care of it and loved it.
But now, with this trendy new backpack from the city, he was so thrilled he didn’t know what to do. Just thinking about how he’d soon be able to wear it to school made him straighten his back proudly.
While Zhou Jinchuan was busy buying things for the kids, Su Yi stood by watching.
Seeing how quickly he paid, she couldn’t help but mutter to herself, [What a big spender!]
Even though they were in a small, remote county, Su Yi felt like she was witnessing a CEO in an international metropolis casually splurging money.
While they were busy shopping, Su Yi quietly bought herself some shoes, socks, and undergarments as well.
Zhou Jinchuan noticed but didn’t say anything. After they finished shopping on the first floor, he finally spoke, “Let’s go check out the second floor.”
Once they arrived on the second floor, Su Yi realized it was for women’s ready-made clothing.
Without thinking, she backed away, “I think I’ll just buy some fabric and make the clothes myself.”
Zhou Jinchuan simply said, “Let’s take a look. It won’t hurt.”
The two kids also tugged at Su Yi, urging her, “Come on, let’s take a look.”
Su Yi nodded, “Alright, let’s take a look.”
She thought that if there were any nice styles, she might get some inspiration and replicate them herself at home.
Compared to the bustling first floor, the ready-made clothing section on the second floor was much quieter.
After walking around for a while, Su Yi, who was originally determined to just look and not buy, ended up trying on a few outfits at the kids’ insistence. In the end, finding the prices reasonable, she gritted her teeth and bought a set of pants and a jacket.
Just as they were about to leave, Zhou Jinchuan, who had been silent the entire time, suddenly pointed at something.
“This one looks good. Try it on.”
Su Yi followed his gaze and saw a light pink cashmere cardigan. It was soft and delicate, indeed very beautiful.
She hadn’t expected Zhou Jinchuan, a straightforward guy, to have such decent taste.
But as soon as she thought about the price, Su Yi quickly waved her hand, refusing, “No, no, I’ve bought enough already.”
The shop assistant, noticing their refined demeanor and the number of items they had already purchased, stepped closer to assist.
The shop assistant enthusiastically approached, saying, “Comrade, your husband has great taste! This cashmere sweater is from Haishi, and with the Northwest getting cold as soon as autumn hits, buying this in advance is a smart choice!”
Su Yi’s face turned bright red. “You’ve got it wrong, we’re not husband and wife.”
Zhou Jinchuan, equally embarrassed, stood frozen, not daring to move.
The two children, noticing the situation, pressed their lips together, trying to stifle their laughter.
Realizing they weren’t a couple, the shop assistant glanced at the children, who weren’t much younger than the woman, and then cautiously asked, “Oh, so you’re just dating, right? No worries! These days, remarried men are just as popular, and they know how to take care of people!”
Seeing there was no way to clarify the misunderstanding, Su Yi quickly grabbed the two kids and hurriedly tried to leave.
Zhou Jinchuan cleared his throat and, regaining his composure, said, “It’s fine, just try it on.”
As he spoke, the shop assistant had already taken down the sweater and handed it to Su Yi.
With a silent sigh, Su Yi took the sweater and headed into the fitting room.
While Su Yi was trying on the sweater, the shop assistant started chatting with Zhou Jinchuan and the children:
“Comrade, you must be a soldier, right?”
“No wonder such a young and beautiful girl is willing to be with you! It must be tough managing with two kids alone, right?”
Zhou Jinchuan stood straight and occasionally gave stiff responses, not quite sure how to handle the situation.
When Su Yi finally emerged from the fitting room, Zhou Jinchuan visibly relaxed.
Su Yi looked radiant in the light pink cashmere sweater, her appearance soft and glowing like a peach blossom.
With her hair styled in a braided bun draped over one shoulder, Su Yi appeared even more gentle and sweet.
Zhou Jinchuan and the two children were momentarily mesmerized by her appearance.
The shop assistant was the first to react, exclaiming, “It looks so great on you! This sweater seems like it was made just for you! While you’re young, you should wear more pastel colors. We also have a lovely egg-yellow one—would you like to try that too?”
Zhou Jinchuan, responding instinctively, agreed, “Sure, that sounds good.”