Chapter 9

Grandma’s pancakes were delicious. After eating one, Jiang Yu felt incredibly satisfied and even considered living at Grandma’s because the food was just too good.

Oh no. Could she not go back home with Jiang Zhe? It felt like there were even more delicious things at Grandma’s, and those pancakes were both fragrant and crispy.

But she knew that was unlikely, so while eating, she took a couple more bites, feeling quite content.

After finishing, she went with Jiang Zhe to the nearby market to buy groceries. The market in this old neighborhood was mostly filled with elderly folks. They stood around, making the place feel a bit odd.

It was as if they had wandered into another world. Of course, there were some younger people, and after waiting a while, seeing some nearby reassured Jiang Yu.

Since they were mostly locals, Jiang Zhe occasionally ran into some familiar elderly people, who greeted him in a local accent, saying, “Xiao Zhe, you brought your wife back?”

“Your wife is really beautiful!”

“How many months along are you?”

Perhaps because there were many acquaintances, Jiang Zhe’s expression didn’t seem too unpleasant. However, when responding, he still looked a bit awkward and kept a certain distance.

Jiang Yu increasingly suspected he might be socially anxious.

If he was socially anxious, would that trait pass on to their child?

After buying vegetables, peppers, and other ingredients for the chili sauce, they prepared to head back.

On their way home, they passed by a flower shop where the roses were quite beautiful—colors not present in their home. Jiang Yu felt a bit tempted and said to Jiang Zhe, “Those flowers look lovely. I want to buy some.”

These flowers didn’t require planting, so he probably wouldn’t refuse, right?

Jiang Yu turned back and said, “These flowers don’t need to be planted. They’ll wilt in a couple of days, so I should be able to buy them, right?”

After speaking, she blinked eagerly at him, her desire clearly evident in her eyes.

“Sure.”

Jiang Yu happily began selecting flowers and asked the shop owner, “How much for these?”

“The small ones are 19.9 yuan and the big ones are 199 yuan.”

Jiang Yu initially wanted to buy a small bouquet, but the larger ones looked much more appealing. After thinking it over, she decided to get the big one.

“I’ll take this bouquet.”

She chose a bouquet with sunflowers and pink roses, intending to pay for it herself, but Jiang Zhe had already extended his handsome hand.

“How much?”

“199 yuan.”

So, instead of treating herself to flowers, Jiang Yu ended up having Jiang Zhe buy them for her. She felt a bit shy and said, “Thank you.”

Jiang Zhe glanced at her, his eyes suddenly filled with some confusion.

As the shop owner handed the flowers to Jiang Yu, noticing her slight baby bump, he smiled and said, “You two must be husband and wife! Sister, it’s only right for your husband to buy you flowers. No need to thank him.”

“Here you go.”

“You both are so good-looking, you’re bound to have a very beautiful baby.”

Jiang Yu also hoped for a beautiful baby. If their child turned out to be adorable, she would definitely love them dearly. She replied to the shop owner, “Thank you!”

Jiang Yu then held the bouquet as she followed Jiang Zhe back. Downstairs, there were many familiar faces, and upon seeing her holding flowers, they teased, “Oh, Xiao Zhe is getting romantic. He even bought flowers for his wife!”

While they meant no harm, Jiang Yu felt a bit embarrassed hearing their comments. She used the flowers to cover her face, her cheeks flushed.

When they returned home, Grandma naturally noticed the flowers in Jiang Yu’s arms, her eyes sparkling with a hint of satisfaction as she said, “It should be like this. Girls love romance, Xiao Zhe. You mustn’t forget that just because you’re married, girls still need surprises and romance.”

As the downstairs neighbors teased Jiang Yu, someone she didn’t know, she just covered her face and slipped away. However, Grandma’s interest in her buying flowers made Jiang Yu feel a bit uncertain about her decision. She looked at Jiang Zhe with a pitiful expression.

Her eyes sparkled as she gazed at him, and her lips, tinted a soft pink, gave her a somewhat charming and pitiful look. Seeing her helpless expression, Jiang Zhe’s heart suddenly stirred, and he felt an inexplicable urge to kiss her.

This feeling was quite unfamiliar, reminding him of that night when he was out of sorts, filled with a restless energy. Back then, he was under the influence of something, but now, he wasn’t affected by anything—yet he still found himself having thoughts about her.

Jiang Zhe suppressed the unfamiliar yet thrilling feeling and replied to Grandma’s words cooperatively, “Okay, Grandma, I understand.”

Jiang Yu suddenly felt her face growing even hotter.

In the afternoon, they were in the kitchen making chili sauce. Since Jiang Zhe had a milder taste, he hadn’t learned to cook it before, so Grandma was guiding him from the side.

Seeing them busy, Jiang Yu wanted to help, but Grandma hurriedly urged her to go outside. “The chili smell is too pungent, you should step out so you don’t get choked.”

With so many chopped chilies, the smell was indeed a bit overwhelming, but Jiang Yu thought it was still bearable. She smiled and said, “I just want to see if there’s anything I can help with.”

However, it turned out there was really nothing for her to do.

Although Grandma was older, she was quite nimble in her movements. Every time Jiang Yu thought she could help with something, Grandma had already finished it ahead of time. There was just no place for Jiang Yu to lend a hand.

When Jiang Zhe put the prepared chilies and seasonings into the pot to stir-fry, the smell grew stronger. Jiang Yu couldn’t hold back and sneezed. Jiang Zhe frowned and said to her, “There are masks in the bag outside. Get one before coming back in.”

“What bag?”

“The red one from when we bought groceries earlier.”

Jiang Yu was a bit confused about when he bought masks, but without a mask, she found it hard to breathe. So, she hurried outside, found the new mask Jiang Zhe had bought, put it on, and returned inside, feeling much better.

She looked at Jiang Zhe, who was stirring the chilies with a spatula, her eyes sparkling. “When did you buy masks, Jiang Zhe? How come I didn’t see you buy them earlier?”

Jiang Zhe replied, “You were busy looking at flowers. I saw them at the convenience store nearby, so I bought them.”

Originally, he prepared them for the strong smell wafting from the kitchen, but who would have thought she insisted on watching.

Jiang Yu didn’t expect him to be more thoughtful than she imagined. She thought that living with him in the future might actually be quite happy.

Feeling very pleased, she awarded him a “good person card.” “Jiang Zhe, you’re really nice.”

As she said this, her brows and eyes were smiling, and her cheerful demeanor made Jiang Zhe, who was currently getting his eyes irritated from the chili, feel a warmth in his heart. He felt a bit unsatisfied with simply being considered “nice.”

**

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