Chapter 43: Couple’s Intimacy Between the Two

But after thinking for a moment, she realized that gold and larger diamonds are always valuable, no matter the time. Moreover, gold is a stable currency, so maybe it was best for her to just stick to being a translator. After all, intellectuals do make a decent income.

Her mother earned fifteen yuan a month, but she could earn seven hundred in just seven days. No wonder having an education leads to success. If it were in the future, she might end up working at New Oriental and getting exploited.

Xie Zhi watched as the girl’s expression shifted frequently, thinking she must have been deeply hurt. After a long pause, he said, “There’s still one more gift you haven’t opened.”

Xu Jiaojiao looked at him in confusion while continuing to open another box. Inside was a pair of pearl hairpins, each one smooth and round, radiating a soft pink hue, looking very delicate.

She held them up, letting the light from the thick curtains shine on them. In the sunlight, they sparkled: “They’re so beautiful.”

She grabbed Xie Zhi’s arm and affectionately wrapped it around her: “Hubby, I love them so much. I’ve decided to wear them tonight.”

He nodded with a smile, his tone rising: “Okay.”

There was a knock at the door, and Xie Zhi patted her head: “Go wash up, dinner will be here soon.”

He brought in the meals delivered by the staff. The payment had been made downstairs, and the meals came in boxes, similar to those sold on trains. Each portion cost fifty cents, which wasn’t expensive, but considering the type of dishes, it was still relatively pricey.

Fortunately, Xie Zhi didn’t want her to eat bad food, so he added an extra two yuan for a small stir-fried beef dish and paired it with orange soda for her.

In the mirror, the girl had fair skin with faint red marks scattered across it, making her look like jade tinged with a touch of redness. While this might be a negative description, it fit perfectly in this context.

Her cheeks were rosy, glowing like the red dawn. Her eyes, moist with tears, radiated a charm no one could resist, and Xie Zhi was no exception.

Xu Jiaojiao hastily wiped her hair and came out wearing a white halter dress. Even though Xie Zhi had seen it many times, he was still struck by her beauty, like an angel.

Xie Zhi was wearing a black shirt and light gray pants, exuding an elegant and scholarly aura. He waved gently at her.

When Xu Jiaojiao saw his serious face and him waving, she almost screamed. He was just too charming, and before she knew it, her body reacted before her mind did.

Xie Zhi caught the little bundle of joy that jumped at him, planted a heavy kiss on the corner of her mouth. The freshly showered girl smelled of both milk and flowers, and he inhaled deeply: “So fragrant, hmm?”

Xu Jiaojiao sat on his lap, wrapped her arms around his neck, her eyes sparkling with affection. She softly pleaded, “Hubby, that move you just did was so cool. Can you do it again?”

Xie Zhi’s confidence soared, and with a mischievous grin, he brushed his hair back. His gaze held a playful glint, mixing coldness with a bit of impudence.

She planted a kiss on his chin: “You’re so handsome.”

“As long as Jiaojiao likes it,” Xie Zhi responded. If his looks could keep the girl by his side, he’d be happy enough with that. As long as she liked him, he didn’t ask for much.

And so, in the intimate atmosphere, they finished their lunch. The time they had agreed to meet Uncle Hu was 6 PM, and they still had plenty of time.

For a while, they had no idea what to do next.

“Do you want to go see the clothing store owner’s address?” Xie Zhi asked.

Xu Jiaojiao shook her head: “Maybe in a few days. I’ll sketch some designs first. Otherwise, if I talk, they won’t believe me.”

“Okay.”

Xu Jiaojiao turned over and sat up, a proud expression on her face as she looked down: “Hubby, what should we do now?”

As she spoke, her fingers began to fidget restlessly, twisting the fabric in her hands, her eyes carrying an unspoken suggestion.

Xie Zhi watched her playful fingers, his heart racing. He grabbed her delicate wrist, his gaze betraying his desire: “Jiaojiao, isn’t this a bit too much?”

A wicked smile appeared on Xu Jiaojiao’s lips, and with her free hand, she poked his forehead. Pretending to be surprised, she opened her lips wide: “What are you thinking? I just meant we should go for a walk.”

“Let me change clothes, then we’ll go out.” As soon as he finished speaking, Xu Jiaojiao tried to pull her hand away, but Xie Zhi quickly yanked her back, his eyes dark and stormy.

They leaned heavily into each other: “Jiaojiao, you’re tempting me, and now I’m tempted. You can’t leave without taking responsibility.”

After some playful antics, it was already 1 PM. Xu Jiaojiao put on the clothes they had bought yesterday. The halter style went perfectly with her high bun. The summer fabric felt cool against her skin, making her appear even more delicate. Paired with the pearl hairpins Xie Zhi had given her, she looked like a princess. The two of them happily headed out.

As they walked, Xie Zhi quietly said, “Jiaojiao, I’ll take you to visit Uncle Hu.”

“Sure, Uncle Hu is nothing like Wenjing, he’s very easygoing,” Xu Jiaojiao immediately agreed.

She had a great impression of Hu Yunsheng, who was polite and refined. Besides, making a good impression with someone like him meant a future with well-paid, easy work.

Xu Jiaojiao looked at the shops on the street: “Let’s buy something to bring with us. It doesn’t look good to go empty-handed.”

Without waiting for Xie Zhi’s response, she grabbed his hand and headed for the fruit store, planning to buy a fruit basket. Fruits were always expensive, and this era was no exception.

“One banana costs fifty cents! This is outrageous,” Xu Jiaojiao whispered to Xie Zhi. Considering transportation conditions at the time, expensive fruits were understandable.

Xie Zhi noticed her gaze lingering on the mangoes in the middle of the store. He grabbed three or four of them to buy.

Xu Jiaojiao immediately stopped him, her eyes wide: “So expensive! Three yuan each! These fruits are worth half a month’s wages for my mother!”

Xie Zhi smiled reassuringly: “Don’t worry, Jiaojiao, I have money.”

She nodded but still stopped him from picking more: “Let’s buy them when we come back. It wouldn’t be good to bring them now.”

He thought about it and agreed with her. In the end, they spent twenty yuan on a beautifully packaged fruit basket, which included expensive fruits like mangoes and grapes, along with some cheaper apples. It was a perfect gift.

They also bought some candy and snacks for children. Then, they took the bus to their destination. Though they could have taken a cab, they chose the bus instead, as few people were around, and they didn’t want to be accused of exploiting the labor force.

Uncle Hu lived in the same type of house as Xie Zhi’s parents— a two-story small building. Since they hadn’t informed him in advance, they were worried he might not be home.

They rang the doorbell, and Xie Zhi, holding the gifts, stood with Xu Jiaojiao, who tightly clutched her small purse.

They waited for a long time, and Xie Zhi rang the bell again. If no one answered, they would have to leave.

Finally, the door opened, and a relaxed man walked out. He looked like he had just woken up, his hair messily standing up, as if it was intentionally styled.

He spoke with a playful tone: “Who’s there?”