Chapter 8: You’re in Charge of My Underwear from Now On

“Once a month is very good already. I was expecting a layer of dust thick enough to grow mold in it. Back when our families bought these units, spaciousness was prioritized over upkeep, which can be quite a hassle,” Shen Yanming said with a laugh as he led Bi Qiao’an inside.  

Bi Qiao’an gazed around the familiar space, and it instantly dawned on her that the last time she cleaned the place was back in late February of her previous life – practically another world away. “There were so many people around to handle things back then. Who could have foreseen…?” she muttered, stopping herself before venturing further into the past.

“…Let me change your bedsheets first, Brother Yanming, while you rest a bit,” Bi Qiao’an offered and walked towards his room.

“Truth be told, I’m positively ravenous, Qiao’an,” Shen Yanming confessed, obstructing her path.

“Then we’ll eat out since there’s no food at home.”  

“I haven’t had a home-cooked meal in years,” Shen Yanming replied with a hopeful gaze.

Bi Qiao’an smiled and said, “No problem, I’ll go buy groceries while you relax here.” It was no big deal to her.

“I’ll come along.” Shen Yanming hastily wiped away the stains on his chest and cuffs with a damp towel before following Bi Qiao’an downstairs as she pressed the first-floor button.

“Aren’t we going down to the garage?” Shen Yanming inquired with a slightly furrowed brow.

“The market’s only a twenty-minute walk. There’s no need to drive, right?” Bi Qiao’an explained with a carefree smile. She figured he probably never frequented such places based on her previous lofty perception of him.

“You’ve been there before?” Shen Yanming casually asked.

“Mm, often,” Bi Qiao’an abruptly halted mid-sentence, suddenly aware that she had inadvertently allowed details from her previous life to seep into her reply. “I mean, groceries are cheaper there,” she quickly amended, hoping he didn’t pick up on the inconsistency.

Glancing up at him, she felt relieved to see his normal expression.

However, Shen Yanming’s sharp mind had caught the slip. He kept a poker face but noted the brief change in her demeanor. A surge of concern welled within him.

Instead of pressing the first-floor button again, he surprised her by pressing the basement-level button. “Let’s head to Times Square today. I need to restock a lot after being abroad for so long.”

“Okay!” She readily agreed with a bright smile.

Shen Yanming drove his well-maintained Audi, which Bi Qiao’an had helped keep dust-free, to Times Square.

Half an hour later, he parked the car, and they took the elevator straight into the supermarket, each grabbing a cart before going into a shopping frenzy.

A rice sack, a flour sack, a cooking oil barrel, five kilograms of millet, two kilograms each of mung beans, soybeans, and peanuts; a bottle each of vinegar and soy sauce; two packs of salt, and five kilograms of potatoes. 

A portion each of Chinese cabbage, kale, and bok choy; a pound each of shiitake mushrooms, dried mushrooms, and dried white fungus; two pounds of pork belly and pork tenderloin; a bag of frozen chicken thighs, two pounds of live shrimp, a bag each of taro flour and laundry detergent; a bottle of dishwashing liquid, shampoo, shower gel, a tube of toothpaste, and a package of dishwashing cloths.

Just these items completely filled both carts. Shen Yanming told Bi Qiao’an to wait while he had an attendant help them load everything into the car, which caused the trunk to be completely full.

Next, Shen Yanming took Bi Qiao’an to select some snacks: chocolates, fruit candies, potato chips, shrimp strips, coffee, walnuts, cashews, pine nuts, apples, pineapple, etc., piling up another overflowing cart before placing an order at the cake shop for a 6-inch fruit tart, durian pizza, and an egg custard pastry box set.

After checking out, Bi Qiao’an carefully balanced the three cake boxes in her hands. Meanwhile, Shen Yanming carried two bulging shopping bags as they made their way to the parking garage. Everything got stuffed onto the back seats once they got back to the car.

Bi Qiao’an noticed the time as she looked at her phone. “It’s almost eight, Brother Yanming. Should we head home?”

Only then did Shen Yanming realize how late it was. “Are you hungry?”

She shook her head. “I had snacks in the afternoon, so I’m not quite ready for another meal yet.”

“Then would you accompany me clothes shopping too?” 

She nodded impulsively and trailed along behind him toward the upper levels. Bi Qiao’an froze in her tracks upon arriving at a specific store, her face suddenly flushing crimson with mortification.

Shen Yanming playfully pulled her inside upon noticing her hesitation. “Relax, it’s usually men who hesitate about such places, not girls. Why the shyness?”

He chuckled as he found her flustered reaction adorable.

“Then how can you have the nerve to come in?!” She spluttered while feeling utterly mortified.

“I’m embarrassed alright? But no one else could buy them for me, so I have no choice but to toughen up my old mug.” Shen Yanming had barely finished speaking when soft chuckles sounded from the other patrons around them. 

Bi Qiao’an wished the floor would swallow her whole.

“Listen, my dear An’an,” He began while tilting her chin up with one hand. “Remember this size for future underwear purchases for your big brother, alright?” He held up a package of briefs which caused Bi Qiao’an to glare and deliver a vicious pinch to his waist.

The laughter around them intensified, accompanied by suggestive glances.

“Ouch!” Shen Yanming yelped, feigning pain and grabbed Bi Qiao’an’s hand. He then turned towards a sales attendant and flashed a disarming smile as he asked, “Could you please help us find suitable sizes for these pajamas?”

Bi Qiao’an glanced over and said in puzzlement, “Wouldn’t those be ill-fitting?”  

Catching the attendant’s questioning gaze, Shen Yanming indicated for her to continue.  

“Ma’am, you misunderstand. I’m his sister,” Bi Qiao’an hastened to clarify.  

The sales attendant was unfazed and simply replied, “Of course, it’s perfectly fine for siblings to match! We have family sets available too.” She proceeded to pull out two sets from the shelf.

Bi Qiao’an felt a deep blush creep up her neck. The attendant clearly didn’t believe her explanation.

Shen Yanming fought to restrain his mirth. While checking out, he casually explained, “She’s been my fiancée since childhood but still calls me ‘big brother’ out of habit.” 

The sales attendant simply smiled knowingly. Their store saw young couples often enough to recognize the thick adoration in this man’s eyes.  

Leaving the store with shopping bags in hand, Bi Qiao’an quickened her pace. “Anything else you need to buy, Brother Yanming?” she asked.

“Yeah, wanted to check out the thi– ” Before Shen Yanming even finished speaking, Bi Qiao’an dragged him into the nearby menswear store. She grabbed a decent-looking navy hooded trench jacket and shoved him towards the fitting rooms.  

“What’s the matter, Qiao’an?” Shen Yanming inquired, puzzled by her sudden action.