Chapter 50: Shopping 

“Honestly, I’m not optimistic about her. How can I say this… the few of us grew up better off, have a wider perspective. There’s something about that girl, a touch of…pettiness, maybe?” Zhang Heping shook his head, his expression thoughtful. “I prefer someone with more poise, more elegance.”

Bi Qiao’an sighed but offered no further comment.

Shen Yanming patted her shoulder, his voice low and reassuring. “He’s likely just cranky. Whether the girl’s good or not, it’s out of our hands. Let him figure it out. If he needs help later, we can step in.”

Ji Kangyong looked over, his eyes bright with eagerness. “Qiao’an, do you know any nice girls to introduce?”

Li Zhaozhao’s eyes lit up, his interest piqued. “Yes! Just like Zhang Heping said, poised and elegant.”

Bi Qiao’an gave a small pout, her brow furrowed in thought. “My circle’s limited. Just some old college roommates and a girl from work. I’ll organize a dinner sometime, see if anyone clicks.”

Shen Yanming added, his tone serious, “They’re decent girls – pleasant with good personalities. Please don’t hurt them If you guys are just playing around.”

Li Zhaozhao feigned indignation, his hand clutching his chest. “Hey, Old Shen, what’s that supposed to mean? Are we bad guys?”

“Don’t act so innocent. How many girlfriends have you had? Also, lose some weight!” Shen Yanming went for the jugular, his words blunt but not unkind.

Li Zhaozhao’s face twitched, first in anger, then resignation. “I can’t, I can’t help it.”

Zhang Heping joined in the teasing, his voice playful. “Seriously, fatty, you better start! You think you’ll magically lose weight by starving when there’s no food? Better to eat less every day and shrink that stomach. When food is scarce, you’ll get a few extra meals out of those reserves.”

“Get lost! I know, I know.”

After the meal, Li Zhaozhao hugged his pot of strawberries, Zhang Heping took blueberries, and Ji Kangyong left empty-handed. The trio bid farewell to Shen Yanming, their laughter echoing down the hall.

“Why didn’t Ji Kangyong take anything?” Bi Qiao’an asked, her head tilted in curiosity.

“His family situation is complicated. Anything he brings home won’t end up being his anyway.”

“Oh, that’s kind of sad.”

Shen Yanming chuckled, his voice warm. “Don’t worry about him. He’s tough like a weed – resourceful, and won’t take unnecessary risks.”

Bi Qiao’an nodded, her mind already moving on to the next task. “Alright, let’s clean up the dishes and take a nap.”

Shen Yanming poured the leftover soup into the yin-yang pot, rinsing the rest down the drain. Bi Qiao’an stacked the dishes and washed them in the kitchen, her movements efficient and practiced. Shen Yanming wiped down the induction cooker and coffee table, leaving the living room spotless.

With everything cleaned, they settled in for an afternoon nap, their bodies tangled together in a comfortable embrace. By 3:30 in the afternoon, they were both awake, their minds refreshed and ready for the day ahead.

“Let’s go shopping! It’s been a while,” Shen Yanming suggested to Bi Qiao’an, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

Bi Qiao’an agreed, and they drove to Times Square, the car filled with a sense of anticipation. At the supermarket, Shen Yanming bought dozens of pounds of candy, sunflower seeds, and two boxes of high-end white wine, his shopping cart overflowing with treats.

“Buying so much?” Bi Qiao’an asked, her curiosity piqued.

Shen Yanming smiled, his expression mischievous. “You’ll find out!”

“Okay!” Bi Qiao’an puffed her cheeks, then nodded.

Shen Yanming deflated her puffed cheeks with a gentle poke, his touch filled with affection. “Come on, there’s more to buy.”

“Like what? Don’t we have everything at home?”

Shen Yanming didn’t say a word and led Bi Qiao’an to the second floor’s women’s clothing section, his stride purposeful. He purchased six dresses, all in romantic reds and pinks, the fabric soft and luxurious against their skin. Next, he bought a well-fitted suit for himself from the men’s section on the third floor, the dark fabric a striking contrast to the dresses.

Next, they hit the shoe department. Shen Yanming bought a pair of leather shoes, the material supple and well-crafted. Bi Qiao’an’s haul was more extensive: flats, heels, sandals, and boots, each pair more beautiful than the last. After all, women’s fashion has more options, and she was determined to take advantage of them all.

They returned to the car, their arms laden with bags. Seizing a quiet moment, Bi Qiao’an asked, her voice hesitant, “Darling, all this… it feels like wedding preparations?”

Shen Yanming smiled at her slightly nervous expression, his heart swelling with love. “My Qiao’an is quite perceptive! We can get our marriage license next month. A grand wedding isn’t feasible now, but we’ll announce it over a celebratory meal with everyone.”

Bi Qiao’an nodded, her smile radiant. “As you wish!”

Next, Shen Yanming led her to the jewelry section, his steps confident and sure. He bought beautiful pieces in generous quantities, the gold glinting under the bright lights of the store.

“But…isn’t ‘three golds’ enough for the wedding tradition?” Bi Qiao’an questioned, her brow furrowed in confusion.

“That’s right. The rest are for everyday wear!” Shen Yanming had a hunch that gold might regain its currency-like value in the future; better to stock up now, when it was still readily available.

With their gold haul selected, they left Times Square for the Sweet Dessert House, a famed cake shop in Hai City. It was usually packed, requiring long lines and endless patience.

“I thought Times Square would be emptier,” Bi Qiao’an mused in the car, her eyes distant. “There were still people, just fewer. Will we need to queue at the dessert shop too?”

“People have likely adjusted to the endless rain. Our area seems relatively unaffected on the surface, so life goes on as normal. The rain hinders movement, but not existence. As for the shop, we’ll see. If it’s crowded, we’ll find another.”

Half an hour later, they were parked outside the Sweet Dessert House. Shen Yanming exited first with an umbrella, picked up Bi Qiao’an to shelter her before rushing inside. She’d already stashed the gold in her space, leaving just the clothes in the car, a precaution against prying eyes.

They found the shop less crowded than usual, the endless rain dampening even the most ardent sweet tooth. Due to lower demand, the counter display was sparse.

Bi Qiao’an ordered slices of strawberry mille-feuille and black forest cake, fried fresh milk, and two milk teas, her mouth watering at the thought of the sweet treats. When the waiter arrived, Bi Qiao’an inquired, her voice curious, “Do you accept reservations, and offer delivery for larger orders?”

The waiter looked momentarily surprised, his eyebrows raised. “Absolutely. May I call our store manager to come over?”

Bi Qiao’an agreed. “Please do.”

Upon the manager’s arrival, Bi Qiao’an began, her voice confident and clear, “Hello, Manager Bai. I’d like to place a large dessert order…”

☣☣☣

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