Chapter 6: Setback

Luo Jiaojiao wasn’t discouraged by his words; instead, she became even more determined. She knew she still had much to learn and grow, but she was willing to learn.

“Come down quickly. After we’re done shopping, I’ll take you to the state-run restaurant for dinner,” Leng Mohan said, dropping the subject. His gaze lingered on Luo Jiaojiao for a moment, silently admiring her appearance and figure.

Hearing about the state-run restaurant, Luo Jiaojiao’s eyes lit up, as if she saw delicious food beckoning her. She eagerly replied, “Okay!” Her heart filled with anticipation and joy.

Leng Mohan accompanied Luo Jiaojiao on a shopping spree. From skincare creams to intimate apparel, he bought the most expensive items without hesitation.

Luo Jiaojiao seemed hesitant when choosing dresses, ultimately selecting two relatively plain and moderately priced ones. Leng Mohan noticed she hadn’t chosen dresses she truly liked, so he decisively put them back and decided to choose more suitable clothes for her.

“Don’t worry about saving money for me. I can afford to buy you clothes,” Leng Mohan’s voice was low and powerful, like a warm current flowing into Luo Jiaojiao’s heart. She looked up at him in surprise, her eyes sparkling with emotion. Had he noticed her intention to save money?

Leng Mohan didn’t say anything more. He turned to the saleswoman behind the counter, gestured lightly with his finger, and pointed to the most beautiful dresses. His movements were elegant and confident, like a king in command of his domain.

“I’ll take all five of those. Please get the ones that fit her size,” he said with firmness and decisiveness, leaving no room for refusal.

The saleswoman nodded with a smile and diligently began selecting clothes for Luo Jiaojiao. As she selected, she praised Leng Mohan for being a good husband and said Luo Jiaojiao was fortunate.

“Young lady, your husband is so good to you. You must cherish him,” the saleswoman skillfully took out the dresses in Luo Jiaojiao’s size and said with a smile.

Luo Jiaojiao looked at the carefully packaged dresses, then at Leng Mohan standing beside her. She nodded vigorously, her gaze firm as she said to the saleswoman, “I will. He’s good to me, and I’ll do my best to take care of him.”

Seeing Luo Jiaojiao’s joyful expression, a ripple of emotion stirred in Leng Mohan’s heart. He mused to himself that her smile was indeed the most beautiful sight.

Leng Mohan carefully selected flowing dresses for Luo Jiaojiao. In his eyes, she was most captivating in dresses, and her beauty brought him joy.

However, Luo Jiaojiao’s gaze was drawn to a simple yet stylish outfit of a top and trousers. She hesitated for a moment, then mustered her courage and tugged on Leng Mohan’s sleeve.

“What is it?” Leng Mohan turned, looking at her questioningly.

Luo Jiaojiao gently pointed to the outfit that caught her eye, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

Leng Mohan followed her slender finger, his gaze falling on a pale yellow, Peter Pan collar blouse and a simple pair of white trousers. He turned his head slightly, his deep eyes full of inquiry.

“Do you want this outfit?” His voice was low and gentle.

Luo Jiaojiao nodded lightly, her eyes shining with anticipation. “Yes, I want that one. I think the pantsuit is more practical; sometimes, dresses are inconvenient.”

“You look better in a dress,” Leng Mohan said, looking at Luo Jiaojiao.

But Leng Mohan didn’t hesitate. He said to the saleswoman, “Please get this outfit and tell me the price.”

A hint of surprise flashed in the saleswoman’s eyes. She hadn’t expected to meet such a loving husband today. She quickly took the clothes and calculated the price.

Leng Mohan took the clothes and paid neatly with his wallet.

Leng Mohan’s hands were full of shopping bags, clearly a newly arrived military wife.

After receiving the money, the saleswoman couldn’t help but glance at her and softly said, “You must cherish him. A man who is so generous to his wife is bound to be a good husband.”

Hearing this, Luo Jiaojiao looked at Leng Mohan, who stood beside her, aloof yet firm, without asking her to carry even one bag. She nodded firmly.

“I will,” she replied softly, understanding that from now on, he was her only family, and she would do her best to cherish and protect this relationship.

“That’s good, that’s good,” the saleswoman nodded with satisfaction, smiling.

Watching them leave, the saleswoman nodded again, pleased at the handsome couple.

Zhou Wenwen slowly descended from the second floor of the supply and marketing cooperative, a hint of doubt in her eyes as she watched their retreating figures—Leng Mohan and Luo Jiaojiao. She blinked, thinking she must have seen wrong.

How could it be? Leng Mohan, who always kept his distance from women, was shopping with a girl?

She shook her head, dismissing the unrealistic thought. A look of anticipation then appeared on her face. The thought of returning to the army and seeing Leng Mohan again made her heart beat faster.

Zhou Wenwen walked briskly towards the counter where she had seen a dress she liked. Her mood was like the warm sunshine of spring, bright and warm.

Zhou Wenwen looked at the dresses on the counter, but the dress she liked was gone.

In the short time she went upstairs to buy a watch, she returned to find the pink dress she had seen was gone.

A surge of inexplicable anger welled up in her heart. She turned to the saleswoman and questioned her in a slightly dissatisfied tone, “That pink dress, it was hanging there. Where did you put it?”

The saleswoman had already sensed her displeasure and guessed it might be because the dress had been sold, leaving her disappointed. Unfortunately, there was only one of that dress. But the saleswoman still maintained a professional smile and patience.

“That dress was just bought,” the saleswoman explained softly, pointing to other styles. “But we have a few other styles that are quite nice. If you’re interested, you can take a look at these.”

“No need, I don’t want it if it’s not that one,” Zhou Wenwen coldly interrupted, her gaze falling on the other dresses, a sneer playing on her lips. “I wonder who bought it, what a tasteless person. Can she even pull it off?”

“My clothes are all carefully selected from bustling big cities,” Zhou Wenwen continued, her tone full of pride and superiority. “If it weren’t for the fact that this one was somewhat acceptable, I wouldn’t have deigned to come here. How could these compare to me?”