Chapter 65: Preparing for the Shop, Movie Theater

Xu Jiaojiao was sprawled lazily on the sofa, not even wanting to move. She felt like her hands were about to fall off. Honestly, it wasn’t her fault—Xu Jiaojiao had never done much physical work before, her body had always been pampered. Suddenly having to do so much was a shock for anyone.

Xie Zhi didn’t say anything, just patiently massaged her wrists, occasionally feeding her pieces of fruit.

The more Xu Jiaojiao thought about it, the more she felt something had to change. “If this keeps up, the boss will drop dead from exhaustion,” she said. “Once we’re back, I’ll find a few people who can do bridal makeup and teach them. Otherwise, I’ll be worked to death.”

Xie Zhi slipped a piece of watermelon into her mouth, his expression gentle. “That’s a good idea. Otherwise, what’ll happen to your delicate hands?”

Xu Jiaojiao giggled happily. Seeing it was about lunchtime, Xie Zhi got up to fetch food. Though they could cook at home, the canteen’s chef had real skill—even the helpers cooked well—so most people preferred to eat there.

After asking what Jiaojiao wanted, he went to the canteen early, before the bell rang. He moved fast, ordering two meat dishes, two veggie dishes, and a soup—enough for three people. After setting the food on the table, he waited for Jiaojiao’s older brother to get off work.

There wasn’t much entertainment these days—not even TV or radios, which were considered signs of indulgence. Thankfully, Xu Shu had a lot of books at home, including many classics.

Xie Zhi held Jiaojiao in his arms and helped her turn the pages of Dream of the Red Chamber. The book was printed in vertical lines, which made it a bit tricky to read, and a ruler didn’t help much either.

Just as they reached Wang Xifeng’s entrance, the sound of a key turning in the lock came from the door. Xu Shu entered in a dark green military uniform, handsome and imposing.

Seeing his sister looking like a fragile little Lin Daiyu, his thick eyebrows furrowed. “Jiaojiao, who bullied you?”

“It’s not that,” Jiaojiao pouted. “I just gave a bunch of people makeovers today. My hands are so sore I can’t even lift them.”

Xu Shu raised an eyebrow suspiciously. “You’ve suddenly become so helpful? You used to not even share candy.”

“Big Brother, I’m just thinking of opening a shop once we go back. Practicing on them first, that’s all,” Jiaojiao replied with annoyance. Was she really that stingy before?

Xie Zhi, ever the thoughtful one, brought out the bowls and chopsticks from the kitchen while listening to the siblings chat.

Feeling suddenly energetic, Jiaojiao forgot all about her sore hands and pointed excitedly at her face. “Brother, do I look pretty?”

“Of course you’re the prettiest.”

“Exactly! Women love to be beautiful these days. I’ll do makeup and sell clothes. I know I can build something of my own.”

She looked at her brother with hopeful eyes, waiting for his enthusiastic response.

Xu Shu took the chopsticks but didn’t reply right away. He was starving. After a few bites, he finally spoke slowly. “Jiaojiao, I think you should focus on preparing for the college entrance exam. It might resume next year. I’m planning to take it too. Having a degree is important.”

“Brother, of course I’m not giving that up. I still want to be the first university student in the family. But I want to build my own business too. Don’t be so quick to pour cold water on me—ask around this afternoon and see what kind of impact I made.”

Xu Shu looked serious. He suspected Jiaojiao had seen too many nice things and wanted to earn money because she didn’t have any. But running a shop and dealing with customers was tough work.

After thinking it over, he spoke gently. “Jiaojiao, if you’re short on money, I’ll give you some. I’ve saved a lot over the years. There’s no need to tire yourself out like this.”

“Once you get into college and graduate, I’m thinking of arranging for you to work in Yun City, in a comfortable job. If you’re short on money, I’ll talk to Mom and the others to help out.”

Hearing that, Jiaojiao’s nose tingled with emotion. How did she get so lucky to have a family like this? She smiled through her tears. “No, Brother, it’s not about that. I just really want to make money and build something of my own.”

Seeing how determined she looked, Xu Shu didn’t push further and just nodded. “Fine, but college should still be your top priority. I’ll give you money for the shop later.”

Jiaojiao nodded without arguing. She planned to juggle both—college entrance exams and opening her shop. After all, she had a strong sense of pride. Just imagining people looking at her with admiration—first-gen college student, fluent in English, savvy in business—got her all excited.

Xie Zhi could instantly tell what she was thinking. He placed a piece of meat in her bowl. “Eat up. We’ll go out this afternoon and walk around. It’s not often we get the chance.”

“Yay!” Her dark eyes sparkled brightly.

After the meal, Xie Zhi quietly cleaned up the kitchen and table. Xu Shu had to work in the afternoon, and Jiaojiao needed to nap—she had been worn out all morning.

When he came out of the kitchen, Jiaojiao was curled up on the bed, wrapped in a soft pink quilt, fast asleep. Her face looked sweet and innocent, like someone untouched by the world. He felt a tug in his heart just looking at her.

Lifting the blanket, he gently pulled her into his arms and set an alarm for 2:00 PM.

…

When the alarm rang, Xie Zhi’s voice came through with a husky, just-woken tone. “Jiaojiao, time to get up. Your brother got us movie tickets. We’ll eat out tonight.”

“Ten minutes… just ten more minutes…” she murmured.

Exactly ten minutes later, Xie Zhi pulled her out of the blanket, holding her in his arms, then wiped her face with warm water until she finally woke up.

They arrived at the movie theater, where Jiaojiao saw a huge signboard lit with colorful lights—it looked more like a dance hall than a cinema. The ticket said something like Emmanuelle in Bangkok. Sounded like a foreign romance film—must be an old one.

When they went in, the theater was already filling up. Tickets were expensive, so people came early hoping to get good seats—though seating was assigned.

Jiaojiao and Xie Zhi found their seats toward the middle of the back row. That row wasn’t full—people still preferred films about guerrilla warfare. Foreign love stories were mostly watched by young couples.

Jiaojiao leaned in and lowered her voice. “Hubby, go buy us some snacks.”

Xie Zhi smiled mysteriously and pulled out an oil-paper bag from his backpack. Inside were peanuts, chicken feet, and other small bites, plus two cups of soda.

Jiaojiao’s eyes lit up. “Oh wow! Isn’t this braised food? I haven’t had this in ages!”

So, with Xie Zhi feeding her piece by piece, the movie started. Jiaojiao alternated between watching and eating, and everything was so delicious. No wonder food was such a successful business in ancient times—the culinary skills now were already so refined.

Each time she took a bite, she accidentally sucked on Xie Zhi’s fingers too. She didn’t even notice, but he felt it—and it was driving him wild inside.

His cheeks were completely red. Thankfully, the theater was dark with just a little ambient light. The fingers that had been in her mouth felt hot to the touch. Her lips were so soft.