Chapter 80: Buying Curtains

Xu Jiaojiao stepped firmly on the floor and nodded approvingly. “It’s pretty good.”

In truth, she didn’t understand much about it—it felt the same as usual to her. She tugged on Xie Zhi’s sleeve. “Husband, you try it.”

“How long will this take to finish? Can it be done in one day? Also, can you make a swing inside the store?”

Then she handed over a design sketch she had drawn. The chubby boss took it and gave it a casual glance, chuckling. “Comrade, your drawing skills are quite impressive.”

“It’s doable—you want the kind that touches the ground, right? I’ll have to check around for this kind of woven rope.”

“Thank you for the trouble.”

A few hours later, Xie Zhi pulled out the money for the flooring and labor from his pocket and handed it over. The sun had already started setting, and it was time to head back. The once plain cement floor was now covered in wooden boards with special grain patterns, giving the store a much warmer and cozier vibe.

Xu Jiaojiao planned to pick out some curtains next. She glanced at Xie Zhi, who was obediently following her. “We’re not going back tonight, right? I already told Mom we might not.”

“Sure. Jiaojiao, do you want to go look at curtains now?”

They headed across the street to a department store. Large items like curtains were displayed on the first floor. Upon entering, they saw dozens of patterns hanging by the window. Xu Jiaojiao found one that closely matched her design—a green fabric with subtle embossed patterns.

This kind of subtle texture resembled designer materials more than traditional patterns. Feeling its heavy drape, she immediately decided to buy it.

“This one caught your eye, huh? Comrade, good taste! This came from a foreign factory—said to be designer fabric,” the shop owner boasted.

Though she chatted casually, her eyes kept darting to Xie Zhi. A man like that standing there effortlessly stole everyone’s attention. She’d seen many beautiful women before, but handsome, dignified men? Rare.

What made him even more attractive was his unwavering focus on the girl beside him—he never let his gaze stray. Men like him were hard to come by.

The shop owner clasped her hands together with sparkling eyes and said, “You two are such a perfect match. So beautiful. I wish I could take a picture with you and frame it—hang it by my bedside so I could admire it every day.”

Xu Jiaojiao looked at the woman, then at Xie Zhi, and burst into laughter. “Why would you hang our picture up?”

“If I look at beautiful people often enough, I’ll become more beautiful too.”

“How much is this fabric? Do you have plain white lace? If not, sheer white fabric is fine too—it must be pure white.”

“I have it. I’ll bring it over. For two windows, it’s fifteen yuan with the curtain rods.”

“I don’t need the rods.”

“Without them, it’s twelve yuan.”

The owner pulled out a white sheer fabric from beneath the counter. It had sheer layers with a ruffled lace hem, just enough to peek out from under the green curtains.

Xu Jiaojiao absolutely loved it. Her eyes lit up. “I’ll take both. How much for all of them? No rods.”

“Twelve for the green, three for the white—fifteen total.”

Xu Jiaojiao touched the fabric and coolly bargained. “Lower the price a bit—eight yuan.”

“Eight??”

The shop owner blinked in disbelief and almost choked, clutching her chest. “Comrade, that’s a bit too aggressive!”

Jiaojiao feigned innocence, though she was thrilled inside. She must’ve hit a sore spot. Pretending to be troubled, she said, “Okay, eight yuan each. We have six windows—we need three sets.”

“I can’t go any lower than nine fifty, or I’d be losing money.”

“Come on, we’re just across the street. Let’s be friends. You can come see my husband anytime you want. Didn’t you say you wanted a photo? I’ll definitely give you one when the shop opens. Nine, okay?”

The shop owner looked in the direction Jiaojiao pointed, clearly torn. She gritted her teeth and named her final offer. “Nine twenty. That’s my bottom line.”

“Deal. Husband, pay up.”

The shop owner took the money, and as she wrapped the curtains, her smile widened. She had still made about half in profit. Bargaining was an art, and if this girl hadn’t been so good, she could’ve earned a few yuan more.

But Xu Jiaojiao was ecstatic with her purchase. She loved the curtains more the longer she looked at them. It was a win-win transaction. Xie Zhi took the items and was immediately dragged away by the girl.

She’d bargained so hard, she feared the owner might regret the deal.

Back at the store, she set the curtains aside. She decided to wait until the swing was installed before hanging them. Once washed, the curtains wouldn’t look the same. Plus, the dust would ruin them.

Looking at the finished wooden floor, she was tempted to put a small sofa in the shop. These days, clothing stores didn’t have that. She wanted to create a women’s boutique where girls could lounge, chat, and feel comfortable. That way, even if the clothes were pricey, a group of girls chatting away would convince each other to buy.

Buying clothes was about ambiance and emotional value too. As the boss, her words might not carry as much weight.

Xie Zhi carried the pajamas they had bought, and the two of them found a nearby inn for the night.

“Do you want to go shower? It’s been a hot day,” he asked.

Xu Jiaojiao looked around the tackily decorated room, blinking without saying a word. Inside was a large bed, a transparent bathroom, and even rose petals placed ‘thoughtfully.’ It just looked utterly tacky.

Now she understood why the price was a bit higher. The extra charges must’ve covered these “romantic” additions—truly sigh-worthy.

Xie Zhi took out a dress similar in style to Jiaojiao’s and blushed so hard he was almost bleeding. He shoved it into her arms, stammering, “Jiaojiao, go take a shower. I… I won’t peek, I promise.”

Seeing his flustered, pure expression, she became mischievous. She forcefully pushed him onto the bed, causing the flower petals to scatter.

Leaning down, she kissed his Adam’s apple. His skin tensed under her lips. Her large, bright eyes feigned innocence as she whispered, “What are you trying to do to me?”

A fire instantly ignited inside Xie Zhi—like a thousand ants crawling over his heart. His gaze darkened, and just as he reached out—

The girl slipped away like a snake and darted into the bathroom, grinning playfully.

Xie Zhi looked at the sleepwear and trousers on the side. His previously intense expression relaxed slightly. “She’s just too lovable.”

Inside the bathroom, the sound of clothing rustling began, followed by the rush of running water. In the stillness of the room, every sound seemed amplified.

He couldn’t stop his gaze from drifting toward the frosted glass. Though it was blurred, he could still make out shadows—her face and the lower part of her legs weren’t obscured.

He heard himself swallow. Restlessly, he clawed at his shirt, trying not to look, forcing his gaze away. His face remained calm, but his mind was already a chaotic mess, filled only with the image of her fair skin.

Then, he felt warmth at his nose. Reaching up with the back of his hand, he saw red—blood. Panicking, he stuffed tissues up his nose and covered the evidence with more paper, terrified she’d notice how flustered he really was.