After eating, under Jiang Jialie’s strong request, Zhou Ming took Jiang Jialie on foot to a shopping plaza a few kilometers away.
“Xiaolie, if you can’t hold on, we can take a taxi.”
Zhou Ming approached Jiang Jialie, letting her lean on him, and sighed softly.
After walking for over ten minutes, Jiang Jialie could barely hold on. She wanted to squat down and rest, but she was afraid Zhou Ming would stop and wait for her.
After what had just happened, Jiang Jialie really didn’t want Zhou Ming to stop for her.
‘I want to become your support, your companion, not the burden that holds you back.’
“No, no need! I can do it, Zhou Ming. You go ahead! Don’t worry about me. I’ll catch up soon.”
He reached out and ruffled the hair on top of Jiang Jialie’s head. Zhou Ming looked at the shopping plaza standing not far away, his gaze sweeping over the clothing advertisements endorsed by celebrities.
“Xiaolie, you should buy some new clothes too.”
“I bought all these clothes just a few days ago! None of my old clothes could… be kept.”
When it came to clothes, Jiang Jialie remembered the monster tide in her hometown, and her expression immediately dimmed.
“Zhou Ming, can you protect yourself? I only have you left. Although I’ve thought about revenge, more than that, I want you to be safe.”
“I think Mom and Dad, and Uncle and Aunt, would feel the same way.”
Zhou Ming opened his mouth slightly but said nothing.
After a moment of silence, he looked down at Jiang Jialie.
“Xiaolie, you should learn how to dress like city people. And you can learn makeup too, so you don’t fall behind.”
“Not at all! I’ve been into makeup since middle school, and I get a special allowance every month to buy cosmetics and skincare products. Unlike you, you have to scrimp and save for a month just to buy a game. If I hadn’t helped you out, you’d have starved to death!”
“Eating instant noodles for a few days won’t kill you,” Zhou Ming defended awkwardly.
With this ruckus, the two finally managed to emerge from their painful memories.
Afterwards, leaning on Zhou Ming, Jiang Jialie slowly shuffled to the shopping plaza.
Pushing open the heavy glass door, Jiang Jialie stepped inside first.
“It feels so luxurious!”
A country girl who had never seen such a beautiful shopping plaza before, Jiang Jialie’s mouth fell open as if it could fit an apple, and she let out a cute, lively voice.
His gaze sweeping over the spotless white tiles, from the lush green plants to the exquisite automatic fountain, Zhou Ming dodged the oncoming pedestrians and nodded in response to Jiang Jialie amidst the noise and music.
“Come on, let’s go buy you some new clothes. We have some spare money after all.”
Jiang Jialie, who had initially wanted to refuse, was immediately shaken when she saw the exquisite and bustling sight inside the mall.
After all, she had imagined the scene of shopping for clothes with her best friend many times.
Gowns studded with sparkling diamonds, red-soled black leather high heels shining with luster, and sleek, well-designed long dresses…
Wiping the tears from the corners of her eyes, Jiang Jialie nodded firmly.
“Yeah! Zhou Ming, you buy some too!”
“No need for me.”
When it came to clothes, Zhou Ming immediately thought of the clothes Gadelia had bought for him for hundreds of thousands, and even then, she chose practical ones that were relatively understated.
When he wore those clothes out, he didn’t dare move recklessly, afraid that the dust he kicked up would dirty the cuffs.
“You need to change your clothes and imitate the city people!”
Hearing Zhou Ming refuse, Jiang Jialie immediately puffed up her cheeks and grabbed the corner of his shirt, tugging it lightly.
“Why? I’m from the countryside, I need to learn.”
“Gadelia!!”
Jiang Jialie pouted. “Then you have to buy even more. You can’t just keep wearing the clothes she bought you.”
Pulling Jiang Jialie upstairs, Zhou Ming swept his gaze across the many shops.
“Those clothes, I don’t dare wear either. They’re too expensive, not suitable.”
With a light snort, Jiang Jialie’s eyes darted around, and she suddenly thought of a good idea.
“Then let’s go buy underwear.”
“No. If you want to go, go by yourself.”
Zhou Ming knew Jiang Jialie’s tricks all too well, and he flatly refused her suggestion.
Then he led Jiang Jialie into a women’s clothing store.
“Please help her pick out some clothes.”
Pushing Jiang Jialie in front of the sales assistant, Zhou Ming immediately sat down on a chair and closed his eyes to rest.
“Miss, what type of clothing are you interested in?”
The sales assistant stood beside Jiang Jialie, pointing at the clothes nearby while asking about her preferences.
“Let me look first!”
Confirming that Jiang Jialie was fully immersed in the joy of picking clothes, Zhou Ming finally breathed a sigh of relief.
He was really afraid Jiang Jialie would drag him to an underwear store. ‘That would be so embarrassing!’
“Ma’am, welcome! What type of clothing are you interested in?”
“No need. I’m just sitting.”
‘How is that voice so familiar? Soft, calm, like a spring breeze blowing by.’
Zhou Ming’s eyes snapped open as he looked over.
Gadelia waved off the sales assistant who had approached her, then walked slowly toward him.
‘Why is Gadelia here? Why did Gadelia change clothes again? Gadelia, don’t come near me! Even the sales lady’s look at me is weird!’
“Isn’t it normal to change clothes in hot weather?”
Gadelia sat down next to Zhou Ming, looking at Jiang Jialie who was still picking out clothes.
“I can’t just leave you alone, can I? After all, if we’re being specific, the responsibility for this incident falls on me. So I’ll keep following you, so if something happens, there’s someone to look after you.”
He secretly observed Gadelia’s outfit.
A khaki half-turtleneck lantern-sleeve knit top, paired with a matching long skirt, with a thin black belt at the waist outlining her figure.
Zhou Ming thought that belt was completely unnecessary.
Gadelia’s chest had already filled out the clothes roundly and fully, there was no need for that belt at all.
“Is that so? I actually think this belt is very useful. It gives a clear division to the seemingly one-piece dress, separating the upper and lower body, and also outlines the waistline. It’s the core of this outfit.”
“Gadelia, you’re right.”
Zhou Ming didn’t argue, only felt his face grow hot.
Like a child caught stealing candy without wiping his mouth clean, he could only think of a way to change the subject.
“Tomorrow, no, after this, I might need to trouble you a lot more.”
“On the contrary, I should ask you to work hard from now on for my sake. I don’t want to be dragged out of bed and beaten up while sleeping.”
“Mission guaranteed!”
Zhou Ming’s face was serious, and he even put his hand to his ear like a soldier receiving orders.
“I’ll be more careful from now on and personally find you some reliable missions. I won’t let something like today happen again.”
“Oh, right, the girl you did the mission with is back. I’ve already asked around. The Wang family isn’t holding her responsible; instead, they’re fully handling the aftermath. Be careful these next few days and don’t get involved.”
As she spoke, Gadelia took a bank card out of her bag and handed it to Zhou Ming.
“I’m sorry, but I couldn’t get the young master’s share of the money back from that girl.”
“So, please accept this card. It’s a small token of my appreciation. The password is the initials of your name, and the month and day of the day we formally met.”
“You haven’t forgotten, have you?”
Before he could answer, Zhou Ming heard Jiang Jialie’s voice.