The third floor was full of home appliance brands, each store larger than the last, with grand decorations and a wide variety of goods.
“Let’s buy a fridge for around 1,500 yuan, and then a sewing machine too, okay?”
“Okay.”
The sewing machine was a spontaneous decision by Cheng Zi, because she noticed the price—200 yuan each—which made it one of the most cost-effective big purchases at the moment.
Clothes in department stores were expensive, but Cheng Zi worked in a garment factory. Fabric was plentiful for her. Making clothes herself was far more cost-effective than buying them.
Save where you should save, spend where you should spend!
She had already drawn the “cake” in her mind.
“Hubby, from now on I’ll personally make all your clothes. I guarantee you’ll be satisfied.”
Xie Ci stopped right in front of the sewing machine.
He knew Cheng Zi made clothes, but what exactly a “designer” did… he wasn’t clear.
“Hello, are you looking for a sewing machine? Our Feiyue brand is a well-known national brand with guaranteed quality,” a sales clerk said.
Xie Ci nodded slightly and made the decision. “Buy one.”
“Alright, comrade, do you want this model? This one has a cabinet base. The machine can be folded inside and turned into a small table when not in use—very convenient.”
“Alright, this one.”
“Okay, I’ll write up the order. Please take a seat here for a moment.”
Cheng Zi: “……”
Two sentences, and a major purchase was decided.
“Xie Ci, what are you doing?”
Seeing her address change again, the faint smile that had just risen on Xie Ci’s lips faded. “Nothing.”
The clerk quickly prepared the paperwork and whispered to someone who looked like the store manager before rushing back. “Hello, please come this way to pay.”
Xie Ci went to pay, while Cheng Zi stayed behind to fill in the delivery address.
The store offered home delivery.
Buying a sewing machine was quick. Buying a fridge was even quicker.
Regarding 1990s refrigerators, Cheng Zi knew almost nothing. Several familiar brand names flashed in her mind, but she couldn’t recognize any clearly.
The fridge was chosen by Xie Ci—a white, double-door model with a freezer compartment. At the time, it was considered quite modern.
It was a new model promotion: 1,580 yuan.
“This is our brand’s first promotional event, a full 500 yuan discount, only one unit available,” the clerk said regretfully, glancing at the fridge.
Before he could even finish speaking, Xie Ci had already caught the key point. “Buy it.”
And just like that, they got it.
Cheng Zi touched her nose, feeling that Xie Ci really did have some luck.
Being decisive clearly had its benefits.
The process repeated, and she began writing down the delivery address again.
Xie Ci went out for a while. Cheng Zi waited, and when he finally returned, she immediately asked, “Hubby, are we going to the market now?”
“Mm.”
He handed her a bag.
“What’s this?”
“Snow cream.”
Cheng Zi paused. So he had been gone so long just to buy this?
A smile rose on her face. “Thank you~”
Their arms, once linked, became hands held together instead.
And somehow, Xie Ci had already gotten used to it.
The department store wasn’t far from the market, but the sun outside was blazing. While Xie Ci went to get the bicycle, he returned with a women’s sunhat from somewhere.
“Put it on.”
Cheng Zi didn’t take it, just stared at it.
So Xie Ci simply put it on her head himself and signaled her to get on the bike.
This time, Cheng Zi held him tightly, her face pressed against his back again.
Such a good man—how did the original owner not want him?
That saying about mistaking fish eyes for pearls really was accurate.
“Tomorrow I’m going to work at the factory. Can you not go back to the unit first?”
“I need to go back tomorrow.”
Cheng Zi tightened her grip slightly, a bit nervous.
Xie Ci hadn’t taken a break for two years. He always took the hardest missions, and had accumulated quite a bit of leave.
“I’m going back to get some clothes to change into.”
Only then did Cheng Zi nod in satisfaction. “Bring everything back. We won’t live there anymore.”
Xie Ci didn’t respond, but the lines of his face softened noticeably.
…
The market atmosphere was completely different from the department store.
Even in the heat, it was still crowded everywhere.
Cheng Zi took out a list and began reading items one by one.
Except she kept forgetting as she read.
A trace of amusement flashed in Xie Ci’s eyes. “Put it away. I’ve memorized everything.”
Cheng Zi’s mouth opened slightly. “So many things—you remembered them all?”
Xie Ci took the paper from her, glanced through it carefully, folded it, and put it in his pocket. “Mm. All of it.”
His memory was extraordinary, and his perception even sharper—one of the main reasons he became the ace soldier of the special forces.
Cheng Zi didn’t know that, which was why she was so surprised.
Once inside the market, Cheng Zi became like a child, being led along the entire way.
They bought items one by one. Xie Ci carried everything, and the pile kept growing.
The way home by bicycle was very unusual.
All the goods were tied to the back seat, while Cheng Zi sat sideways on the front bar.
It was thrilling.
Although the seat was a bit uncomfortable…
Cheng Zi suspected Xie Ci did it on purpose.
But Xie Ci’s expression didn’t change at all. He let her lean against his chest while riding steadily.
“Hubby, I’m scared.”
The steady bicycle suddenly jolted over a small stone.
“Ah—”
Cheng Zi hugged him even tighter.
Unseen by her, a faint smile appeared at the corner of Xie Ci’s lips.
And so she stayed in his arms the whole way back.
When the bicycle stopped at the doorstep, Cheng Zi looked up—and met a pair of extremely cold eyes.
The woman standing there was tall, at least 175 cm, with a stern expression. She wore a neatly pressed black shirt and military trousers, and combat boots that emphasized her sharp, disciplined presence.
“Xie Ci.”
Xie Ci was also slightly stunned when Li Leilei suddenly appeared at the door. He steadied the bicycle with his long legs and helped Cheng Zi down.
“Go inside first. I’ll bring the things.”
“Alright.”
Cheng Zi, noticing he had no intention of introducing her, simply went inside with her small bag.
“Why are you here?”
“I heard you were sick, so I came to see you.”
“Who told you that?”
“The instructor…”
Xie Ci remained cold and indifferent as he moved the things.
Seeing their earlier closeness already made Li Leilei uncomfortable. Now his distant attitude made it even worse. “Can you stop unloading things for a moment? I’m worried about you. I drove over from Jingcheng—over ten hours.”
Xie Ci didn’t stop.
Li Leilei stepped in front of him. “Aren’t you going to invite me inside to sit?”
Xie Ci frowned. “Come in.”
Cheng Zi, taking advantage of changing shoes, overheard a few words. She didn’t know this woman, but from the tone—she clearly had feelings for Xie Ci.
“Go back to your room first.”
Cheng Zi: “……”
No introduction. No explanation. Just telling her to go back to her room?