Shen Zhili walked out of the cafeteria and made her way to the small garden downstairs. She didn’t stop until a cold breeze carrying the scent of flowers brushed past her.
She took out her phone, tapped open the message Qiao Yi had sent her, and read it once more.
Qingshan Apartment, Room 302.
Convenience store, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Shen Zhili raised her wrist and glanced at the delicate watch adorning it. It was now half past twelve in the afternoon.
There were still five and a half hours before Jiang Xianzhuo started his shift at the convenience store, and she happened to have no classes in the afternoon.
That was enough time for her to go back and make some preparations.
Shen Zhili dialed the family driver’s number, asking him to pick up Shen Zhiyu from school in the afternoon and take her home. Meanwhile, she casually hailed a taxi by the roadside.
“To Galaxy Plaza.”
The car came to a smooth stop in front of the city’s most upscale shopping mall.
Stepping out in her high heels, she ignored the eager greetings from the luxury brand salespeople on the first floor and headed straight for the underground supermarket.
She bypassed the snack and alcohol sections, pushing her shopping cart directly to the condiment aisle.
Rows of shelves brimmed with the flavors of everyday life.
Chili sauce, fermented bean paste, hotpot base…
She picked up a bottle of chili sauce from a well-known brand in Sichuan and Chongqing, examined the ingredient list, then put it back.
Then she chose another one nearby.
No one understood Jiang Xianzhuo’s tastes better than she did.
Although the man had endured hardships, he was incredibly particular about food, clothing, and daily necessities—even a single spoonful of spice had to meet his exacting standards.
He preferred the kind of spiciness where the aroma preceded the heat, rich and mellow on the palate, with a lingering aftertaste.
Not the kind of dry, harsh spiciness that merely scorched the taste buds.
Before long, one corner of her shopping cart was filled with various red jars and bottles.
Next, she moved to the fresh produce section.
A wave of cold air greeted her, carrying the scent of seafood and raw meat.
Duck, pork ribs, beef.
She asked the butcher to select the freshest cuts and chop them into just the right size.
Each item was something he had once loved.
Each item was something he would later prepare for her with his own hands.
Passing by the seafood tanks, she paused, her gaze lingering on the lively shrimp inside, her eyes momentarily distant.
He probably… wouldn’t peel shrimp for her anymore, would he?
Shen Zhili pressed her lips together but still walked over to the seafood tanks and bought some.
After wandering around for a while, she finally stood before the checkout counter, watching as the conveyor belt carried the items from her shopping cart one by one.
A long receipt printed out from the machine.
Shen Zhili glanced at the total and smiled with satisfaction.
She paid by card.
Carrying numerous shopping bags back to the Shen family villa, Mom Liu, who was polishing a vase, stared at her in astonishment.
“Miss, what is all this…?”
“It’s nothing. Just a sudden whim—I bought a few things myself.”
She dumped all the shopping bags onto the dining table, kicked off her expensive high heels, and walked barefoot up to the second floor.
In the walk-in closet, she opened rows of wardrobes, rummaging through the elegant dresses and coats to find some clothes that looked as ordinary as possible.
A black hooded sweatshirt, jeans, and a pair of flat shoes she hadn’t worn in a long time, retrieved from the corner of the shoe cabinet.
After changing, she stood before the full-length mirror and examined herself.
The person in the mirror had removed all her expensive jewelry, washed off her delicate makeup, and dressed simply, finally looking less intimidating.
Hmm, perfect.
This way, she no longer looked like a pampered young lady coming to offer charity.
Shen Zhili went downstairs and sorted all the groceries and seasonings she had bought into several large insulated containers.
Mom Liu watched from the side, wanting to help but not daring to step in, her face filled with unspoken words.
“Young lady… where are you going with all these things?”
“I’m going out.”
Shen Zhili fastened the last latch on the insulated container and lifted it to test its weight.
It was heavy enough to crush a person.
But she walked out the door without looking back.
…
Six o’clock in the evening.
Night began to fall, and the city lights started to glow.
The streets around Qingshan Apartments were old and worn.
Shen Zhili stood at the entrance of the convenience store, holding the insulated container, and glanced inside through the glass door.
The shelves were neatly arranged, and the lighting was bright.
Behind the cash register stood a middle-aged woman in a convenience store uniform, idly playing with her phone.
“Hmm? Why don’t I see Jiang Xianzhuo?”
Shen Zhili withdrew her gaze, pushed the door open, and walked in.
The wind chime above the door jingled with a crisp sound.
“Welcome.”
The middle-aged woman lazily glanced up at her before quickly lowering her head again. The short video on her screen blared with noisy music.
Shen Zhili walked around the store.
Finally, in front of the refrigerated drinks cabinet at the very back, she saw the familiar yet unfamiliar figure.
Jiang Xianzhuo was wearing the same blue uniform as the woman, squatting on the floor restocking.
His movements were quick—opening cardboard boxes and neatly placing bottles of chilled drinks into the cabinet.
His fingers were tinged an unnatural red from the cold air wafting out of the refrigerator.
Shen Zhili stood behind him without saying a word.
Her gaze fell on the back of his head, where a small, unruly tuft of hair curled slightly upward.
She watched for a few seconds.
Then she spoke.
“Jiang Xianzhuo.”
The young man’s movements froze.
He slowly turned his head.
His beautiful eyes lifted, his gaze settling on her face.
Then, his eyes shifted downward, lingering for a moment on the ordinary sweatshirt and jeans she was wearing.
The pretty little dress was gone.
Jiang Xianzhuo withdrew his gaze, his voice still carrying that bone-chilling aloofness. “What do you want?”
Shen Zhili was momentarily taken aback by his standoffish attitude.
What a pain.
Maybe she should just turn him into an ex?
The thought flashed through her mind, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it.
Shen Zhili quickly adjusted her expression and raised the heavy insulated container in her hand.
“I brought you something.”
Jiang Xianzhuo glanced at the insulated container for a second before looking away and continuing to restock.
“Not needed.”
Three words, crisp and clear.
Shen Zhili took a deep breath.
Fine, she’d endure it.
“You bring your own lunch at noon, right?” She took a step forward, crouched down, and met his gaze at eye level. “I noticed you eat pretty simply, so I made you something good.”
Jiang Xianzhuo paused again as he placed the drinks.
He looked up once more.
This time, there was finally something else in those beautiful eyes.
Wariness, caution, and something deeper—a thick, lingering suspicion.
“You made it for me?”
Shen Zhili met his gaze calmly, tilting her chin slightly upward.
“I was planning to make it for you.”
She paused, then continued in a tone that suggested it was only natural: “But since I don’t know how yet, I’ve brought all the raw materials for you. If you’re worried, you can demonstrate it for me first.”
After she finished speaking, Jiang Xianzhuo stared at her for several long seconds.
It was as if he were analyzing every punctuation mark in her sentence for hidden traps.
Then, he suddenly laughed.
The laughter was extremely light, rolling from deep in his throat, carrying a chill.
“Hah.”
“Just tell me directly how you plan to torment me.”
“No need for these empty games.”