Chарtеr 14: Тhе Thoughtful Little Соtton-Pаdded Jaсkеt
Whilе Wеn Yu wаs tаking a shоwеr, Хu Jinhuаn drifted downstаirs like a wandering ghоst.
Shе sat dоwnstаirs in а dаzе for quitе а whilе, still feeling sоmеwhat disоriented, her сheеks slightly warm.
Hоw cоuld she hаvе asked Мr. Wen to staу? It wаs аs if shе had beеn роssеssed…
Xu Jinhuаn pursеd her lips, burуing her heаd in the cаshier countеr, silеntlу berаting hеrself for her bеwitchеd bеhavior just mоments agо.
“Little friеnd.” Fingеrs tаpрed the сountertор, рroducing a crisp sound.
Xu Jinhuan lооked up almost rеflеxively. Fаmiliаr red lips and wavy curls came into view, and her eyes lit up. “Yao Jiejie!”
Wen Yao placed her handbag on the counter and smiled at the young girl.
“Not open for business today?”
“We sold out early today, so we’re taking a break for now,” Xu Jinhuan explained as she stood up. “But I can make something fresh. What would you like to have today?”
Wen Yao said, “Just a glass of water. I happened to pass by and wanted to chat with you.”
Xu Jinhuan poured a glass of warm water and led Wen Yao to sit at a small table and chairs. “Please, have a seat.”
“Why so polite?”
Wen Yao asked with a smile, “Could it be that just half a month without seeing each other has made us strangers?”
Some people simply have that kind of presence—with just a word or two, they can take control of the situation. In truth, they had only met once, but when Wen Yao spoke like this, it felt as if they were old friends who had known each other for years.
Xu Jinhuan sat down opposite her, two shallow dimples appearing on her face.
“Of course not. I’m really surprised you came today.”
Suddenly, she remembered something important. “Oh, by the way, last time you paid the wrong amount for the cake—you added two extra digits. Could you add me on WeChat? I’ll transfer the money back to you.”
The two scanned each other’s QR codes and added each other on WeChat.
Only then did Wen Yao say, “We can add each other on WeChat, but there’s no need to transfer the money. I didn’t pay the wrong amount.”
Just as Xu Jinhuan was about to say something, Wen Yao continued, “Just think of it as me having too much money to burn. I really enjoyed chatting with you last time, so consider it money spent for fun.”
Xu Jinhuan thought for a moment. “Well, in that case, whenever you want cakes or desserts in the future, just come by. I’ll always have something ready for you.”
“Sounds good.”
Wen Yao glanced at the time. “Since the shop is quiet today, do you have time to accompany me for some shopping?”
“As you know, I only have one grown, unmarried, unfilial son. I don’t even have anyone to go shopping with…”
This statement was actually quite unfair. Although Wen Yu wasn’t a traditional, thoughtful “little cotton-padded jacket,” he always strived to be a gentleman. Accompanying his mother shopping was something he would make time for, maintaining a frequency of almost once every two months over the years.
Compared to the busy schedule of President Wen, who flew all over the country, this was already exceptionally rare.
But in Ms. Wen’s words, he was nothing short of an “unfilial son.”
Hearing this, Xu Jinhuan subtly glanced in the direction of the upstairs.
Mr. Wen was still at home. If she left now…
“Is something wrong? Is it inconvenient?” Noticing Xu Jinhuan’s hesitation, Wen Yao asked considerately.
Xu Jinhuan had never been good at refusing others. She shook her head. “No, it’s not inconvenient.”
She thought to herself, Mr. Wen should be asleep by now. If she went out and returned quickly, it probably wouldn’t be a problem.
“Yao Jiejie, please wait a moment. I need to leave something…”
Wen Yao said, “No rush.”Xu Jinhuan found a sticky note at the cash register, leaned over to write a few words, and deliberately placed it in a conspicuous spot to ensure Wen Yu would see it as soon as he woke up and came downstairs.
Since someone was inside, she didn’t lock the shop door—it wouldn’t be right to lock Mr. Wen in the store, after all.
Before leaving, Xu Jinhuan asked the uncle and aunt next door to keep an eye on things for her. The neighbors were warm-hearted people and readily agreed to her request.
Only after everything was settled did Xu Jinhuan get into Wen Yao’s car.
…
Even though she knew Yao Jiejie was someone of extraordinary status and unlikely to frequent such humble places, when Xu Jinhuan found herself in City B’s most luxurious high-end mall, the awe she felt was still indescribable.
The mall was brilliantly lit, every corner exuding luxury and elegance. As she looked around, she saw only well-dressed, glamorous people adorned in designer brands, as if the entire world were shimmering with opulence.
A month’s earnings for her might only be enough to buy a single sock here…
Feeling a bit self-conscious, Xu Jinhuan tugged at her white printed T-shirt, bought from Taobao for 19.9 yuan.
“Yao Jiejie, should I have changed into something else before coming here…”
Even though her wardrobe didn’t contain anything suitable for such an occasion, at least it wouldn’t have been stained with cream spots.
“Change into what?”
Wen Yao ruffled Xu Jinhuan’s curly hair and said with a smile, “What you’re wearing is just fine—it’s so cute.”
The girl had fair skin, large clear and sparkling eyes, and naturally curved eyelashes, embodying a kind of unadorned beauty that no amount of luxurious attire could ever replace.
No wonder her son, who had only just awakened to such things after over thirty years, liked her.
She liked her too.
At least in this regard, that Wen fellow had inherited something from her.
Wen Yao took Xu Jinhuan’s hand and said with a smile, “Let’s go, little sidekick.”