Xu Zhouzhou stood rooted to the spot and slowly turned around. “What is it?”
“I want to ask for your help,” Gu Beizheng said.
“Help?” Xu Zhouzhou asked in surprise. “What kind of help?”
Gu Beizheng took two steps toward her and said, “I want to buy some clothes for my sister and Xiaotao, but I don’t know much about it. I was hoping you could give me some advice.”
So that was it. Xu Zhouzhou breathed a complete sigh of relief in her heart. She had thought he discovered something fishy.
“Sure, I can do that.”
Such a ready agreement actually surprised Gu Beizheng for a moment. “Alright, wait for me a second. Once I finish buying my things, we’ll go.”
Gu Beizheng walked into the veterinary station and came out a few minutes later.
“Let’s go.”
Xu Zhouzhou, who had been leaning against the big tree by the entrance, quickly straightened up, uttered an “Oh,” and followed behind him.
The two arrived at the department store in town. Xu Zhouzhou picked out a backpack for Xiaotao that was the trendiest style at the moment; it was pink and very pretty.
Then they went to the clothing section and bought two dresses for Xiaotao, one pale yellow and one red.
“Isn’t it too bright?” Gu Beizheng asked, looking at the red dress.
“She’s a little girl; what’s wrong with wearing something bright? Besides, Xiaotao’s favorite color is red. Didn’t you know that?” Xu Zhouzhou held the dress and looked up at Gu Beizheng.
Gu Beizheng was slightly stunned. “Oh, is it?”
Xu Zhouzhou pursed her lips. “Then do you know what color your sister likes? Let’s choose an outfit for her too.”
Gu Beizheng: “……No, I’m not sure.”
“And to think your sister treats you like her precious treasure. You really are a hopeless ‘straight man’; you don’t pay attention to anyone,” Xu Zhouzhou muttered under her breath.
“What did you say?” Gu Beizheng hadn’t heard clearly, but seeing her muttering, he asked.
“I said, how about we pick a dress for your sister? I think that light green one looks quite good; it looks very fresh.” Xu Zhouzhou pointed to a dress on the counter.
“This female comrade has a great eye. This is the newest style this year; it’s very popular. You’re so pretty, this dress would really suit you.” The salesperson immediately chimed in with a smile to compliment her.
Xu Zhouzhou quickly waved her hand. “I’m not buying it for myself; I’m helping choose for someone else.”
“Oh, the sizes for this dress are incomplete. It’s best if the person can come and try it on herself. Once sold, it cannot be exchanged,” the salesperson explained.
“Is that so?” Xu Zhouzhou sized up the dress and turned back to ask Gu Beizheng, “What do you think? Can your sister wear this size?”
Gu Beizheng looked at the dress, then at Xu Zhouzhou. “You try it on for her.”
“Me?” Aren’t Ding Lan and I pretty different in size?
“Just try it. I want to see how it looks on.” Gu Beizheng signaled the salesperson to take the dress down and handed it to Xu Zhouzhou. “Go try it on.”
Xu Zhouzhou frowned and took the dress. Trying on clothes on such a hot day is incredibly annoying, okay?
She dawdled into the fitting room, but when she came out, Gu Beizheng was nowhere to be seen.
“Where is he?”
“Oh, that male comrade went over there to buy something; he said he’ll be back in a moment. Comrade, you really look beautiful in this dress. It’s like it was custom-made for you; take a look.” The salesperson looked at Xu Zhouzhou and praised her sincerely.
Xu Zhouzhou walked to the mirror. Indeed, the original owner had fair skin, and wearing this dress made her complexion look as white as snow. The square neckline offered a glimpse of her collarbones, accentuating her slender neck.
The dress fit her perfectly. The cinched waist design outlined her slender waist and the fullness of her chest.
The original owner possessed “striking” features—defined and three-dimensional. Even without makeup, her beauty had an aggressive edge to it; with just a little dressing up, it became breathtaking.
Xu Zhouzhou herself hadn’t possessed such stunning looks in her previous life. Her appearance had been standard; friends used to say she had a “peace and prosperity” face—ordinary, but pleasant and enduring.
To live another life and actually possess such an exquisitely beautiful face, yet to fall into a predicament precisely because of this face—was it fortune or misfortune?
Xu Zhouzhou felt a moment of melancholy in front of the mirror. When she focused her gaze, she realized Gu Beizheng was already standing behind her, though she didn’t know when he had arrived.
She turned around and smiled at Gu Beizheng. “Take a look, will this do?”
Gu Beizheng, who had been watching in a trance, met her gaze and snapped back to reality. He lowered his eyes to suppress the look of awe within them. “It looks good.”
“That’s right, comrade. Look how beautiful your partner looks in this dress. You should buy it for her.” The salesperson eagerly chimed in to make the sale.
“I’m not his partner; I’m just helping him try out the clothes. If you think it works, I’ll go change back now.” Xu Zhouzhou smiled at the salesperson and turned to enter the fitting room.
When she came out, Gu Beizheng had already paid for the dress. Although Xu Zhouzhou felt the size might not necessarily fit Ding Lan, if her brother was willing to spend the money, then let him spend it.
Then the two of them walked around the store again. They bought a short-sleeved Dacron shirt and a pair of trendy black low-heeled leather shoes for Ding Lan. Gu Beizheng also bought some daily necessities and food for the mother and daughter, resulting in a large pile of bags.
It was getting late when they came out of the department store, so they took the bus back to the village.
At the village entrance, Gu Beizheng handed Xu Zhouzhou her things. “Thank you for today.”
“You’re welcome.” Xu Zhouzhou bit her lip and asked, “When… when are you leaving?”
Gu Beizheng glanced at her. “In a day or two.”
“Oh.” Xu Zhouzhou lowered her head and scuffed the toe of her shoe against the ground.
Seeing her downcast demeanor, Gu Beizheng felt an inexplicable ache in his heart. “If… if you have trouble in the future, you can go to the Village Head. He will look out for you.”
Gu Beizheng, this woman has nothing to do with you. Put away your pity. Gu Beizheng warned himself with cold resolve.
“Gu Beizheng, you’ve saved me twice, and I’ve caused you quite a bit of trouble. Let me treat you to a meal to thank you and to send you off.” Xu Zhouzhou looked up, her big eyes shining as she gazed at Gu Beizheng with sincerity.
“Alright.”
Damn it. He had actually agreed, as if possessed by a ghost.
“Then come to my dorm tomorrow afternoon after school. I’ll wait for you.”
Xu Zhouzhou gave a brilliant smile, turned, and walked back to the school with light steps.
Gu Beizheng stood rooted to the spot, watching her retreating figure. He closed his eyes and silently cursed himself.