Shen Qingyou didn’t respond.
The bell rang again, and the crowd dispersed.
Li Hongmei leaned in and whispered, “You’re something else. One sentence and you sent them all packing.”
Shen Qingyou smiled but said nothing.
The morning of classes passed quickly.
When the dismissal bell rang, Shen Qingyou packed up her bag and headed out. By the school gate, she could see the black sedan parked at a distance from afar.
Yan Tingxu was leaning against the car, sunlight falling on him. His dark blue coat was impeccably pressed, his brow and eyes cold and stern. Everyone who passed by couldn’t help but steal an extra glance.
Shen Qingyou quickened her pace.
“Third Uncle.”
Yan Tingxu straightened up and glanced at her. “How were your classes?”
“Pretty good,” Shen Qingyou said. “I could understand everything the teacher said.”
Yan Tingxu nodded and opened the car door. “Get in.”
Shen Qingyou climbed into the car. As soon as she was settled, he said, “We’re going shopping first.”
“Shopping?”
“Mm.” Yan Tingxu started the car. “A few outfits for you, plus some daily necessities.”
Shen Qingyou hesitated. “Third Uncle, I have clothes—”
“Your clothes are too thin,” Yan Tingxu cut her off. “It’s cold in winter. If you freeze and get sick, how would I face your parents?”
Shen Qingyou fell silent.
The car drove across several streets and stopped in front of the department store.
This was the largest department store in Beijing—three stories tall, with all kinds of rare goods displayed in the glass windows.
The entrance was bustling with people. Bicycles were parked in a row. People carrying cloth bags went in and out, along with a few men in cadre uniforms.
Shen Qingyou stood at the entrance, a bit dazed.
In her previous life, she had come here once—after marrying Yan Hao, when he brought her to buy things for the wedding.
Back then, she had been afraid to ask for anything and ended up buying only a pair of cloth shoes. He had mocked her, saying that being from the countryside, she didn’t know how to pick things out anyway.
“Let’s go,” Yan Tingxu said from ahead.
Shen Qingyou followed.
The first floor sold food and daily necessities—candy, pastries, soap, towels, all arranged neatly.
Yan Tingxu went directly to the second floor, with Shen Qingyou following behind.
The second floor mainly sold clothing and fabric.
As soon as they reached the top of the stairs, a sales clerk approached. Taking in Yan Tingxu’s attire and bearing, the clerk’s face immediately broke into a smile.
“Comrade, what are you looking for? We just got a new batch of fabric from Shanghai—excellent quality.”
Yan Tingxu scanned the counter and pointed to a bolt of navy blue cotton cloth. “This one—enough for a set of clothes.”
Then he pointed to a bolt next to it with a small floral pattern. “And this one—enough for a set as well.”
The sales clerk’s eyes narrowed with delight. “Certainly! Comrade, you have excellent taste. These are hot items—they just arrived yesterday!”
Shen Qingyou stood nearby, watching the clerk nimbly measure and tear the fabric and wrap it up, a bit slow to process what was happening.
“Third Uncle,” she said quietly, “you don’t need to buy so much—”
Yan Tingxu ignored her and pointed to the cotton jackets inside the display case. “That one—bring one in her size.”
The clerk followed his gaze to a burgundy-colored cotton jacket with faux fur trim at the collar. One look and you could tell it was very warm.
“This one is wonderful!” The clerk immediately took it out. “Little comrade, try it on—I guarantee it’ll look good on you!”
Shen Qingyou stared at the jacket, a little stunned.
In her previous life, she had seen a female classmate wearing this exact jacket. Everyone said it looked good, and she had secretly envied it.
But back then, she wouldn’t have dared to imagine owning such a jacket herself, let alone dare to ask Third Uncle to buy it for her.
“Try it on,” Yan Tingxu said.
Shen Qingyou took the jacket and put it on.
The jacket fit perfectly—not too big, not too small. The soft fur at the collar brushed against her chin and kept her warm, though it made her face look even smaller.
The sales clerk praised her from the side. “It looks wonderful! This color really suits a young girl—it makes her skin look so fair! Comrade, you have excellent taste!”
Yan Tingxu glanced at her, nodded, and said, “Wrap it up.”
He made another round by the counter, picking out two sets of long underwear, two pairs of pants, a pair of cotton shoes, a dozen pairs of socks, and a pack of handkerchiefs for Shen Qingyou.
While the sales clerk was tallying up the bill, several people had already gathered around, watching with envy.
“Who is that? Buying so much?”
“He must be a big boss—really well-off.”
“Who’s that young girl to him? His daughter?”
“Doesn’t look like it—he’s too young…”
The murmurs drifted over. Shen Qingyou kept her head down, her ears turning slightly red.
Yan Tingxu paid the money and ration coupons, picked up the assortment of bags and packages, glanced at her, and said, “Let’s go.”
Shen Qingyou followed. When they reached the stairwell, he suddenly called out to her.
“Wait a moment.”
Yan Tingxu set down what he was carrying, pulled a scarf from his pocket, and handed it to her.
Shen Qingyou froze.
It was a red scarf, pure wool, incredibly soft.
“It’s cold outside,” Yan Tingxu said. “Put this on.”
Shen Qingyou took the scarf. Her fingers touched the soft wool, and a wave of warmth surged into her heart.
She looked up at Yan Tingxu.
He still had that cool, indifferent air about him, his face expressionless, as if he were doing something perfectly ordinary.
“Thank you, Third Uncle,” she said, her voice a little hoarse.
She wrapped the scarf around her neck. The soft wool brushed against her skin, so warm it was almost unbelievable.
They went downstairs and walked out of the department store.
The wind outside was still cold, but Shen Qingyou didn’t feel it at all.
The scarf was too warm.
Back at the courtyard, Yan Tingxu carried the items into a room next to the backward-facing building.
“You’ll stay in this room from now on.”
Shen Qingyou stood at the doorway and looked inside.
Yan Tingxu had somehow gotten this room cleaned up spotlessly.
There was a single bed with a new mattress pad, the blanket folded neatly. Against the wall stood a desk and a chair, a desk lamp on the table. By the window sat a brand-new wardrobe, its lacquered surface gleaming.
Yan Tingxu came in and busied himself, putting away all the things he had bought today.
“This…” Shen Qingyou still hadn’t quite processed it. “Third Uncle, when was this room fixed up?”
Yan Tingxu said, “I had someone repaint the walls and replace the windows. The bed and desk are brand new.”
As he spoke, he set things down, walked to the window, and checked the seals.
“There’s a bit of a draft through this window. I’ll have someone fix it later.”
Shen Qingyou stood in the doorway, watching him.
He stood there with his back to her, bent over to inspect the window, his fingers running along the frame, his brow slightly furrowed.
“Third Uncle,” she began, her voice trembling a little, “this room…”
Yan Tingxu straightened up and turned to look at her.
The young girl stood at the doorway, wearing that red scarf, her eyes rimmed with red.
He frowned slightly. “What? Don’t you like it?”
Shen Qingyou shook her head and pushed down the surge of emotion.
“Third Uncle, this place is too nice. I…”
Yan Tingxu looked at her.
“You’re Old Shen’s daughter,” he said. “It’s only right.”