Shao Jiaquan came forward to formally introduce Chi Cheng to her relatives as her future husband, and the whole family continued their lively conversation. It was evident that most people present were quite satisfied with this young man who was about to become Shao Jiaquan’s husband. Chi Cheng had completely shed his frivolous and picky demeanor from the airport. Instead, he appeared courteous and composed, intelligent yet modest, with exceptional conversational skills. Despite his young age, he came across as an extremely reliable person, winning the favor of all his female relatives. Particularly Xie Pingning’s grandmother, who could hardly wait to add him to her family’s collection of relatives. It was only then that Zhao Xunxun learned that although Shao Jiaquan was beyond five degrees of kinship with Xie Pingning’s family by blood, they had always maintained a close relationship, and she had even lived with Xie Pingning’s grandmother for several years.
At this time, Shao Jiaquan’s face was glowing with sweetness as Chi Cheng removed fish bones for her, while she carefully peeled shrimp for him. The young couple looked perfect together in every way, and Zhao Xunxun noticed the content expressions on her in-laws’ faces. Perhaps influenced by this demonstration, Xie Pingning, who had always believed that serving food to others violated hygiene principles, even added a piece of meat to Zhao Xunxun’s bowl, though it was a chicken wing that she didn’t particularly like.
The banquet was already nearing its end, and some relatives were in a hurry to leave. After Zhao Xunxun and Chi Cheng had casually eaten their fill, everyone dispersed quickly. The hosts, Mr. and Mrs. Xie Pingning, along with their parents, saw off the elders and relatives. Xie Pingning suggested that his parents go home to rest, saying he would take Shao Jiaquan and Chi Cheng to their arranged hotel later.
Unexpectedly, Mrs. Xie, who usually went to bed early, proposed that since she hadn’t seen Shao Jiaquan – who was like a little niece she had watched grow up – for a long time, she would ride in Xie Pingning’s father’s car and they would drop her off at the hotel, chatting along the way. To avoid overcrowding, they temporarily separated the young couple, having Chi Cheng ride with the Xie Pingning couple.
Zhao Xunxun noticed her husband frown slightly, but he said nothing as everyone made their way to the parking lot and took their positions. The hotel wasn’t far from the restaurant, just a few minutes away. Mrs. Xie and Shao Jiaquan were engrossed in conversation, and after getting the room key, they decided to go up and see the room, saying they would just sit for a while before leaving.
Xie Pingning’s couple and Chi Cheng fell behind. Before entering the elevator, Chi Cheng suddenly remembered something and politely asked Xie Pingning if there were any reasonably sized supermarkets or stores nearby, as his luggage hadn’t been found yet, meaning he had lost all his personal items including changes of clothes and needed to find a place to purchase replacements.
Although this area wasn’t far from where they lived, with Zhao Xunxun being such a capable housewife at home, Xie Pingning had never paid attention to such matters. Therefore, he couldn’t immediately think of how to recommend places to Chi Cheng and had to turn his gaze toward his silent wife.
“Ah? Oh!” Zhao Xunxun seemed to snap out of a daze. She pointed into the distance, “After you exit the hotel entrance, turn right and pass one traffic light, there’s a shopping mall. I don’t know what you need to buy, but it should be enough for daily necessities. It’s very close, just a few steps away.”
“Right past one traffic light – is that facing the hotel or with your back to it?” Chi Cheng continued asking.
Xie Pingning glanced at Shao Jiaquan’s luggage he was still carrying, then turned to his wife and said, “Xunxun, I’ll take the luggage up and see if my parents need anything. Why don’t you accompany Chi Cheng? Women are more detail-oriented, and you’re familiar with the area…”
Zhao Xunxun hesitantly suggested, “Why don’t we wait until Jiaquan finishes talking with your parents and go together?”
“Who knows how long they’ll chat? I’m worried it’ll be too late by then. Come on, be good, go, and come back quickly.” Before Zhao Xunxun could protest further, Xie Pingning had already entered the elevator area.
“I’m sorry to trouble you again,” Chi Cheng maintained an apologetic expression.
Zhao Xunxun wanted to be polite, but found she couldn’t force out the words “it’s nothing” – he really was troublesome. What made her uneasy was her premonition that an even bigger trouble awaited her beyond him.
“Haven’t you lived in this city before?” Zhao Xunxun glanced at Chi Cheng, beginning to realize that politeness and courtesy were pointless with this person.
A taxi stopped nearby when Zhao Xunxun waved. “Didn’t you just say it was very close? Just a few steps away, why take a taxi?” Chi Cheng gestured for the driver to leave, then answered Zhao Xunxun: “I lived here for five years, left three years ago.”
Zhao Xunxun gazed complexly at the distant traffic light and casually asked, “How old are you this year?”
“Twenty-five.”
Indeed just a kid, Zhao Xunxun felt for the first time that age could give her a sense of advantage, making her a giant in life experience looking down at Chi Cheng. “Three years ago you must have still been in school, while I had already been working for three years.”
“Senior year, about to graduate.”
“Did you go to Shanghai because of graduation?”
“Not really, there were some family issues at the time, and I ran into some problems of my own.” Chi Cheng, who had been watching the traffic on the left, turned to face Zhao Xunxun.
“Your problem was a breakup, right?” Zhao Xunxun smirked.
“How did you know?” Chi Cheng asked with a smile.
“The biggest problem a 22-year-old might face, excluding family factors, would either be emotional setbacks or physical trauma, like a major injury or illness. Looking at you, your limbs are intact, and you don’t seem like someone recovering from illness, so it must have been a breakup.”
“You’re like a fortune teller,” Chi Cheng said.
“My biological father was a fortune teller. Professional,” Zhao Xunxun replied.
“Really?” Chi Cheng laughed, “Is your ability to see through things inherited from him?”
Zhao Xunxun also laughed, “What ability to see through things? I remember his predictions for bad things usually came true, but rarely the good ones. There was only one time when he said the gods told him he would have a wealthy late life. A few years ago, he scammed some money from a rich fool. Before the money could even warm in his hands, he died drunk under car wheels. He was quite wealthy when he died, relative to his entire life. He just didn’t predict his late years would come so soon.”
Chi Cheng observed Zhao Xunxun’s expression and, seeing no particular grief, continued the topic: “Did that money end up with you?”
“Yes. But windfall money isn’t good – it comes fast and goes fast. I spent it all in a blur,” Zhao Xunxun said.
Chi Cheng said, “That doesn’t seem like you.”
Zhao Xunxun paused, then sneered, “What do you know about what I’m like?”
As they spoke, both simultaneously took a large step forward – there was a manhole cover ahead. Zhao Xunxun had always avoided such potential dangers, refusing to stand on what might be a trap that could lead to disaster with one wrong step. She hadn’t expected that Chi Cheng, so young and seemingly successful and spirited, would also have this subconscious risk-avoiding movement.
“After leaving three years ago, did you go straight to Shanghai?”
Chi Cheng shook his head, “I spent over two years abroad before going to Shanghai.”
“Rich second generation, I get it,” Zhao Xunxun said. During the meal earlier, she seemed to have heard someone mention that Chi Cheng came from a wealthy family, held an important position in his family’s company, and could be considered successful at a young age – a perfect match for Shao Jiaquan.
“I don’t think you understand,” Chi Cheng kicked aside a fallen leaf on the sidewalk. “My father remarried. I used to live with my mother and only returned to my father’s side after she died. He’s wealthy, but his fortune came from my stepmother’s family assets. They have another son and daughter together. The reason I spent over two years abroad wasn’t for studies – my father sent me away because he was worried my stepmother wouldn’t accept me.”
Zhao Xunxun nodded, actually understanding quite well. She had experience living in a blended family herself. At fourteen, she followed her mother into marriage with the Zeng family, entering an environment that was worlds apart from what she knew. Although she never worried about food or clothing, she had never felt truly secure. However, she had no intention of discussing this topic deeply with a future distant relative.
“What about you? What were you doing three years ago?” Chi Cheng’s gaze rested on Zhao Xunxun.
“Quit my job, got married.”
“Why?”
“No particular reason.”
Zhao Xunxun knew there were many people like her in this world – studying diligently from a young age, getting good grades but not necessarily loving knowledge; finding decent work after graduation, making enough money but never aspiring to climb to the top; marrying a man considered excellent by others at the right age, having a satisfactory marriage but never experiencing passionate love. Life is just a step-by-step journey toward death, and choosing the most normal path feels safer. There’s no particular reason, and the ending wouldn’t be different anyway. Back then, she worked in finance at a well-known company, and this reliable job made the Xie family more satisfied with her. After marriage, Xie Pingning wanted her to return to the family and create a solid home front for him. She was initially unwilling, not because of career ambitions, but because she didn’t want to cut off her path. It wasn’t until she realized that refusing might threaten their marital stability, and Xie Pingning offered to deposit monthly amounts no less than her work income into her account, that she went along with it. Just that mundane. Zhao Xunxun didn’t love money, but she loved stability. Comfortable finances were a necessary but not sufficient condition for stability – this she had always understood.
Thinking about this, she felt herself shrinking again. In terms of these three years, she might not even have more life experience than Chi Cheng, who was three years her junior.
Since the airline promised Chi Cheng’s luggage would be delivered to his hotel by tomorrow night at the latest, he was only selecting personal undergarments at the mall. Zhao Xunxun stood beside a well-known brand’s men’s counter, watching Chi Cheng pick through items, feeling awkward and out of place.
Just hours ago, she would never have believed her life experience would include accompanying her future uncle-in-law to buy underwear at the mall. It made her feel like Qin Keqing leading Jia Baoyu during his afternoon spring nap. Moreover, Chi Cheng showed no particular concern about propriety, occasionally holding up certain items to her, asking, “What do you think about this one?”
She could only remain silent.
Was she supposed to answer, “I think it suits you,” or “This color doesn’t match you”?
Zhao Xunxun hoped Chi Cheng would finish selecting quickly, but he seemed thoroughly enthusiastic. To achieve what Xie Pingning called “quick there and back,” she steeled herself and randomly pointed to one to suggest.
“I think this one’s nice,” Zhao Xunxun said.
“Really?” Chi Cheng drawled, “You like this one?”
Zhao Xunxun nearly fainted – his underwear had absolutely nothing to do with what she liked or didn’t like. She waved her hand, “It’s okay, passable.”
“Is that how carelessly you choose your own?” He looked natural and casual as if feeling no awkwardness at all, which made Zhao Xunxun wonder if she was the one being overly sensitive. Had society evolved while she was doing laundry to the point where a nephew’s wife and uncle-in-law, or strangers who had met less than three hours ago, could naturally shop for and discuss underwear together? Like how women wearing pants had shifted from shocking half a century ago to completely normal now?
The sales clerk, skilled at pleasing customers, joined in, covering her mouth as she smiled at Zhao Xunxun: “Don’t just say it’s okay, choose carefully, pick several – after all, he’s wearing them for you to see!” Zhao Xunxun’s face reddened down to her navel. She thought: He’s wearing them for you to see, for your whole family to see! Too tired to argue, she directly held up that pair of underwear and asked Chi Cheng decisively: “Are you buying this or not?”
“Yes! I’ll buy it.” Chi Cheng succumbed to her intimidation, quickly having the clerk ring it up. Zhao Xunxun sighed in relief, sitting on the small sofa prepared for customers, leisurely flipping through catalogs while waiting for him to pay. She managed all of Xie Pingning’s daily necessities, but she had never noticed that men’s underwear came in so many vibrant choices.
After several pages, Zhao Xunxun noticed Chi Cheng’s feet still lingering about a meter from her chair. She looked up to find him showing what appeared to be an embarrassment for the first time in their brief acquaintance.
Chi Cheng forcefully called Zhao Xunxun aside and whispered to her: “Oh no, I just remembered I stuffed my carry-on bag into my checked luggage before boarding.”
“And?” Zhao Xunxun felt herself emanating authority.
“My wallet’s in there!”
“Are you kidding me?” The gentle and elegant Zhao Xunxun was gone, replaced by someone fuming from all seven orifices. “How could anyone put their wallet and ID in checked luggage? Don’t you know the theft rate at airports? And if the luggage gets lost it means you lose everything, just like your situation now! What normal person would do this?”
Chi Cheng spread his hands apologetically: “A normal person just wanting to free up both hands?”
“What did you need both hands free for? To start a fire by rubbing sticks?” Chi Cheng silently pulled a PSP from his jacket pocket, leaving Zhao Xunxun speechless.
This PSP directly led to Zhao Xunxun having to pay for Chi Cheng’s underwear. Although she was the type of person who always carried her ID card and copies, and bought double insurance before flights.
They walked silently toward the cashier. Zhao Xunxun opened her wallet and desperately told Chi Cheng: “I wasn’t planning to spend money today, I don’t have my bank cards, only brought two hundred yuan, and already used half for the taxi from the airport…”
“No way?” With people queuing behind them, Chi Cheng urgently grabbed Zhao Xunxun’s wallet and looked through it, finding another fifty yuan behind her ID card.
“That’s my emergency transportation money.”
“You must have more!”
“No more!”
“How could you not? What if your wallet gets stolen? Please, I’m begging you, I’ll pay you back double tomorrow, triple, tenfold!”
Zhao Xunxun painfully took out a key case from her handbag, “This is my absolute last emergency lifeline.”
Chi Cheng laughed heartily: “Well, this is an emergency.” Chi Cheng carried the shopping bag, walking contentedly beside a disgruntled Zhao Xunxun. “Come on, no need to be angry. I’ll have Jiaquan pay you back right away, tenfold!”
Zhao Xunxun slowly turned to him: “If you dare let my husband and your fiancée know about this, I’ll fight you to the death. Today I only accompanied you to the mall entrance, then we browsed separately and met up afterward.”
Chi Cheng smiled carelessly: “The way you’re talking, someone might think we have some secret affair going on.”
Zhao Xunxun ignored him until they reached the hotel. She sat in the lobby calling Xie Pingning while Chi Cheng sat across from her.
“Why aren’t you leaving?” Zhao Xunxun glared at him.
“I’m waiting for Xie Pingning to come down so I can tell him in front of you that you only accompanied me to the store entrance,” Chi Cheng said leisurely.
Zhao Xunxun rolled her eyes, finding the situation increasingly absurd until she finally laughed.
“Alright, go on.”
“You accompanied me for quite a while, so I’ll keep you company for a bit. I’ll leave when your husband comes down.” His tone became gentle and serious, no longer playful. Zhao Xunxun shook her head – he was just a kid, so why bother getting upset with him?
The kid in her eyes sat quietly for a while, then opened the shopping bag to look at his earlier spoils, suddenly blurting out: “Did you pick this?”
Zhao Xunxun told the truth: “I wouldn’t choose something like this for myself.”
“Why not?”
“Because I wouldn’t want to appear before my neighbors wearing train-patterned underwear if I had to escape a house fire in the middle of the night.”
Chi Cheng asked in a discussing tone, “Would flesh-colored be an improvement?”
“What are you talking about?” Xie Pingning and Zhao Xunxun’s in-laws finally appeared. Thinking about it, she had only been gone for less than forty minutes, yet it felt like forty years.
“Talking about trains,” Zhao Xunxun answered quickly, which though strange, was better than saying they were discussing underwear.
Xie Pingning smiled in confusion: “Trains, flesh-colored?”
“Bullet trains,” Chi Cheng added.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Xie Pingning said puzzled but showed no interest in pursuing the topic further.
Zhao Xunxun thought to herself: Of course, you don’t know what we’re talking about, because we’re just talking nonsense.