"Brother Jian, why are you here?"
Qin Xiangnuan was quite surprised to see Jian Zhiqing outside; wasn’t he supposed to be at work? How come he’s back now.
"Just happened to pass by, and came to deliver some groceries," Jian Zhiqing pointed inside the car, "now you don’t have to buy them yourself. Remember the soy-braised pork ribs for tonight. Let’s go, I’ll drive you home first," he opened the car door, his black coat carrying a hint of cool lingering scent.
Qin Xiangnuan was also relieved to save some walking time. She followed him into the car, and instantly, the warmth of the heater enveloped her, which was indeed much more comfortable than walking.
Jian Zhiqing suddenly spoke, startling Qin Xiangnuan. What’s the matter? His voice was so deep, his tone so serious.
"What’s wrong, Brother Jian?" She asked cautiously, worried that she had done something wrong.
"Falling in love too early is not good," Jian Zhiqing drove, and after a long pause, he finally uttered these few words.
Falling in love too early is not good.
Qin Xiangnuan felt her brain short-circuit for a few seconds, and it took her a while to process. Could it be that this man’s eyes were so sharp that he saw the male student approaching her? But, that had nothing to do with her; she had never considered dating early.
She hugged her backpack tightly and stamped her foot lightly. Qin Xiangnuan, you’re becoming more and more naïve.
"I’m not dating early," she murmured. Even if she were to date, it would be someone much older, not the young boys with barely grown hairs and dressed in flashy clothes, some even sporting teenage acne, using either his mother’s or sister’s vanishing cream, smelling so strong they nearly made her faint.
"That’s good then," Jian Zhiqing’s lips couldn’t help but curl up slightly. The car had arrived at the entrance of the Siheyuan alley. The road here was currently not easy to navigate, with houses haphazardly built everywhere. However, it would be better in a decade or so when a main road will be constructed, and Jian Zhiqing’s slightly larger Siheyuan happens to be on the same road—very convenient as it serves both households.
Jian Zhiqing handed over the meat he had bought in the car to Qin Xiangnuan. "Remember my soy-braised pork ribs," he said, and then he pinched Qin Xiangnuan’s soft, fair cheek. The winter had passed, and while other girls’ skins were drying up as if dehydrated, Qin Xiangnuan’s was still soft and tender, like fine tofu.
Qin Xiangnuan touched her own face, while the car had already gone far without stirring up much dust.
In this era, where is there dust to be found? The air quality in Capital City is really good, with fewer people.
She pushed open the door, set down the things, and then poured some hot water from the kettle to wash her hands and face. She went into her room and took out the skin cream she had bought from the system and applied some.
She turned the jar of skin cream in her hand; just a small bottle cost fifty Gold Coins, but the effects were truly remarkable, especially on the hands. After using it, she didn’t even get chilblains, and she wasn’t sure whether it was due to the cream or the Earth gradually warming up. But indeed, it felt comfortable on the face, and there was no tightness. At her age, her skin shouldn’t be too bad, and with the system’s cream, she didn’t have any problems all winter long.
She took off her coat and put on a specially made house dress. Just as she touched her chest, she couldn’t help feeling a bit uncomfortable.
She touched it and felt a sense of swelling, then frowned and looked in the mirror for a long time.