Li Shiping usually goes to the store to buy groceries, and sees people often, so Xiaocui and Li Shiping have become quite familiar with each other.
"Mianmian’s sister there, huh? Shouldn’t we go in and say hello? She might have seen us too. We can’t act too proud and pretend not to see her, or others might think we’re impolite." People in the countryside hold simple thoughts, believing it’s basic courtesy to greet someone when you come across them.
Xiaocui was hesitating, but after hearing her mother put it that way, she decided to go in and greet them before leaving. However, she saw Li Shiping pulling out a gold bracelet from her bag to show to the clerk; it looked like she intended to sell it.
Li Yue’s business was doing well, and Li Shiping’s family background was strong, so why would she sell a gold bracelet?
Even though she didn’t understand Li Shiping’s thoughts, Xiaocui knew that people generally wouldn’t sell their gold jewelry. She felt there might be something going on that she didn’t know about.
What if Li Shiping didn’t want anyone to know? Wouldn’t it be awkward if she went in now?
"Xiaocui, why aren’t you going in?" Seeing her standing still, Auntie Liu urged her.
"Mom, let’s not go in. Let’s head back first! I’m afraid the store might be too busy." Glancing at the store, where Li Shiping was staring at the gold bracelet reluctantly, Xiaocui became even more sure there was an issue.
Worried about being seen by Li Shiping and creating an awkward situation, she hurried Auntie Liu out of there.
Back at the store, Xiaocui pulled Shen Mianmian aside to talk about the incident with Li Shiping, "Mianmian, I’m not sure if she’s really going to sell the gold bracelet, but the scene really looked like she was about to sell it."
Worried it might all just be a misunderstanding, Xiaocui was careful not to be too certain in her words.
Shen Mianmian slowly furrowed her brow. Although she hadn’t seen it firsthand, she was quite sure that Li Shiping was indeed selling the gold bracelet.
Wang Dongcheng, a teacher, doesn’t earn much monthly, and his salary wasn’t enough for his extravagant spending, let alone supporting his mother. Although Li Yue would give money to Li Shiping, she didn’t always accept it. Moreover, Li Yue certainly wouldn’t have thought their family spending was so high.
Li Shiping must have been out of money and coerced by Wang Dongcheng to sell the gold bracelet.
These were all matters of the Li Family, and Shen Mianmian didn’t think it appropriate to discuss them with Xiaocui, so she cautioned, "Xiaocui, what you did today was correct. If you see Sister Shiping in the future, don’t mention that you saw her today. Let’s pretend it never happened."
Xiaocui nodded, thinking to herself that it was fortunate she had been cautious and hadn’t greeted Li Shiping.
Knowing that Xiaocui wasn’t one to spread gossip, Shen Mianmian didn’t say much more. She trusted Xiaocui would keep the matter to herself.
"What are you whispering about? Secrets behind my back?" Lu Siyuan came over to Shen Mianmian with an unhappy face, questioning her after they finished talking.
"It’s the affair of the Jianghu, you don’t need to pry into it," Shen Mianmian gave him a look.
"..." Lu Siyuan, not satisfied, spat disdainfully, mimicking Shen Mianmian’s tone and repeating provocatively, "It’s the affair of the Jianghu, you don’t need to pry into it."
After speaking, he made a face and muttered to himself, "Such a childish kid, thinks she’s a grown-up already."
Auntie Liu watched Lu Siyuan’s antics and couldn’t help but laugh a few times. This kid seemed a bit rascally, but he obviously had a kind heart, wasn’t bad, and according to Xiaocui, he was good to Mianmian too.
They knew each other since middle school, they were practically childhood sweethearts. If they really ended up dating in the future, it wouldn’t be a bad match at all. ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩•𝗳𝗂𝗋𝖾•𝕟𝕖𝕥