So, Shen Mianmian applied a cucumber face mask every night after school. Yang Xiaoxi didn’t know if it was effective, but whatever Shen Mianmian did, she would do the same.
Such days continued for another week, and when He Nan returned from out of town, he saw her sun-tanned little face and his eyes filled with indulgence, making Yang Xiaoxi exclaim that she couldn’t stand it and she dived into the room.
Because he was quite busy, he took the two to have lunch near the company before heading to the office.
Shen Mianmian and Yang Xiaoxi, having nothing better to do, went to a nearby mall.
Initially, Yang Xiaoxi planned to buy two pieces of clothing to wear, but after entering the mall and seeing the prices, she abandoned the idea of buying clothes and couldn’t help but complain.
"Clothes in Beijing are just too expensive, this one piece of clothing costs more than my monthly living expenses. How can ordinary people like us afford to shop here? I still prefer Licheng, where I can’t even spend twenty yuan in a month."
The same amount of money that would go far in Licheng was practically worthless here in Beijing.
In Licheng, her monthly allowance of twenty yuan was the envy of her classmates, whose eyes would gleam with jealousy; here in Beijing, twenty yuan couldn’t even buy a single piece of clothing.
Shen Mianmian chuckled, just about to reply, when she heard a haughty voice butt in, "If you don’t have money, don’t come to places . There are clothes for just a few yuan in Beijing too. Stick to places suitable for your kind. It’s like trying to catch river crabs in the sea, you’re certain to fail."
Though the remark was appropriate, the tone of the speaker carried a condescending air.
Yang Xiaoxi, fuming, turned around to see which lady was so offensive with her words. Shen Mianmian felt the voice sounded somewhat familiar and turned her head as well.
Cheng Xining exclaimed in surprise, then sneered with sarcasm, "I was wondering who it was, complaining here about this being expensive and that being expensive. It turns out it’s you!"
Truth be told, seeing Shen Mianmian here made Cheng Xining feel a bit uneasy. Tʜe sourcᴇ of thɪs content ɪs 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩·𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢·𝔫𝔢𝔱
Shen Mianmian must have gotten into Beijing University; otherwise, she wouldn’t be here.
This area was near He Nan’s company, and it was very likely they were here to see He Nan.
"Miss Cheng, what a coincidence," Shen Mianmian said with a polite smile.
Yang Xiaoxi, who was ready for a confrontation, held back her words upon hearing that the other party knew Shen Mianmian, "Mianmian, you know her?"
"A friend of Brother He,"
Shen Mianmian whispered an explanation, her gaze then shifted to the people accompanying Cheng Xining.
Two women in their forties and radiating dignity and grace were with Cheng Xining, and as Shen Mianmian observed them, they were also sizing up Shen Mianmian.
"What coincidence?" snorted Cheng Xining. "Everything here is expensive, and it’s not something you can afford. What are you doing here?"
"Xining," Ruan Lingyu felt Cheng Xining was being rude and couldn’t help but remind her, "When girls speak, they should be polite."
Cheng Xining was reminded by her aunt and suddenly remembered that Fu Hua was also there; she quickly explained.
"I just wanted to remind her that things are expensive here, worried they might not know the prices and end up buying clothes they can’t pay for, causing a scene."
"You still shouldn’t talk like that," sighed Ruan Lingyu. Her niece was nice in all other respects but lacked tact; her princess temperament was too strong.
"Xining is just outspoken, don’t take offense," Fu Hua smiled as she spoke in Cheng Xining’s defense.
"Aunt Fu loves me the most," Cheng Xining said joyfully, hugging Fu Hua’s arm and acting coquettishly.