Meng Xinian had wanted to ask where she managed to buy it so late, as the stores would have long been closed. But when he caught sight of the faint blush tinting her porcelain face, he immediately swallowed the question.
How could any store be open at such a late hour?
If she bought it, it must have been before today.
In other words, when he was not around, she was still thinking of him.
Meng Xinian immediately stretched out his long arms and put on the coat.
The sleeves were just the right length as well.
And indeed, it was very warm.
His hand gently caressed the woolen fabric and suddenly he said, "My last coat was bought by my mom when I was five. She had a great taste. Back then, nobody wore that kind of coat, and Gao Wei and the others were all jealous of me. Later, as I grew taller and older, the coat no longer fit and was packed away. But after that woman came into the house, saying she wanted to perform an act of charity and clothes to impoverished mountain village children, she took out my coat as well."
Chiang Xiao was taken aback for a moment, looking at him.
Lowering his gaze to the woolen coat’s buttons, Meng Xinian continued, "I made a fuss, and my dad slapped me, saying that keeping clothes one can’t wear is a waste of resources. If a child needed it, that’s where it should go. Letting it warm a child’s winter was more meaningful than keeping it in a closet. Then, that woman bought me a new coat."
"Yes, bought. She bought two, one for me, and one just happened to make a perfect gift for Gao Wei."
Chiang Xiao felt a surge of anger inside her.
She refused to believe that Duan Qingqing was unaware of the significance that coat held for Meng Xinian. If she truly wanted to do a good deed, she could have bought more clothes to . Why did she have to take his? What right did she have to take away something he treasured?
And Meng Chaojun’s words were absolutely ridiculous as well!
Looking up at her with a deep gaze, Meng Xinian said, "Xiaoxiao, do you also think they made sense?"
Without a second thought, Chiang Xiao blurted out, "What he said is bullshit!"
"Hmm?" Meng Xinian was taken aback, and then a smile appeared in his eyes as he saw her face suddenly turn red.
Chiang Xiao had spoken too quickly, and it was only after she spoke that she remembered that ’he’ was Meng Xinian’s father, and moreover, someone of high status. Was it really okay for her to curse him like that?
But the words were already out—how could she take them back?
Her face tensed, as she tried to mask her embarrassment, and stubbornly continued, "It’s true, something doesn’t need to be used to have meaning, treasuring it has value, too! Also, doing good deeds doesn’t have to mean giving away what you cherish. There are many different ways to contribute."
Unable to help himself, Meng Xinian grabbed her hand and pulled her down.
Caught off guard, Chiang Xiao fell seated on the bed, extremely close to him. Meng Xinian reached out and embraced her.
"Meng Xinian, you’re crazy!"
Chiang Xiao was startled and instinctively tried to push him away, but at that very moment, remembering the wound on his chest, her movement froze, and she let him hold her.
"Don’t move, don’t be afraid, I just want to hold you for a bit."
Meng Xinian held her, resting his chin on her shoulder, inhaling the unique fragrance of her body, and feeling as if he was holding a rare treasure.
He had never dared to do this before, always controlling himself.
But this time he could not control himself.
Out there, when death had brushed past him.
In that moment, other than his grandfather, it was Chiang Xiaoxiao he thought of.
It was then he knew, he couldn’t let her go.