Qiao Xi's face flushed instantly as she lowered her head and murmured softly, "Then... then I'll sleep on the sofa."
Zhou Yi gently ruffled her hair and replied, "Even if someone has to sleep on the sofa, it should be me. How could I let a girl like you endure that?"
Qiao Xi's heart swelled with warmth toward Zhou Yi. It felt as though Yi-Gege was always this tender and considerate whenever he was around her.
"Yi-Gege, you're truly wonderful," she said in a soft voice.
"Well, let's focus on picking out some bedding now," he suggested.
Qiao Xi wandered through the bedding section for quite some time before finally settling on a set of pale blue silk quilts. The fabric was incredibly soft, its texture smooth and luxurious against her skin. She pressed the quilt to her cheek, rubbing it gently, and a blissful smile spread across her face.
"Do you always take such care when choosing things, Xiao Xi?" Zhou Yi asked.
"No, not usually. But since it's for your new home, I want to be extra careful," she responded, her eyes sparkling as they met his. Zhou Yi felt his heart melt at the sight.
After purchasing the bedding, they moved on to kitchen supplies and eventually arrived at the fresh produce section.
"Yi-Gege, what dishes do you usually enjoy eating?" Qiao Xi inquired.
"I'm not picky. Whatever you make, I'll eat," Zhou Yi replied smoothly. In moments like these, it was best to agree with her and compliment her efforts—after all, it was just one meal, regardless of how it turned out.
"In that case, let's prepare garlic butter shrimp, cola chicken wings, beef brisket stewed with potatoes, and a corn and pork rib soup. Four dishes will be perfect," Qiao Xi decided confidently.
They gathered all the necessary ingredients and then proceeded to the snack aisle. Qiao Xi's eyes lingered wistfully on the colorful array of snacks. Noticing her longing gaze, Zhou Yi asked, "Do you want some? Should we buy a few to take home?"
Qiao Xi hesitated, recalling the doctor's warnings about her health. Finally, she sighed and shook her head. "I can't. The doctor said my health isn't great, so it's better not to indulge in snacks."
Zhou Yi silently vowed to himself that once his medical skills improved, he would find a way to help Xiao Xi overcome her condition. Seeing her melancholy return, however, he grabbed a few bags of snacks and tossed them into the cart.
"It's fine to indulge just a little today. The doctor and your parents aren't here, so why not treat yourself this once?" he encouraged.
Qiao Xi swallowed her initial refusal, unable to deny her desire. Since she had already decided to indulge, she might as well go all out. With a mischievous grin, she scooped up an armful of potato chips and dumped them into the cart.
Zhou Yi chuckled, shaking his head. "You really are something, Xiao Xi."
The girl giggled and pushed the cart forward eagerly, afraid that slowing down even slightly would give Zhou Yi a chance to stop her.
In truth, Qiao Xi's personality was utterly charming. She was kind, gentle, and endearing—a girl who found joy in the simplest pleasures, like a bag of snacks. Zhou Yi didn't rush after her, mindful of the possibility that she might trip and fall in the crowded supermarket.
Even at this late hour, the store was bustling with customers waiting in line to check out. Their cart was piled high with items, and the cashier took a while to scan everything.
"Sir, the total is $876," the cashier announced.
As Zhou Yi reached for his phone to pay, Qiao Xi quickly opened her payment app. "Let me handle it, Yi-Gege," she insisted.
"No, I can't let you pay," Zhou Yi protested.
But Qiao Xi ignored him, urging the cashier to scan her code. In the end, it was Qiao Xi who paid for the groceries.
After leaving the supermarket, the two hailed a taxi home.
"Xiao Xi, why did you insist on paying? You know I have money," Zhou Yi questioned.
"I know, but if those unpleasant things hadn't happened, I planned to buy a gift to congratulate you on your new home anyway," she explained.
Zhou Yi was momentarily stunned. She was only a freshman in college, yet she already understood the nuances of social etiquette?
Qiao Xi smiled warmly and added, "Besides, Yi-Gege kindly let me stay over for the night. If I had stayed at a hotel, it would've cost quite a bit, right?"