Han Xi is rather slow to warm up; when dealing with strangers, she has no idea what to say.
On the other hand, Manman chats non-stop, not only adding Gu Beichen’s WeChat and phone number but also insisting on trying to matchmake the two of them.
After finishing their meal and leaving the restaurant, the rain outside was growing heavier. Gu Beichen drove Chu Ci home, and Han Xi took Manman to Feng Yi’s villa. As she was in the car, Lu Jinghan sent a WeChat message asking if she’d like to have hot pot in the evening.
Rainy days go best with hot pot.
Lu Jinghan was in a meeting room at the time when he saw the WeChat from his little wife, an unconscious smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, and his distinct fingertips tapped out a few words quickly on the screen to send back.
[Sure, I’ll come home early tonight.]
After leaving Feng Yi’s villa, Han Xi went straight to the mall’s supermarket to get groceries.
After parking the car, Han Xi stepped out with an umbrella and jogged towards the mall across the road.
The splashing raindrops dirtied Han Xi’s white shoes, the raindrops pitter-pattered on the umbrella.
Entering the mall, Han Xi folded her umbrella. Wearing a dress today, she shivered a little from the cold.
Beside her, a tall figure crouched down, took a tissue from his pocket, and began to wipe the dirt off Han Xi’s shoes.
Han Xi stepped back a few paces in a flurry, her moist eyes filled with alertness.
Li Chenghao stood up, reached out to brush Han Xi’s long hair: "Your shoes are dirty, plus don’t wear dresses on rainy days anymore, you’ll catch a cold."
Han Xi looked at Li Chenghao with a detached gaze, yet she said nothing more.
One cannot wake someone pretending to sleep; since he doesn’t want to face reality, even if Han Xi were to wear her lips out talking, it would be to no avail.
Inside the supermarket, Han Xi pushed a shopping cart and started picking out groceries, while Li Chenghao followed some distance behind her.
After Han Xi had selected vegetables, meats, and seafood, she browsed casually before heading to Silver Platform to check out. But, she had barely taken a few steps with her cart when Li Chenghao seized her wrist.
"This is your favorite yogurt; you always drink it when having hot pot before."
Li Chenghao placed a bottle of yogurt into Han Xi’s shopping cart, his smile perfectly fitting the moment.
Han Xi furrowed her brows as she withdrew her wrist from Li Chenghao’s grasp and pushed the cart towards Silver Platform.
During checkout, Han Xi told the cashier she didn’t want the yogurt, paid, and then walked outside with her bags.
"There’s quite a bit, it looks heavy, let me help you carry it."
Li Chenghao caught up, stealthily adding the bottle of yogurt back into Han Xi’s bag.
Han Xi wasn’t angry nor annoyed, indifferently walking forward, showing no intention of speaking with him.
Reaching the mall entrance, seeing the rain outside getting heavier, Han Xi opened her umbrella and walked towards the car.
Li Chenghao followed behind Han Xi, watching as she got in the car and drove away. Only then did he pull a cigarette from his pants pocket, lighting it under the black umbrella, his deep eyes filled with melancholy.
Han Xi had already called Sister Zhang earlier, saying she would cook dinner herself tonight, so Sister Zhang wouldn’t be at the villa.
After returning home, Han Xi carried the groceries to the kitchen, went upstairs for a warm shower, changed into her loungewear and blow-dried her hair.
Seeing it was still early, Han Xi lay on the bed intending to take a nap, as shopping all day had indeed left her a bit tired.