They happened to arrive at the rice aisle when Cheng Shaobai's eyes softened with a smile as he quietly asked, "Do you still have rice? Should I buy a bag to take home?"
"Uh… no, I don't need any…" Hua Lanxi was a bit touched, having never expected he was thinking this way. "Brother Cheng, you don't have to worry about me—I've always taken good care of myself!"
His dark eyes fixed on her delicate features, full of gentle warmth. "I know you can always take care of yourself, but I want to take care of you. Whenever I have the chance, I want to help you. Even if it's just buying some daily necessities or carrying heavy things for you!" No matter what, he wanted to care for her, even small acts or physical labor. Spoiling her was his greatest wish.
"Brother Cheng…"
Not wanting to say more, Cheng Shaobai gently pushed her shoulder, signaling her to move forward as he slowly pushed the cart. His gaze swept over the fruit section, and he asked with concern, "How about fruit? Do you still have any in the fridge? Remember to eat fruit every day…"
"Then let's buy some grapes!" Though the memory of vomiting still haunted her, Hua Lanxi stubbornly wanted to prove something. She decisively headed toward the fruit section.
Painful or unhappy memories would forever linger in her mind. Instead of fearing the reminders and avoiding it, she would rather force herself to face them head-on and cover the sorrowful past with better scenes.
Hua Lanxi only picked grapes, but Cheng Shaobai chose apples, cherries, and even several blood oranges to supplement various vitamins.
After spending a round in the supermarket, Cheng Shaobai picked up a bunch of daily necessities, all of which Hua Lanxi put back one by one, saying she didn't need them for now. However, a big pile of snacks couldn't be refused and were all purchased.
"If the supermarket wasn't about to close, you'd try to move the whole place to my house, wouldn't you?" Sitting in the passenger seat and glancing at the back seat piled high with several bags of snacks, Hua Lanxi couldn't help but laugh. In less than an hour, their wild shopping spree had overflowed the cart.
"I'll open a supermarket for you someday. Whatever you like, the store will sell it," Cheng Shaobai joked cheerfully. Since he could open her a dessert shop with special chefs to make her favorite tiramisu, opening a supermarket wouldn't be a problem.
"You… forget it. I wouldn't dare go to a supermarket like that!" Swallowing her surprise, Hua Lanxi puffed up her cheeks and pretended to be angry, secretly startled she might actually agree and have a supermarket opened at her doorstep the very next day.
With one hand supporting his forehead and the other expertly steering the wheel, Cheng Shaobai's smile deepened as he thoroughly enjoyed the moment's exchange.
"The supermarket isn't opening, but if you need anything, just call me. I can buy it for you or come buy it together!" He fondly recalled the two of them strolling side by side through the supermarket. To the cashier who had naturally called them a couple, their mood was lifted.
Seeing his lips still curled into a smile, clearly in a good mood, Hua Lanxi's heart once again filled with reluctance. She softly replied, "Mm," and turned her gaze back to the window.
The bright streetlights cast a desolate and lonely glow over the quiet night. Sparse passersby stretched their shadows long, their footsteps creating a chaotic rhythm.
The dense smell of cigarette smoke filled the small car cabin. His cold features lurked in the dim light, making it impossible to discern his current expression.
His deep eyes stared straight at the gate of the residential complex with stubborn determination. The tip of the cigarette burning between his fingers emitted curling smoke. After a long time, as the ash nearly fell, Kong Chengyi flicked it into the car's ashtray but did not avert his gaze from the gate.
After working late at the company until almost ten o'clock, he drove his car, ostensibly heading to the old Kong family mansion, but suddenly turned and stopped beneath Hua Lanxi's building.
Her home was pitch dark. Not even a window had a glimmer of light. Evidently, she was not home.
One cigarette after another was smoked unknowingly. The car's ashtray had become cluttered with countless cigarette butts. Meanwhile, the weight in his heart sank deeper and deeper—bitterness and loneliness growing bit by bit.
He shouldn't have come, but he did. He shouldn't have waited, but he did. Worse, he wanted to see her appear with his own eyes.
From a distance, headlights approached slowly. Kong Chengyi fixed his deep gaze on the car as it stopped. After the headlights dimmed, a slender figure stepped down from the passenger seat.
Even from afar, Kong Chengyi immediately recognized it was Hua Lanxi, whom he had waited for so long. Following her, the driver got out—Cheng Shaobai. Cold light flashed from Kong's eyes, veins bulging on his forehead, and obvious anger surged in his chest.
"Let me help carry something!" Hua Lanxi offered to help as she watched Cheng Shaobai pile bags one by one in his hands, intending to carry the lightest items.
Cheng Shaobai held all the bags of snacks on the back seat in the palms of his hands, his shoulders sagging from the weight. Yet he skillfully avoided her reaching hand, raised his chin, and pointed toward the dimly lit path. "Be careful walking. This little bit of stuff is nothing!"
She smiled apologetically but did not insist. Instead, she walked a couple of steps ahead, leading the way.
"Lanxi, help me take off my tie. I loosened it at the supermarket, and now it's hanging crooked and swaying!" After only a few steps, Cheng Shaobai felt the loosened tie swinging awkwardly around his neck. It didn't bother him much but was uncomfortable.
Hearing this, Hua Lanxi looked up at his tie, whose tail hung crookedly near his breast pocket. It indeed looked uncomfortable.
"All right!" She bent over slightly, and under the faint streetlight, her nimble fingers carefully untied it.
A gentle breeze blew in the late night, softly stirring Hua Lanxi's smooth hair. Strands lightly brushed against Cheng Shaobai's face, the delicate fragrance filling his nose instantly. Smiling faintly with pleasure, if not holding the bags in her hands, he would have hugged her tightly without hesitation.
"Done! Untied it! Let me put it in your pocket!" After skillfully untying it, she straightened up and folded the tie before tucking it into the breast pocket of his shirt, a soft smile playing on her lips.
Kong Chengyi watched the intimate scene with cold hands. Suddenly, he forcefully crushed the cigarette butt in the lit car ashtray, a rising flame of anger in his heart. He stomped hard on the accelerator, and with a loud roar, the car sped off the quiet road.
"What kind of person drives so fast so late? Aren't you afraid of getting into an accident?" Startled by the sudden roaring engine, Hua Lanxi couldn't help but complain, pouting at the reckless speeding late at night.
Squinting, Cheng Shaobai's sharp eyes caught sight of a rare local license plate. Smiling, he leaned slightly to block Hua Lanxi's view, urging her, "Don't worry about that. Let's just get inside quickly!"
The car sped along. Veins on Kong Chengyi's forehead throbbed visibly, and his mounting anger was tightly restrained. Suddenly, with a screech, the car came to a sharp stop.
His gaze was as clear as stars in the night sky, settling on the quiet road. Kong Chengyi propped his head with one hand, his knuckles gripping a cigarette as he quietly smoked inside the car. After finishing one cigarette, he suddenly slammed the accelerator again, leaving in a cloud of dust.
The next day, without warning, Kong Chengyi appeared at the old Kong family mansion during dinner time, accompanied by Ding Jia.
With delicate cheeks wearing a sweet smile, Ding Jia gracefully entered the living room, immediately spotting Fang Xiufang seated on the sofa.
"Grandma, hello. I'm Ding Jia. Jia Jia wishes you good health and happiness every day!" Ding Jia handed a carefully prepared gift with both hands to Fang Xiufang, bowing slightly with politeness.
Kong Chengyi glanced at her behind Ding Jia. Fang Xiufang accepted the gift with one hand but didn't open it, merely nodding politely. "Thank you, Miss Ding. Please have a seat."
Hands in his pockets, Kong Chengyi raised an eyebrow at Fang Xiufang's gaze and calmly said, "Ding Ding and I are engaged. Today, I officially brought her to meet you!" His sharp eyes scanned Lin Xiao sitting on another part of the sofa, carrying a clear warning.
Holding tea, Lin Xiao looked at the two standing there with unease. He lowered his head awkwardly, then quickly glanced at Ding Jia before shifting his gaze elsewhere.
"Uncle, Aunt, hello. I'm Jia Jia. I bought you [insert gift name]. Chengyi said you like to eat these!" Unsure what to bring as a gift, Ding Jia relaxed when Chengyi had prepared it. It effortlessly eased her worries.
"Please, have a seat." Kong Zhendong nodded but showed little enthusiasm. His impression of Ding Jia had diminished greatly due to her parents having made a marriage proposal earlier.
Lin Xiao merely nodded slightly and didn't utter a single polite word.
Such coldness and awkwardness far exceeded Ding Jia's expectations. She had thought that even if Lin Xiao didn't appear joyful, Fang Xiufang and Kong Zhendong would warmly welcome her. After all, she was ending Kong Chengyi's single life, which meant Kong family would soon have descendants and grandchildren—a blessing both Fang Xiufang and Kong Zhendong desired.
However, the current silence and the exchanged glances greatly displeased her, stirring anger within her chest.
"Please sit, dinner will be ready soon!" As expected, Kong Chengyi remained indifferent. He took Ding Jia's hand and led her to sit opposite Lin Xiao and Kong Zhendong on the sofa. With his other hand, he playfully toyed with Ding Jia's hair.
Feeling uncomfortable, Ding Jia slightly twisted her face but maintained a proper smile. "Where's Huanhuan? Hasn't she gotten off work yet?" Unwilling to endure the awkward silence, Ding Jia took the initiative to speak again, inquiring about Kong Huan's whereabouts—someone she had seen constantly glancing around.