Chapter 15

Chen Nian had imagined that Fang Zhizhu might agree to go shopping, but she never expected her to agree so readily.

In her mind, it would involve endless begging and pleading—pestering her grandparents to put in a good word—while Fang Zhizhu frowned reluctantly and gave a grudging nod. Throughout the entire outing, Fang Zhizhu would remain timid and withdrawn, her lovely face stiff like a silent porcelain doll.

But now, the three of them sat side by side on the bus: Fang Zhizhu on the left, Liu Chunhua in the middle, and Chen Nian on the right, craning her neck for a better look. Fang Zhizhu’s expression was serene, even tinged with quiet pleasure.

Chen Nian: “…”

This left her both thrilled and a little anxious.

Liu Chunhua: “Zhizhi, Niannian mentioned you two have been studying together lately?”

Fang Zhizhu: “Yes. Chen Nian knows a lot of characters. With her around, I don’t have to keep looking things up in the dictionary.”

Chen Nian: “!!!”

Chen Nian frantically bumped her mother’s arm. “Mom, see? I told you, but you wouldn’t believe me.”

She stretched forward with a grin toward Fang Zhizhu. “Zhizhi, I’m more than happy to be your dictionary. Use me whenever you need!”

Fang Zhizhu’s eyebrow twitched, and the corner of her mouth quirked. After a long pause, she murmured, “Mm.”

She was being so compliant. Chen Nian clenched her fist in silent triumph. Liu Chunhua tilted her face slightly. “Zhizhi, if you’ve been kidnapped, just blink twice.”

Fang Zhizhu fixed her with wide eyes, her long lashes utterly still—she was suppressing even her natural reflexes. “No, Auntie. Chen Nian really has been studying hard.”

Blossoms seemed to bloom right on top of Chen Nian’s head.

Fang Zhizhu went on, “She finishes all her homework at school every day. After classes, she comes over to review her textbooks and preview the next lessons.”

Chen Nian: “????”

Fang Zhizhu: “We read extracurricular books to learn more characters. It’s great for our language grades.”

Chen Nian: “…………….”

Fang Zhizhu: “I’m sure she’ll ace her final exams.”

No issue there. Chen Nian shot up her hand. “Mom, relax! I promised double hundreds, and that’s exactly what you’ll get—not a single point less.”

Liu Chunhua laughed and gently pressed Chen Nian’s head back into place. She turned to Fang Zhizhu with a soft smile. “As long as she hasn’t led you astray, that’s all I care about.”

Fang Zhizhu shook her head. “She won’t.”

The pleasant mood carried them all the way to the mall.

The children’s clothing district was an entire bustling street, crammed full of shoppers now that winter break had begun.

Worried about getting separated, Liu Chunhua gripped Chen Nian’s hand. She extended her other hand toward Fang Zhi but hesitated midway.

Fang Zhi noticed the gesture. Her gaze lingered on Liu Chunhua’s hand for an instant before she tilted her head and smiled. “Auntie, I’ll hold Chen Nian’s hand.”

The girl’s smile was breathtakingly pretty, her little dimples deep enough to hold honey.

Liu Chunhua rubbed her fingertips together. “All right.”

Her hesitation had nothing to do with disliking Fang Zhi. The poor child had such a tragic background, and her sharp mind only amplified her obvious sensitivity.

Chen Nian had been glued to Fang Zhi for over a month now. Kids horsing around should be utterly carefree, yet Chen Nian still handled her with exquisite care—like cradling a treasure in her palm, afraid it might shatter, or holding it in her mouth, afraid it might dissolve.

It all underscored Fang Zhi’s fragility. One careless word or gesture could shatter her composure, sending her into a tailspin.

Liu Chunhua understood completely. She had no intention of botching this outing and letting Chen Nian down.

So she didn’t press to take Fang Zhi’s hand, nor did she force idle chatter.

Fang Zhi circled around to the side and, true to her word, clasped Chen Nian’s hand.

Chen Nian’s eyes lit up like tiny bulbs. Her right hand dangled limply at her side, throwing off her gait into an awkward shuffle.

Liu Chunhua found it hilarious—and baffling.

How on earth had she given birth to such a massive little fangirl, mooning over another girl no less?

The trio formed a soft, linked row and shuffled forward.

Fang Zhi was so stunningly beautiful that heads turned constantly—first to stare at her, then flicking over to Chen Nian and Liu Chunhua.

Liu Chunhua: “…”

Got it. I couldn’t have birthed a beauty like that. Could your stares be any more blatant? As if you could.

Liu Chunhua pursed her lips and swiftly surveyed the nearby shops.

As a tailor, she demanded excellence in both aesthetics and value for money.

Nothing ugly or garish. Nothing gorgeous but exorbitantly priced.

She hunted for the sweet spot: top quality at the best price.

At her brisk clip, they covered half the street in no time. With Chen Nian and Fang Zhi together, there was no fussing. Their attention snagged only briefly on nearby treats and toys, reduced to eager pointing: “Zhizhi, look!”

“Zhizhi, wanna try that?”

“Zhizhi, that kitty plush is adorable!”

“Zhizhi, candied hawthorns! What flavor do you…”

Liu Chunhua grabbed her by the collar and hat, yanking her back.

“Don’t buy the candied hawthorns yet,” Liu Chunhua said. “Let’s check out the two shops up ahead first.”

“I’ll buy it myself, I’ll buy it myself…” Chen Nian protested.

“Is this about who’s paying?” Liu Chunhua shot her a glare. She felt that ever since this kid had smashed her piggy bank, she’d gotten awfully picky about money matters.

“Ah…”

Fang Zhi spoke up. “I don’t want any.”

“Ah…”

Liu Chunhua sighed. “It’s not that I won’t let you two have some. The shop up ahead is our main stop today—we’ll be trying on clothes, and sticky candied hawthorns will just make a mess.”

“Oh, oh, oh, oh.”

Chen Nian shook Fang Zhi’s hand. “We’ll eat them after we buy the clothes.”

Fang Zhi’s lips curved faintly, but she didn’t reply.

The three of them stepped into the store together. The clothes inside were a riot of colors, vibrant and eye-catching.

Liu Chunhua went straight for what she wanted, snatching up several pieces in quick succession. She lifted her chin at Chen Nian. “Take off your jacket.”

Chen Nian glanced at the hand clasped with Fang Zhi’s. Fang Zhi slipped her hand free.

Chen Nian pursed her lips and looked up at her mother, her eyes brimming with the saddest puppy-dog expression imaginable—wanting to speak but holding back, holding back but on the verge of speaking. It took a full minute and a half to peel off that jacket.

Liu Chunhua watched the whole performance.

At last, Chen Nian hung the jacket on a nearby rack with a defeated slump and reached for the new clothes in her mother’s hands.

Her head still turned sideways, she said to Fang Zhi, “Do you like strawberry? I think orange tastes pretty good too…”

Liu Chunhua shoved the clothes into Chen Nian’s arms and turned to Fang Zhi.

Fang Zhi lifted her head, gazing at her quietly.

Liu Chunhua squatted down to meet her eyes and held up the clothes. “You’ve got such fair skin—any color looks great on you. The white and pink ones are the same style. The yellow’s a bit longer, so it’ll be warmer. This one has cute little lace trim. Niannian would look totally tacky in something like this, but you should try it on. See how they look, and we’ll buy whichever you like best.”

Chen Nian, who had just shoved one arm into a sleeve, froze in place.

Fang Zhi looked stunned too, her eyes flickering uncertainly.

Liu Chunhua rested a palm on her back and gave a gentle nudge. “There’s a fitting room over there. Go on and try them—Auntie will keep watch outside.”

Fang Zhi finally snapped out of it and waved her hands frantically. “Auntie, no, I don’t want any. I don’t need new clothes—I have plenty.”

Liu Chunhua smiled. “Auntie’s out shopping with you and Niannian, so of course you need some too.”

Fang Zhi glanced around the store, then edged closer to Liu Chunhua and whispered, “It’s too expensive here.”

It was expensive, no doubt. Children’s down jackets weren’t common, and this was a brand-name shop to boot. The styles were gorgeous and right on trend this year—one jacket cost seven or eight times what a basic cotton coat would. Liu Chunhua hadn’t even splurged on one for Chen Nian before.

Their family’s finances were solidly middle-of-the-road for ordinary folks. Liu Chunhua handled all the day-to-day expenses and knew better than anyone how the little things added up. Today they’d gotten paid for two custom wedding outfits, which was why she’d brought Chen Nian shopping.

Dragging Fang Zhi along had been a spur-of-the-moment thing, but the girl trailed after them so obediently, never uttering a single complaint. Her big, pretty eyes only lingered now and then on the lovely clothes or tempting snacks. How could Liu Chunhua bring herself to buy for her daughter alone?

Money could always be made back, but breaking a little kid’s heart? She’d carry that regret for life.

Fang Zhi opened her mouth to argue further, but Liu Chunhua just patted her head. “Auntie’s got plenty of money.”

Chen Nian, who had sidled up with full knowledge of their family budget: “………………”

Liu Chunhua whipped her head around and glared. “Hurry up and get dressed.”

Her tone was sharp with Chen Nian, enough to make Fang Zhi flinch.

“Mom, don’t yell so loud—you scared Zhizhi!”

“…”

“I was yelling at you,” Liu Chunhua said. “Zhizhi’s such a good girl—why would I yell at her?”

Chen Nian grabbed Fang Zhi’s wrist and tugged her toward the fitting room. “Come on, let’s try these on quick, or Mom’s gonna blow up. She’s scary when she gets mad…”

“………………”

With Chen Nian’s mix of coaxing and pleading, Fang Zhi finally ducked into the fitting room.

Chen Nian had half her body behind the curtain when she noticed Fang Zhi staring at her blankly. She quickly pulled back out.

“Hurry up,” Chen Nian urged. “I’ll hold the curtain for you.”

The fitting room door was just a heavy curtain, and the hooks were worn through, leaving it to sway unless someone held it steady.

Truth be told, trying on a jacket didn’t need to be such a production for kids. Chen Nian would have stripped in a flash if her mom told her to—her own new clothes were still half-on. But with Fang Zhi, it felt different.

Mom wanted Fang Zhi to try them on herself, and so did Chen Nian.

The curtain was drawn, carving out a small private space inside where Fang Zhi could carefully try on the clothes and thoughtfully select the styles she liked.

She no longer had to worry about her expressions or movements betraying her true feelings.

Chen Nian tugged at the curtain, listening to the rustling sounds from within, a slow smile curving the corners of her mouth.

In the past, it had always been Zhizhu taking her shopping. The two of them would squeeze into a single fitting room in big department stores and little boutiques across various countries. They never did anything improper—they simply wanted to stay together everywhere they went.

They ate together, shopped for clothes together. Even when they parted ways after getting off the bus, they lingered on the road as long as possible.

Back then, Chen Nian had felt utterly intimate with Zhizhu, with no barriers between them. But after Zhizhu left, a vast chasm seemed to yawn open, turning those memories of closeness into a bitter joke.

She hadn’t truly known Zhizhu at all—had no inkling of her past, her pains, or the buried secrets that had ultimately swept her away.

Even now, separated by just a thin curtain, Chen Nian still often couldn’t guess what Fang Zhi was thinking.

Yet she didn’t feel estranged or afraid.

This time, she would stay by her side as she grew up.

Healing the wounds of a painful past, facing an uncertain future together.

And things were getting better and better now, weren’t they? Chen Nian turned and flashed her mom a big toothy grin.

Liu Chunhua: “Get your clothes on properly!”

Chen Nian: “Oh.”

Liu Chunhua: “That color doesn’t suit you. Here, try this one.”

Chen Nian pulled a face: “Oh.”

Liu Chunhua: “Look at that little muffin top of yours. This waist is too tight. I’ll find another one later.”

Chen Nian: “…”

Liu Chunhua circled the racks but didn’t pick anything out for Chen Nian. Instead, she approached the curtain and called, “Zhi, you done trying it on? Come out and show Auntie.”

Fang Zhi replied obediently: “Mm.”

Chen Nian quickly released the curtain.

Fang Zhi emerged in the orange long down jacket, her naturally curly hair cascading down her back. She looked even better than the model on the store poster.

Liu Chunhua clapped her hands: “Ah, this one’s perfect!”

Heads turned throughout the store. Liu Chunhua waved at the clerk: “Grab another of this in a size for my girl.”

She patted Chen Nian’s shoulder.

The clerk fetched one over, and Liu Chunhua prodded Chen Nian: “Try it on, quick.”

Chen Nian was delighted at the thought of matching Fang Zhi. She changed in a flash and beamed at her, all sunshine and smiles.

Fang Zhi: “Pfft…”

Liu Chunhua: “Take it off.”

Onlookers chimed in:

“This style needs fair skin.”

“My girl’s dark-skinned too—this would just make her look worse.”

“That little one’s got such a chic vibe.”

“Her folks must be real lookers.”

Liu Chunhua shielded Fang Zhi from the gawkers and said, “Zhi, try the pink one next. Let Auntie see.”

Fang Zhi ducked back inside obediently. Chen Nian: “But I…”

Liu Chunhua: “The first one. Stick with the first—it suits you.”

Chen Nian gave a helpless laugh, turning to the mirror. She glared at her younger self’s reflection, puffing out her cheeks in mock fury.

Kid-version her really hadn’t been much to look at.

Tiny eyes, single eyelids, hair slicked back by Mom without a strand out of place, leaving her forehead gleaming bare.

Her features had solid potential, but she was just so dark.

With the recent cold snap and all her running around, her cheeks sported twin blotches of windburned red.

“Sigh…” Chen Nian hung her head and let out a long breath.

If she didn’t know she’d grow into someone presentable—the type who could snag a celebrity—she’d be moping hard right now.

Liu Chunhua sidled up and ruffled her hair. “That color stains easy and washes like a nightmare.”

“Mom, I’m okay.” Chen Nian sighed again, then paused. “So how does Fang Zhi wash hers?”

Truth be told, Chen Nian had never given a thought to Fang Zhi’s laundry routine.

In these times, her family owned just one semi-automatic washer, and Mom often skipped it altogether, griping that it didn’t clean well and guzzled water.

Most things got a hand scrub before a spin cycle.

Chen Nian was only a kid; she pitched in with chores, but Mom never let her near the winter wash.

Hadn’t even let her watch.

Every morning, clean outfits just appeared for her to wear. But Fang Zhi? Chen Nian tallied it up: in all this time, she’d only ever seen three changes on her.

Three sweaters, three pairs of pants, two jackets.

Chen Nian sank into thought. Her mother did the same.

Chen Nian pictured Fang Zhi at the sink, scrubbing dishes with practiced ease, her fingers chapped red.

Chen Nian’s good mood plummeted in an instant.

She squeezed her mother’s hand. “Mom, you’ve worked so hard.”

Liu Chunhua blinked at the sudden declaration. “???? Today isn’t Mother’s Day.”

Chen Nian sniffled. “Zhizhi’s been working so hard too…”

Her voice cracked, on the verge of tears.

Liu Chunhua’s heart twisted. She reached up and wiped Chen Nian’s face.

Fang Zhi stepped out of the fitting room. The pink jacket looked stunning on her.

“Absolutely gorgeous!” Liu Chunhua’s voice rose with excitement as she gestured for a spin. “Now try the white one.”

Fang Zhi skipped back inside and reemerged moments later.

The store clerk hovered beside Liu Chunhua, gushing nonstop. “This young lady looks perfect in our clothes—every single one suits her. Mom, you should just buy them all.”

Liu Chunhua froze. Fang Zhi and Chen Nian both turned to look. Ignoring the casual “Mom,” she waved it off. “No can do. We can only get one of each. I still need to shop for other things.”

She turned to Fang Zhi. “Which one do you like?”

Fang Zhi pondered seriously for a moment. “The orange one.”

Liu Chunhua nodded with generous flair. “Perfect. Orange it is.”

They breezed out of the down jacket store, and the rest of the shopping flew by at breakneck speed.

Liu Chunhua shepherded the two little ones through the mall, swiftly assembling complete outfits for them.

Chen Nian’s new clothes went into bags for her to carry, but Fang Zhi’s ensemble was too perfect to wait—Liu Chunhua had the tags snipped off on the spot, letting her wear it right out.

Heads turned everywhere they went, their turnaround rate hitting nearly a hundred percent. They hadn’t even reached the mall exit when a young man blocked their path.

He had a DSLR camera slung over his shoulder. Chen Nian eyed it with naked envy.

The man lavished praise on Fang Zhi’s beauty, then adopted a playful, kid-friendly tone. “Hey, little girl, want to be Uncle’s model?”

Before Fang Zhi could respond, Chen Nian shot in front of her.

Standing on tiptoe, she shielded Fang Zhi completely with her tiny frame and proclaimed righteously, “Uncle, our teacher says not to talk to strangers!”

The man chuckled. “But you’ve already talked to me, haven’t you?”

He fished a business card from his pocket and handed it to Liu Chunhua. “Hello. I’m Director Zhang, photography director at Tongshi Talent Agency. Here’s my card.”

Liu Chunhua took it and flipped it over, giving both sides a quick scan.

The man pressed on. “Your daughter’s a natural beauty—born for modeling. We shoot catalog photos for major kids’ clothing brands. If you’re interested, bring her to our studio. We pay our little models very well.”

Liu Chunhua didn’t hesitate for a second. She shoved the card back into his hand. “Sorry, no interest.”

“We’re a legit company,” he insisted. “Look us up if you don’t believe me. Pay’s cash on the day. You can come along—right there with her, just swap a few outfits and snap some photos.”

He held up an open palm. “This much. For half a day.”

Liu Chunhua gripped Fang Zhi’s arm and sidestepped him.

The man leaned in for one last pitch, but Fang Zhi halted abruptly and nudged Chen Nian aside.

She tilted her head up to the man. “How much is ‘this much’?”