"Is it really okay? I'm already so grateful that sister let me stay in the store," he murmured softly, his voice tinged with a barely perceptible tremor, as if afraid of disturbing something.
The feigned pitifulness he put on now seemed incredibly real, perfectly covering the fleeting, sly and self - satisfied glint in the depths of his eyes.
Meng Ruozhao looked at Pei Jiangmu, who was standing quietly.
The aura of desolation around him seemed to solidify and spread soundlessly to her feet.
This down - on - his - luck man who suddenly barged into her life always made her act without principle for no apparent reason. And he always made her heart flutter.
To hide this inexplicable flutter, she tightened the coat in her hand. The delicate texture of the fabric under her fingertips just managed to calm her racing heart.
"It's okay. This was originally your friend's house anyway," she said. "Moreover, you've offended someone these days. It's not safe for you to stay in the store."
She wasn't sure if she was trying to reassure Pei Jiangmu or convince herself.
Pei Jiangmu didn't decline anymore. He simply murmured his thanks.
With one more person, the things to buy naturally had to double.
The two drove to the supermarket near the apartment again.
The air - conditioning in the supermarket, carrying the fresh scent of fruits and vegetables from the fresh produce section, rushed towards them, dispelling the summer night's stuffiness.
Meng Ruozhao pushed the shopping cart while Pei Jiangmu quietly followed beside her.
His wounds were still noticeable under the bright lights, yet they oddly added a touch of fragility to his cold - aloof aura, attracting the frequent glances of passing customers.
His eyes and attention, however, always stayed on Meng Ruozhao.
As for Meng Ruozhao, she focused on the products, calculating what to buy.
Walking and stopping, it didn't take long before they reached the daily - use chemical products section.
The dazzling array of shampoos and body washes emitted various sweet or refreshing scents.
Meng Ruozhao was just picking up a familiar brand to check its ingredients when a middle - aged female salesperson in a supermarket uniform, with a warm smile, approached them.
"Hey, take a look at our newly - arrived couple's set! Buy one get one free. It's super cost - effective!"
The saleswoman glanced at their shopping cart. Then her eyes darted back and forth between Meng Ruozhao and Pei Jiangmu, with the certainty and familiarity of an experienced person.
"I bet you two are setting up your new home, aren't you? You're really a perfect match, a handsome young man and a beautiful girl. You look like a painting standing together!"
Meng Ruozhao's hand holding the shampoo froze in mid - air. Two faint blushes instantly crept onto her face.
She subconsciously stole a glance at Pei Jiangmu beside her.
She found that he was slightly lowering his eyes. His thick eyelashes cast a small shadow under his eyes.
It was hard to see his expression, but only his earlobes seemed to be tinged with a faint red.
He remained silent without refuting, just unconsciously rubbing the metal edge of the shopping cart with his fingertips.
"We're not..." Meng Ruozhao cleared her throat, trying to explain.
"Come on, young people are shy!" The saleswoman completely missed her point, or rather, didn't care at all. She just thought it was the coyness of a young couple.
She picked up the exquisitely - packaged set beside her and stuffed it into the shopping cart on her own.
"This fragrance smells really nice. It's romantic and long - lasting! It's perfect for newlyweds like you! It'll surely make your relationship sweet!"
"Newly... newlyweds?" Meng Ruozhao was a bit dazed by this word, and the heat on her face became more obvious.
She nervously tried to take out the set. "Ma'am, you've got it wrong. We really aren't..."
"Don't be polite! Don't be polite!" The saleswoman was quite strong. She pressed down on Meng Ruozhao's hand, with a "I understand" smile on her face.
"Listen to me, you won't go wrong! This promotion ends today!"
Only then did Pei Jiangmu lift his eyes. His gaze quickly swept across Meng Ruozhao's slightly blushing profile.
Then it landed on the saleswoman. The corner of his mouth curled up imperceptibly. His voice was soft and gentle.
"Thank you for the recommendation, ma'am. This fragrance is exactly the floral scent she likes."
Instead of helping to clarify, he seemed to default to this "perfect match".
Meng Ruozhao was taken aback by his attitude and didn't know what to say for a moment.
Moreover, how did he know what scent she liked?
Seeing this, the saleswoman beamed even more. She introduced a few more things before leaving contentedly.
As she turned around, she muttered softly, "Oh, they're really a sight for sore eyes. If my son could marry such a beautiful daughter - in - law, I'd wake up smiling in my dreams..."
Of course, she didn't know at this moment that she would indeed wake up smiling in her dreams today.
Because before getting off work, she received a great piece of news, saying that she had made a customer very happy today.
The customer specifically named her for a ten - thousand - yuan bonus.
Goodness! Her monthly salary was only five thousand yuan, but she got a ten - thousand - yuan bonus all at once.
However, when she asked the supervisor which customer it was, the supervisor just shook his head mysteriously and said, "I can't tell. The customer said to keep it low - key, low - key."
...
After the saleswoman turned around and left.
Meng Ruozhao looked at the couple's set that had been forced into the cart and then at Pei Jiangmu, who looked "innocent", feeling both helpless and amused.
Well, a couple's set was a couple's set. Anyway, they were going to buy two types, and the set saved money.
If this handsome guy Pei Jiangmu didn't mind, why should she keep dwelling on this word?
Thinking of this, she didn't dwell on it too much. Instead, she asked curiously, "How did you know I like floral scents?"
Pei Jiangmu smiled shyly. "I saw the perfume on sister's dressing table."
So that's it.
But his next words made Meng Ruozhao's heart race again.
"And sister always smells like this. It's really nice."
For some reason, Meng Ruozhao couldn't help but think of the two times she "fell on" him today.
They were so close at that time...
No, she couldn't think anymore.
Meng Ruozhao quickly stopped her thoughts and said, "Let's go."
Pei Jiangmu obediently followed, half a step behind. His eyes landed on her slender back, and the victorious smile on his lips deepened.
The word "perfect match" was like a small stone wrapped in honey, dropping into his heart lake and rippling circles of slightly sweet ripples.
Just as he thought, his Ruozhao was the most perfect match for him.
The two bought a lot of things. When they checked out in the end, Pei Jiangmu wanted to pay for his share.
But Meng Ruozhao knew his financial situation and naturally wouldn't let him pay.
"Let me do it. I'll count on you to carry all these things up later," Meng Ruozhao stopped him and quickly paid.
Pei Jiangmu was silent for a moment. Then he suddenly said firmly, "Then I'll do all the housework from now on."
His voice was a bit loud, attracting the attention of several girls beside them.
"My god, he's so handsome and willing to do all the housework. Please, give me an object like this too."
"I'm willing to eat sumptuously and live in luxury all my life. I just hope to date someone like this in my lifetime."
"Hey, you're already praying? Didn't you see the girl beside him? She's rich and beautiful."
"Then it's okay to give me a beautiful girl like this too!"
...