ushernet Chapter 100: You haven't bought the New Year's goods yet
Chapter 100: You haven't bought the New Year's goods yet
Chapter 100: You haven't bought the New Year's goods yet
Only one week remained until the New Year.
The weather had been unexpectedly good the past few days, with bright sunshine every day, melting away much of the winter chill.
Xu Qing looked up at the sky, figuring that in a few days, there would probably be a heavy snowfall—what goes up must come down, after all. Snow on New Year’s made the holiday feel more festive.
“You need a haircut. Trim this part, and the sides near your forehead...”
“Then we’ll buy clothes and shoes. On New Year’s Day, everything from head to toe should be new—that’s called New Year, New Look.”
As soon as they stepped out the door, Xu Qing began chattering about the day’s plans. He took Jiang He’s hand and examined it carefully. “Want to trim your nails too?”
“Trim? Are they broken?” Jiang He didn’t think there was anything wrong with her nails.
“No, just shape them to look nicer... It’s called a manicure. We can get those stick-on ones for you to try. If you don’t like them, you can peel them off.”
Jiang He’s nails had only ever been trimmed with clippers. They were neatly rounded and clean, nothing fancy.
“Happy New Year, Uncle Zhao!” Xu Qing called out from a distance, grinning as he led Jiang He out of the main gate.
“Happy New Year! Heading out?”
“Yeah, to buy New Year supplies!”
Xu Qing strutted off proudly, though it wasn’t clear what he was showing off.
“Aren’t you going back to your mom’s for New Year?” Uncle Zhao asked.
“I’ll be there too—celebrating here and there, haha. Gotta go, Uncle Zhao! Smoke less, okay?”
“This smoke is what keeps me alive.”
After a brief chat, Xu Qing and Jiang He walked off. Uncle Zhao happily puffed on his cigarette, watching their backs before turning away.
That kid sure was living the good life.
The trees along the sidewalk were already bare, their leafless branches casting no shade in the slanted morning sun. It looked a little bleak. But the festive atmosphere filled the streets—the shops had hung red lanterns and pasted Spring Festival couplets, adding a cheerful touch.
This was Jiang City, where Xu Qing had lived for over twenty years. He loved showing Jiang He around.
“See what they’re wearing? Those are called ‘bare-leg magic tights.’ They look like bare legs, but they’re actually thick. Do you want to try?”
Across the street, a few stylish women walked by. Xu Qing glanced at Jiang He’s jeans, which covered the thermal leggings he’d bought her.
“No.”
“They’re really comfortable.”
“Aren’t they cold?”
“Uh... probably not?” Xu Qing wasn’t sure. He gestured to the women across the street. “Look, they’re not shivering.”
“Even if they’re not cold, I won’t wear them. I’m warm now.”
Jiang He loved her thick thermal leggings. They gave her a cozy feeling.
“Where are we going?”
“Haircut first. Fewer people this early.”
They chatted as they walked to the barbershop. Xu Qing was right—the place was quiet in the morning. The barber was watching short videos on his phone, the speaker blasting:
“I wanna take you to romantic Turkey~”
“Do you have any killing intent?” Xu Qing suddenly stopped and asked.
“What?”
Jiang He, who had been walking with her head down, looked up in confusion. Following his gaze, she saw a big black dog baring its teeth at them by the roadside.
It looked vicious.
She instinctively reached for her waist, only to remember she hadn’t carried her darts in a long time.
“We should go around.” Xu Qing stopped, cursing the irresponsible owner for not leashing the dog. “Step back slowly.”
“It won’t come at us.”
“It will.”
“I can kick it to death.” Jiang He’s eyes locked onto the dog. She slid her toe forward. “Can we eat dog meat?”
“...”
Xu Qing was momentarily stunned.
“That’s a bit cruel.”
“Oh?” Jiang He looked puzzled.
“Dogs are our friends... Besides, it’s not a stray. If you kill it, there’ll be trouble. Your identity is still sensitive...”
Before Xu Qing could finish, the black dog crept closer. He pushed Jiang He back. “Go.”
“People can’t let dogs push them around.”
Jiang He glanced at Xu Qing’s hand holding hers. Her eyes narrowed. “Let’s go.”
“Hm?”
Jiang He pulled him forward. The black dog crouched lower, ready to pounce.
A few steps ahead, Jiang He’s expression turned cold. She took a step toward the dog.
“Grr...”
The beast growled, but backed away slightly.
Jiang He stepped again.
The dog suddenly turned and bolted.
“...”
Xu Qing was stunned.
“You really do have killing intent?”
“Killing intent?” Jiang He blinked, pulled up her collar, and scrunched her neck, looking innocent.
“Keep pretending!”
“I just wanted to kick it lightly. That wouldn’t cause trouble.”
“Then why did it run away?” Xu Qing glanced in the direction the dog had disappeared. “What scared it?”
“Maybe it knew it couldn’t beat me.” Jiang He nonchalantly turned away, shook his hand, and said, “Come on, you still need to buy New Year supplies.”
“...” Xu Qing felt a bit speechless.@@@@