Chapter 536 Shopping with Mankuai Translated by newbienoona
Edited by anks
The car moves at the speed limit since they just missed rush hour.
The car drives across the bridge to the city center, and stops at Commercial Street.
“I will wait for you here. Have fun, Madame, Xiaonainai,” driver shu says.
The ladies get out of the car. They"re both accompanied by a maid who would be carrying their purchases. Originally, they were supposed to go to the business district, but Jiang Yuan asked the driver to pull over. Rich people like Jiang Yuan shouldn"t shop in sidewalk stores.
An Chuxia wonders why Jiang Yuan suddenly stopped walking. She looks up and sees an inconspicuous clinic. She wonders why they had to stop in front of it.
Before she can think about it, Jiang Yuan takes her by the hand and pulls her into the empty clinic. It"s only when she calls out, “Is anyone here?” when a woman in red high heel shoes comes out.
“What kind of medicine do you need?" the woman asks.
“I want a band-aid,” Jiang Yuan requests. “The smaller, the better.”
The woman looks at them before walking toward the gla.s.s shelves full of medicine.
After paying for it, Jiang Yuan tosses the box to An Chuxia and says, “Change the band-aid on your face.”
Although the bandage isn"t ugly, it"s still large. Since Jiang Yuan purchased it, she felt the pressure to replace it. That also means she has to remove the bandage Qilu put over it. When Jiang Yuan isn"t looking, Chuxia pockets the band-aid. She feels like the character in Arrietty: borrow things, but not return them.
“I can"t think of an idea for a present, but for now, let"s get you some clothes. I think you should add some autumn pieces to your wardrobe,” Jiang Yuan suggests.
Truly, An Chuxia"s wardrobe is full of clothes. She has to say goodbye to her summer outfits now the typhoon season has arrived. Her wardrobe will be replaced with fall clothing. Alas, she didn"t get to wear any of the last season"s wardrobe.
As she thinks of this, An Chuxia says, “I still have many clothes from last season I haven"t worn. I don"t need to buy new clothes.”
“Look at you,” Jiang Yuan points at her. “A woman is measured by the clothes she wears. How could you say you have enough clothes? Mommy will take you shopping in upscale stores. I used to be stylish but I don"t go out anymore.”
The boutique Jiang Yuan likes a lot is “Ferocious Rabbit”. The clothes are high-end and high quality. But after she flips the price tags on the clothes and see n zeroes, she realizes the shops she visited are low quality.
“How about this coat?” Jiang Yuan holds a mink sweater against her.
The outfit is grayish white, and comfortable to the touch. It"s like petting a small animal! An Chuxia looks at the price tag and sees four zeroes.
If she says it"s too expensive and not to buy it, Jiang Yuan won"t listen to her. Sure enough, when she says it doesn"t look good on her, she just looks at her and takes more out. She pulls out dresses and sweaters and coats that feel really soft like rabbits.
“h.e.l.lo, welcome,” the shop girl greets them with a smile. “Are you looking for a coat? We have new promos with a ten percent discount.”
An Chuxia hesitates. Even with a ten percent discount, it"s still expensive!
The moment she hesitates, Jiang Yuan says, “Let"s look at the new products… .”
The two are being led by the clerk when they see a familiar figure trying on a small coat. Another clerk is praising her by saying the outfit looks like it"s been made for her.
An Chuxia rolls her eyes and Jiang Yuan looks sideways. “Let"s go to another store.”
“Why should we go elsewhere? This is mommy"s favorite store!” Of course Jiang Yuan saw Mankuai, and although An Chuxia is unhappy, she insists on buying clothes from the store.
“Would you like to see the new autumn line? They are not discounted, but their price/performance ratio is first rate.” The clerk doesn"t know who they are but is enthusiastic in recommending items to them.
The outfits aren"t far from where Xiang Mankuai stands, but Jiang Yuan nods without thinking. “It so happens I lack a few shirts myself. Chuxia, let"s go.”
An Chuxia continues to hesitate, but Jiang Yuan has already moved. She knows she has nothing to hide when it comes to Mankuai, so she needs to catch up to Jiang Yuan.
“Here are the newest arrivals. Here"s the common collars, and half-lit crew necks. They"re comfortable to wear.” The clerk looks around, and after a while, she says to An Chuxia, “Regardless of age, these shirts can be used by anyone.”
“Try it on.”
Mankuai, who isn"t far from them, turns her head casually. She blinks and sees both Jiang Yuan and An Chuxia. She takes her time to confirm their ident.i.ties before forcing a smile on her face, and stepping forward. “What a coincidence, ayi, Chuxia.”
“Are you sure these are the newest arrivals? Why do I feel like these were last season"s designs?” Jiang Yuan frowns despite hearing Mankuai"s greeting. She pretends she doesn"t hear her and continues to talk to the clerk.
Unfortunately, An Chuxia cannot pretend like Jiang Yuan. She turns and looks at Xiang Mankuai. “What a coincidence.”
People who wouldn"t know any better would think they"re friends.
Xiang Mankuai smiles back, then turns her head to face Jiang Yuan. Speaking with a louder voice, “Ayi, are you buying a shirt? I have a few of these styles from the advertiser. I have several unworn sets. Would you like me to send them to you?”
Jiang Yuan looks at the shirt before looking at Xiang Mankuai indifferently. “I"m sorry. I don"t like things that don"t belong to me.”
This statement obviously makes Xiang Mankuai"s face look unsightly.
“Mommy… .” An Chuxia stretches out her arm and tugs Jiang Yuan"s sleeve. She shakes her head gently and signals to her not to be too abrasive against Mankuai.
“In that case, continue shopping. I"ll take my leave first. Call me anytime.” Xiang Mankuai tries to keep the smile on her face before walking to the counter.
Jiang Yuan looks at Xiang Mankuai"s back before pursing her lips and looking back at the shirt. “Wrap this one up. Xiao Xia, don"t just stand here. Choose one.”
“Ah. Okay.” An Chuxia swivels her head toward the counter where no one is standing then looks back.
An Chuxia may have been stimulated by Xiang Mankuai but with Jiang Yuan around, she was able to keep calm. Otherwise, she would"ve been sad. Sure enough, Mankuai wasn"t the sunflower she usually presents herself to be.
After buying a few shirts and a coat from the Ferocious Rabbit, Jiang Yuan pulls An Chuxia into another favorite store, and they stayed there for another two hours. Their maid carried all their packages for them.
“Mommy, let"s stop, we have already bought so many things. We haven"t accomplished the main purpose yet!” An Chuxia reminds her.
Jiang Yuan obeys An Chuxia, giggling. “Mommy hasn"t forgotten. Do you think I"d forget to buy a present for daddy? Besides, I have my bank card and I"m giving it a good swiping to show how we appreciate daddy"s hard work.”
These cards are all supplementary. Everytime the card is swiped, Han Liuhai"s mobile phone dings.
An Chuxia shakes her head. If they buy something for Han Liuhai, he would know, right?
Would it still be a surprise after all?
An Chuxia reminds Jiang Yuan, and in return, she pats Chuxia"s thigh. “Then let"s go to a cash machine and get some money out.”
After all, cash is only inconvenient if you"re buying a lot of gifts.
An Chuxia lets out a secret sigh. “Let"s think about what to buy first.”
“Are you hungry? You haven"t eaten in a while. Let"s go. I"ll treat you to a good meal.” Jiang Yuan pulls in Chuxia since she"s in a good mood.
Although An Chuxia prepared herself for them to go to a high-end restaurant, Jiang Yuan takes her to KFC next to the World Trade Center.
She orders two buckets of a family meal and invites the maids to eat with them. It is evident the maids are used to this. They take their seats and start eating.
“I thought of what you said… how about a watch?” Jiang Yuan takes a sip of her drink as she asks for An Chuxia"s opinion. She doesn"t know what gift to get him.
An Chuxia shakes her head decisively. “Daddy"s watches come in all brands and styles, and you don"t have an idea what to get him.”