Chapter 141: At the Supermarket

The supermarket was bustling with people. During winter break, lots of kids sat in shopping carts, enjoying the thrill of the little coin-operated rides.

Jiang Linyuan had already grown up—he wouldn't be as childish as those little brats.

He was holding a scoop, poking at the rice in the grains section.

"Stop acting like a kid!"

Jiang Zhiyao pushed the cart and bumped into him.

You're a grown adult now!

"Wanna give it a try? It's pretty fun."

Jiang Linyuan scooped the rice, then handed Jiang Zhiyao a small scoop.

"No way! I've grown up!"

"Come with me to the snack aisle."

"Didn't we say we were buying groceries? What do we need snacks for?"

"Since we're at the supermarket and you drove here, we might as well stock up on snacks for winter break."

As they chatted, they reached the snack aisle.

"How about we get some fruit too?"

Jiang Linyuan grabbed a bag of chips and casually tossed it into the cart.

"Sure. Let's get some oranges and grapefruit too."

Jiang Zhiyao pointed at the small bread loaves on the high shelf.

"Tiptoe a bit and grab the bread on the third shelf. I'm too short to reach."

Jiang Linyuan reached up, grabbed it, tossed it into the cart, then noticed Jiang Zhiyao staring at him.

Oi, whatcha looking at, bro?

"It's just... I suddenly realized you've gotten so tall. Back in middle school, you were still a head shorter than me."

Jiang Zhiyao looked away, pushing the cart forward.

"Normal. Guys hit puberty later than girls."

Jiang Linyuan said.

Being short has its perks—when you look down, you see someone; when you look up, there's nowhere to go but forward.

They picked and chose, buying a few cartons of milk, then headed to the deli section for some boneless chicken feet and spicy chicken wings.

Finally, they grudgingly grabbed a few ingredients and went to check out.

"Hey, the supermarket has a promotion today. Spend over one fifty and you get one lottery draw."

Jiang Zhiyao saw the promo sign at the checkout and turned to Jiang Linyuan.

"We've definitely got more than one fifty here—probably close to five or six hundred. How about we split the bill and each try our luck?"

Jiang Linyuan said.

"Sure,"

Jiang Zhiyao nodded. But before she'd taken a few steps, someone called out from behind:

"Yaoyao?"

Jiang Linyuan turned to look.

Wasn't that Huang Taoyan? What a coincidence?

They run into her at the supermarket too?

Huang Taoyan, holding a shopping bag, hurried over. She glanced at their overflowing cart and grinned:

"You guys are impressive—packed it this full, huh?"

Jiang Zhiyao turned her head, pretending not to know her.

"You jealous? It's not stuffed into your bag."

Jiang Linyuan glanced at the shopping bag she was carrying.

Jiang Zhiyao smacked him:

"Will you joke around with her about anything?"

Huang Taoyan defended Jiang Linyuan:

"Jiang Linyuan's just all talk. He'll learn his lesson the day someone actually gives him what for."

Damn...

You little yellow monster!

"You're the one who's all talk, Little Chuuni! Back when I was running my mouth, you were still watching videos!"

Jiang Linyuan shot back.

Huang Taoyan caught on instantly and showed an impressed expression:

"There's a master of talk in the capital—I bow in defeat."

"Will you two ever shut up!"

Jiang Zhiyao couldn't take it anymore and stepped in to cut them off. The whole conversation was making her blush.

"Just joking around, lightening the mood."

Huang Taoyan wasn't bothered at all and continued:

"How much stuff did you guys buy? Let me combine with you—I've only got about seventy or eighty here. Let's try our luck with the draw."

Jiang Zhiyao didn't refuse, so Huang Taoyan cheerfully squeezed into line behind them.

Standing behind Jiang Linyuan, she asked again:

"What are you two up to for winter break?"

"Staying home before New Year's, going back to school after."

Jiang Zhiyao said.

"What about you?"

Huang Taoyan looked at Jiang Linyuan.

"Pretty much the same."

Before New Year's, I'll find a chance to return the car to the Department Head and check on her and the Future Mother-in-Law.

As for Xiao Su... it's hard to say. I feel like she's scheming something sneaky again. I'll play it by ear.

Xiao Yilin went back to her hometown in Minhai, not in Jinling. I'll visit her after New Year's.

The Thief Saint didn't go home for winter break at all—she's staying at school. I'll secretly bring her some warmth during New Year's.

Ah, maintaining friendships is so hard. But hey, it's because I'm such a loyal person!

Why don't I keep in touch with Zhang Shuo? Guy friendships don't need explanations.

"Really just the same? I thought you'd be spending New Year's at some girl's house this year."

Huang Taoyan eyed Jiang Linyuan suspiciously, feeling like the old fox wasn't telling the truth.

"He's spending New Year's with me at our hometown."

Jiang Zhiyao said, then turned to Jiang Linyuan and asked:

"Right?"

"Of course. Do you even need to ask?"

Jiang Linyuan replied.

Jiang Zhiyao nodded in satisfaction.

"Oh, that works out. Do Uncle and Aunt have plans on the fourth day of New Year's? I was thinking of coming by to pay them a New Year's visit."

Huang Taoyan said.

Back in senior year, when Mother Jiang was the homeroom teacher, Huang Taoyan was called in for parent meetings all the time. Over time, their families got to know each other.

"Sure, you can kowtow to me then, and I'll give you a red envelope!"

Jiang Linyuan said with utter ease.

"I'm paying respects to Uncle and Aunt, not to you! If anyone's kowtowing, it's to them!"

Huang Taoyan said irritably.

Jiang Zhiyao frowned:

"You're not a relative—don't go making false connections! No kowtowing! You don't even need to come; just send the gifts over."

Yaoyao! You've gone bad! If it weren't for your brother being Jiang Linyuan, I'd definitely want to be your sister-in-law!

But that's fine—if I can't, my cousin can!

Then I'll still have the upper hand over both of you siblings!

"Auntie is my beloved teacher—I definitely have to come in person. When I came last year, wasn't Auntie pretty happy?"

Huang Taoyan said.

She wasn't happy because you came.

Jiang Zhiyao thought of her mother and couldn't help pursing her lips as she glanced at Jiang Linyuan.

"What are you looking at?"

Jiang Linyuan asked.

"Not allowed?"

Jiang Zhiyao shot back.

"That's right, Yaoyao. You should take every chance to look at Jiang Linyuan. Once he gets married, you won't be able to stare so openly anymore."

Huang Taoyan said with a wicked grin.

"Get married! He's only twenty! My parents aren't in a rush for grandkids."

Jiang Zhiyao glared harshly at Huang Taoyan.

This girl was just pure trouble sometimes!

"What do you mean I can't look at him after he gets married? Like I wouldn't have a sister just because I'm married."

Jiang Linyuan rolled his eyes.

This Huang Taoyan was nothing but a troublemaker.

Huang Taoyan didn't push the topic further.

Damn siscon, just you wait until you get your legs broken!

She felt like Juntang's future was pitch black—not just because of her sister-in-law Yaoyao, but also because of all those grass-waiting envoys around Jiang Linyuan.

And her own cousin was the type who, if Jiang Linyuan said, "I like cats," she'd shove a mouse into her mouth out of sheer inferiority.

If she ever ended up as someone's mistress, she'd just smile like an idiot!

I have to help her! I'll bring her along this New Year's.

Jiang Linyuan's dad was Juntang's senior year homeroom teacher anyway, so there was no shortage of excuses!