Rebirth: My Dear Little Wife Is So Scheming

Chapter 222 - 222 222 Grocery Shopping

?Chapter 222: Chapter 222 Grocery Shopping Chapter 222: Chapter 222 Grocery Shopping Ding Min stomped her foot in frustration as An Zhiyuan didn’t even spare her a single glance.

“Auntie, what should I do?”

Wei Shufen glanced at the hospital. “Don’t worry. These things can’t be rushed. Let’s go back for now. Ayuan is very enthusiastic right now, and I’m afraid that no matter what we say, he won’t listen and will think we’re getting in his way. It’s simple: separate the two of them. With time, their feelings for each other will cool down.

I don’t believe he will remain this passionate, and even if Ayuan continues to care for her, I doubt Doctor Bai will feel the same for him!” She was well aware of such situations. When you’re in love, it feels like life and death, but even the most intense feelings can’t withstand the test of time.

Ding Min was delighted upon hearing this. “Auntie, you’re right! Send Bai Xiao to some other place, huh, preferably the toughest, most exhausting place. I don’t believe she’ll still have the energy to be lovey-dovey with Ayuan.” She enjoyed the thought of it.

Wei Shufen gave her naive niece a look.

The two of them headed back home.

This time, they had returned without accomplishing anything.

…

With the New Year approaching, Bai Xiao’s Traditional Chinese Medicine department was probably the quietest in the hospital, so she was granted two weeks off to return to her hometown for the holidays.

The phone rang just as Bai Xiao had taken off her white coat, preparing to leave work for the day. It was Friday, and she could rest tomorrow.

Ever since Zhang Duo had made a grand show of delivering the banner of appreciation, her clinic had started to see a flood of patients.

But as the New Year approached, the number of patients had somewhat dwindled.

However, as Doctor Bai, she had established herself at the hospital since saving the little girl. Doctor Zhao’s attitude toward her had changed considerably. This veteran doctor, now in his fifties, would sometimes come over, wanting to discuss acupuncture treatment with her.

Unfortunately, Doctor Zhao was destined to be disappointed; while acupuncture might be something shareable for others, for her, it was a closely guarded family secret not to be revealed.

“Hello, The Ninth Hospital Acupuncture Department!”

Bai Xiao picked up the phone.

Xiaoli had already gestured outside the door, shaking his hat and pointing to his changing room.

Bai Xiao nodded.

“Xiaoxiao, are you getting off work?” An Zhiyuan’s voice, with its unique magnetism, made Bai Xiao’s heart flutter.

The more she got to know this man, the more she realized how different he was.

“Yes, I’m changing clothes! How about you, not busy?” An Zhiyuan called her almost every day, which had become an unspoken agreement between them.

Sometimes she quite liked this kind of gentle, steady affection; it was rather nice.

“I have a day off tomorrow. I’m calling from the snack shop outside your hospital right now. Let’s have dinner!” An Zhiyuan wanted to make up for the meal that never happened.

In the end, that meal had been replaced by three steamed buns, which, upon reflection, felt regrettable.

He hadn’t had a proper date with Bai Xiao yet.

That kind of date with dinner and a movie, he had inquired about from his subordinates. They told him that going for dinner and a movie was a popular step in courtship these days. Also, in a busy movie theater, being close and jostling with the crowd was an opportunity to get closer to a girl, a perfectly honorable chance to embrace and protect her.

Although An Zhiyuan sternly scolded her with his voice, deep down he’d already been moved.

Bai Xiao glanced at the time; she had finished work early at just five o’clock. The market wouldn’t be closed yet, so she should be able to buy some things. She suggested, “How about this, I’ll buy some groceries and cook for you? Eating out won’t be as tasty, and it’s a waste of money too.” She also craved home-cooked meals. Eating at the cafeteria every day had nearly driven her to the point of vomiting. No matter how delicious the food, it couldn’t withstand being eaten every single day.

“Alright, then I’ll wait for you at the entrance. Come out when you’re ready,” he said.

Bai Xiao seemed to sense disappointment in An Zhiyuan’s voice, which puzzled her. What was there to be disappointed about? It was just a meal, and what she cooked would surely be tastier than anything from a street vendor outside.

Of course, An Zhiyuan was disappointed. He had been thinking of taking her to see a movie after dinner—a perfect opportunity. But he hadn’t anticipated eating at home, which likely meant there wouldn’t be enough time for a movie today. It seemed they would have to wait until next time.

Seeing Bai Xiao walk out of the hospital’s main gate, wearing a simple down jacket with her long hair tied back in a ponytail, her fair cheeks and dark eyes catching sight of him, she ran towards him, causing his serious expression to begin cracking into a smile.

Reaching him, Bai Xiao exhaled breaths that turned to white mist, remarking how very cold it was.

An Zhiyuan unwrapped the scarf from around his neck and wrapped it around Bai Xiao’s, looking at her rosy cheeks. “Why didn’t you wear a scarf?”

In this weather, it was already below minus twenty degrees Celsius, enough to freeze someone.

Bai Xiao smiled and buried her face in the scarf, drawing in its warmth, which still carried An Zhiyuan’s tobacco scent. It was fresh, however, not the kind of offensive tobacco stench.

“I forgot! Let’s hurry, or the vendors will have packed up for the day.” She pulled An Zhiyuan along, quickening their pace.

An Zhiyuan glanced at the hand that Bai Xiao had unhesitatingly placed on his arm, feeling a warmth in his heart.

It seemed Bai Xiao had indeed grown much closer to him. Such an unconscious gesture indicated that she felt no distance from him in her heart.

By the time they arrived at the market, it was indeed about to close. Many vendors had already packed up, and the remaining few were finishing up, looking ready to call it a day.

Bai Xiao picked out some potatoes, bought some meat, cabbage, and tofu, and noticing some large white steamed buns, she picked up ten. She was well aware of An Zhiyuan’s appetite, and they finally had enough groceries to head back.

An Zhiyuan carried a cloth bag, which was what Bai Xiao used for shopping—a precursor to the reusable bags of the future. Currently, there were no plastic or convenient bags; it was still the era of bringing your own bag to the market.

Bai Xiao kept her hands in her pockets, hopping from the cold, urging, “Hurry up, hurry up, I’m freezing to death!” The weather here was indeed deadly cold.

An Zhiyuan chuckled, quickening his pace to keep up with Bai Xiao. By the time they reached the entrance of Bai Xiao’s dormitory building, they had finally warmed up.

The two of them went up the stairs just as Xiaofen was coming down to take out the trash. The young girl greeted Bai Xiao politely. After the previous debacle, Xiaofen’s biological father had been sentenced to a year in prison and the court had repossessed Chui Li’s house. That house had already been rented out by Chui Li, bringing in an additional ten-plus yuan a month.

Due to the undeniable evidence of Fan Jiancheng’s abuse, the court had awarded Xiaofen custody to live with her mother.

The court had also ordered Fan Jiancheng to pay five yuan a month in child support, but given his imprisonment, that money was unlikely to materialize. Even if he weren’t incarcerated, Chui Li doubted that he would send the funds. She didn’t rely on that income anyway.

Life had become much better now, Chui Li and Xiaofen living simply together. Xiaofen had transferred to the primary school at the Military District Hospital, which was convenient for her mother’s care, and the bond between mother and daughter deepened by the day.

Xiaofen had grown increasingly sensible; her behavior and speech were becoming more refined, no longer resembling the little shrew she had been when living with her grandmother.

Chui Li and Xiaofen were very grateful to Bai Xiao.

Whenever they cooked something delicious, they would share some with their neighbor Bai Xiao.

During that time, the neighbors had formed a very harmonious relationship.