Although Zhang Fan’s new apartment which Shao Hua’s parents were living in already had brand-new furniture as well as everything old brought over from Shao Hua’s parents’ old place, some small things still needed to be purchased. Over the past week, Zhang Fan had been incredibly busy due to the flu epidemic. Shao Hua had also been going out very little recently as she was busy with studying. Finally, since Zhang Fan was off for this weekend, the two of them decided to go out shopping as well as have a little date for themselves instead of eating at home.

  Since the flu epidemic had ended, the streets were gradually becoming lively again. There were still snowflakes falling down, so Chasu City was enveloped in ice and snow. Since it was almost New Year’s, many stores even built cute snowmen in front of their stores.

  Zhang Fan and Shao Hua held hands as they took a walk together. Shao Hua would only show her childish side to Zhang Fan. She kept asking Zhang Fan to take pictures of her standing next to a snowman, while at other times she would stuff a snowball down his neck while he wasn’t paying attention. Those who were single would never understand the joys of having a lover.

  What would be the most fun after one became an adult? That would have to be the period of new romance. A couple would always get along best before the humdrum of daily life came into the relationship. Once the affairs of daily life took over, some people who deeply loved each other would start to deeply resent their significant other instead. Maybe this was just how human nature and life was!

  Zhang Fan and Shao Hua needed to buy things such as lights and decorative accessories since Zhang Fan’s apartment was much larger than Shao Hua’s parents’ old apartment. The new place also had much better natural lighting. It felt like the new apartment deserved to have something better. Zhang Fan and Shao Hua went all over a large shopping mall as Shao Hua constantly compared this item to that item, searching for the best deal.

  There was a great difference between men and women when it came to shopping. A woman would often compare many, many different items and then haggle with the store owner in an argumentative fashion for 15 minutes for the sake of two yuan. Although Shao Hua wasn’t the argumentative type, she would never go easy on others. She would definitely save even one yuan if she possibly could.

  Meanwhile, men were different. Zhang Fan would never have bothered with haggling even back in college when he was really poor. He would at most pick something that looked adequate to him, with no apparent problems. He would then instantly buy it. This was so direct! Or, maybe this was so foolish!

  For the entire morning, Zhang Fan and Shao Hua went through the whole shopping mall three times over. It was likely that all the store owners learned both their faces through this!

  Zhang Fan was the type who would still have plenty of energy to perform another surgery after a 24-hour work shift. However, shopping was far harder on him than any surgery could be. He was truly fatigued after shopping with Shao Hua. Zhang Fan felt like his hair was standing up on ends when she told him that she also wanted to buy a porcelain doll—he was far too tired.

  “Let’s go! This will be the last one. We absolutely must buy a porcelain doll,” Shao Hua said while acting spoiled, pulling on Zhang Fan’s arm.

  “Honestly, my legs are beginning to cramp. Porcelain dolls are so boring. How about I go back and make a doll for you out of mud?” Zhang Fan began to act spoiled as well because he truly didn’t want to walk any more.

  “Come with me. I’ll tell you what the porcelain doll is for,” Shao Hua whispered mysteriously into Zhang Fan’s ear while draping herself over his body.

  Zhang Fan didn’t even surrender against her warm and fragrant breath, soft hands, or the subtle sensation of her lips against his ears. This was because he truly was too tired from shopping. “Tell me what it’s for first.”


  “It’s to place in our bedroom when we get married. My mom says that we absolutely must have one! We must also place it in the room for a while before we get married,” Shao Hua whispered into his ear while still draping herself on his body. Her face became red from embarrassment before she even finished speaking

  “Oh! Let’s hurry and purchase several porcelain dolls, then.” This was far too good of a reason. Zhang Fan now wanted to go buy several even if it meant his legs would break.

  Finally, the two of them discovered a porcelain doll specialty store in a street corner. The porcelain dolls were quite cute. The boy dolls were naked. The girl dolls wore red cloth coverings. They seemed to be quite lively. The dolls were about the size of chicken eggs.

  “Yes, this is it!” Shao Hua was so happy that she jumped up and down while pulling on Zhang Fan.

  “Owner, how much are you selling these for?” Zhang Fan played with a porcelain doll while looking at it closely. It seemed to be made with great detail.

  “I don’t have a set price for them. Pick the ones that you like, and then just give me a little something as thanks!” The store owner was a middle-aged woman who was quite skilled at doing business.

  She was almost a grandmaster already at running her small business. After seeing Zhang Fan’s clothes and appearance, she figured him to be either a government employee, teacher, or doctor. Although he wouldn’t be really rich, he would have a decent salary, and judging by her two customers’ age, they were probably thinking of getting married soon. That was why she didn’t mention any price, instead telling them to pay what they wanted!

  “How many should we pick?” Zhang Fan secretly asked Shao Hua.

  “What do you think!” Shao Hua was really feeling embarrassed now. The store owner’s sly eyes made her feel really awkward. Shao Hua would never haggle on purchasing something with such an important meaning. This was because of Chinese superstitions.

  “Then let’s pick four. Two boys and two girls,” Zhang Fan said while choosing four porcelain dolls.

  “Oh my! Such a lucky young lady. Most people don’t dare to choose so many dolls. Children are so expensive to raise these days. But, just look, this young man is so generous, and doesn’t hesitate at all. To be honest, I’ve already been in business here for almost 10 years, but this is the first time that I’ve seen such a generous man. You’re really lucky, young woman!” The store owner, who wore bright red lipstick, kept praising Zhang Fan over and over. Not only did she praise him, she even gave Shao Hua a big thumbs up with her thumb that had purple nail polish on it. She had likely practiced such sentences hundreds of times already as her expression and tone were far too convincing!

  The store owner was truly a veteran merchant. Zhang Fan originally was planning to only give her 100 yuan for the four porcelain dolls, but now he gave her an extra 100 yuan. Everyone would love to hear nice things about themselves, after all. Not to mention, the store owner truly was experienced at such things.

  Zhang Fan and Shao Hua happily finished their shopping trip, taking the four cute porcelain dolls with them. Shao Hua held onto the four dolls with both hands as she lifted them all before Zhang Fan while asking, “Which one do you like the most?”.

  “I like all of them!” Zhang Fan was becoming ever smarter due to Shao Hua’s training. He knew that if he didn’t answer this question properly, he would likely gain a new small bruise on his arm!

  “Then how about we have twins in the future?” Shao Hua whispered to Zhang Fan.

  “Okay! Yes, yes, yes!” Zhang Fan nodded happily.

  “Idiot! I won’t give birth to them for you, so you can give birth yourself!” Shao Hua’s sweet laughter really made Zhang Fan feel so sweet in his heart. He felt that love was sweeter than even honey, that love was sweeter than anything else in the world!

  Zhang Fan’s car was large and capable of carrying many things. The two of them had done a lot of shopping, yet the car’s trunk still had room left. This car truly was useful.

  Compared to how strict she could be about buying things, Shao Hua wasn’t nearly as picky when it came to eating. She was fine as long as the food was clean. Meanwhile, Zhang Fan had become pickier about eating at restaurants over the past year. Here in winter, when snow was everywhere, eating something slightly spicy and with soup would be the best and most delicious, as well as a specialty of Chasu City.

  After dinner, Zhang Fan drove home with Shao Hua. They then had to place everything in the home properly. However, Zhang Fan didn’t need to do anything. No matter how he arranged things, Shao Hua would always feel that it was inappropriate, but then she would arrange things herself in the same way that Zhang Fan had!

  Shao Hua’s older cousin’s business was also doing pretty well at the hospital. Due to the flu epidemic, small stalls and restaurants in Chasu City had lost a lot of business. However, the older cousin and his wife had been incredibly busy running the food stand at the hospital during the epidemic. They didn’t even have the time to eat. Not only were they unable to cook enough meat buns, they were so busy that they could only sell plain buns. There were far too many customers due to the huge influx of patients and their family members at Chasu City Hospital. Of course their business would be incredible!

  Shao Hua’s older cousin was the type to repay favors that he owed. After the flu epidemic passed, he went over to the farm, and then brought Shao Hua’s family a sheep, several slaughtered chickens, and some venison!