Chapter 7 – Part 1 out of 2

Jiang Tao received a number from the clerk, but was instructed to wait for approximately thirty minutes.

During peak dining hours, such a wait time was considered brief. Outside the establishment, there were two rows of small plastic benches.

Jiang Tao questioned whether these benches could withstand Cao An’s weight. Meanwhile, on the fourth floor, Cao An stood by the guardrail, surveying the third floor.

He spotted a retail chain store with adorable dolls displayed in the window, which would undoubtedly appeal to the younger generation.

“Shall we go shopping there?” he suggested.

“Sure,” Jiang Tao agreed.

They promptly ascended the adjacent escalator and entered the store. Jiang Tao led the way, with Cao An following closely behind. His tall and erect physique completely enveloped Jiang Tao.

She attempted to initiate a conversation by asking, “Is there anything you wish to purchase?”

Cao An replied, “This establishment does not seem to align with my style.”

Jiang Tao glanced at the shelf to her side, which contained several rows of cute hairpins. The pink and tender hairpins reflected a sparkling light under the store’s illumination. After walking a few more steps, Jiang Tao discovered a mascot shelf, featuring various lucky cats. She perused each item and found a lucky cat car pendant with “Safe in and Out” inscribed on it.

She did not want Cao An to merely accompany her on her shopping excursion and suggested, “What about this?”

Cao An had examined the pendant when Jiang Tao placed it in his palm. It was a lucky cat with a white head and a red body. The bright red background made her palms appear as white as milk. Her hands were small, with long and slender fingers, and her nails displayed a clean pink lustre.

“Are you gifting this to me?” Cao An inquired. The low but composed tone left Jiang Tao feeling somewhat ambiguous. Her heart skipped a beat. This was another question she had not anticipated. In the past, when Jiang Tao went on blind dates with other individuals, it was the men who were solicitous in presenting her with gifts. Cao An was the first to request a gift from her.

However, if she declined such a small item, would it not appear petty? Her earlobes reddened, and she continued to smile at the lucky cat.

“Alright,” she agreed.

Cao An lifted the small shopping basket in his hand before her. Jiang Tao placed the Lucky Cat inside with mixed emotions.

Having learned her lesson, she refrained from suggesting Cao An purchase anything further. She opted for a beautiful and charming notebook, despite not having any need for it. While passing by the tableware section, Jiang Tao picked up two more adorable bowls. As she reached for the second bowl, Cao An’s voice sounded from above her head, with a hint of surprise, “For me?”

Jiang Tao had already been begged for a gift by him once, and this time she remained silent, explaining in a low voice, “One for me and one for my grandmother.”

Cao An hummed and took one for himself the moment Jiang Tao put down the two bowls and was about to turn around. Jiang Tao’s face turned red.

It had been almost a week since Cao An became WeChat friends with Jiang Tao. During this period, except for a brief contact before the meeting, Cao An never initiated any conversation.

As a new blind date, Cao An’s attitude could be considered indifferent, as if he had little interest in Jiang Tao. Because Jiang Tao was afraid of him, she had already decided in her heart to reject him as soon as possible, so the colder Cao An was, the more at ease she felt. However, if Cao An asked for a small gift from the Lucky Cat as a way of probing, his behaviour of picking up the same bowl just now was quite apparent.

“Send it to my cousin, your head nurse’s daughter, who is in her first year of high school this year,” Cao An put the bowl away and explained casually, “She should also like this style.” Jiang Tao was taken aback. It turned out that it was just a misunderstanding.

Cao An was still chatting, “Has my Aunt mentioned her daughter to you?”

Jiang Tao shook her head, “Ms Wang is very busy, and we basically only talk about work when we meet.”

Cao An replied, “When we have a chance, ask her to come out and play with us, so I guarantee you won’t be bored.” Jiang Tao muttered in her heart, she didn’t need such an opportunity.

While walking towards the cashier, Cao An stood in front of Jiang Tao with a shopping basket, and the mobile phone had already prepared the payment interface. Jiang Tao grabbed the edge of the shopping basket and said, “Let me do it.”

Cao An replied, “I won’t be polite when I place my order later.” Jiang Tao was speechless.

Cao An asked the clerk to take two shopping bags, one for his beckoning cat and a bowl, and a few things containing Jiang Tao’s purchases. The two went back to the fourth floor, and there were still two tables to wait for, so it was almost time. Cao An sat on a small plastic bench.

Jiang Tao found herself seated next to Cao An, both facing outward, with his knees extending far beyond hers. Unsure of what to say, Jiang Tao lowered her head and fiddled with the newly purchased gadgets.

Despite the high temperature in the mall, she was still wearing a down jacket, causing her side face to flush, resembling the blush on the tip of a peach. Jiang Tao had to find something to occupy herself, so she could ignore the auras of the people around her.

Holding a bowl in one hand, she took pictures and posted them on Moments. Not long after posting, numerous comments and likes appeared.

The first comment was from Fang Rui: “A gift from Boss Cao?” Jiang Tao was taken aback, wondering why Fang Rui had given Cao An a nickname so quickly, especially since Cao An was sitting next to her at that moment!

Jiang Tao quickly exited the circle of friends interface and secretly glanced at Cao An from the corner of her eye. Fortunately, Cao An was also looking at his mobile phone, but the position of the other experts was too high, so Jiang Tao couldn’t see the contents of his screen.

Finally, it was their turn to order.