Chapter 35 p1
Following Qin Qianrou, they went to a large shopping mall in the city center. This was a well-known mall in Hai City, a hub for top international brands and niche boutiques. Although Shen Yiqiu’s parents weren’t particularly materialistic, they had good taste and would occasionally come here to shop, so she was familiar with the place.
Qin Qianrou’s familiarity with the mall, however, exceeded Shen Yiqiu’s expectations. She had originally intended to lead the way, but it seemed she was still destined to be a little tagalong.
“You seem to know this place very well.” Shen Yiqiu couldn’t help but quicken her pace as she saw Qin Qianrou heading straight for the fourth floor.
The mall’s most distinctive feature was its expansive shoe department on the fourth floor, where one could find unique footwear from all over the world. This layout was unique to this mall, yet Qin Qianrou seemed so familiar with it…
“I used to. But it’s been a while, I don’t know if it’s changed.” Qin Qianrou paused, not bothering to hide anything.
Shen Yiqiu processed her words, arriving at a conclusion that surprised even herself.
“You’re from Hai City too!”
Qin Qianrou’s online profile didn’t mention her hometown, and information about her family background was vague. Perhaps due to a certain level of protection afforded to journalists, such information was kept to a minimum.
“You’re just realizing this now?” Qin Qianrou stepped out of the elevator and walked briskly towards the shoe section, even giving her a playful wink.
Shen Yiqiu had never seen her so relaxed and cheerful, even a little… mischievous?
She suddenly recalled a conversation she had once had with her father, wondering why her mother always seemed so happy and cheerful whenever they came here. It seemed shopping was a woman’s ultimate mood booster, and Qin Qianrou seemed to particularly enjoy buying shoes.
After moving into Qin Qianrou’s home, Shen Yiqiu had been very well-behaved, never touching anything that wasn’t hers. However, when she opened the shoe cabinet and saw the rows of neatly arranged, eye-catching shoes, she had been quite shocked.
Most of them were high heels, mainly in dark colors, mostly classic office styles. But upon closer inspection, they were all designer brands and classic models. Other styles, such as evening shoes, boots, and casual shoes, were also neatly organized, all reflecting their owner’s style: simple, elegant, and timeless.
Looking at the sneakers, desert boots, and a few pairs of basic casual leather shoes she had brought from the dormitory, Shen Yiqiu felt embarrassed to place them next to those sophisticated and elegant styles. She finally found a spot in the corner of the shoe cabinet, squeezing in the pairs she rarely wore, leaving only two pairs by the door.
Qin Qianrou, as expected, slowed down considerably upon reaching the shoe section, her gaze fixated on the displays.
“They definitely get new stock faster than in Meng City.” Qin Qianrou glanced at a few of her favorite brands, which also had counters in Meng City, but the styles were updated slightly slower there.
“Are you still planning on buying these?” Shen Yiqiu softly asked, standing beside her.
Qin Qianrou tore her gaze away and looked at Shen Yiqiu. “What’s wrong? Don’t you think these shoes are nice?”
“They’re not not nice, and they look especially good on you, but…”
“Hmm?”
Qin Qianrou’s interest in the shoes had been diverted by Shen Yiqiu’s hesitant and amusing expression. Now she was more curious about what Shen Yiqiu was thinking than about the shoes.
“But I hope you’ll wear comfortable shoes. Whether they look good or not is secondary, the most important thing is comfort. That’s the primary function of shoes.” Shen Yiqiu explained earnestly, then added, “Just like marriage, it doesn’t matter if others think you’re a good match, as long as those involved feel comfortable and happy.”
Using shoes to describe relationships or marriage was a common analogy, but why was Shen Yiqiu saying this to her? Qin Qianrou smiled and shook her head, thinking this child must have racked her brains to convince her not to buy high heels.
In truth, her feet had been hurting since yesterday, and she had been wanting to change out of her high heels, but she hadn’t had the time. She had planned to leave a little early before dinner to buy a pair of comfortable shoes at a nearby mall, but Shen Yiqiu had brought it up first.
Qin Qianrou recalled Shen Yiqiu’s gaze fixed on her feet, and a strange feeling, a slight flutter in her heart, made her change her mind. Her intention to tease Shen Yiqiu further was disrupted by this sudden feeling, and she composed herself, turning towards the casual shoes section.
“You have a point, so I’ll listen to you today.”
Eh? Shen Yiqiu looked at Qin Qianrou’s back in surprise. She had been so easily persuaded? She had been thinking of other arguments, but it turned out convincing Qin Qianrou not to buy high heels was that easy.
Smiling, she jogged over to where Qin Qianrou was examining casual leather shoes from a well-known brand, comparing a few classic styles.
“Shen Yiqiu, which one do you think looks good?”
“I think they’re all pretty much the same, like siblings.”
Qin Qianrou pursed her lips and said, “I remember you have shoes from this brand too, so I thought you’d have some insights.”
Shen Yiqiu sighed helplessly. “My mother bought most of them for me.”
Qin Qianrou paused, her hand holding a shoe, and casually glanced at Shen Yiqiu. Seeing only a flicker of sadness in her eyes, her emotions seemingly unaffected, she relaxed.
Although this trip back to Hai City was because of Gu Chao, she had also been worried about Shen Yiqiu, afraid that returning to a familiar environment would trigger memories of her parents, which could be very painful.
She had specifically consulted Rong Fei before boarding the plane, and Rong Fei had advised her to minimize Shen Yiqiu’s exposure to scenes reminiscent of her past life, which was why she had tried to limit their activities to the university and the hotel.
Yet now, they were shopping.
Qin Qianrou felt she must be going crazy to be so careless. Was it because she had been too busy lately, her desire to shop suppressed, so she was overcompensating today?
Shen Yiqiu, sensing Qin Qianrou’s careful observation, knew she was worried about her. A faint smile touched her lips. She didn’t say anything more, but instead pulled Qin Qianrou’s wrist, leading her to another counter nearby.
“I’ll tell you a secret. I actually find this brand more comfortable.”
“This is a trendy brand, definitely suitable for someone your age.”
“It’s not because it’s trendy, it’s genuinely comfortable. Their lambskin casual shoes, the feeling is simply amazing.” Shen Yiqiu closed her eyes, a dreamy expression on her face, looking a little silly, but cute.
Qin Qianrou’s heart stirred. “Pick a pair.”
“Ah? Pick what?”
“Didn’t you say you liked them?” Qin Qianrou tilted her head, gesturing towards the display. “Pick a pair you like, I’ll buy them for you.”
Accompanying someone shoe shopping, only to be offered shoes herself? Despite this fortunate turn of events, Shen Yiqiu repeatedly shook her head.
“I don’t want them, you should choose what you want.”
Qin Qianrou hadn’t expected to be rejected so directly; she had thought Shen Yiqiu would at least politely decline a few times.
For some reason, she felt a pang of annoyance, and her expression cooled.
“Don’t misunderstand, I just don’t need any new shoes.”
“Mm.”
A curt response. Qin Qianrou didn’t say anything more and turned back to look at the shoes, her interest seemingly diminished.
Shen Yiqiu frowned, troubled. Did Qin Qianrou not only enjoy buying shoes for herself, but also enjoyed buying shoes for others?
Oh, she remembered her mother was like that too. Every time they came here, she would leave laden with shopping bags, almost all of them filled with shoe boxes. Besides her own, there were always a few pairs for Shen Yiqiu and her father. Whenever her mother mentioned going shopping, she and her father would tacitly tidy up the shoe cabinet beforehand.
She had sometimes been puzzled by her mother’s seemingly insatiable appetite for shoes. Her father had whispered to her, “Your mother enjoys choosing shoes for the people she cares about. She wants us all to be comfortable, to share her joy.”
Hesitantly, Shen Yiqiu moved closer to Qin Qianrou again, watching as she examined almost every shoe on display, still lingering in the trendy section.
Shen Yiqiu didn’t recall seeing any shoes from this brand in Qin Qianrou’s shoe cabinet, or any shoes in this style. It didn’t seem to fit her usual attire, but Shen Yiqiu inexplicably felt that Qin Qianrou would look amazing in them.
“This pair.” She suddenly pointed to a pair of shoes. Looking at Qin Qianrou, she said, “They would suit you.”
“Me?” Qin Qianrou smiled and shook her head. “I’m too old to wear these.”
Shen Yiqiu looked at her, puzzled. “Why are you too old? You’re still young, and you’re so beautiful, they would suit you even better than the models in the magazines!”
Shen Yiqiu’s words were sincere, not sounding like empty flattery, and Qin Qianrou felt a surge of warmth in her heart.
However, she couldn’t fully express it on her face.
She pursed her lips, maintaining a faint smile, but she did pick up the shoes and examine them.
The style was classic, without flashy colors or exaggerated designs. They felt light yet sturdy in her hand. They were indeed well-made, stylish shoes.
However, she was currently wearing a business suit, a mature woman nearing thirty. Wearing these shoes… the image wouldn’t be very harmonious.
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