Sister, can I become a maid too?

Chapter 159 Don't overthink it, just consider it a reward! (Thanks to Sansheng Xiaoshi for being the patron~)

Standing on the street, Lin Jianxia tilted her head and asked:

"So what kind of New Year's goods should we buy?"

"Let me think," Jiang Yubai recalled for a few seconds, "It's Chinese New Year, so couplets, the character '福' (fortune), and paper-cut window decorations are definitely necessary."

"Snacks are also essential, such as sunflower seeds, peanuts, candy, potato chips, jelly, etc., so that children in the family can also share them."

"Fruits, like tangerines and apples, oh, and we also need to prepare some ingredients for the New Year's Eve dinner."

After listing a long list, Jiang Yubai stopped talking and turned to look at her with some curiosity:

"By the way, what do you usually buy for Chinese New Year where you're from? Are these the same few things?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Jianxia, ​​who had been listening intently, paused, her gaze unconsciously drifting to the other end of the street:

"We're... pretty much the same..."

"That should be about the same," Jiang Yubai thought so too. "Anyway, if we really forgot to buy something, Mom and Dad probably won't say anything."

—These two went out to have fun, leaving him to handle all the New Year's goods. You can't blame him for buying too much or too little, can you?

"So," Jiang Yubai looked around, "where can I buy it?"

"The supermarket up ahead, they have a wider selection there," Lin Jianxia said, then hesitated, "But how are we going to carry all this stuff back?"

"Oh wait, since these are New Year's goods... they're going to be moved to your house, right?"

Jiang Yubai shook his head:

"No need, just send it directly to Jinxiu New Village. In the end, it will be sent directly to our hometown anyway."

"As for how to move it back... I'll just call Huobaba." He took out his phone and waved it. "I'll take a taxi and go there first."

Although it's an old town area, the shopping mall that was built a few years ago is still thriving and isn't too far away.

The two hailed a taxi and arrived at the supermarket entrance in just a few minutes.

With the Lunar New Year approaching, the supermarket was bustling with customers buying New Year's goods; the crowds were almost frightening.

Red lanterns and promotional posters were everywhere, and the radio was playing the now-thawed version of "Gong Xi Fa Cai" (Wishing You Prosperity). The familiar melody mixed with the noisy voices, creating a lively atmosphere.

Looking at the surging crowd in front of her, Lin Jianxia felt a little scared and unconsciously took half a step closer to Jiang Yubai.

When she got lost as a child, there was a similar surging crowd around her.

She looked around, but couldn't find her father and mother anywhere. She stood there blankly until her mother rushed over and hugged her tightly.

From then on, whenever she was in such a crowded place, she would always feel a little uneasy.

"Lin Jianxia?"

Hearing Jiang Yubai's voice, Lin Jianxia came back to her senses and looked at him blankly.

Jiang Yubai had noticed back during the National Day holiday that this guy seemed to be a little scared when facing so many people.

Although he didn't know why, he wasn't foolish enough to ask at this moment, and simply extended his hand naturally:

"Hey... why don't you just hold my wrist, so I don't have to go to the radio station and shout, 'Where is little Lin Jianxia?'"

He was just joking to ease the guy's tension, and he was even prepared to get pricked by the little hedgehog.

But Lin Jianxia simply gave a soft "oh" and extended her hand.

The fingertips paused suddenly just before touching the wrist.

The girl hesitated for a few seconds, but finally quietly moved down a few inches.

Jiang Yubai was looking up at the supermarket's zoning signs when he suddenly felt a soft, smooth touch on his palm.

He was slightly taken aback and subconsciously looked down.

A cool and soft little hand slipped silently into his palm and gently took his hand.

Jiang Yubai stared at the small hand for a long time, his gaze moving up the sleeve of the down jacket and finally landing on the girl's fair profile.

—Wait, what happened to holding hands?

But Lin Jianxia didn't look at him; instead, she raised her small face and stared intently at the guide sign.

Only the sliver of the earlobe peeking out from between the off-white scarf and the stray strands of hair was a translucent red.

"Feed".

Jiang Yu waved his wrist, then hesitated and said,

"Hey Lin Jianxia, ​​the position of your wrist...it's kind of unique, isn't it?"

Lin Jianxia pursed her lips, finally raised her eyes to glare at him, and that familiar exasperation in her tone resurfaced:

"What are you doing? There are so many people here. What if you get lost if we only hold hands?"

She hesitated for a few seconds, then mumbled something:

"Besides, just holding hands is like a parent taking care of a child... I don't want that."

"Don't overthink it, it's not like a couple holding hands... just consider it a reward for your good behavior today."

Jiang Yubai: "?"

—Is that another explanation?

Does holding hands really have a difference between the "interlocking fingers" style for couples and the "just slipping in" style for friends?

Jiang Yubai, who had no experience in holding hands, was a little unsure.

However, that little hand was indeed quietly resting in his palm, cool and soft, and it felt very comfortable to hold.

Never mind, I don't really feel any difference between my wrist and palm.

Since it's a reward...

Thinking this, Jiang Yubai suddenly had a wicked idea and gently pinched his fingers.

The girl beside him visibly trembled.

Lin Jianxia bit her lower lip, staring at the sales guide sign, without saying a word.

Jiang Yubai was surprised and gently stroked the back of her hand with his fingertips again.

"........."

Lin Jianxia finally couldn't hold back any longer and turned around to glare at him angrily:

"Jiang Yubai!"

—I've already held hands, but why are this little guy's hands still so dirty!

"What's wrong?" Jiang Yubai asked innocently. "I just wanted to ask... after looking at them for so long, do you know where to buy couplets?"

Lin Jianxia glared at him angrily, then suddenly pulled her wrist away.

"Hey hey hey!"

Jiang Yubai quickly took her small hand, his tone quite serious.

"With so many people, what if someone gets lost?"

Feeling his hand settle down and stop moving around, Lin Jianxia finally calmed down a bit, but she still squeezed his wrist hard, unwilling to admit defeat.

Even though she had used force, Jiang Yubai didn't even flinch, and even looked down at her with a hint of curiosity.

Lin Jianxia was completely at a loss, so she could only grit her teeth and pull him forward:

"Let's go! Buy some couplets!"

-----------------

It has to be said that holding hands by the heart and holding hands by the wrist do seem to have some differences.

In the past, when Lin Jianxia would grab his wrist in the food street, he would want to eat takoyaki, while Lin Jianxia wanted to eat squid. Often, Lin Jianxia would grab his wrist and lead him in that direction.

And now, the girl's slightly cool and soft little hand is safely in his palm, and he can take it wherever he wants.

In particular, some things don't even need to be said. Just a gentle pinch is enough for Lin Jianxia beside him to pause for a moment, and then she will obediently follow, understanding perfectly.

To be honest, Jiang Yubai was starting to like this feeling.

However, as they filled the shopping bags with couplets, paper-cut window decorations, snacks, and fruits, plus the ingredients needed for the New Year's Eve dinner, the two of them simply couldn't carry it all with one hand.

So Jiang Yubai pushed a shopping cart ahead, and Lin Jianxia followed closely behind, looking around curiously.

Actually, she rarely shops in such large supermarkets.

Previously, most of the ingredients needed were bought at the farmers market, and daily necessities could be found at the convenience store downstairs.

The experience of slowly browsing through rows of shelves while pushing a cart like this was quite novel for her.

However, as she strolled around, Lin Jianxia suddenly noticed...

Why is my shopping cart getting so full?!

After Jiang Yubai put another steak in, she finally couldn't help but speak up:

"Jiang Yubai...do you want to buy so much?"

Jiang Yubai glanced at her, nodded, and said casually:

"Yes, I'm worried this isn't enough. It would be so embarrassing if guests came to visit during the Lunar New Year and there were no dishes on the table."

Lin Jianxia nodded as if she understood, glanced around the car, hesitated for a moment, and then tentatively pointed to the corner of the shopping cart:

"Do we really need to buy so many pairs of these Spring Festival couplets?"

Jiang Yubai's expression suddenly stiffened, then he coughed casually:

"Well... better safe than sorry, better safe than sorry."

Lin Jianxia said "Oh" and didn't ask any further questions.

—Maybe... Jiang Yubai's house has many doors.

The girl thought to herself.

Seeing that she didn't press the matter further, Jiang Yubai secretly breathed a sigh of relief and changed the subject:

"Aren't you going to buy something while you're at it? Aren't you going back the day after tomorrow?"

"I...."

Lin Jianxia blinked her eyes.

"I'll buy it later..."

"Later?" Jiang Yubai asked, a little puzzled. "Why buy it later? Isn't it a good time to buy it now?"

Lin Jianxia moved her lips, but swallowed the words back. Finally, she ran to the side, grabbed a box of cookies, threw it into her shopping cart, and said seriously:

"alright."

Jiang Yubai chuckled, "Is this what you eat for Chinese New Year?"

"Mmm." Lin Jianxia nodded.

—No way! If I buy something else now, he'll definitely say something like, "Consider it a perk," or "I'll pay for this little bit," and then we'll just settle the bill together…

She was prepared to put up a strong resistance, but Jiang Yubai stared at her for a few seconds and then suddenly chuckled:

"Alright, we'll buy later... That should be enough, let's go."

Jiang Yubai pushed the shopping cart toward the checkout counter, but after a few steps, he realized that the person behind him hadn't followed.

Turning around, Lin Jianxia was still standing there, looking blank and unresponsive.

"What's wrong? Not going anywhere?" Jiang Yubai stopped, amused. "Or did you suddenly remember you wanted to buy something?"

"N-nothing..."

Lin Jianxia then came to her senses and quickly followed him, but her gaze was still somewhat unfocused, occasionally glancing at him furtively.

—Strange...why did they let her go so easily this time?

Lin Jianxia only breathed a sigh of relief after leaving the supermarket and Jiang Yubai hailed a delivery truck to deliver the New Year's goods to Jinxiu New Village.

—Thank goodness, the only thing I should have written down in my little ledger is that box of cookies, right?

After piling the New Year's goods together in the corner of the living room, they let Wanwan watch TV in the living room for a while, while Lin Jianxia went back to her room to start packing her luggage for going home.

I said I was going home for the Chinese New Year, but I didn't really have much to bring.

A few changes of clothes, some daily necessities, and a few review materials were all that was needed to fill a small suitcase.

After tidying up the room, Lin Jianxia glanced around, but her gaze was drawn to the box peeking out from under the bed.

That maid outfit, which she had only worn once and declared she would only wear once in her life, lay there quietly.

I'm leaving the day after tomorrow... right...?

Lin Jianxia blinked and unconsciously touched the scarf around her neck.

She hesitated for a moment, glanced at the large box, and a thought flashed through her mind almost inexplicably:

or.......