My girlfriend isn't as cute as me.

Thanks to this, the entire fourth floor of the mall was filled with a warm atmosphere, and the gentle feelings even touched the customers.

This day saw the highest transaction volume in the history of the fourth floor. Customers were practically in a daze as they made their purchases, and the sales staff were exceptionally gentle and attentive; everyone was in a pleasant atmosphere. So much so that when the general manager came down to inspect the floor, he wondered if he had wandered into the wrong place—what kind of shopping mall could create such a wonderful and harmonious shopping environment?

The general manager took a few photos and posted them in the management group, and Wang Yuting, as the fourth-floor supervisor on duty, was commended for it.

Although it was quite inexplicable, Wang Yuting naturally passed the hurdle to be promoted to director. The general manager had already spoken; if Manager Sun on the third floor caused any more trouble, it would be considered insensible.

The company doesn't need people who don't know their place.

However, Wang Yuting's mind was not on that; she was busy cleaning up the mess left by Director Yang.

That person is a master at negotiating promotions with merchants as a comedian, but he's terrible at other jobs. He also frequently sneaks off to the milk tea shop on the fifth floor to freeload, and the staff doesn't dare to complain.

If Lin Jiu were here, that would be wonderful.

Wang Yuting tried to imagine it, and then felt even more lonely.

I really want to go home soon.

Therefore, I need to get my work done as soon as possible.

Under the trembling gaze of Supervisor Li, Wang Yuting worked with incredible ferocity, as if she had a cheat code activated.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"Finally... the spring cleaning is done."

Lin Jiu was so tired she wanted to lie down on the floor, but she was worried that her sweat would dirty it, so she obediently sat up. She could feel the coolness on her bottom through the fabric, but it also felt strangely comfortable…

Lin Jiu has been busy cleaning Wang Yuting's house since 3 p.m., spending the whole day on it.

Yesterday I only did some basic cleaning, the most important thing being to get rid of the strange smell in the air. Living in this environment for so long, Wang Yuting hasn't gotten sick; it just shows how healthy she is. An ordinary person, unsurprisingly, would have gotten sick after being cooped up at home for a week.

But all of that is in the past!

Lin Jiu didn't just wipe the furniture clean; he also cleaned the light fixtures, leaving no corner untouched. He also finished the kitchen and bathroom. If he had to say, there was only one place in the entire house that he hadn't cleaned.

Wang Yuting's room.

Although Wang Yuting said her room wasn't locked, Lin Jiu felt it was best not to go in without her permission... and besides, she really didn't lock it. Out of curiosity, Lin Jiu tried turning the doorknob, and the door actually opened. He was startled at first, then felt a little happy.

Because Wang Yuting didn't lie to him.

Lin Jiu had considered many possibilities.

The room was probably filthy, because Wang Yuting's lifestyle was such that things were left everywhere, empty wine cans were thrown away carelessly, and trash bags... she did take them to the trash cans, but she never cleaned them!

Lin Jiu spent a lot of effort removing the stains from the trash can while washing it.

Besides this possibility, the most terrifying thing that Lin Jiu thought of was... what if the room was covered with his photos? How would he have the courage to tidy up and fold them for her?

However, the reality is that all of Lin Jiu's worries are in vain.

Because Wang Yuting is a very self-disciplined person, although she would often go to the convenience store to see Lin Jiu and pretend to casually sniff his scent, she never secretly took pictures of him. According to Article 42 of my country's "Public Security Administration Punishment Law," peeping, secretly photographing, eavesdropping, and disseminating others' privacy are acts that infringe upon personal rights.

Wang Yuting always looked openly and honestly, so it doesn't count as peeping!

I obey the law, and I am proud of it.

I am self-disciplined, and I am proud.

Wang Yuting's room was very clean. It was an ordinary room with a bed, wardrobe, bookshelf, computer desk, ergonomic chair, desktop computer with three monitors, and some game consoles whose models Lin Jiu couldn't recognize.

The shoujo manga on the bookshelf, along with various cute little ornaments, added a touch of girlish charm to the room.

Lin Jiu glanced at the books and found some that were quite interesting.

Liu Huaqiang's Rampage in the Caribbean

Hannibal's Feast for Kogoro

Voldemort's Plot Against Lion Camel Ridge

Xie Guangkun Takes Charge in King's Landing

Wang Xifeng's Power Manipulation: S.H.I.E.L.D.

The Hulk vs. Red Boy

Wolverine Drunkenly Beats Jiang the Gatekeeper

Magneto retrieves the magic needle from the East Sea

Steve Uproots the Willow Tree

Hong Shixian's Vanished Lover

Wang Duoyu Spends Money on Wall Street

Gandalf's Empty City Repels the Orcs...

In a sense, Lin Jiu really wanted to look at these books, but he still didn't go into the room.

Opening the door out of curiosity was already excessive, but if Lin Jiu had entered the room without Wang Yuting's permission, he would probably feel so guilty that he wouldn't drink fresh milk for a week... That would be worse than death for him!

Maybe he didn't grow taller because he didn't drink milk for a week?

Even a mere centimeter can be a giant leap that changes your life!

Whether it's height or anything else, this one centimeter is very important!

Case solved.

No wonder Lin Jiu isn't tall.

The length that should have grown to the height of the child has all grown elsewhere.

Chapter Thirty-Three: Family

"Go take a shower."

Lin Jiu patted her skirt and stood up, leaving a faint mark on the floor.

His face flushed slightly, and he quickly grabbed a mop to wipe away the traces before finally letting out a sigh of relief.

Lin Jiu went to the balcony and took down the dried school uniform, trousers, and underwear.

It's strange, really. These are my own clothes, but they look so unfamiliar now.

Lin Jiu turned his head and looked at the empty house, which had been completely transformed. Nothing was left lying around; everything had been neatly organized and put away, and the floor shone brightly from being mopped repeatedly. The windows and window sills were spotless, and the light fixtures, cleaned of dust, emitted an even brighter glow.

If Yuting were home, that would be great.

Lin Jiu tried to imagine it for a moment and suddenly felt a little lonely.

He remained silent for a moment, then quietly folded his school uniform and trousers and placed them on the table on the balcony.

Then, Lin Jiu picked up the burgundy knitted dress she had worn the day before and turned to walk towards the bathroom.

Don't get me wrong, Lin Jiu just felt that he still had to make a midnight snack for Wang Yuting tonight, and he had to get up early to make breakfast tomorrow morning. It wouldn't be good if he got his school uniform dirty. He only had one school uniform, and it wouldn't be appropriate to go to school with a big stain on it.

That's right, that's it.

Is it in this river?

That makes perfect sense!

Lin Jiu finally managed to find an excuse for himself and hung the knitted dress and underwear on the hanger with a clear conscience. He looked at the bathtub in the bathroom and felt a little tempted.

No one can resist taking a bath, no one!!

In the end, Lin Jiu gave up on the idea.

The thought that the combined water, electricity, and property management fees here were higher than the rent in the urban village made him feel increasingly distressed.

Poverty makes people rational.

She slipped off her white dress, revealing her slender figure reflected in the mirror, her skin as white as milk.

The plaster on her arm was soaked with sweat and wrinkled. Lin Jiu tore it off, folded it, and placed it on the washstand.

He tried moving his arm around; it didn't hurt, ache, or feel swollen, so he was basically fully recovered.

It doesn't look like the kind you buy from a pharmacy; it's more like a secret recipe passed down through generations of traditional Chinese medicine practitioners.

"It's so hot!"

Lin Jiu tested the water temperature and quickly filled the bucket with hot water. When it was about two-thirds full, he replaced it with cold water until it was full. After carefully testing the water temperature with his hand, he finally felt relieved enough to scoop some out to wash his hair.

Because haircuts are expensive, Lin Jiu always cuts his own hair in front of the mirror. Sometimes, he's too lazy to bother and just does a quick trim, so his hair is quite long, almost reaching his shoulders when it's all down. Although he doesn't use professional hairdressing scissors, it always feels a bit strange after a cut, but thanks to his skillful hands, he can always manage to keep it neat.

Uncle Yang once said that if he didn't show his best side, he would be letting down his guests and colleagues.

Therefore, even if Uncle Yang wasn't good at any job, he always kept his hair neatly combed, his clothes spotless, and his posture impeccable—the face of Wango Convenience Store. No matter which shift his colleagues were on duty with, they never felt uncomfortable working with him, and customers felt relaxed when they saw him.

Lin Jiu was the same way; his shifts with Uncle Yang were always the easiest. He would obediently do whatever Lin Jiu asked him to do, never complaining about being tired. If some goods were on high shelves, Uncle Yang would rush to move them down before Lin Jiu could get the ladder. Such an obedient helper… cough cough, store managers who care so much about their subordinates are rare.

Lin Jiu has always been clumsy and foolish in dealing with interpersonal relationships.

Even if it's just a little bit, Lin Jiu wants to change herself and become different from before.

Lin Jiu hoped that Wang Yuting would be happier to see him when she got home from get off work.

A scholar will die for one who understands him; a woman will adorn herself for one who appreciates her.

Yes, this statement applies perfectly to Lin Jiu and Wang Yuting.

About half an hour later, Lin Jiu came out of the shower room and dried his hair and body with a towel in the washroom. He also washed the white dress; he couldn't bring himself to put a single garment in the washing machine.

"...I almost forgot."

Lin Jiu first reflexively put on the knitted dress, and then remembered that she also had underwear.

Ahh...

This indescribable sense of security.

No more worrying about the fabric rubbing against your skin while walking.

The area under the skirt is usually cold, but now it's super warm, which is so touching it brings tears to my eyes.

"...Why does my skin seem whiter?"

Lin Jiu pinched her cheek and looked at herself in the mirror. Her complexion had become much rosier. She had looked a little sickly before, but after eating and sleeping well for the past two days, she seemed to have been reborn and looked completely refreshed.

His eyes, which had previously looked somewhat empty and dull, now appear bright and alert.