Once inside the supermarket, the two headed to the daily necessities section first to pick out slippers.

  Xiao Wanqing looked at the shelves lined with several rows of slippers, then turned to Lin Xian with a smile. “What style or color do you like?”

  Lin Xian casually picked up a pair to inspect, the corners of her lips lifting in a sly grin. “Aunt Xiao, why don’t you guess? What do you think I like?”

  Xiao Wanqing chuckled softly, gave Lin Xian a quick once-over, then confidently reached for a pair of flat slippers from the top shelf with a Totoro cartoon print. Holding them out, she smiled, “I think you'd like these.”

  Lin Xian blinked at the slippers in surprise and accepted them with delight. “These are so cute!” she beamed. Then, looking up with sparkling eyes, she asked, “How did you guess?”

  Xiao Wanqing looked at her childlike smile, clearly amused. “When you were little, I asked your mom what you liked for your birthday. She said you loved Totoro. And earlier when we were unpacking your clothes, I noticed a few T-shirts with Totoro prints. So I figured… maybe your preferences haven't changed.”

  Lin Xian clutched the slippers and gasped, “You still remember something from so long ago?”

  Xiao Wanqing gave a gentle hum, blinked playfully, and with a deeper smile added, “And that’s not the only thing I remember about you.”

  Lin Xian suddenly stiffened, as if reminded of something. She quickly took the shopping basket from Xiao Wanqing, dropped the slippers in, and strode ahead casually. “Let’s go get the other stuff,” she called back.

  Xiao Wanqing watched her scamper off, a chuckle bubbling up despite herself.

  They lingered a while longer, buying mugs, shampoo, shower gel, sanitary pads, and then moved on to the fresh produce section.

  When it came to buying pads, Lin Xian couldn’t help feeling shy. Even though she’d had her period for years, she’d never actually bought them herself—Zhou Qin always handled it. She glanced nervously at the strangers around her, feeling oddly self-conscious.

  Xiao Wanqing, however, browsed calmly and confidently, inspecting each brand and type. Standing beside Lin Xian, she noticed the girl’s hesitance and instantly understood. She tucked her hair behind her ear and gently asked, “What brand do you usually use? Cotton or mesh?”

  Lin Xian’s fair ears flushed bright red. She hesitated a moment, then murmured, “Sofy. Mesh.”

  Xiao Wanqing smiled, lightly touched Lin Xian’s burning ear, and said warmly, “Got it. Next time, I’ll get them for you.” Then she picked out several packs—day use, night use, and even extra-long night pads—and placed them in Lin Xian’s basket. She then took the basket handle with a smile. “Let me carry it.”

  Lin Xian hesitated, but seeing those obviously pink Sofy packs in the basket, she finally gave in and let go. “I’ll get another basket later for the vegetables,” she said.

  Xiao Wanqing nodded. “Sounds good. I remember there’s a supply near the fresh food section. Fruits and veggies can be heavy—hope you don’t mind.”

  The girl’s eyes sparkled. “No problem. I’m strong.”

  At the produce section, Xiao Wanqing asked sincerely, “Do you have any dislikes? Any particular tastes?”

  The shelves were full, but Lin Xian frowned slightly—aside from fruits and a few vegetables she recognized, most of the raw items were strangers to her. She thought for a bit. “I don’t like cilantro or durian. Anything else is fine. But I can’t handle very salty or spicy food.”

  The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  Xiao Wanqing smiled with approval. “Not picky. That’s good.” She reached for some eggplant, but Lin Xian quickly interrupted, “I… don’t really like eggplant.”

  Xiao Wanqing paused, then shifted toward the water bamboo shoots next to the eggplants.

  Lin Xian hesitated again. “I… don’t think water bamboo is very tasty either…”

  Xiao Wanqing froze again, then turned to look at Lin Xian with a laugh in her eyes. Lin Xian blinked sheepishly and rushed to her side, pointing at some tomatoes. “These look good.”

  The tomato section was crowded. Xiao Wanqing had no space to stand, so she moved behind and slightly to the side of Lin Xian, close enough to reach over and pick tomatoes. As she picked, she softly whispered by Lin Xian’s ear, “Xianxian, don’t be shy. We’re family now. You can treat me like your closest aunt. Just tell me what you like or need, okay?”

  Lin Xian felt the gentle warmth of her breath against her ear, and it tickled her heart like a feather—soft and teasing. The next second, Xiao Wanqing seemed to realize it too and subtly took a small step back.

  Lin Xian noticed the shift—the warmth faded. She nodded slightly. “Mm.”

  Most of the shoppers around them were women in their 30s or 40s, some with kids or husbands. Xiao Wanqing stood out effortlessly, her elegance almost out of place in the mundane setting.

  As she leaned over the apple stand, her hair gently fell forward, partially obscuring her face—creating a graceful, poetic image.

  Lin Xian noticed a few men openly staring, their eyes rudely roaming over Xiao Wanqing. She quietly stepped in front of her, blocking their gaze, and shot them sharp glares until they awkwardly looked away.

  She turned to study Xiao Wanqing’s serene, gentle face and couldn’t help but smile, remembering those men’s shameless expressions.

  Xiao Wanqing heard her chuckle and looked up. “What are you laughing at?”

  Lin Xian helped carry the apples and grinned. “I was just thinking about my mom’s unnecessary worrying.”

  “Hm? What do you mean?”

  “She’s always worried that you’re still single at your age, always trying to set you up. She thinks the older you get, the harder it’ll be to find someone. But honestly,” Lin Xian smiled sincerely, “you’re so beautiful and gentle. Whoever gets to marry you is winning the lottery. It’s not about you finding someone—it’s about who’s worthy of you.”

  Even Xiao Wanqing, usually composed, blushed at the compliment. She reached out and pinched Lin Xian’s chin. “Did you sneak some honey earlier? Why is your mouth so sweet?”

  Lin Xian giggled, her teeth gleaming. “Every word is the truth. Straight from the heart.”

  Xiao Wanqing laughed, soft and indulgent. “Such a little smooth-talker.” She turned toward the grapes, but after a few steps, suddenly looked back with a playful glint in her eyes. “You know, years ago, there was this little girl who cried in front of everyone saying she wanted to marry me. If I actually got married, what would happen to that poor little girl?”

  Lin Xian had been dreading that exact memory coming up. When Xiao Wanqing mentioned it, she froze in embarrassment. But she tried to keep cool and cleared her throat. “I think that little girl probably forgot all about it by now.”

  Xiao Wanqing just smiled. “Oh?” her expression unreadable.

  Under that gaze, Lin Xian felt her face getting hotter. Finally, she couldn’t take it anymore. She stomped her foot and huffed, “Don’t bring that up again!”

  Xiao Wanqing chuckled, her warm eyes rippling with amusement.

  Lin Xian grabbed her arm, shook it playfully. “Aunt Xiao, let’s both forget about it, okay? You have no idea how long people teased me because of it.”

  Xiao Wanqing couldn’t resist her whining and gave in, smiling gently. “Alright, I won’t mention it again. If anyone does, they’re a puppy. Deal?”

  Satisfied, Lin Xian rubbed her cheek against her arm and grinned. “You’re the best.”

  Xiao Wanqing poked her nose, amused. “You little rascal.”

  Sensing the good mood, Lin Xian tried her luck. “Aunt Xiao, can I call you by your name in private? I feel like calling you ‘aunt’ makes you sound old.”

  Xiao Wanqing wasn’t bothered. “I am an old aunt, though.”

  “No way,” Lin Xian pouted. “My mom is the one who’s an old aunt.”

  That cracked Xiao Wanqing up. “If your mom hears this, I’m telling on you.”

  Lin Xian grinned sweetly. “I know you won’t. So… can I?”

  Xiao Wanqing gently fixed the slipping strap on Lin Xian’s shoulder. “You can call me whatever you like.”

  Lin Xian beamed, bright and silly like a happy little kid.

  Xiao Wanqing picked out the grapes and took the basket from Lin Xian, heading to the weighing counter. Lin Xian didn’t follow.

  Halfway there, she heard someone behind her call her name in that crisp, youthful voice. “Xiao Wanqing…”

  Something inside Xiao Wanqing stirred—like a quiet string being gently plucked—but the feeling faded almost immediately.

  She turned and saw Lin Xian standing ten steps away, smiling at her with her head tilted.

  Step by step, Lin Xian walked toward her, savoring the name on her tongue. “Xiao Wanqing… your name is so beautiful.”

  Xiao Wanqing looked at her and, infected by her warmth, felt something soft blooming in her chest.

  She let Lin Xian hook her arm, smiled tenderly, and said, “Let’s go weigh these, then we’ll check out and head home.”