“Yes!” said Xiao Baoshan.
Xiao Baozhu, standing beside Ye Xiaoxian, said, “Sister-in-law, is it that you don’t want it? If you don’t you might as well give it to me. I don’t even have a bangle.”
Ye Xiaoxian took the bangle from Xiao Baoshan hurriedly and put it in her clothes. “I’ll keep this for now. Baoshan, do buy one for Baozhu and Ma.”
See, women are always like this. If everyone has one she thinks you don’t take her seriously, but when she is the only who has it she feels sorry for others who don’t have one. Xiao Baoshan did not understand this until now.
Li Hongmei then said, “It’s fairly late now, shall we hurry up and go to the tailor’s to have our sizes measured and let the tailor make our clothes for us? Otherwise we won’t have time when we open up later.”
Ye Xiaoxian suddenly thought about Xiao Baoshan. “All of us have new fabrics but what about you?”
“…” Xiao Baoshan did not realize that he had not bought one for himself until now.
Ye Xiaoxian could tell from his expression that he did not buy one for himself, so she could not help saying, “You’re indeed a thickhead!”
…
The seven of them marched into the nearby tailor’s and got measured one by one. They then went back to the restaurant to deal with the rest of their work.
Li Hongmei also hurried up and got herself measured. Seeing that Xiao Baozhu was also done she then dragged her daughter away, leaving Ye Xiaoxian and Xiao Baoshan stay together alone.
Inside the tailor’s were only the owner, Ye Xiaoxian and Xiao Baoshan.
“Baoshan, you need to get a new outfit also,” said Ye Xiaoxian. “There are some materials here, why don’t we ask the owner to get you measured up.”
The owner was a woman and looked rather coquettish.
The moment Baoshan stepped inside her eyes shone and immediately wanted to measure Baoshan up, but did not expect that he was the only one without any cloth. As Ye Xiaoxian asked Baoshan to make a new outfit here she was so eager to just pick up the ruler and do him. Although he was anothers’ man it would not be too much if she just groped him!
Ye Xiaoxian did not find getting measured a big deal originally and besides, Baoshan was a man, but when she saw the owner’s gaze she suddenly felt that Baoshan was going to be taken advantage of. She suddenly stepped forward blocking the tailor and chuckled. “I almost forgot that we haven’t chosen the material.”
“We might as well get the measurement done first and then choose the size,” said the owner.
“Not really, we’d better choose the material first.” Ye Xiaoxian smiled.
She then pulled Xiao Baoshan over. “Baoshan, have a look, which of these do you like?”
Xiao Baoshan lowered his head seeing that Ye Xiaoxian’s hand was in his arm, looking rather comfortable.
“This one then.” Xiao Baoshan pointed to a dark blue cotton fabric.
“Right, let’s get this one then,” Ye Xiaoxian then said to the tailor. “Owner, we’re ready to get the measurement done.”
As Ye Xiaoxian was stood right beside Xiao Baoshan the owner felt it inappropriate to grope Xiao Baoshan, so she measured him up in a well-behaved manner and said, “Right, just come over and fetch your clothes in seven days time.”
The owner still exclaimed silently: Such a large figure. What a shame that I can only look but am not allowed to touch.
“Thank you, owner.” Ye Xiaoxian smiled and then they walked out of the tailor’s one by one.
While walking in the street Ye Xiaoxian tried to break the ice, so she started chatting with Baoshan. “How’s your job been recently? Is sailing in ships too much work?”
“It’s alright, not really. I’ve made some money and I’ll give it to you to look after,” said Xiao Baoshan.
“Just…just give it to Ma,” said Ye Xiaoxian.
“I’d better give it to you. It’s better for the same person do the accounts in our family.” He then asked Ye Xiaoxian, “How’s business at the restaurant? Has anyone been causing any trouble again?”
“Grandpa dropped by once lately but didn’t stay long. Maybe he’s not used to life here.” Ye Xiaoxian smiled.
“Grandpa is getting old and behaves like a child. Don’t be serious with him but you don’t need to pamper him either,” said Xiao Baoshan.
“Yes, I know,” Ye Xiaoxian replied.
She did not know why but had been feeling that Xiao Baoshan was very warm towards her this time after returning, far more than ever.
The tailor’s was not far away so they arrived before long.
Ye Xiaoxian then asked Xiao Baoshan, “How long are you going to stay this time?”
“Two or three days maybe. I can’t do much even though I’m back. I can’t really give you a hand,” said Xiao Baoshan.
“You’ve been overworked while sailing, without enough food to eat or proper room to live in, and it’s so dangerous. Just get more rest now you are back.” Ye Xiaoxian said.
Xiao Baoshan glanced at Ye Xiaoxian’s wrist and found that she had not worn the bangle, so he reminded her. “Little Ye, that bangle…”
“Oh, I really like the bangle. I’ll put it on now.” Ye Xiaoxian quickly fished out the bangle from her pocket.
Despite looking big, the bangle kept getting stuck around the palm. Ye Xiaoxian could not get it on properly.
She was about say that she would get some soap from the yard to lubricated it when Xiao Baoshan suddenly held her hands, not knowing what kind of method he used, he just gave the bangle a little push and it slid onto her wrist.
Her wrist just felt a tiny bit sore.
“How did you do that?” asked Ye Xiaoxian.
Xiao Baoshan smiled shortly. “I just used a bit of strength. Did I hurt you?”
“No, not at all,” said Ye Xiaoxian.
She found that Xiao Baoshan was still holding her wrist. His hands were really rough with all kinds of calluses but the roughness somehow reassured her. She was not sure if she should take her hands back. Looking up again she saw that he was also staring at her hands.
Seeing this, she withdrew her hand as fast lightening and said shyly, “Look at me, my hands are already as coarse as bark.”
She had been washing food ingredients and cooking dishes all day long, how could her hands not become coarse?
“Your hands are nimble,” said Xiao Baoshan.
Ye Xiaoxian was thinking: He means that I cook good food.
…
The restaurant had already opened up but it was still early and there were not many customers. Ye Xiaoxian then prepared all the ingredients for her dishes, such as ground garlic and ginger, then got the broth done and made the desserts which they were going to give out for free that day.
While she was cooking, the bangle Xiao Baoshan gave was dangling back and forth on her wrist. If it were one she bought herself she perhaps would not wear it any longer. As a chef, any accessory on her hands was a burden to her.
But this was a gift from Xiao Baoshan and she somehow felt as if she had seen Xiao Baoshan when she looked at the bangle.
Ye Xiaoxian then thought that maybe she should also put on the hairpin he gave her.
What was Xiao Baoshan busy with in the backyard?
There were just three rooms in the back and now they had Little Five and Little Six, so he had to crash with them. She wondered if he would feel comfortable.
Huh, how come I’ve started to worry about his living conditions? Hadn’t I lost all hope in him already?
Why is my hope rekindled just because he gave me a bangle with two pieces of cloth?
Is it in fact only because he’s hot?