On the weekend, Su Xiaotian asked Su Xiaocao to go shopping.
With only boys at home, Su Xiaotian was the only girl and felt quite lonely.
Especially on weekends when she wanted to go shopping, she had no one to accompany her.
Earlier, Su Xiaomei could accompany her.
Later, Su Xiaomei got married, and Su Xiaotian really wished she had a sister or friend to hang out with.
Su Xiaocao's arrival made her incredibly happy.
Although Su Xiaocao had not yet decided to apply for graduate studies in the capital and planned to return to her teaching position, Su Xiaotian felt that Su Xiaocao was already leaning towards it.
Perhaps, with her persuasive words, she could convince Su Xiaocao to stay.
The two had a clear destination today: buying shoes.
Su Xiaotian intended to buy shoes for Su Xiaocao, while Su Xiaocao's intention was to accompany Su Xiaotian in buying shoes.
Su Xiaotian could earn money, but she actually had very few places to spend it.
Her food, clothing, and daily necessities were mostly prepared by others.
For example, her clothes were mostly sent from Su Taohua's factory.
Whenever a new style was released, a size for Su Xiaotian was sent along.
In addition, when her brothers went out, they would think of her if they encountered good clothes.
Other major contributors to her wardrobe were her godmother Yu Ruiyuan and second godmother Fan Shufang.
These two prepared her clothes for all seasons, even matching hair accessories for her.
In contrast, Su Xiaocao's clothes were very simple and looked like old styles.
She was still wearing cloth shoes, not at all like a young girl who cared about her appearance.
The two walked and looked around, not in a hurry.
In the past two years, Beijing had opened up considerably. Shopping was no longer limited to state-run stores and supply cooperatives.
Many clothing and shoe stores had opened in Beijing.
There was a wide range of choices.
Su Xiaotian had planned well: after buying her desired shoes, she would visit the antique street.
In the past two years, Su Xiaotian felt that the chances of finding good items on the antique street were decreasing.
She used to go almost every month, but this time she hadn't been for two months.
"Sister Xiaocao, let's each buy a pair of sandals today, and buy for everyone at home too. What do you think?"
Recently, some fashion-conscious girls at school had started wearing heeled sandals.
Although the styles were somewhat plain compared to later eras, they were undeniably quite attractive.
Su Xiaotian herself hadn't considered wearing heeled sandals; she was still too young for high heels.
She intended to recommend high heels to Su Xiaocao.
But she knew that if she didn't buy a pair, Su Xiaocao would definitely not buy one.
The clothes Su Xiaocao was wearing were dresses that Aunt Taohua had specifically sent her after she came to Beijing.
The dresses were all in the popular styles in Beijing at the time, but they really didn't match the shoes Su Xiaocao was wearing.
There was nothing produced by Aunt Taohua's clothing factory that didn't become popular.
Even Su Xiaotian was very surprised by this.
Even she had to sigh at Aunt Taohua's excellent taste.
"I won't buy any. It's fine to wear cloth shoes," Su Xiaocao said hesitantly.
She didn't have much money left.
She also planned to bring back some gifts for her family when she returned.
The small leather sandals that were popular in Beijing; a female colleague at school had bought a pair a few days ago, and it was said to cost over thirty yuan. She was reluctant to spend that much.
"Sister Xiaocao, let's just buy one pair."
Su Xiaotian's skill in acting cute was impeccable; even Su Xiaocao almost couldn't resist.
"How about this, I won't buy sandals, but a pair of leather shoes?"
Su Xiaocao thought that sandals would only be worn for two months. If she bought a pair of leather shoes, she could wear them for a longer period.
Su Xiaotian wasn't insistent. Anyway, they could see when they got there, and perhaps Sister Xiaocao would like something herself without needing further persuasion.
At this moment, someone pushing a cart selling ice pops passed by.
Su Xiaotian saw it and felt that the weather was getting hotter.
She ran over and bought two popsicles.
"Sister Xiaocao, one for each of us."
The price of one popsicle wasn't very expensive, only fifty cents.
But if Su Xiaocao were to buy it herself, she would indeed be reluctant.
Fifty cents, gone in a few bites.
But since Su Xiaotian had already bought them, Su Xiaocao didn't stand on ceremony.
Su Xiaotian bought pure cream popsicles. Eating them, she tasted not only the coolness but also the pure cream flavor.
She couldn't help but marvel at the authentic flavors of the popsicles from this era.
Such ice cream, good quality and cheap, genuine and honest, was much better than the "ice cream assassins" that cost tens or even hundreds of yuan later on.
"Sister Xiaocao, this popsicle has the best flavor I've ever tasted. Do you like this flavor?" Su Xiaotian's eyes were half-closed as she ate.
In her past life, she had eaten good things that weren't good. But at that time, almost all food flavors were impure.
Or perhaps, it was because the people eating them had lost their original sentiment.
At least that was the case for Su Xiaotian. In this period of her past life, her life was bleak, and even later, her mood remained gloomy. How could she feel such happiness now?
"I think this flavor is also good, but I still prefer taro flavor," Su Xiaocao said.
Su Sanggong had bought her a taro-flavored popsicle the previous weekend.
That popsicle had sweetened Su Xiaocao's heart, adding a bit of sweetness to her previously gloomy mood.
She felt that the sweetness of this popsicle might prevent her life from being too bitter in the future.
"I like taro flavor too, but they don't have it today."
Su Xiaotian had no intention of telling Su Xiaocao that she actually liked all flavors of popsicles.
However, her family didn't allow her to eat too many, saying it wasn't good for girls to consume too many cold things.
But how could Sister Xiaocao, who was so frugal, afford to spend money on popsicles?
Su Xiaotian only doubted it for a moment before giving up on this troublesome question.
Although Sister Xiaocao was very frugal, she was still a salary earner. Buying a popsicle with her own money wasn't a big deal.
Su Xiaocao thought of Su Sanggong and still felt a little sad.
But she had come to terms with many things recently. Since she had known from the start that this relationship was destined to be impossible, why should she be sad?
Having once liked someone was enough, wasn't it?
Su Xiaocao decided that one should let oneself go with the flow.
They walked and talked while eating, very happily.
Just then, Su Xiaocao suddenly saw a speeding car about to hit someone ahead.
Without a second thought, Su Xiaocao rushed forward and pushed the person out of the way.
Su Xiaotian hadn't noticed. By the time she reacted, she saw Su Xiaocao and the person Su Xiaocao had saved both fall to the side of the road.
The driver of the car was clearly frightened. After skidding for a distance, the car finally stopped, and the driver rushed out.
"Are you alright?"
The young man and Su Xiaotian ran over together.
Su Xiaocao clutched her arm, her expression not quite natural. Su Xiaotian guessed she must be injured.