Born in the 1980s, she was remarried and became a stepmother; a cold, rough man doted on her, pinchi

Chapter 51 Buying New Year’s Goods
The next morning, Jiang Man woke up to the sound of roosters crowing.

As soon as I opened my eyes, those ambiguous scenes from last night flooded my mind like a surging tide.

Her cheeks flushed crimson, as if a flame had been lit, and her eyes revealed a hint of shyness and panic.

She instinctively wrapped herself tightly in the blanket, as if the blanket was a sturdy fortress against her embarrassing feelings, capable of hiding all the emotions that made her heart race and her thoughts turbulent within it.

Meanwhile, Qin Yishen in the next room also got up early.

He stood quietly by the window, his deep eyes gazing at the tranquil and peaceful scenery outside, but his thoughts, like a wild horse, involuntarily drifted back to last night.

The gentle touch and the ambiguous atmosphere, like a fine spring rain, silently nourished the parched field in his heart, causing ripples that were hard to quell to spread across his heart.

He frowned slightly, trying to use his rational hands to sort out his chaotic thoughts, but when he thought of Jiang Man's shy appearance, like a flower bud about to bloom in spring, an uncontrollable flutter surged in his heart. That flutter was like a warm current, slowly spreading throughout his body, and an unnatural blush appeared on his face, like the clouds on the horizon.

Just as the two were immersed in their shyness and memories, a crisp knock on the door broke the silence.

Wang Xiu's cheerful and enthusiastic voice, like a spring breeze, drifted in from outside the door: "Brother and sister-in-law, are you up yet? We need to go to town to buy New Year's goods today!"

Qin Yi took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down, and replied, "Get up, get up!"

Hearing the noise in the room, Jiang Man hurriedly got up, her slender fingers frantically tidying her clothes and hair.

She walked to the mirror, looked at her rosy cheeks, like a ripe peach, and gently patted them, trying to make the blush fade a little.

But that shy expression was like a brand, impossible to hide. She sighed helplessly and could only bite the bullet and leave the room.

When Jiang Man and Qin Yishen met in the courtyard, their eyes met, like two lightning bolts colliding in the air, and then quickly looked away. A subtle awkwardness and shyness filled the air, as if an invisible veil was gently enveloping them.

Wang Xiu and Xu Laosan seemed unaware of the strangeness between the two. Wang Xiu said with a smile, "Let's go, we need to get there early. There are a lot of people in town, and if we go too late, all the good stuff will be gone."

Along the way, Wang Xiu and Xu Laosan walked ahead, chatting and laughing about the fun they had had buying New Year's goods in previous years. Wang Xiu's laughter was as clear as a silver bell, echoing in the air: "Do you remember last year? We went too late, and all the big red lanterns we wanted to buy were gone. I was so worried."

Xu Laosan chimed in from the side, a simple, honest smile on his face. Jiang Man and Qin Yishen followed silently behind, maintaining a distance that was neither too close nor too far, as if separated by an invisible stream.

No one spoke first; only the soft sound of footsteps on the ground could be heard.

Occasionally, Qin Yishen would steal a glance at Jiang Man. He saw her with her head down, her long, silky hair falling down to cover her slightly flushed cheeks, her eyes darting away. Her shy appearance stirred his heart, as if an invisible hand was gently plucking at his heartstrings.

Jiang Man could also feel Qin Yishen's gaze. Her heartbeat quickened involuntarily, like a rapid drumbeat, and her steps became somewhat flustered, as if the road beneath her feet had become rugged and difficult to walk.

Upon arriving in town, they were immediately enveloped by a bustling scene that seemed to surge like a tidal wave.

The streets were lined with all kinds of New Year's goods. The bright red Spring Festival couplets resembled burning flames, the festive New Year paintings depicted auspicious patterns, the dazzling array of candies and pastries exuded an enticing sweet aroma, and the glistening cured meats and sausages hanging on the shelves seemed to be showing people the abundance of the New Year.

The sounds of laughter and bargaining mingled together, creating a vibrant scene brimming with the festive spirit of the New Year. Wang Xiu excitedly pulled Jiang Man along, like a nimble fish weaving between the various stalls.

"Sister-in-law, look how well these Spring Festival couplets are written, and the characters are beautiful too. Let's buy a pair and put them up."

Jiang Man smiled and nodded, her smile like a flower blooming in spring, seemingly infected by the lively atmosphere and temporarily forgetting her shyness. She and Wang Xiu selected Spring Festival couplets, occasionally haggling with the stall owner, their clear voices echoing in the air. "Boss, can you make these Spring Festival couplets a little cheaper? We want to buy a few more."

The stall owner responded with a smile: "Young lady, this is already the lowest price. Look at the quality, it's definitely worth the price."

Qin Yishen and Xu Laosan were looking at the various New Year's goods. Xu Laosan picked up a piece of cured meat, examined it carefully with his rough hands, and said, "This cured meat has a good balance of fat and lean meat, it looks pretty good, what do you think, brother?"

Qin Yishen snapped out of his reverie and replied, "Yes, that's good. Buy more so we can eat them during the New Year."

His gaze kept drifting towards Jiang Man's direction. Watching her graceful figure, a smile unconsciously crept onto his lips, a smile as bright as a star twinkling in the night sky.

Jiang Man was drawn to the colorful candies at a candy stall.

Like an iron block drawn to a magnet, she picked up a piece of candy and examined it closely. The crystal-clear candy wrapper, encasing the sweet candy, exuded an enticing aroma, like a dazzling gemstone.

Seeing this, Qin Yishen stepped forward and said softly, "Buy more if you like."

Jiang Man raised her head and looked at him, her eyes filled with a hint of shyness.

"okay."

As time went by, they accumulated more and more New Year's goods.

Looking at her bountiful haul, Wang Xiu said with satisfaction, "That's about it. Let's go buy some more firecrackers and then we can head back."

So they headed toward the shop that sold firecrackers.

At the entrance of the firecracker shop, Qin Yishen carefully selected firecrackers, asking Jiang Man and Wang Xiu for their opinions: "What do you think of these firecrackers? They're loud and relatively safe."

"It's good, let's buy this one."

After buying the firecrackers, they set off on their way home. The sun was already setting, and its afterglow cast long shadows on them, like loyal companions.

Along the way, the atmosphere between Jiang Man and Qin Yishen was no longer as awkward as it had been on the way there. They started chatting casually, sharing memories and customs about the New Year.

"When I was a child, what I looked forward to most during the Chinese New Year was setting off firecrackers. Every time, my friends and I would compete to see whose firecrackers were the loudest."

Qin Yishen said with a smile, his eyes sparkling with childlike innocence. Jiang Man also replied with a smile, "Me too, but I'm a bit timid, so I only dare to watch from the side."

Their laughter echoed in the air, and the slight shyness gradually melted away in the warm atmosphere, like ice and snow melting under the warm sun.

Back home, they tidied up all the New Year's goods. Wang Xiu went into the kitchen to prepare dinner, and the clattering of pots and pans filled the air like a cheerful symphony. Xu Laosan helped out, handing over seasonings and washing vegetables, busy as a bee.

Jiang Man and Qin Yishen also came to the kitchen to help. The four of them were busy in the kitchen, and laughter filled the air. Their laughter was like leaping musical notes, playing a harmonious melody in the air.

At dinner, the table was laden with a sumptuous feast.

Wang Xiu said with a smile, "Everyone is tired today, so eat more."