“Yes, sir, you’re a married couple anyway, and you have the same money, so why choose whose money to use?”
After she finished speaking, she glanced at Gu Zheng, and after Gu Zheng nodded, she went to swipe her card.
Xia Ran was at a loss for words, because Gu Chen would interrupt him every time, yet he couldn't bear to say anything to Gu Chen.
Gu Zheng took advantage of Xia Ran's weakness, which is why he followed him around so recklessly.
The sales clerk quickly packed the items and brought them out.
One was packaged in their shop's bag, and the other was packaged in a gift box and then in a paper bag with their shop's name on it.
Their clothing brand is considered a minor luxury brand, and these outfits cost nearly a thousand yuan each.
If it were Xia Ran who had to buy it, she would absolutely refuse. But the situation is different now; it's Gu Chen who wants to buy it.
"Sir, I have packed your clothes separately," the sales clerk said.
"Thank you." Xia Ran said thank you and was about to take it when another pair of hands took it from her.
"I'll take care of it. You and the child just need to hold hands," came Gu Zheng's voice.
Xia Ran paused for a moment, then casually withdrew her hand, but the sales clerk couldn't help but speak up again.
“Sir, you two have such a wonderful relationship, and your child is so well-behaved. You look so happy.”
Upon hearing this, Gu Zheng smiled slightly and said thank you, a rare occurrence for him.
Xia Ran felt a little uncomfortable. She had heard people say several times today that they were a perfect match and happy.
It's ironic that people are saying their relationship is happy.
"Thank you, sister." Gu Chen actually thanked the saleswoman as well.
The sales clerk was delighted by Gu Chen's sweet, childlike voice and immediately took out a handful of fruit candies from the drawer for him.
"Here, these candies are very sweet and delicious. Eating them will make you feel sweet too."
Gu Chen didn't dare to answer and subconsciously looked at Xia Ran beside him.
Xia Ran smiled and said, "Take it and thank your sister."
"Okay, thank you, sister. We'll come back to buy clothes again next time." Gu Chen took the candy from the saleswoman, and Xia Ran thanked the saleswoman before leaving with her entourage.
As Xia Ran left the store, she suddenly seemed to remember something.
He promised Xiao Chen he would braid red ropes, and since they're available now, he might as well buy them while he's at it.
"Little Daddy, are we going back now?" Gu Chen looked up at Xia Ran from the shop entrance.
"No rush, let's go shopping again and buy some more rope to braid into red ribbons."
"Great!" Gu Chen was even happier to hear that. This way, his stepfather and stepfather could spend more time together.
Xia Ran led the child forward. Usually, there are jewelry stores in shopping malls like this, and red ropes are usually plentiful.
Gu Zheng followed behind the two like a bodyguard, but he attracted much more attention than a bodyguard.
Xia Ran tried her best to ignore Gu Zheng, because it seemed there was no other way to get rid of him except by ignoring him.
Red ropes were cheap, so Xia Ran bought quite a few. On the way back, she still rode in Gu Zheng's car.
Although I really didn't want to sit, I had no choice.
However, Xia Ran still thought a lot on the way. He knew that Gu Zheng had moved to the apartment opposite their current rented place.
Xia Ran had a rough idea of why Gu Zheng wanted to live across from him, so should he talk to Gu Zheng about it?
Xia Ran glanced at Gu Chen, but ultimately decided not to discuss anything further.
He had already talked to Gu Zheng more than once or twice, but Gu Zheng still didn't listen. Talking to Gu Zheng again would be pointless.
When they got home, Gu Zheng wanted to take the two bags of clothes, but Xia Ran pretended not to see them, since he hadn't bought them anyway.
As for Xia Ran, who was originally going to buy groceries, he had already placed an order on his phone to have them delivered. The reason was simple: he didn't want to be with Gu Zheng anymore.
They got out of the elevator and walked to the door, where they found Lin Ziming carrying some things inside.
Xia Ran checked and saw that the dishes he had ordered had arrived.
"Brother Ziming, why did you come so early today?"
Although Lin Ziming no longer goes to work at the hospital, it seems he has other things to do.
Lin Ziming looked up and was somewhat surprised to see three people walking towards him together. He instinctively asked,
"What are you doing...?"
Xia Ran immediately understood what Lin Ziming meant from his expression and quickly spoke up.
"Today is a parent-child activity at the children's kindergarten."
Lin Ziming understood everything after his explanation. However, Gu Zheng behind him had a dark expression, and at the same time, a slight pain spread through his heart.
Is Xia Ran so eager to sever ties with him?
"Then let's go inside. Grandpa and the others are inside. They said you ordered all these groceries and had them delivered. Actually, you could have just called and asked me to buy them. Why did you have to order them on your phone? By the way, did you buy these things? I didn't dare take them inside when they were delivered."
Lin Ziming pointed to some bags next to the door.
Xia Ran took a look and realized that the clothes were the ones he had bought for his grandfather.
"Yes, these are some clothes I bought for my grandfather."
Xia Ran let go of Gu Chen's hand and then picked up the clothes.
"Ranran, I..." Gu Zheng saw that Xia Ran was completely ignoring him, so he couldn't help but call out Xia Ran's name.
Xia Ran then seemed to remember that there was someone else beside her and turned to look at Gu Zheng.
"Please wait here for a moment. I'll take my things inside first and then pay you back for the clothes. I don't like owing people money."
His words made it seem as if the two were complete strangers.
Gu Zheng felt a pang of pain in his heart. "Ranran, those things don't cost much, just take them."
"No need, one is one, and two is two. Xiao Chen, do you want to go in or what?"
After refuting Gu Zheng, Xia Ran looked at Gu Chen beside her.
Gu Chen noticed that Xia Ran's mood was somewhat serious, and he didn't dare to speak up for his father, so he could only nod and go inside.
However, before going inside, he took the bag from Gu Zheng's hand.
Xia Ran didn't say anything after seeing this, but just followed the child inside. Gu Zheng wanted to follow, or perhaps he wanted to pull Xia Ran aside to say something, but Lin Ziming blocked him.
You can't go in here.
"On what grounds?" Gu Zheng said coldly.
Lin Ziming couldn't help but chuckle upon hearing this, and said,
"Why should I? You're asking me why? Don't you think that's a bit ridiculous? Shouldn't you be the one asking me why?"
Gu Zheng's expression grew increasingly grim. "Get out of the way."
“Sorry, I can’t move.” Lin Ziming shrugged. “I’m free to come and go as I please here. Why should I move aside? And what right do you have to make me move aside? By the way, if you dare to come in, I’ll have to call the police and say that someone has trespassed.”
After saying that, he turned around and went inside. Because Xia Ran had told Gu Zheng to wait a moment, he didn't close the door.
Gu Zheng stood at the door with his fists clenched, not daring to go in.
He knew Xia Ran's attitude towards him better than anyone else. If he went in rashly at this time, it would only make Xia Ran hate him even more.
He glanced at the door opposite and then opened it.
Of course, he didn't go in right away, because Xia Ran said he would come out later.
Although he came out to return the money to him, he couldn't help but want to wait here so that he could talk to Xia Ran a little longer.
Xia Ran went in and came out again very quickly, this time without Gu Chen following her.
Xia Ran knew that it was inconvenient to say certain things if Gu Chen was with her.
When he arrived at the door and saw the door across the street wide open, his eyes flickered slightly.
"Show me your mobile payment QR code, and I'll transfer the money to you."
"Ranran, I..."
"I told you, show me your mobile payment QR code, and I'll transfer the money to you."
Chapter 378 More Loss Than Gain
Xia Ran's tone was very serious and firm, so Gu Zheng, who wanted to say something more, could only obediently take out his phone and press the payment code.
If we don't bring it out now, Xia Ran will get angry later, and that would be counterproductive.
Xia Ran glanced at the bill when the cashier swiped his card, so he knew the price. He didn't give less or give the exact amount; he just added more to the bill, making it a round number.
Upon seeing this scene, Gu Zheng's lips twitched as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he remained silent.
After transferring the money, Xia Ran turned around and went back, even slamming the door shut behind her.
Gu Zheng instinctively wanted to take a step forward, but all he saw was a door.
Looking at the door in front of him, Gu Zheng felt a deep sense of disappointment, but in the end, he sighed silently and went through the door opposite.
Although he was already very close to Xia Ran, looking at the lifeless room, he couldn't help but feel sad and disappointed.
On the other hand, Xia Ran and her group were having a lively time.
Mr. Lin and Grandpa Xia were looking through the clothes that Xia Ran had bought for Grandpa Xia with the child.
"Oh, Xiao Ran, you have excellent taste. This outfit is really beautiful and suits Grandpa perfectly."
Xia Ran smiled and said, "It's alright, I just bought them randomly. But this one deserves a special introduction."
He took out the clothes that Gu Chen had bought. "Oh, these are for my great-grandfather. Xiao Chen said he wanted to use his own allowance and New Year's money to buy them for him."
"Really?" The old man's eyes lit up considerably. "Did Xiao Chen really buy this for me?"
“Of course, why would I lie to you about this?” Xia Ran said.
"Oh, my dear great-grandfather's precious darling." Grandpa Xia immediately hugged Gu Chen into his arms. "I really love this outfit of yours. It will definitely keep you warm."
Gu Chen: "I'm glad that Great-Grandpa likes it. When I have money in the future, I will buy more for Great-Grandpa."