A Night of Unexpected Gifts and Anxiety

Chen Ran dragged me into a secluded alley where there was barely anyone around. Jiang Zilin hurriedly reached for her phone, insisting on transferring the money she had just spent on a gift to me.

“No, Zilin, I have money,” I protested, but she cut me off.

“What money? You haven’t been paid since last month, and I’ve been supporting you!”

I fell silent, knowing she was right. Despite her social anxiety, Jiang Zilin was the one who managed the household finances, handling everything from chores to daily expenses. As a result, she had quite a savings stash. However, I was now in a different situation, with more money than I knew what to do with. One hundred and forty thousand, enough to buy countless birthday gifts. So, I decided to share the wealth.

“I’m serious, Zilin. I’ve been working on the weekends, and I’ve earned a lot.” I explained, “I’ve been modeling for TV commercials.”

“Really?” she asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.

“Yeah, with my looks and build, modeling is a breeze,” I said, feeling a sense of pride. But Jiang Zilin remained firm, insisting on transferring the money. I sighed, knowing there was no changing her mind. She could be stubborn at times, but this was just her way of showing care. I thought it would be nice to help them out, to ease some of their financial burden. Jiang Zilin, despite managing the household, saved every penny she could for gifts and necessities. This was a habit I was all too familiar with, as both sisters were skilled at saving money. After a brief hesitation, I took the gift bag from Jiang Zilin and walked back to the bustling main street. It was nearly eight at night.

“Should we head back?” I asked softly, noticing her nervous demeanor. She was looking around, eyeing the tall buildings and vibrant shops with a mix of longing and apprehension. Her hands fidgeted with the hem of her shirt.

“Do you want to keep shopping?” I asked gently, sensing her inner conflict. For someone like Jiang Zilin, going out was a rare treat. She was drawn to the new experiences but held back by her anxiety. “It’s no trouble,” I assured her, taking her hand. Her palm was damp with sweat, a sign of her nerves. “Let’s buy something for Cold, Mom, and you too. What do you think?”

She nodded shyly, her grip tightening on my hand, offering a sense of mutual comfort. We continued our stroll through the city, her hand still in mine. Despite her anxiety, she frequently called out my name, fearing she might lose sight of me in the crowd. Her questions poured in—”Where are we going? How much longer? Did we take a wrong turn?”—each one punctuated by a deep breath. Her unique style made us quite a spectacle. As we entered a shopping mall, a new challenge emerged. Buying shoes for Cold and a bag for Mom was straightforward, just a matter of picking something nice. For Cold, I chose a pair of sleek, brown patent leather shoes, perfect for her school uniform. For Mom, we settled on a practical bag from the mall. But choosing an outfit for Jiang Zilin was another story. She had no experience shopping for herself, and trying on new clothes was daunting. After a long wait outside the fitting room, with the salesgirl’s smile starting to waver, I received a panicked message from Jiang Zilin: “Help!” I entered the fitting room to find her still in her oversized hoodie and cargo pants, clutching the new clothes I had picked out, looking utterly lost.

“What’s wrong, Zilin?” I asked, noticing her trembling in front of the mirror.

“The mirror…” she stammered, pointing at the full-length mirror on the wall. “I… I can’t…

“You don’t like trying clothes on in front of a mirror?” I guessed, realizing the issue. The mirror was an integral part of the small fitting room, and there was no way to cover it. “How about this?” I suggested, turning around and pressing my back against the mirror, effectively blocking her view. “Is this better?”

“Y-yes, but don’t peek!” she stammered, her voice gaining confidence in the privacy of the small space. I nodded, and soon, I could hear the rustling of fabric behind me. Time seemed to slow in the cramped space, and I couldn’t help but notice the softness of her skin and the gentle scent of her body wash, reminiscent of a baby’s delicate fragrance. My mind wandered to the vast expanse of her body, wondering if the faint aroma was a clue to her allure.