The two stepped outside and immediately found themselves on a bustling, prosperous street. Everyone was wearing clothes in the city’s distinctive style. Nanci pointed to a clothing store and said, “Edward, why don’t we also buy clothes in their style to blend in? I think they look quite nice, don’t you think so?”
Edward didn’t answer but simply led Nanci directly to a nearby clothing store. The sales assistant greeted them warmly, “Hello, sir and madam. How may I help you?”
Nanci replied, “We want to buy some clothes. Do you only have women’s clothing here?”
“Yes, would you like me to show you there?”
Edward said, “I’ll accompany you first, then I’ll go look for myself. Let’s pick for each other. You have difficulty making choices, right? With me here, you don’t need to worry.”
Nanci smiled and said, “I’ve noticed that on this trip, you’ve become somewhat different. You have been busy with being jealous or speaking sweet words. Have you been staying up all night talking with Issac behind my back?”
“I’ve been by your side the whole time. When would I have time to stay up all night talking with him? Didn’t you say that you didn’t want me to learn from him anymore because those pickup lines don’t sound sincere? So I’ve tapped into my own potential. Doesn’t it sound pretty good?”
Nanci thought for a moment before she smiled and said, “You’ve really improved, haha. Let’s pick out clothes first and talk later. Help me see if there are any nice clothes. You’re right. I have difficulty making choices…”
Edward chuckled, “No problem. Let’s look together.” Nanci nodded, and they began walking past rows of clothing racks. Nanci picked up a red and a blue garment, while Edward also chose a blue shirt, saying, “We have similar taste today.”
“Yes, we really do! Then I’ll buy the blue one since it’s something we both picked. It must look good.”
“My Nanci looks good in anything. Go to the fitting room and try it on. If it doesn’t fit, we can choose another one.” Nanci nodded and went to the fitting room with the clothes.
Edward used this opportunity to buy a bouquet of flowers, then stood at the fitting room door. When Nanci came out, she covered her mouth in surprise and said, “Where did you get these flowers from?”
“Do you like them?”
Nanci nodded and said, “Of course, I do! They’re beautiful!”
“That’s good then.” After giving the flowers to Nanci, they went to the men’s section together to pick out clothes. After paying, they walked down the street, and Nanci turned to Edward and asked, “Am I being too conspicuous carrying such a large bouquet? I feel like people are looking at us.”
Edward confidently said, “It’s because you’re so beautiful and I’m so handsome. People find us pleasing to the eye and can’t help but take a few more glances. Don’t be afraid. I’ll protect you from any bad people.”
Nanci said disdainfully, “Don’t you think that sounds a little too self-satisfied? Although we do make a good match, there’s no need for so many people to look at us.”
“One should be confident.”
“But you’re blindly confident. Do you know the difference between the two?”
Before they knew it, they had reached a fruit stall and asked Edward, “Want to try durian?”
Edward frowned, feeling reluctant inside, but knowing she must want to eat it, he nodded and said, “I’ll go buy it for you.”
Nanci stood to the side watching his expression as he endured the smell. She took out her phone and captured the moment-a man who disliked the smell of durian but was enduring it to buy it for the woman he loved. As Nanci was taking photos, Edward’s gaze turned toward her. Caught in the act, she quickly put down her phone and lowered her eyes like a child who had done something wrong.
Edward walked over with the durian and handed it to her, smiling, “Why are you looking down? Did you do something bad?”
Nanci firmly denied, “How could I possibly do anything bad? With so many people around, what could I possibly do, right? Oh, durian! Let me try it. It’s been a while since I’ve had it. There are so many food stalls on this street.”
Edward said gently, “Then let’s try them all. Finish this one first, and we’ll walk around. If you see something you like, we’ll buy it. Whatever you can’t finish, I’ll eat.”
Nanci grinned mischievously as she picked up the durian pulp and held it to Edward’s mouth, saying, “I can’t finish it all by myself. Can you help me? It smells stinky but tastes delicious!”
Edward looked at the durian suspiciously and asked cautiously, “Nanci, you can finish this one yourself. I promise I’ll help you with all the others…”
Nanci began to act coquettishly, “Life is so long, and we should try new things, right? That’s what makes life interesting. Have a taste. If it really doesn’t taste good, I won’t force you. You can spit it out, okay?”
Edward eventually gave in, opened his mouth, closed his eyes, and took a bite. Seeing his resigned expression, Nanci happily encouraged him, “Savor it, then you’ll find it delicious!”
Savoring the sweetness, Edward found that it actually didn’t taste as bad as he had imagined. After swallowing, there was even a pleasant aftertaste. Nanci observed his expression and said with a smile, “How is it? Not so bad, right? Want more? There’s still so much left in the tray. Let’s finish them together!”
Edward, who had been resistant earlier, now found himself enjoying it after one piece. But he tried to salvage his image and said, “You eat it. If you can’t finish it, just leave it. Don’t worry about the money. I’ll buy you something else to eat.”
Nanci saw through his thoughts and pretended to be angry. “If you won’t eat it, I don’t want to eat it either. Since you don’t like it, I might as well not eat it either. This can be considered sharing both the good and the bad together, right?”
Seeing her about to throw it in the trash, Edward quickly grabbed her hand and took the tray, then put a piece in his mouth and chewed, saying, “It’s actually quite tasty. Let’s eat it together. Didn’t you say we shouldn’t waste food?”
Nanci said happily, “Thank you, husband, for being so considerate and eating with me. Let’s take a photo together while you’re holding it. I want to show off our love, haha. Is that okay?”
Edward replied, “Anything that makes you happy is fine by me.”
Nanci held up her phone and took a picture of the two of them eating durian together, then posted it on social media with a happy emoji. She soon received many comments, and when she refreshed her feed, she saw the same photo. At first, she thought her eyes were playing tricks on her, but then she saw Edward’s name. She smiled and said, “Did you steal my photo from my post?”
“This is a photo we took together, so both of us should have the right to use it. How can you call it stealing? Nanci, you’re making us sound like strangers.”
As Nanci read the comments, Edward looked at Nanci tenderly and said, “You always think I don’t fit in these places, but on the contrary, I quite like this lifestyle. You made my life complete.”
“Now with your companionship, every day of mine is also very happy!”
“Silly girl, is there anything else you want to eat?”
Nanci happily pointed to another food stall and said, “Takoyaki! That’s super delicious too. And the cupcakes over there. What should I do? I want to eat it all, but I definitely can’t eat that much…”
“That’s what I’m here for, right? What can’t be finished? I’ll finish them all if you’re full. Nothing will be wasted. Stay here. I’ll go buy you the other things.”
Nanci stood watching his figure move through the crowd, then stepped forward to his side. Edward saw her coming and asked, “Why did you come? There are many people here. What if you get hurt? I’ll go buy it for you. You need to take care of yourself, understand?”
Nanci said, “But I feel safe only when I’m by your side. With so many people, I’m afraid of losing you. Seeing you beside me makes me feel much more at ease. Take me wherever you go. I’ll stay close to you. Don’t worry about me.”
Edward looked at her and sighed helplessly, then took her hand and said, “Then I’ll have to hold onto my little treasure. You’re so cute. What if someone tricked you away? I would blame myself.”
Nanci smiled happily, and soon the durian in her hand was replaced with takoyaki. Edward said, “Be careful. It’s hot. Blow on it before eating. See if it’s the taste you like. If not, just eat a little. Later we can look for a good restaurant to get you something nutritious. If you return home thinner, Grandma will scold me again.”
“Is it because you’re afraid of Olivia’s nagging?”
“The bigger reason is that I don’t want you to get thin. If you stay this thin, people will think I’m a terrible husband-that I mistreat you. What then?”
“Haha, I’ll explain for you!”
“I think it would be better to feed you until you’re plump and chubby, so others won’t even have the chance to criticize me. What do you think?”
“Then I’ll eat more. Let’s go, let’s go, and continue looking around.”