A Little Sweet O Travels to a Normal World - Chapter 19

Tang Zhuo first asked a shopping assistant for directions and then headed straight for the ingredients section. Since it was a rare trip out, after buying the materials for making desserts, he continued to push his shopping cart through the other sections.

The supermarket was massive, spanning two floors with a rich variety of goods that left Tang Zhuo dazzled. For Jun Yanxing, browsing a supermarket was a completely foreign experience. After all, in both his past and present lives, daily necessities were handled by specific staff members; he never had to personally attend to them. He watched Tang Zhuo carefully selecting and comparing items on the shelves, finding the process somewhat novel.

At that moment, Tang Zhuo picked up several skeins of yarn in various colors. Not only that, but after consulting an assistant, he also picked up a sewing kit and a crochet hook.

“What are you buying those for?” Jun Yanxing asked.

“Well, I figured since I have nothing to do at home anyway, I can start knitting now. I can use them once the weather gets cooler.”

As he spoke, Tang Zhuo’s eyes curved slightly, and a sweet smile bloomed in the dimples on his cheeks. He was a crybaby; having known him only a short time, Jun Yanxing had already seen him cry several times. But he also loved to smile, especially when he was in a good mood; it was as if a cute smile never left his face.

Jun Yanxing looked away and picked up a skein of yarn from the cart. “So, you’re going to knit sweaters?”

Tang Zhuo shook his head and counted on his fingers. “Not just sweaters. I can knit scarves, hats, gloves, and cardigans. Oh, I can knit socks too.”

“…” Jun Yanxing put the yarn back. “Your hobbies are… quite unique.”

“Is that so?” Tang Zhuo smiled a bit shyly. “What color do you like? I’ll knit something for you later.”

“No need,” Jun Yanxing refused. By the time the weather turned cold, he might have already moved out.

“Alright then.” Tang Zhuo pushed the cart further, his voice light and cheerful. “I like purple, and… I like orange and yellow a lot, too! They feel warm. Looking at them makes my mood better.”

Jun Yanxing followed beside him, quietly listening to the soft, pleasant sound of his voice constant in his ears. Without realizing it himself, the gaze that was supposed to be scanning the shelves would frequently drift back to land on Tang Zhuo’s face. That smile, like the warm spring sun, seemed capable of melting ice.

Eventually, Tang Zhuo noticed one of these lingering gazes. He tilted his head back and gave Jun Yanxing a puzzled look. Jun Yanxing blinked, and once he realized what he was doing, he looked down at the shopping cart.

“Are we done buying everything?”

Tang Zhuo was instantly distracted. “Just missing a few seasonings.” Then, he pushed the cart toward the seasoning aisle.

Jun Yanxing watched his retreating back. Thinking of his lapse just now, he furrowed his brow slightly. Finally, he shook his head and stepped forward to catch up with Tang Zhuo.

Before leaving, Jun Yanxing went to the counter to grab a pack of cigarettes. Seeing the price tag, Tang Zhuo’s face was full of heartache, but what could he do? It wasn’t his money being spent.

However, when it came to the final checkout, Tang Zhuo heard the total the cashier announced and could hardly believe his ears. He had clearly chosen very cheap items—the unit prices were mostly in the single digits, with the most expensive not exceeding twenty. How did it add up to two or three hundred?

He looked at the items he had picked on the counter and listened to the cashier ask if he wanted plastic bags. He felt more embarrassed than ever before. What should he do? Saying he didn’t want them was awkward, but if he didn’t say anything, he didn’t have enough money on him… qaq

At that moment, a card reached past him and was presented to the cashier. “Two bags, please.”

“Certainly.” The cashier smiled, took the card, and continued the transaction.

Tang Zhuo blinked and looked up at Jun Yanxing. The man stood beside him with an indifferent expression, as if he had done something insignificant. Sensing his gaze, Jun Yanxing looked down. Tang Zhuo hurriedly lowered his head and nimbly helped the cashier pack the items into the bags.

He didn’t know if it was because he had been so embarrassed and nervous a moment ago, but he felt his face heating up slightly. Once everything was packed, Tang Zhuo was just about to pick them up when he saw Jun Yanxing reach out and effortlessly take the two large bags.

“Let’s go.” Jun Yanxing gave a reminder and headed toward the exit on his own.

Tang Zhuo snapped out of it and hurried to keep up with his injured leg. “Jun Yanxing, wait for me!”

Finding that Jun Yanxing’s pace actually slowed down after he called out, he couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief, a slight curve appearing at the corners of his mouth. Once they reached the roadside, while Jun Yanxing was hailing a cab, Tang Zhuo said to him with a smile, “Thanks for just now. I’ll pay you back when we get home.”

To his surprise, as soon as he said this, Jun Yanxing looked down at him with a strange expression.

“What’s wrong?” Tang Zhuo tilted his head and asked in confusion.

Jun Yanxing stared at him until a taxi pulled up. Only then did he withdraw his gaze. “Don’t bother. I don’t like carrying too much cash.” After saying that, he bent down and got into the car.

Tang Zhuo naturally couldn’t let it go at that. He sat down next to Jun Yanxing and continued, “Then I’ll go to the bank later and transfer it to you.” Seeing Jun Yanxing frowning in silence, he thought for a moment and proposed another plan. “Or how about we count it toward the utilities? Does that work?”

He remembered the rental contract said utilities were calculated separately. But… about how much did utilities cost per month? Tang Zhuo, who had never worried about such life trifles, truly had no concept of utility bills, and there seemed to be no related information in the original owner’s memory.

Tang Zhuo decided to look it up later. He was lost in his own thoughts and didn’t notice that Jun Yanxing’s gaze toward him was becoming increasingly peculiar.

“Suit yourself,” Jun Yanxing said coldly, then fell silent.

Tang Zhuo was used to his taciturn nature and nodded. “Okay, it’s a deal then!”

When his attention returned to the two bags of things, he still couldn’t help but feel the “meat-ache” (financial pain). After all, two or three hundred yuan was enough for three or four days of living expenses. And even the bags used to carry the stuff cost money! Next time he went out, he must remember to bring shopping bags. Tang Zhuo silently noted this in his heart.

However, once they got home, he stopped agonizing over the money. He joyfully put away his purchases and began making mung bean cakes. Besides mung bean, he planned to make red bean, taro, and matcha flavors. Since it was his first time, he naturally wanted to try more varieties! If they were good, he could give some to Yueyue and the others as gifts.

Making the four kinds of pastries took more effort than Tang Zhuo had imagined, but the one thing he didn’t lack right now was time, and he was very patient. First was the soaking of the mung beans and red beans, then handling the taro. He worked with great energy; once a person is focused, it’s easy to lose track of time.

Unknowingly, sunset arrived. Tang Zhuo understood the principle of balancing work and rest, so after putting the prepared materials in the fridge, he cleaned the kitchen and headed out with a bag of trash.

The sky was stained by the evening glow like an oil painting—vibrant and enchanting. Tang Zhuo threw away the trash, washed his hands, and couldn’t resist pulling out his phone to snap several photos of the sky. With the original owner’s foundation, operating the phone camera wasn’t difficult, and he quickly captured several excellent photos.

He picked the one he was most satisfied with and sent it to Jun Yanxing first.

[Tang Zhuo]: The evening sky is so beautiful! (^O^)

[Tang Zhuo]: [Image]

He didn’t really expect a response from Jun Yanxing. After sending it, he forwarded it to Wan Qingyue.

[Is Tang Not Sugar]: Look!

Almost as soon as it was sent, he received a reply.

[Wan Qingyue]: Waaaaah, this is shot with such a great vibe!

[Wan Qingyue]: [Image]

[Wan Qingyue]: This is from our school.

Tang Zhuo clicked the picture. On the lawn stained orange by the glow, many students were active; further away were the running track and the sports hall, along with a corner of the sky.

Is this the university Yueyue attends? A trace of longing appeared in Tang Zhuo’s eyes. “Omegas” in this world actually had the chance to go to university…

[Is Tang Not Sugar]: Yueyue, are you exercising? So energetic.

[Wan Qingyue]: Haha, no, just doing club activities.

[Wan Qingyue]: Come visit our school when you have time! I’ll take you around.

[Is Tang Not Sugar]: Okay, okay, I’ll go when there’s a chance ^o^. Go on with your work, I won’t disturb you.

Yueyue’s life is so colorful. Tang Zhuo sighed with a bit of envy. He tucked his phone away and was about to head home when he glimpsed a familiar figure in a nearby gazebo. The person was sitting on a bench in the gazebo, holding a sketchbook and applying a paintbrush to it.

Tang Zhuo paused his steps and then limped over.

“Woof! Woof!”

Before he could get close, a dog’s bark rang out. Tang Zhuo looked toward the sound and saw the dog that had been lying at its owner’s feet suddenly stand up, baring its teeth and growling at him. He stopped in his tracks, not daring to get closer.

“Doudou!” The young man sitting on the bench pulled the leash, his voice stern.

The dog immediately stopped barking and lay on the ground whimpering, its gaze constantly sweeping toward Tang Zhuo, even rolling its eyes at him. Tang Zhuo didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. It seemed the dog still really disliked him…

Indeed, the person sitting in the gazebo was Ren Liu, along with the Border Collie he raised. Tang Zhuo greeted Ren Liu and gave the dog a dejected look, preparing to hang his head and leave.

“Wait a moment.”

Just as he stepped away, he heard Ren Liu’s voice.

Jun Yanxing had picked up the takeout and just placed it on the dining table when he heard movement at the door. He waited, only to see Tang Zhuo walking in with a silly grin, his small face flushed with excitement and joy.

His heart stirred slightly, and he asked a casual question. Tang Zhuo then started sharing with him like beans spilling out of a bag.

“I just touched Doudou!” He happily waved his two hands as if he had encountered a massive stroke of luck.

“Doudou?” Jun Yanxing was confused.

“Mhm!” Tang Zhuo nodded vigorously. “It’s the neighbor next door—Ren Liu, whom I mentioned to you before—and the puppy he raises. We had a bit of friction before, and Doudou didn’t like me very much; he was always fierce to me.”

“But just now, Liu-liu gave me a ham sausage and let me feed it to him.” Tang Zhuo grinned with a face full of silliness. “At first, Doudou wouldn’t eat it, but Liu-liu coaxed him. I didn’t expect that in the end, he not only ate it but even let me pet his head!”

“His fur is so soft and comfortable~” Tang Zhuo was full of excitement and agitation. He truly hadn’t expected that Ren Liu would not only forgive him but also let him pet the dog. “He takes such good care of Doudou; he’s truly a super loving and super gentle person!”

“Oh, really?” Jun Yanxing looked at him, said a single sentence indifferently, then reached out to pick up the two large bags of takeout on the table. He turned and entered his room without looking back.