I just want you to separate
I don't really want to leave
Actually, I want to stay
Stay with you every spring, summer, autumn and winter
You have to believe me
It won't be long
I want you to spend my life with me
— Wakin Chau, "Actually I Don't Want to Leave"
Liao Weixin still got up before seven in the morning, and walked out of the bathroom to see Bai's mother putting on her shoes and about to go out. Bai Jiming asked her, "Mom, are you going to buy groceries?"
"Well, have breakfast first, I'll be back soon."
Father Bai put down the newspaper and said to Bai Jiming, "You can go with your mother. She always buys a lot of things and she doesn't think it's too heavy."
"Oh." Bai Jiming walked to the entrance and put on his down jacket. He looked up at Liao Weixin and said, "Come over and put on your clothes quickly. What are you waiting for? Wait for me to put them on for you."
Liao Weixin smiled, walked forward and put on his coat. Seeing that Bai Jiming's zipper was only halfway up, he was afraid that he would catch a cold outside, so he raised his hand to pull Bai Jiming's zipper to his chin, patted his shoulder habitually, and said, "That's enough."
Bai's mother saw the two of them being so close to each other without leaving any trace, and their movements were extremely natural and smooth. She moved her lips, but in the end she said nothing, and opened the door and walked out.
The economy of H City is still relatively backward. There is not even a farmer's market near Bai's house. All vegetables, fish, eggs and fruits are pushed on the roadside, leaving only a narrow path in the middle for pedestrians. Moreover, all the stalls are closed at noon, and nothing can be bought after 1 o'clock.
The soil on the ground was frozen hard, with ruts and pits. Bai's mother always walked to the other end of the market to compare which store had better goods, and only started buying things when she walked back.
Bai Jiming rushed to pay while taking the dish from the vendor. Liao Weixin took it and carried it himself. The two followed behind Bai's mother, looking around and chatting from time to time.
Seeing that they were back at the market entrance, Bai's mother saw that she had almost finished her shopping and was about to go home. She looked up and saw a middle-aged woman in a crimson down jacket walking towards her. She smiled familiarly and said, "Are you out shopping?"
Bai's mother stopped and said, "Yes, you are here just now?"
"Ah, I just finished my meal." The woman saw Bai Jiming, "Your son? He's grown so big now." She smiled brightly, not hiding her surprise at seeing Bai Jiming, "Where does he work in S City? Do you remember me?"
Bai Jiming hated being asked this kind of question because he couldn't remember many people. He didn't say anything, but just smiled politely.
Bai's mother hurriedly said to her son, "Your Aunt Zhang used to live across the street from us. You must have forgotten about it."
Bai Jiming nodded to the woman and said politely, "Aunt Zhang."
"Look at this young man." Aunt Zhang couldn't close her mouth with laughter, her eyes full of praise, "He is getting more and more handsome." As she said this, she looked at Liao Weixin - this man's handsome appearance and calm demeanor are really impossible to ignore.
"Oh, he is my son's colleague. He said he wanted to come and see the sea." Bai's mother introduced him quite naturally.
Aunt Zhang nodded to Liao Weixin and immediately lost interest in him. The topic still revolved around Bai Jiming: "What kind of job do you do? Still a teacher? The salary is good, right?"
"Not bad." Bai Jiming smiled calmly and answered briefly. He looked just like when Liao Weixin met him again, gentle but distant.