89: Eat sugar
Yan Zhuohua continued buying items from the list with a bitter face, watching helplessly as those two bags of dried fruit were buried under other things, leaving him no further chance to smuggle them out.
Once they had bought most of the items on the list, they moved to the snack section.
Yan Zhuohua happily tossed various candies and pocket-sized packs inside. Yan Qinghe fell behind him this time, pushing the shopping cart and watching him stuff it with all sorts of sweets.
Yan Qinghe shook his head and picked up a few bags of potato chips, sausages, jelly, and the like to add in. He'd have to find time to take him to the dentist after the New Year; he wondered if someone who loved sweets this much would have cavities.
“What about the fruit drinks? There's no more room,” Yan Zhuohua said, looking fretfully at the overflowing shopping cart.
“This supermarket just opened last year and the service is quite good. When we check out, we can just have them prepare a few cases of good ones and deliver them directly to the parking lot for us.”
“Okay.” Yan Zhuohua carefully checked the list again. “Then we've bought enough. Let's go check out.”
“Not enough yet.” Yan Qinghe pulled him toward another direction.
Yan Zhuohua wasn't familiar with this supermarket and didn't know what else there was to buy, so he was led forward in a daze.
It wasn't until Yan Zhuohua's excellent eyesight allowed him to see a shelf from a distance that he realized, face flushing red, what Yan Qinghe meant by the items they hadn't finished buying yet.
“You—we're staying at home, and you're still buying this!” Yan Zhuohua was embarrassed and indignant, but he still didn't stop Yan Qinghe.
Yan Qinghe picked through the options at the shelf. “What's wrong with being at home? We'll be home for over twenty days! Do you plan on starving me? These are essentials.”
As he spoke, Yan Qinghe leaned closer to his ear, “Unless... you prefer doing it directly?”
“I don't!” Yan Zhuohua unconsciously raised his voice in defense, then immediately looked around, terrified someone would realize he was the one shouting. Seeing that no one was paying attention, he lowered his voice to explain, “I don't. Just pick what you want.”
Yan Qinghe's eyes were filled with a smile. “Don't you want to pick? Which do you like?”
“I'm not picking. You pick for yourself.” Yan Zhuohua turned his face away.
“Oh, is that so?” Yan Qinghe laughed mischievously. “Then if I pick some that are a bit... excessive, don't get angry then!”
“...Shut up and just pick!”
At checkout, they spoke to the staff about the fruit and drinks, arranging for someone to deliver the items to the parking lot in a short while.
After paying, Yan Qinghe packed the items into bags one by one. From the corner of his eye, he saw a suspicious Yan Zhuohua take a separate small bag to pack those 'essentials' by himself.
As he quickly stuffed them inside, he muttered quietly, “Buying so many, can you even use them all!”
Yan Qinghe remained calm, pretending not to notice his little movements, planning to prove to him properly during the holiday whether they could be used up or not.
Yan Zhuohua stuffed that bag into his coat pocket. Fortunately, it was winter; the clothes were heavy and the pockets were large, so it wasn't very noticeable even with a bunch of things stuffed inside.
After patting down the slightly bulging pocket, Yan Zhuohua didn't forget to destroy the evidence—the receipt.
Only after finishing all this did he relax and look up at Yan Qinghe, who had already finished packing everything.
“All packed?” Yan Zhuohua pretended as if nothing had happened.
“All set. Let's head back to the parking lot. The staff delivering the items should be arriving soon.” Yan Qinghe didn't expose him, but his eyes were deep with hidden laughter.
When they returned to the car, Yan Zhuoyan was directing the delivery staff to move the cases into the trunk.
Once the items were loaded, Yan Zhuoyan finally noticed his two younger brothers had returned. He thanked the staff and, after seeing them off, turned back to take the large bags from Yan Zhuohua and the other's hands.
“Quite heavy. You guys bought this much?” Yan Zhuoyan fiddled with the bags they brought back. “Give me your receipt. I'll check if everything was bought.”
The hair on Yan Zhuohua's neck stood up. “The receipt... I didn't take it.”
Luckily he had specifically thrown the receipt away; otherwise, if Yan Zhuoyan saw it, he would be mocked for the entire holiday!
“You didn't take the receipt? Do you want me to open these big bags and check one by one if everything is there?” Yan Zhuoyan was a bit speechless; he had even reminded them before they split up, yet they had forgotten completely.
“You don't trust me! I checked it several times. Everything's there!” Yan Zhuohua retorted forcefully.
“...Fine, fine, fine, I believe you. Get in the car quickly; it's going to be dark soon.”
Yan Zhuoyan didn't want to argue with his inexplicably childish younger brother about 'trust' anymore. Anyway, even if things were missing, someone else could come back out after they got home; he wouldn't have to run the errand again.
It was already dark by the time they reached home.
Before dinner was served, they sat on the sofa and began organizing the items they had bought.
Yan Zhuohua still had a bunch of 'essentials' in his pocket, so while no one was paying attention, he hurried upstairs to hide them in the bedside table. As he stuffed them in, he noticed a black bag already in the drawer.
Forget it, better go back down first, otherwise it wouldn't be good if he was discovered after disappearing for too long. Yan Zhuohua thought about it but didn't touch the bag. After putting his things away, he left the bedroom.
The sofa downstairs was very lively.
After Jiang Fuyue finished arranging things in the kitchen, she also sat down to help organize. She rummaged through the snack bag at the front and frowned.
“Qinghe, why did you buy so many sweets for Zhuohua?” Jiang Fuyue picked out the candies one by one. “I'm confiscating these. I'll give them to the children who come to visit during the holidays.”
Seeing this, Yan Qinghe quickly pleaded for his wife's sake.
“Mom, leave some for him. I'll watch him and won't let him eat too many.” If they were all taken away, Yan Zhuohua wouldn't dare say anything to his mother, but he would definitely throw a fit with him.
Jiang Fuyue glanced at him but reluctantly accepted his suggestion.
“Then we'll keep a third.” Jiang Fuyue separated out some of Yan Zhuohua's favorite flavors. “You keep a close eye on him. Don't let him eat too much. Otherwise, if a grown man eats so many sweets that his teeth hurt, I'll see whether he saves his teeth first or worries about losing face first.”
Yan Qinghe quickly tucked away the separated candies, fearing his mother might change her mind and leave them with nothing.
Yan Zhuoyan, who was counting red envelopes nearby, chimed in, “Remember to take him for a dental checkup after the New Year. No one was looking after him while he was away these five years; who knows how much sugar he's been eating without restraint!”
“Yes, yes, he should definitely go,” Jiang Fuyue agreed heartily, then came up with a new idea. “Don't just check his teeth. After the New Year starts, take him to Zhuoyi's place for a full physical checkup. E-sports players stay up all night and hurt their hands; we can't let any problems develop.”
Yan Qinghe had the same intention and nodded in agreement.
“What are you guys talking about?” Yan Zhuohua had just come downstairs and moved to Yan Qinghe's side to rummage through the bags.
“We're saying we'll take you for a checkup after the New Year, especially for your teeth,” Yan Qinghe kindly explained to him.
Yan Zhuohua's hand paused in the bag.
“Looking for your candy?” Jiang Fuyue saw his movement and waved the bag in her hand. “It's right here!”
“...Mom, those were bought for the kids, I'm just incidental!” Yan Zhuohua explained dryly. “Leave some for me.”
“I did. Qinghe has them,” Jiang Fuyue said crossly. “Let him watch you. You're not allowed to eat too many!”
Yan Zhuohua wilted and dejectedly joined in organizing the New Year goods.