My Wife Came From A Thousand Years Ago

Chapter 138: Beauty is Justice

Xu Qing hung up the phone and fell into deep thought. Qin Hao might be honest, but he wasn't stupid—he knew there was no such thing as a free lunch.

That girl he ran into this afternoon, Liu Jingfang, wasn't a knockout, but her fashion sense screamed "urban lady." She was tall, had lively eyes, and wore a touch of lipstick. Standing next to Qin Hao—short, dark, and stout—any passerby would assume Qin Hao must be rich.

Returning to the couch, Xu Qing saw both yogurt cartons were empty. Jiang He was glued to the computer screen, watching an intense battle. A group of characters, mounted on horses, fought on a modern bridge spanning a river. The juxtaposition of ancient warriors wielding cold weapons against a backdrop of contemporary vehicles created a striking visual contrast. It was the climax of the movie.

“Can you ride a horse?” Xu Qing asked casually.

“I can, but I rarely do. It’s only needed for long trips.”

“Hmm... I’d like to see that.”

Xu Qing chuckled at some unspoken thought, then glanced at the empty yogurt cartons on the table. “Where’s my yogurt?”

“I drank it.”

“...”

Jiang He looked guilty but said nothing. She had eaten too many sunflower seeds, which made her thirsty. Water couldn’t compare to yogurt, so she’d finished another carton. When she went to check the fridge, she realized those were the last two. She planned to replace them after the movie—maybe buy a whole tray to make up for it. For now, the cartons were empty, licked clean, and tossed in the trash.

The movie reached its final scene, and Xu Qing didn’t interrupt Jiang He’s focus. He sat on the couch, holding her hand and absentmindedly stroking it, lost in thoughts about Qin Hao.

That guy was steadfast—falling for a honey trap and taking responsibility was out of the question. Still, there were pros and cons. If Liu Jingfang had ulterior motives, Qin Hao might end up at a loss. Xu Qing mused that Qin Hao seemed born in the wrong era. In the 1960s or 70s, when holding hands could make someone blush, Qin Hao’s diligence and sincerity might have made him a perfect match for a hardworking, genuine girl. He could almost hear Qin Hao bashfully asking, “Are you a party member?” before settling into a happy, simple life.

As the movie ended, Xu Qing shook off his scattered thoughts. He didn’t play the sequel—it was notoriously bad.

“I’ll buy groceries later and pick up more yogurt,” Jiang He offered as she stood, but Xu Qing kept a firm grip on her hand, forcing her to sit back down.

“Stick out your tongue.”

“What for?” Jiang He asked, bewildered.

“I want to check if my yogurt is still there.” Xu Qing’s excuse was laughably flimsy.

“It’s gone,” Jiang He admitted, pointing at the empty cartons in the trash. She hesitated, then stuck out just the tip of her tongue.

“Wow, it’s really gone,” Xu Qing marveled.

Jiang He didn’t respond. She already knew he wasn’t just “checking.” Drinking his yogurt meant some kind of compensation was due—she’d seen through his tricks long ago.

Living together required small compromises. Though inexperienced, Jiang He was gradually learning Xu Qing’s ways. Sensing his hand hadn’t wandered, she relaxed and let him hold it. After a while, she shyly got up, tidied the table, and put away their snacks. Then, she put on her shoes and urged Xu Qing to join her for grocery shopping.

The market wasn’t far from their residential complex. Old neighborhoods like this were always convenient. If something wasn’t nearby, someone would find a way to make it available—like groceries or clothes. At night, vendors parked vans by the roadside, popped open their trunks, and set up makeshift stalls selling budget-friendly shirts. Business was brisk, especially with buy-two-get-one-free deals.

At newer complexes in the city center, these cheap items wouldn’t find many takers. But in older neighborhoods, they sold well. People appreciated the convenience of buying affordable clothes along with groceries. Cheng Yulan, for instance, loved browsing these stalls, searching for suitable outfits for herself and her husband, Old Wang, to wear in the summer heat.

“This one looks great—very stylish,” Xu Qing commented, helping Cheng Yulan choose.

Cheng Yulan handed him her grocery basket and held the shirt up for a better look. “Really?”

“Yes, it’s perfect,” Xu Qing affirmed, glancing at her basket. There wasn’t much inside—just enough for two people.

Jiang He admired the basket, wishing she could find one like it. Supermarkets didn’t seem to carry the same kind.

“This shirt suits you perfectly!” the vendor chimed in, holding up a mirror for Cheng Yulan.

“Alright, I’ll take it,” she said with a laugh. “You two pick something nice too—it’s getting hotter, and long sleeves are too much.”

Xu Qing didn’t make a fuss over his choice. Once Cheng Yulan haggled the price down, he picked a couple of shirts that caught his eye and had the vendor bag them, trusting her to have secured the best deal.

Jiang He didn’t get any new clothes; her summer wardrobe, including pajamas, had already been ordered online. Unlike the previous couple’s sweaters, Xu Qing avoided couples’ T-shirts for daily wear—too over-the-top.

“I’m a guy; I can pull off anything,” Xu Qing said confidently. “Besides, I’m handsome enough to make cheap clothes look good. You’re different. As a girl, dressing nicely makes you even prettier, and it boosts my aura when we’re together.”

Jiang He was puzzled. “Why does me dressing nicely boost your aura?”

“Because you’re my girlfriend,” Xu Qing replied with a soft laugh, gazing at the distant sky. Then he turned to her. “Your clothes aren’t even that expensive—around a hundred yuan. That’s pretty standard.”

Whether he earned ten thousand or fifty thousand, Xu Qing didn’t see much difference in everyday summer clothes. Buying expensive ones seemed unnecessary when the money could go elsewhere. His upbringing had ingrained in him that a man’s earnings should provide a better life for his family. He carried this philosophy forward, ensuring his girlfriend dressed well.

However, he couldn’t ignore reality: men who invested solely in themselves—dressing sharply, wearing brands, and styling their hair—often garnered more attention than those who prioritized their partners. A selfless man might shower his girlfriend with care, yet still lose out socially, whereas a self-centered man might thrive. It was a strange paradox.

Luckily, Xu Qing’s natural charm helped him sidestep the issue.

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