The moment Luo Bisheng saw Wang Xiaoliang, his tense face brightened, beaming like sunshine. "Bro, why didn't you say something when you ran into trouble?"
Wang Xiaoliang didn't answer, but his gaze passed over Luo Bisheng and settled on Tian Jiayi. The shopping basket in her hand was already filled to the brim. She looked over too, the corners of her mouth lifting into a sweet smile.
Wang Xiaoliang understood at once. These three were quietly supporting him through his difficulties in the most direct way possible. Buying things was their way of taking a stand. Tian Jiayi's smile flowed straight into his heart like a warm current. He smiled back without saying much, offering only, "Thank you."
He called the staff over to move the goods into the store, then stood outside waiting. It turned into quite a wait. The line was long, and they were buying a lot.
When the three of them came up to Wang Xiaoliang, each carrying heavy bags, their faces seemed so dear to him that his heart softened. The bags bulged with snacks, daily necessities, and even stationery. They had bought almost everything the supermarket had to offer.
Cheng Huan dropped her bags on the ground, and her distinctive voice rang out. "Wang Xiaoliang, why didn't you tell us sooner that you owned all three stores?" There was a hint of complaint in her words, though it sounded more like teasing: "Why did you keep it hidden? Look how much I've lost out!" Wang Xiaoliang knew she was joking.
"We've shopped here so many times, and this is the only time we got a discount." Cheng Huan pointed at her bags, then at Luo Bisheng's and Tian Jiayi's. Her meaning couldn't have been clearer: she felt she'd lost out badly. Looking at her