"And silverware." She looked around, "It's my first time here, I don't know where the silverware is placed."
"Follow me."
Wyatt Wright pushed the cart ahead, with Rae Bennett following behind, stepping on his shadow.
There were staff restocking the shelves coming from the opposite direction, and he glanced back.
Upon meeting his gaze, Rae Bennett obediently stood still, moved to the side to avoid the staff's cart, and carefully adjusted her skirt. She was wearing a very fluffy fairy dress today, with a hem that easily caught on things.
Once the staff's cart was far enough away, Wyatt Wright continued forward, passing several aisles before stopping at the innermost corridor on the left.
"There," Wyatt said.
Rae Bennett went to pick out plates, while Wyatt Wright supported the cart with one hand, waiting in place, checking his phone as it received a message.
"Wyatt Wright."
He instinctively looked up, responding.
Rae Bennett pointed at two plates, "Which pattern looks nicer?"
He glanced for a few seconds, furrowed his brows, "Pick it yourself."
Rae Bennett chose the more simplistic set, which of course, was also more expensive.
At checkout, Wyatt had already gone outside. The silverware was a bit heavy, and the staff had packed it in a box, asking Rae if she needed it delivered.
She put away her card, looked up and asked Wyatt, who was waiting outside the entrance, "Should we have it delivered?"
Wyatt put away his phone, came over, and took the box from the staff's hand, "No need, thanks."
Rae also said thanks, carrying the shopping bags and following beside Wyatt.
The laundry detergent in the bag was a bit heavy; she carried it with both hands.
Reaching the storage area, Wyatt freed one hand to take out the umbrella storage key to give her.
"Hand me the bag, you go get the umbrella, second rack from the right on the left side."
"Okay."
After Rae went to get the umbrella, by the time she left the mall, Wyatt had already placed everything in the car.
Outside, the sky had darkened, the rain held back, and in this short while, the plaza in front of the mall had filled with more people. A balloon vendor who wasn't careful lost his grip, and colorful balloons flew into the sky, challenging the dark clouds overhead.
Wyatt closed the trunk.
Rae Bennett said, "Wait for me a few minutes."
"Where are you going?"
She pointed across the street to another row, looking somewhat embarrassed, "There's a street over there selling hotdogs."
She put down the umbrella, left a "wait for me," and crossed the street.
Today wasn't a weekend, but since the weather was pleasant, the street was crowded anyway.
"How much for the crispy meat?"
The crispy meat shop owner looked up, greeted by a neat and pretty young lady, with charming expressive eyes and brows. The young lady looked well-behaved and full of smiles, which pleased the owner, "Twenty yuan a portion."
She took out a banknote from her wallet, "I'll have a portion."
The shop owner was also young and a woman, who sneaked a peek at her appealing bag.
The young lady dressed well, wearing a black T-shirt with an adorable bear printed on it, and a choker necklace with a woven band around her neck. The necklace was short, edged with black lace and a red bead in the center, making her slender and pale neck look even more attractive.
The owner was tempted to ask for the link to the clothes and necklace.
The crispy meat was made to order, so it would take a little while.
Rae Bennett stood by the roadside, turning to look at the plaza. Wyatt was focused on his camera, shooting something, perhaps the threatening clouds, or maybe the floating balloons.
Suddenly, a green bear balloon blocked Rae's view. A small child, around four or five, was holding the balloon string, jumping with joy.
Then, a man in a black leather jacket walked by, on the phone, not noticing the little one, and bumped into him. The child's squid skewer smeared on the man's jacket, and the little one, unsteady on his small legs, toppled and fell on his bottom. The squid, sprinkled with chili powder, landed just right on Rae's dress hem.
The balloon string loosened, and the green bear floated away – the child was about to cry.
Rae picked up the child, gently brushed the dirt off his clothes, "Did you get hurt from the fall?"
The kid was not fussy, holding back his tears, mournfully watching the balloon fly away.
"Sweetheart!"
The child's mother came over, after checking her child, thanked Rae, "Thank you so much."
Rae responded, "No need to thank me." She received her packed crispy meat, thanking the owner as well.
At that moment, the man swore, "Damn, all greasy."
The child's mother hurriedly apologized upon seeing his jacket, "I'm so sorry." She took out a wet wipe from her bag, "Let me wipe it for you."
The man snatched the wet wipe and started wiping it off himself with an unfriendly expression, "Keep an eye on your kid, or don't bring him out."
The mother apologized repeatedly.
The man examined the oil on his clothes as if cutting at the child with his eyes.
The kid hid behind his mother, afraid to speak, about to burst into tears.
The incident attracted the attention of many passersby, and the man, unable to save face, finally closed his mouth. He carelessly threw the wet wipe aside and gave Rae a flirty look before leaving.
"Sir."
Rae called after him.
He turned around, the once fierce man now interested, "Yes?"
"Yeah." She asked sweetly, "Do you know the way to East Sullia Road?"
"I do, it's right up ahead." The man cocked his head towards East Sullia Road, "Shall I take you there?"
She followed, "Thank you."
By the time Wyatt had finished taking photos, Rae was nowhere to be seen. He checked the time, it had been more than ten minutes.
Thunder rumbled, the sky changed in an instant.
His umbrella was still in the car, and it was about to rain. The crowd on the opposite street dispersed quickly.
He put down his camera, took the umbrella, and went to the crispy meat stand, "Hello, have you seen a girl in a black dress?"
Because he was good-looking, the owner took an extra glance, "What does she look like?"
Wyatt thought for a moment and described, "Very pale, hair about this long."
"Aren't all girls like that?"
Wyatt didn't know if all girls were like that, he just knew, "She's very pretty." He said, "The kind of pretty you don't easily forget."
The owner chuckled and pointed the way, "Your girlfriend went that way."
"Thank you."
Wyatt took his umbrella and headed towards East Sullia Road.