Around 1:30 p.m., Xiǎo Zhào arrived on time. After greeting Ruì Xiǎodān and Xiāo Yàwén, he waited in the car. Xiāo Yàwén settled the bill, reminding Ruì Xiǎodān to eat lightly when meeting Hán Chǔfēng in the evening, suggesting they visit a bar for music, coffee, and then the snack street for a late-night meal. As Xiāo Yàwén's work hours approached, they parted ways at the restaurant entrance.
Zhèngtiān Commercial Plaza was located on a bustling street in Beijing. The wide square in front of the plaza, especially on such valuable land, added a touch of grandeur. The small parking lot to the right of the main entrance was reserved for company cars with territorial privileges. As soon as the car entered, the on-duty security recognized it and directed Xiǎo Zhào to a suitable parking spot.
Ruì Xiǎodān got out and said to Xiǎo Zhào, "Thank you. It's too much trouble for you. You can go back. I'll look around inside and take a taxi back later."
Xiǎo Zhào thought for a moment and said, "Alright, I won't wait then."
Ruì Xiǎodān waved politely to Xiǎo Zhào and entered the mall.
The mall was lavishly decorated, with a dazzling array of goods that could overwhelm any visitor. The bustling shoppers and flashy advertisements showcased the city's trendy and fashionable atmosphere. Following the guide map, she headed directly to the fifth floor's fashion section, fully absorbed in browsing, occasionally stopping to carefully examine a piece of clothing or try on something particularly interesting. Over two hours passed without her noticing. Despite not intending to buy anything, she couldn't resist purchasing a pair of jeans and a casual top.
Realizing it was time to go back, Ruì Xiǎodān made her way to the exit, only to be unexpectedly stopped by a mall security guard.
"Miss Ruì, please wait a moment," the guard said politely.
Ruì Xiǎodān immediately realized she was being watched, meaning Xiǎo Zhào hadn't left and was waiting to pick her up. She asked politely, "Is there a problem, sir?"
"Please follow me, Miss Ruì. Our general manager is waiting for you outside," the guard replied.
Following the guard outside, she saw the black car still parked where it was, with Xiǎo Zhào talking to a middle-aged man. As she approached, Xiǎo Zhào stepped forward, took her items, and smiled, "Miss Ruì, let me introduce Mr. Mǎ Guó'ān, the general manager of the mall. You met in the ancient city."
Ruì Xiǎodān recalled that he had been addressed as "Director Mǎ" during their last meeting. In just a year, he had risen to the position of general manager. She shook his hand, unsure what to say, so she offered a polite smile.
Mr. Mǎ said vaguely, "Miss Ruì, please wait a moment, there's another box to be loaded." Before he finished speaking, a young man in a suit hurried over with a cardboard box. Xiǎo Zhào opened the car trunk and loaded the box. Once it was done, Mr. Mǎ said, "Miss Ruì, please get in the car."
Ruì Xiǎodān got into the car, which started immediately. She saw Mr. Mǎ wave goodbye and instinctively waved back, not fully understanding what had just happened.
On the way, Ruì Xiǎodān told Xiǎo Zhào, "You shouldn't have waited for me. It's not appropriate."
Xiǎo Zhào replied, "It's my job."
Ruì Xiǎodān said no more.
Arriving at Zhèngtiān Hotel, Xiǎo Zhào parked at the entrance. Ruì Xiǎodān got out and said, "Thank you. Goodbye." Xiǎo Zhào smiled and drove off to the parking lot.
Ruì Xiǎodān took the elevator to the 19th floor, returned to her room, and put down her things. She went to the bathroom and turned on the hot water. Just as she began washing her hands, the doorbell rang. Drying her hands, she opened the door to find Xiǎo Zhào standing there with the cardboard box.
"Miss Ruì, Mr. Mǎ and I didn't tell you earlier, but this box is for you. Someone followed you through the mall, and the box contains all the clothes you looked at. Mr. Mǎ handled everything, and the bill is already charged to Mr. Hán's account. I'm just a driver, so please don't make it difficult for me. Delivering this box completes my task," Xiǎo Zhào explained.
Ruì Xiǎodān now understood why Hán Chǔfēng had specifically recommended the Zhèngtiān mall. "How much was it in total?"
"The receipts are inside. It's about 13,000 yuan," Xiǎo Zhào answered.
"Got it. You can go now," Ruì Xiǎodān said.
Xiǎo Zhào thanked her repeatedly and left.
Opening the box, Ruì Xiǎodān took out a few pieces of clothing to inspect. Indeed, they were all items she had particularly noted in the mall. She put them back in the box, lay down on the sofa, and sank into deep thought.