Damp Wind: Jiang Xu Is Thin-Skinned

Jiang Xu followed along, her heart still a bit tense, but in this noisy environment, who could possibly notice her little emotions?

So even her tension was unnecessary. She pressed her lips together, wiped the sweat from her forehead, and followed Liang Xiaoqing to the bike shed to park the bicycle.

Familiarity breeds ease—having come once, a second visit was far less awkward, and Jiang Xu had already followed Liang Xiaoqing here several times. Walking along the familiar street, vendors selling food lined both sides. It was still early, and many people were out strolling; some were grabbing breakfast, others were buying groceries.

Liang Xiaoqing, knowing the way by heart, led her to the flatbread stall. Though it was a mobile stand, the boss and his wife were skilled at what they did—one pressed the dough, the other baked the bread. The aroma was tempting, and customers flocked to buy.

Every time they came, Liang Xiaoqing bought her one, and this time was no exception.

"Two, please," she said to the proprietress.

When you see something often enough, it stops being special. The flatbread was the same. At first, Jiang Xu found it delicious, but after repeated tastings, she no longer craved it the way she had the first time. She could eat it or skip it. If it meant accompanying Liang Xiaoqing to share the bread, she was willing.

But right now, she had no mood for flatbread.

For one, she wasn't hungry. For another, her mind was wholly fixed on the person beside her.

They were lucky—it was a lull between crowds. Liang Xiaoqing ordered two flatbreads and asked to have both cut into pieces.

The proprietress moved briskly, her cheeks rosy, and laughed warmly: "Oh, it's you, dear! Here for the flatbread again."

Liang Xiaoqing nodded. "Yes, auntie. Your bread is so good, I never tire of it." She chuckled and exchanged pleasantries with the proprietress.

Standing beside Liang Xiaoqing, Jiang Xu tugged at her sleeve. "Sister Qing, I'm not hungry."

She was just thirsty. She wanted water.

"Buy one anyway—what if you get hungry later?" Liang Xiaoqing patted Jiang Xu's hand and glanced at the watch on her wrist. "It's only nine now. We still have a lot of walking ahead of us, and we won't start heading back until four or five in the afternoon."

Jiang Xu insisted: "I don't want any."

Jiang Xu had never imagined there would come a day when she could make someone else yield to her own wishes. Seeing that she couldn't convince her, Liang Xiaoqing stopped pressing. Jiang Xu was at a sensitive stage, and Liang Xiaoqing felt she should be more patient and tolerant.

"Alright, then. Don't start whining when you're hungry later~" Liang Xiaoqing poked Jiang Xu's forehead with her finger. "Got it?"

Jiang Xu said nothing, just rubbed the spot where she'd been poked. It stung a little.

"Auntie, just give me one," Liang Xiaoqing said, holding up a finger to the proprietress.

The proprietress smiled. "Ah, it's nothing. Consider it a gift from me." She glanced at Jiang Xu. "Is this little girl your sister? She's quite pretty."

Liang Xiaoqing smiled too. "No need, no need, auntie. Charge us what we owe."

"It's fine. You're always supporting my business, I remember you." The proprietress stepped out from the stall and packed the two flatbreads separately into a large plastic bag. "Take them! Look how thin you are. Eat more." She pressed them into Liang Xiaoqing's hands.

Jiang Xu stood beside Liang Xiaoqing, her arm linked through the other's, silent, watching the husky middle-aged woman with wide eyes.

The woman wore a gentle smile. As Jiang Xu studied her, the woman's gaze met hers, and her brows curved: "This girl is thin too. And a little shy, isn't she?"

Jiang Xu wasn't shy—it was just that this flatbread-seller was overly enthusiastic.

"You two have a lovely relationship," the proprietress said to Liang Xiaoqing.

Liang Xiaoqing smiled, agreeing.

Jiang Xu, however, frowned slightly. What relationship? On some subconscious level, she didn't approve of the relationship the proprietress assumed.

She wanted to object, but Jiang Xu was already being pulled away by Liang Xiaoqing.

The flatbread still steamed gently, though it was bearable to the touch. The proprietress had thoughtfully cut it into several pieces. Liang Xiaoqing took one and popped it into Jiang Xu's mouth. "Eat up—this kind of bread is best when it's hot."

Jiang Xu took a bite. The crisp, flaky crust mingled with the flavor of meat.

She held it and took another bite, unhurried, eating with deliberate, measured movements.

Liang Xiaoqing took a piece for herself. "If you're thirsty, I have water here."

That nearly made Jiang Xu choke.

Of course—only a thief would feel guilty.

Following the usual route, Jiang Xu remembered they were supposed to go to the town's biggest supermarket. A trip there would buy almost everything they needed. Occasionally, they'd also stop by other places, like clothing stores.

Jiang Xu had already memorized every route.

She even thought that if one day Sister Qing didn't want her anymore, she could find her way back using the paths she remembered. That worry never left her.

Today's route was different from usual. Liang Xiaoqing took her to a shop that looked like a clothing store, but not quite—because clothes at a regular clothing store wouldn't look this strange.

A shop assistant approached from the right side of the door: "What are you looking at? Are you shopping for pajamas?"

The assistant kept a polite smile on her face: "These are the summer styles. Take a look and see if anything fits."

Oh, so it was a pajama store.

Jiang Xu watched as Liang Xiaoqing was led over by the assistant, and she followed along inside.

A whole rack of hangers held pajamas of every style. The colors were light and soft, just right for a girl of Jiang Xu's age.

"Pajamas," Liang Xiaoqing murmured.

The assistant was enthusiastic in her introductions: "These are all over here."

She glanced back at Jiang Xu. "Buying for that girl, right?"

"Yes," Liang Xiaoqing said.

"These, these—all very suitable for her." The assistant picked items off the rack. "I can tell this girl would look good in anything."

Jiang Xu had already moved to stand beside Liang Xiaoqing.

The assistant sized her up, never pausing in her work: "This one, this one—let me grab a set for you."

She picked out a short-sleeved top with shorts, plus a nightgown, both in a similar style—lime green with white lace stitching along the edges.

"We just happen to have a promotion these days: buy one, get one free. You won't lose money taking both—50 yuan flat!" The assistant looked at Liang Xiaoqing. "You two aren't far off in size, so you can even swap and share them."

"Hmm..." Liang Xiaoqing took the pajamas and rubbed the fabric between her fingers.

The assistant said, "Don't worry, they're pure cotton. Quality guaranteed."

Liang Xiaoqing turned her head to look at Jiang Xu.

At moments like this, Jiang Xu couldn't help feeling embarrassed. She didn't want Liang Xiaoqing spending money on her.

"No need, Sister Qing. Let's go to the supermarket."

Liang Xiaoqing patted her, then smiled at the assistant again: "Actually, I came to buy underwear. Do you have any recommendations?"

"We do," the assistant said cheerfully. "They're over here. Come with me."

With that, she led them further inside.

This was an eye-opener for Jiang Xu.

Black, white, pink—styles upon styles, each made from just a scrap of fabric. There were sexy, mature cuts and fresh, youthful options like tank tops with built-in padding.

The assistant assumed Liang Xiaoqing was the buyer, and glanced at her chest. "What cup size do you wear?"

Liang Xiaoqing pulled Jiang Xu forward. "Buying for her. Help me see if anything fits."

The assistant then studied Jiang Xu. "Of course."

Liang Xiaoqing looked a little awkward—perhaps because she'd never bought underwear for anyone before. She explained to the assistant: "She's in her third year of middle school... I'd like to get her a couple of bra-style ones."

The assistant understood. "Come over here."

Those words made Jiang Xu's face turn red. She instinctively glanced at her own chest. Things were different there than before—sometimes it felt slightly swollen.

Wang Cai had once told her that girls should wear undershirts. Her chest wasn't very pronounced, and Wang Cai had sewn her two undershirts, which she still wore. They were fine, except occasionally they chafed and felt uncomfortable.

Now she didn't even dare hold Liang Xiaoqing's arm anymore.

Awkward, helpless... like a fresh flower bud peeled open and exposed before another person. She seemed to realize that between her and Liang Xiaoqing, there wasn't just a gap of time, but something far more important.

Her heart pounded faster and faster.

Sister Qing had noticed this change in her.

She herself hadn't even noticed it.

She felt shy, and a little powerless. She could only stand silently behind Liang Xiaoqing, watching her pick out fitting underwear while discussing appropriate sizes and comfort with the assistant.

"How about this one?" the assistant recommended. "A very popular teenage style."

Jiang Xu glanced at it—white, with padding in the cups, lace trim along the straps, and small printed patterns above.

It looked stylish.

Liang Xiaoqing carefully felt the fabric with her hand, frowning slightly. "The underwire won't be comfortable to wear."

The assistant quickly switched to a new option. "What about this one? No underwire."

"..." Liang Xiaoqing took it down and examined it.

Jiang Xu felt her face burn and her neck grow hot. The store had air conditioning running, but she was still hot. Her face flushed, and sweat beaded on her skin. Her whole body seemed to go numb, even her breathing turning labored.

Liang Xiaoqing continued picking: "This one. Can she try it on?"

The assistant said, "Of course."

Finally, they'd made a selection. Liang Xiaoqing had lost her initial awkwardness, even feeling a sense of accomplishment at having picked out a few decent bras.

She turned to Jiang Xu. "Xu, go try them on in the fitting room. See if they're too small, if they fit right, if they chafe your skin."

Jiang Xu took them, her lips pressed tight, her face flushing even deeper, like a boiled shrimp.

"...Okay." She managed to squeeze out a single word after a long pause.

Liang Xiaoqing thought she was just embarrassed, and patted her head. "You're growing up. You can't keep wearing those undershirts."

Jiang Xu's body went stiff. Once Liang Xiaoqing lowered her hand, she hurried into the changing room.

She shut the door. The cramped space amplified her pounding heartbeat.

One hand gripped the underwear Liang Xiaoqing had chosen for her; the other pressed against her chest, hoping to slow her frantic pulse.

After the violent thumping came a rush of warmth around her heart.

It enveloped her entire body.

No one had ever thought of her like this before. Ignoring her needs, ignoring her pleas—that had always been the norm.

Even Wang Cai had never done this for her, and Jiang Xu felt a pang of sadness because of it.

Such feelings were far too complex for her. Who could be better to her than Sister Qing? She even thought carefully enough to buy her underwear.

Jiang Xu's eyes grew a little red. She rubbed them, calmed herself, and began studying the bra in her hands. Try it on, but not necessarily buy it—50 yuan was no small sum to her. Just two scraps of fabric couldn't be worth that much.

She took off her short-sleeved shirt. The fitting room was well equipped, with a decent-sized mirror. The person in the mirror was still as thin as ever, though her face had gained a bit of flesh, making her look more pleasant.

She still looked drab all over, her chest covered by that loose, sagging undershirt. Jiang Xu had worn it for years; the straps had pilled at the edges, and the color had washed out to a pale white. The bra in her hands was a different style from what she wore, with a thin layer of sponge padding at the cups.

It felt soft to the touch, and the outer fabric was smooth and gentle on the skin. Jiang Xu fumbled with it, noticed a row of hooks at the back, and felt at a loss—she didn't know how to fasten them. Nor did she know how to try it on.

Did she have to take off the undershirt? But this was a public place—how could she remove her undergarment?

If she wore it directly over, then how was she supposed to handle the hooks in the back?

She'd never worn this type of bra before.

She hesitated for a long time, dawdling, before pulling her short-sleeved shirt back on, her hair now mussed. She looked at her timid expression in the mirror.

Outside, Liang Xiaoqing was still waiting, picking out two more with the assistant. "Done?" Liang Xiaoqing called from outside the fitting room.

"Done..." She didn't look at herself in the mirror again. She came out holding the bras, neatly folded, and handed them to the assistant.

The assistant took them and smiled at her.

Liang Xiaoqing looked at her too. "How was it?"

Jiang Xu hemmed and hawed: "...Doesn't fit."

Liang Xiaoqing's gaze traveled from Jiang Xu's neck downward, hovering briefly around her chest, and she frowned slightly. "That shouldn't be. The size ought to be right."

"..."

The assistant suggested, "Why not try this one?"

Jiang Xu glanced at it—one look told her it wasn't cheap. "No need."

She took Liang Xiaoqing's arm and tried to pull her out of the store. "Let's go, Sister Qing. Let's get the groceries."

Liang Xiaoqing let herself be dragged two steps, then pulled her hand free. "No way. We're already here." She took Jiang Xu's hand, her gaze turning skeptical. "This is something you absolutely need."

"..."

Liang Xiaoqing pulled her back toward the fitting room. "You didn't even try it on, did you?"

She closed the door, and the fitting room dimmed for a moment. The two of them squeezed in together, the space even more cramped, every breath audible.

Liang Xiaoqing still held Jiang Xu's hand. "Or is there some other concern?"

Liang Xiaoqing could guess what it might be: too expensive, inconvenient to wear—it just couldn't be a fit issue. For a frame like Jiang Xu's, a larger size was more likely.

The two stood face to face. Jiang Xu was in the back, and looking past Liang Xiaoqing, she could see the mirror behind her. "Sister Qing..."

Suddenly, she shuddered, uncomfortable in a way she couldn't articulate.

The reflection in the mirror heard her voice and tilted its head slightly. "Want me to help you?"

This was nothing, really. She'd even bathed Jiang Xu before. For her, Jiang Xu was the closest person she had in this unfamiliar place.

"..." Jiang Xu said nothing, just looked up at her with eyes sheened with moisture.

Liang Xiaoqing's hand moved to the hem of her shirt. "Don't know how it works?" She remembered—there were hooks in the back.

"..."

"Then take off the shirt first, and I'll fasten the hooks for you from behind, okay?"

As she spoke, she was already starting to pull Jiang Xu's shirt up.

If she looked at her own actions from an outside perspective, it would surely seem inappropriate. But she wasn't an outsider, and she genuinely didn't see anything wrong with it. The charged air thinned because of her matter-of-fact attitude. Jiang Xu, her back pressed against the wall, seemed to have heeded Liang Xiaoqing's words. Her hands moved slowly downward and closed over Liang Xiaoqing's hand.

"...I, I'll do it myself."

The warmth of her palm spread to Liang Xiaoqing's hand. Liang Xiaoqing squeezed Jiang Xu's hand in return and asked, puzzled, "Why is your hand so hot? Is it too warm in here?"

She touched Jiang Xu's forehead. "Don't let yourself get heatstroke."

Jiang Xu shook her head.

Liang Xiaoqing didn't say anything more.

She lowered her hand and made no move to help Jiang Xu undress again.

Instead, she turned to face the door, her back to Jiang Xu. "Fine, you change on your own. But I'll have to fasten the hooks for you. This is your first time wearing one—is that why you didn't try it on? You don't know how the hooks work?"

She instinctively started to turn around, then remembered Jiang Xu was undressing, so she stayed put.

There was no sound behind her, only the rustle of fabric. Jiang Xu took off her short sleeves, revealing the undershirt she wore—it came down to her waist, with two thicker panels sewn over the chest, the innermost layer cotton. The undershirt was neither too big nor too small, leaving a slight gap. Jiang Xu pressed a hand over her chest and glanced at Liang Xiaoqing's profile—soft, gentle.

Just looking at her was enough to give a person a sense of safety.

"..." She wanted to say something but didn't know what. Liang Xiaoqing noticed her gaze, however, and turned her head, catching her eyes directly. Liang Xiaoqing wasn't surprised at how much thinner Jiang Xu looked with her clothes off. Jiang Xu's slender arm lifted awkwardly.

Liang Xiaoqing knew Jiang Xu was thin-skinned, so she didn't look at her again and turned back around. She gestured to the bra hanging on the hook. "Just put it on like that. You don't need to try on undergarments against your skin. What you're wearing underneath is close enough—the difference shouldn't be much."

"Mmm... okay." Jiang Xu slipped the bra Liang Xiaoqing had chosen over her undershirt and reached behind to fasten the hooks. She thought she could manage it, but as Liang Xiaoqing had predicted, she couldn't. Or rather, she hadn't figured out the trick yet.

Her face was burning. She had no choice but to ask for help. "...Sister Qing, can you..."

Before she finished the sentence, Liang Xiaoqing turned around, took a step back, and crouched behind her, bending down and lowering her head. Her hands worked at the hooks on Jiang Xu's back while she talked: "See, like this... you have to try. If it feels tight, hook it looser; if it feels loose, hook it tighter... Actually, wearing this is pretty easy..."

"Mm..." Jiang Xu felt a light touch on her back, like a feather, like fine drizzle falling. But she realized with even greater clarity that the feathery sensation was Liang Xiaoqing's hair brushing against her back as it hung down, and the cool touch was Liang Xiaoqing's fingers grazing her skin as they worked the hooks.

Sister Qing's hands were a little cool.

Jiang Xu's thoughts went fuzzy, drifting away. She was tense, her emotions too tangled to describe. Yet this wasn't repulsive—she even liked this kind of touch, like when Liang Xiaoqing often patted her head.

She closed her eyes slightly and didn't move.

The swelling restlessness spread like the dampness of the rainy season.

"Whish, whish, whish"

The damp wind drifted in through the rain.

Her heart grew sticky with it too.