Reborn with My Genius Husband-Chapter 21: A Hint from Wyatt Winslow

It dawned on her a moment later, and she remembered what she had just said. "Dad, that was just a classmate asking me to hang out. I didn’t want to, so I made up an excuse. I still have several sets of casual clothes in my closet with the tags still on."

"I just went to the mall and bought a few things while you were away. You’re older now, you have your own tastes."

Wyatt Winslow put down the newspaper and stood up. "Go change your clothes. I’ll get the car from the garage. I’ll wait for you at the neighborhood entrance."

Holly Winslow had no choice but to change and head to the neighborhood entrance. Wyatt Winslow’s car hadn’t arrived yet.

Just then, her phone vibrated. Mortimer Quincy had sent her a text.

Wifey, you coming home?

Nope. Dad’s taking me to buy clothes.

He replied in an instant.

I’ll take you to school this afternoon.

Dad’s taking me.

The other end went silent for a minute. Then: Wifey, I miss you.

Holly Winslow stared at her phone and chuckled. After a moment’s thought, she texted back: We have a three-day sports meet next week. I’ll take a day off to come see you then.

Before he could reply, a car honked. She looked up and saw Wyatt Winslow’s car parked a short distance away. She quickly put her phone away and ran over.

At the largest department store in Jarton County, the two of them went straight to the women’s apparel department on the fifth floor.

Since they were already there, Holly Winslow figured she might as well pick out a couple of thick winter items. In Wyatt Winslow’s eyes, it seemed, only black existed. All her thick padded jackets were black, and nothing but black.

She remembered that because of this, some people in her class had spread rumors that she didn’t bathe or change her clothes.

Wyatt Winslow wasn’t good at picking out clothes, so he just stood by and watched her try them on. One particular mustard-yellow, mid-length coat made her face look fair, fresh, and pretty.

In the end, Holly Winslow only chose a short, blue and white padded jacket.

"Miss, that coat looks wonderful on you. You should get it as well," the salesperson said enthusiastically.

’It’s nice, but it’s too expensive. At 799 yuan, I could buy two other pieces of clothing.’

Holly Winslow shook her head. "No, thank you. I’ll just take these two."

Suddenly, Wyatt Winslow spoke up. "Ring up that coat too. I’m paying by card." He held out a card as he spoke.

Holly Winslow quickly grabbed his wrist. "Dad, no! It’s too expensive."

’I’m still growing. I’m only five-foot-four right now, and... ahem... my figure is still pretty scrawny. I’m not really developed where I should be.’

’I remember that by the end of senior year, I’ll be five-foot-six and filled out in all the right places.’

’The shoulders on this coat fit just right now, which means it’ll be a little small next year.’

’Spending 799 yuan on something I can only wear for one winter just isn’t worth it.’

Wyatt Winslow glanced at her but still said, "Ring it up."

The salesperson’s eyes crinkled into a smile as she piled on the free compliments. "Miss, you look so good in that yellow coat. It makes your skin look incredibly fair. If you don’t believe me, you can ask your father."

Seeing them both look his way, the ever-stoic Wyatt Winslow just grunted, "Mm."

The salesperson added, "The quality of this coat is excellent. It’ll last you three to five years, no problem."

After paying, they went down to the first floor, which sold electronics.

"Pick out a phone."

Wyatt Winslow headed straight for the phone counter.

Holly Winslow hurried after him. "Dad, my phone still works fine."

’Don’t be fooled by its old-school keypad; it wasn’t cheap when I bought it. It cost over two thousand yuan, which is why it’s still working after four or five years.’

"Pick one out. I happen to have time right now," Wyatt Winslow said in a businesslike tone.

Holly Winslow had gotten her keypad phone when she started middle school. Back then, to prevent it from being a distraction from her studies, it had very few features.

Unable to refuse Wyatt Winslow’s blunt generosity, and remembering that Mortimer Quincy’s phone was black, Holly Winslow picked out a white one that wasn’t the same model.

’She had just seen Mortimer Quincy’s model, and it cost 2,999 yuan.’

’No way I can compete with that guy.’

’The one she chose was 1,399 yuan—a price that wasn’t too low, but not too high either.’

Wyatt Winslow glanced at the phone the salesperson brought out and was unimpressed. His eyes scanned the counter until he pointed at a different white phone. "We’ll take this one."

It happened to be the same model as Mortimer Quincy’s.

"Dad, don’t buy one that’s so expensive! I’m still a student. If I accidentally drop it, I’ll be devastated," Holly Winslow said, trying to stop him.

Wyatt Winslow handed his bank card directly to the salesperson and replied to Holly Winslow, "We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it."

Holly Winslow: "..."

’What good would crossing that bridge when we come to it do?’

The salesperson was especially helpful, installing the SIM card and memory card for her.

After the phone booted up, a text message popped up, its full content displayed on the screen.

Wifey, I bought you some snacks. Come down and get them.

Holly Winslow was looking at the phone on the counter upside down and couldn’t quite make out the words at first. She had to crane her neck to get a proper look.

"..."

’Don’t panic. Be cool.’

She asked, feigning confusion, "Whose number is this?"

’Good thing it’s a new phone, so none of the contact names are saved.’

The salesperson looked a little awkward when she saw it, assuming Holly was in a relationship at such a young age. She even shot a cautious glance at Wyatt Winslow.

Hearing Holly’s question, she quickly helped explain, "It’s from an unknown number. Someone probably just texted the wrong person. It happens all the time."

’Please don’t let this scare away the big sale.’

"Then could you please delete it for me?"

Holly Winslow glanced guiltily at Wyatt Winslow. His expression was as unreadable as ever, and she couldn’t tell whether he believed her or not.

The salesperson was particularly eager to help. "Let me block this number for you. That way, you won’t get any more texts from it."

Holly Winslow: "..."

She gave a sweet smile. "Thank you."

"You’re welcome. It’s our pleasure," the salesperson said.

On the way home, Wyatt Winslow didn’t ask a single question. After taking Mortimer Quincy off the blocklist, Holly Winslow sent a quick text, then put her phone away and sat obediently in her seat.

Back home, she started packing her clothes for school. She checked the weather and saw that it was going to turn colder after Wednesday.

She decided to bring the yellow coat.

She put her things on the sofa in her bedroom. The TV, which hadn’t been on in a long time, was playing.

"I’m your host, Azure Zane, from Youth Focus. That’s all for today’s broadcast. Join us again tomorrow at the same time. Thank you."

Hearing the kitchen door open, Holly Winslow looked over to see Wyatt Winslow coming out with a dish.

Just then, the TV replayed the news segment. "Hello, everyone. I’m Azure Zane, host of Youth Focus. Today, I want to talk about a high school sophomore named Lily, a pseudonym."

"Lily was a well-behaved student with excellent grades. She attracted the affection of a classmate, Kevin, also a pseudonym. After Kevin pursued her, the two began dating..."

Holly Winslow: "..."

’Wow, that’s some next-level subtle hinting.’

Because of this, she didn’t dare contact Mortimer Quincy until after Wyatt Winslow had dropped her and Iris Kensington off at school.

Back in their dorm room, Iris Kensington tossed her things onto her bed and gasped for breath. "I’m exhausted! Winter is such a pain. So many clothes to deal with."

"I’ll give you three minutes to rest. After that, prepare to meet your doom!"

Holly Winslow huffed, then took her phone into the bathroom to call Mortimer Quincy. "I’m at school."

"You’re coming over? It’s almost five. If you come now, you won’t make it back for the evening self-study session."

From outside, Iris Kensington’s shout could be heard. "Anna, save me! Holly’s about to torture me!"