Chapter 165 - 155: New Clothes

Chapter 165: Chapter 155: New Clothes

When Xiao Man woke up, it was already the thirtieth of the twelfth lunar month—New Year’s Eve. Gu Shaoqin was the one who told her. The moment she opened her door, two people tumbled in, scattering snacks all over the floor. They had actually been leaning against her door eating. ’No wonder I kept hearing a crunching sound,’ she thought. ’I was starting to think there was a mouse hole somewhere in the room.’

One of the two was, of course, Gu Shaoqin. He scrambled to his feet and said with a grin, "Zheng San Niu, you sure can sleep! You didn’t even come out for dinner last night. It’s already eight in the morning, and we’ve been waiting for you for over an hour! Today’s New Year’s Eve, and the streets are really lively. First Aunt said we can go out and play for a while!"

Xiao Man nodded, her gaze shifting to the young girl beside him who looked to be about her age. Judging by her features, this had to be the person Zheng Shaolian had mentioned: Gu Shaofeng’s biological sister, the only girl among the Gu family’s grandchildren, Gu Shaoling.

In her past life, she had been by Gu Shaojun’s side for over three years. Aside from his close friends, Xiao Man had never met any of the Gu family’s elders, not even this Gu Shaoling. It wasn’t that they didn’t come to see Gu Shaojun; it was that whenever they came, he would make sure Xiao Man was elsewhere.

Gu Shaojun knew every member of his family, especially his sister who had married into a wealthy, influential family in Xiangjiang. He didn’t think they were bad people, but he knew that if Xiao Man were to meet them, she would inevitably be hurt in some way.

When Zheng Shaolian had become aggressive, demanding that Xiao Man go abroad for plastic surgery, she had resisted. Gu Shaojun’s response was to have his men physically throw Zheng Shaolian out the door, supporting her decision to cut ties with him through his actions.

Gu Shaojun forbade anyone who showed even the slightest disapproval of Xiao Man from getting near her. As a result, there were many people she never had to face.

Meeting Gu Shaoling in this life, Xiao Man observed her with curiosity. ’This is the future young mistress of a Xiangjiang media empire whose wealth could rival a nation,’ she mused. ’She’s practically glittering with gold and worth a fortune.’

Gu Shaoling was also sizing Xiao Man up, her expression initially arrogant before shifting to suspicion. She then brazenly stepped forward and pinched Xiao Man’s cheek. "You’re from some poor mountain region? How is your skin better than mine? And this outfit—you can’t wear it outside!"

Xiao Man was speechless. She looked down at her pink, floral-print padded jacket and lavender corduroy pants. To be honest, she really liked the color combination—it was fresh and elegant, simple yet tasteful. Zhou Hui Lan had prepared it for her.

"Why not?"

"Because I have an outfit in the same style that I plan on wearing tomorrow. If you wear yours out now, what am I supposed to wear?" Gu Shaoling said.

Gu Shaoqin chimed in from the side, "Yours is orange-red, and Zheng San Niu’s is pink. How are they the same?"

"You’re just a little kid, what do you know? Stop interrupting!" Gu Shaoling said to Xiao Man. "Go change. If you don’t have any other clothes, I’ll give you two new outfits!"

Xiao Man replied, "I’m not changing."

Gu Shaoling got angry. "Do you have any manners? If you won’t change, then you can just stay in your room. You’re not allowed to come out!"

The argument under the covered walkway quickly attracted many members of the Gu family. Zheng Shaojin and Tang Qingshan also walked in from the front courtyard and overheard the two girls’ conversation.

"What’s going on? Shaoling, Shaoqin?" Old Mrs. Gu asked.

Zhou Hui Lan, however, smiled gently at Xiao Man. "You’re awake, child? Did you sleep well? Are you hungry?"

Gu Shaoling whined to Old Mrs. Gu, "Grandma, look at Zheng San Niu! How can she wear the same clothes as me? I was planning to wear this outfit tomorrow. If she wears it out today, what am I supposed to do?"

Zhou Hui Lan explained, "How are they the same? The colors are different. I took the children to buy new clothes the other day, and this style looked very good on Shaoling—it’s pretty and festive for a young girl, and the padded jacket is thick and warm. So yesterday, I specifically asked Shaoqin to go buy another set for Zheng San Niu. Shaoqin chose the pink one himself. It complements Zheng San Niu’s complexion beautifully and is completely different from Shaoling’s orange-red!"

Gu Shaoling stomped her foot. "Ugh, First Aunt, you don’t get it! Only maids and servants wear clothes of the same style! Besides, that orange-red one you picked for me is so tacky. It’s not nearly as nice as this pink one!"

Zhou Hui Lan was speechless.

Old Mrs. Gu gave Gu Shaoling a light slap. "How can you talk like that? Apologize to your aunt this instant! You’re lucky to have new clothes to wear, and you’re still being picky?"

A woman standing beside Old Mrs. Gu, who looked to be about thirty-seven or thirty-eight, was dressed in a dark Lenin suit with her hair cut short, giving her a sharp and capable air. She had been observing Xiao Man with a smile and now spoke up, still smiling.

"Mom, you can’t blame Shaoling. It’s not that she’s being deliberately picky; girls from privileged families are just like that. They don’t like to wear the same style of clothes as others. But Shaoling, you have plenty of clothes, so just let this one go! If you ask me, this outfit looks like it was custom-made for Zheng San Niu. It’s the most fitting and beautiful on her. Your complexion and disposition couldn’t bring out this kind of charm!"

"Third Aunt, what are you trying to say? How can you side with an outsider and gang up on me?" Gu Shaoling pouted, aggrieved. "I’ve already tried on this outfit. It fits perfectly, and it’s comfortable. Even Grandma said it looks nice, right, Grandma? That’s why I was saving it specifically to wear on New Year’s Day. I haven’t even had the heart to wear it myself yet, so what gives her the right? If she absolutely has to wear it, she’ll have to wait until after I’ve worn it first—she can wear it on the fourth or fifth day of the New Year at the earliest!"

The Third Son’s wife started to say something, but Old Mrs. Gu shot her a look, and she fell silent.

Tang Qingshan emerged from the back of the crowd and walked to the front. He placed a hand on Xiao Man’s shoulder, patted it gently, and said with a smile, "I’m only just learning today that you girls have this little rule among yourselves. So, you’re saying that if our Zheng San Niu wears this outfit out, then a girl like Shaoling will automatically avoid it and would never wear the same thing. From then on, Zheng San Niu will be the only one on the streets showcasing this particular style. Is that right?"

The Third Son’s wife was amused. "Brother Qingshan, your way of putting it is really something... But I suppose you’re right."

"Alright then! Zheng San Niu, this outfit really is a perfect fit and very beautiful; it was made for you! Come on, let’s seize the advantage. We’ll go out and make our debut right now. I have a camera in my car, we’ll even take a picture as proof! If anyone is tactless enough to come out and clash with us, they’ll just have to quietly step aside and hold their tongue!"

As he spoke, Tang Qingshan took Xiao Man’s hand and started walking toward the main gate.

The Gu family members were speechless.

After a few seconds of stunned silence, Gu Shaoling threw herself into Old Mrs. Gu’s arms and began to wail, refusing to be consoled.

Zhou Hui Lan hurried after Tang Qingshan. "Hey, Qingshan, the child hasn’t had breakfast yet!"

Tang Qingshan called back, "She can eat at our place, everything’s ready. There isn’t much traffic today, so we’ll be home soon! By the way, Sister-in-law, I already spoke with Uncle. The child will be spending New Year’s Eve with us, so you don’t need to worry!"

Gu Shaoqin, who had been standing with Old Mrs. Gu and the Third Son’s wife, heard this and immediately ran over to walk out alongside Xiao Man.

The Third Son’s wife couldn’t call her son back and grew anxious. She said to Old Mrs. Gu, "Mom, about that... Aunt Tang has liver disease. It’s in the later stages, and the doctors said it could be contagious..."

Old Mrs. Gu shot her a sidelong glance. "How many times have I told you all? It’s enough to know it in your hearts; you’re not to speak of it carelessly! If your father hears this, he won’t let you off lightly."

"But it’s a fact, it’s science! This isn’t about looking down on anyone! Shaoqin’s constitution is very weak. We have to get him back!"

"That’s enough. What are you panicking for?" Although Old Mrs. Gu felt a little unsettled herself, her tone remained nonchalant. "The Tang family has doctors over there; they will have made the proper arrangements. Otherwise, what would your Uncle Tang and Qingshan do? And what about all their staff members? How could they all stay there?"

After a moment of thought, she added, speaking to Zheng Shaojin, "Go to the gate and take a look. If they haven’t gotten in the car yet, stop Shaoqin. And you can’t just be running around either. It’s New Year’s Eve today, you know?"

Zheng Shaojin acknowledged her and left.

The Third Son’s wife said no more. She stood rooted to the spot, and as soon as Old Mrs. Gu and the others had walked away, she immediately hurried out after them.