"But this clothing is really too nice." Shen Jianhua was amazed, for he had never seen such fabric.
"People from the city have money," Li Chunhua said as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
Fearing they might ask more questions, she made the excuse that she still had things to do at home and hurried off.
Zhou Siyu looked at the clothes on Shen Mianmian, her eyes red with jealousy.
Thinking back to the robe in her wardrobe, she felt an urge to tear that dress to shreds. Why did Shen Mianmian get a share of every good thing?
She couldn’t understand why Shen Mianmian was so lucky, especially since she was in no way better than her.
"A pheasant wearing a golden crown will never become a phoenix," Zhou Lanfang muttered through clenched teeth, glaring at Shen Mianmian before turning to enter the kitchen.
Shen Jianhua gave an awkward smile, "Mianmian, don’t mind your mother, that’s just the way she talks."
As for his wife, Shen Jianhua no longer had the energy to lecture her; talking was of no use.
"Mmm." Shen Mianmian’s mind was filled with thoughts of thanking He Nan, and she had no interest in squabbling with Zhou Lanfang.
"Come in and light the fire already. Are you just going to stand outside, or do you plan to skip lunch?"
Zhou Lanfang’s voice, burning with anger, came from the kitchen. Shen Jianhua quickly urged Shen Mianmian to change out of her clothes, and he went to light the fire himself.
Shen Mianmian, worried about soiling her clothes, turned and went back to her room. Just as she was taking off her new clothes, Zhou Siyu pushed the door and came in.
With a look of suspicion, she questioned Shen Mianmian, "Sis, why is Lady Li so nice to you?"
During the last visit to Auntie Zhang’s house, Li Chunhua was also on Shen Mianmian’s side. Zhou Siyu was sure Shen Mianmian must have done something to curry favor with Li Chunhua.
Otherwise, why would the mayor’s family, who never used to bother with their affairs, suddenly show so much concern for Shen Mianmian?
It didn’t make sense.
"Or, shall I take you to ask Lady Li?"
With a light comment, Shen Mianmian infuriated Zhou Siyu.
If she could ask Lady Li herself, why would she come to Shen Mianmian?
This damned girl was getting better and better at talking back.
Shen Mianmian packed the clothes safely into a bag and turned to leave, not forgetting to remind Zhou Siyu, "Next time you know I’m changing clothes, you should knock before entering." ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ novel※fire.net
Without looking back, she left.
Zhou Siyu stamped her foot in anger, glared fiercely at the clothes on the bed, and followed Shen Mianmian out.
The atmosphere at lunch was subtle due to the matter with the clothes. Every word Zhou Lanfang spoke was loaded with double meanings. Shen Mianmian just let it go in one ear and out the other, paying it no attention.
After lunch, Auntie Liu came over for a visit, talking about how splendid the show was last night. Zhou Lanfang, who had already been eager to go watch, lit up at the mention. She didn’t wait for long before taking Zhou Siyu to see the TV.
Shen Jianhua called for Shen Mianmian to join them, but she excused herself, saying she wasn’t interested in watching, so she didn’t go.
Once they had gone, she quietly slipped over to the mayor’s house, and, as luck would have it, she ran into Li Chunhua who was planning on watching the TV as well.
Upon learning she came to thank He Nan, Li Chunhua smiled and said, "He Nan has already gone back to the city. He left not too long ago. Don’t take the matter of the clothes too seriously. If they were given to you, just wear them. He and a friend own a garment factory. Such clothes are expensive outside, but they don’t cost nearly as much to produce."
In truth, Li Chunhua wasn’t sure how much the clothes cost. When she asked, He Nan had casually mentioned a friend had arranged it and it wasn’t expensive.
Considering he and a friend owned a garment factory, she assumed the clothes were from their own factory.