As Fang Yue opened the box, inside were several pairs of earrings, necklaces, and delicate bracelets, all shimmering and exquisitely beautiful.
Ji Ying looked at the box of jewelry and thought to herself that she needed to earn more money so she could buy more jewelry for her daughter in the future. The jewelry was too beautiful. Look at those jade earrings paired with Nianhua’s slender, pale neck—they must look good.
And the gold bracelet paired with Nianhua’s wrist would certainly look particularly beautiful.
Nianhua only glanced at them once before withdrawing her gaze and politely declined, "Thank you for your kindness, Auntie Gu, but I won’t need these things at school."
"It doesn’t matter if you can’t use them at school; you can still use them when you return home," Fang Yue said enthusiastically. "I picked these out especially for you, and they particularly suit your age. You would look good wearing them."
As she spoke, Fang Yue took a pair of earrings and compared them next to Nianhua’s ear.
Nianhua dodged to the side, laughing, "No need, these are too valuable. It would be a shame if I lost them."
It was clear that Nianhua was declining; holding the earrings, Fang Yue was a bit at a loss.
She took a deep breath, recalling Gu Hai’s words from yesterday, smiled, and put the earrings back, saying, "That’s true, it’s not safe to keep such things at school. Well, these clothes—you can wear them."
"I’ve prepared two outfits for casual wear and two for formal occasions, all of which you will be able to use."
Fang Yue enthusiastically presented the two outfits, which, in terms of material and style, were the most fashionable of the moment.
Nianhua responded politely and formally.
The smile on Fang Yue’s face nearly faltered.
Unable to watch any longer, Ji Ying hurriedly said, "These clothes are truly beautiful. I’ve never seen such beautiful clothes in my life."
Ji Ying truly meant what she said. In the past, a single garment was worn over and over. New for three years, old for three years, patched up for another three years. Even though the days were better now and Ji Ying hadn’t skimped on buying clothes, the garments Fang Yue brought out were unlike any she had seen before—especially beautiful, dazzlingly so.
"Yes, I especially picked them out for Nianhua," Fang Yue emphasized the word "especially."
"Nianhua, hurry and thank her."
Ji Ying wasn’t sure how to address her.
"Thank you, Auntie Gu," Nianhua said, polite yet distant.
"No need, it’s only right," Fang Yue took a deep breath, reminding herself not to get angry, and said with a smile, "In the future, I will make it up to you. Whatever you want, just tell me."
"By the way, during the summer vacation, your younger brother Mingcheng will also be coming home. You should come too; we can have a family reunion." Fang Yue took the opportunity to say, "Mingzhu is pregnant; otherwise, she would have definitely come with us to see you. They’re all looking forward to your return home."
Fang Yue’s words made the Xu family’s hearts skip a beat, with Nian’an’s words still vivid in their minds.
"The Gu family’s eldest daughter is the younger sister’s sister. By age, she must be older than the younger sister, maybe even married and pregnant by now. Pregnancy is extraordinarily dangerous, and in case of a major bleeding, the younger sister’s role becomes very important," Nian’an had said.
Fang Yue, observing that the Xu family’s expressions were off, pondered over her words but felt she hadn’t said anything wrong. She said sincerely and earnestly, "Our whole family is looking forward to your return home."
"Thank you, I’ll visit when I have the time," Nianhua replied, not surprised at all. She felt that if it weren’t for Mingzhu’s circumstances, the Gu family wouldn’t likely seek her out.