"Pah!" Liu Mei, her face clenched in anger, spat at the door and snorted coldly, "What’s so great about that? It’s just a building; you act like it’s the only one in the world..." She hadn’t finished her sentence when she saw the yard door, which had just closed, open again.
Standing at the entrance, the Ruanlin Family matriarch looked at her with cold indifference, "Xiu Family trash, do you believe I can tear that filthy mouth of yours right now?!"
Liu Mei pursed her lips, forcibly swallowing the words she was about to say. Under the almost man-eating gaze of the Ruanlin Family matriarch, she skulked back to her own home.
It was simply bad luck for her; the Ruanlin Family matriarch was in a foul mood, and Liu Mei had just happened to walk into it, so it was no wonder she got scolded.
After moving all the items Shu Jiao had sent into the yard, the boys gathered around, curiously watching as Ruan Jianguo went inside to fetch a pair of scissors and carefully cut along the edge of the packages.
The Ruanlin Family matriarch glanced over and walked away.
Ruan Jiaojiao noticed her mother’s poor expression and wanted to follow, but her excited brother Ruan Jie was pulling her forward, eager to see what Shu Jiao had sent back. Ruan Jianguo also called out to her happily, "Jiaojiao, come quickly, see what good things your mother bought for you."
Ruan Jiaojiao could only helplessly be dragged along by them.
Shu Jiao was a thoughtful person; this time, she had sent back something for everyone in the family, including Ruan Jiaojiao’s uncles and aunts and the Ruanlin matriarch. Each person had a set of clothes made from particularly fine fabric, the style looked different from what they had here, presumably the latest fashion from the city.
Each of the boys also had a set of clothes with their names carefully attached, making sure there would be no mix-ups.
With their own sets of clothes in hand, the boys were as happy as if it were New Year’s, comparing with one another.
Ruan Hao and Ruan Jie each had one more set of clothes than the others; Ruan Jianguo had two sets, but only Ruan Jiaojiao had a package all to herself.
Ruan Jianguo opened that package, then went to open the one specifically for Ruan Jiaojiao.
As soon as the package was opened, everyone’s eyes widened, and Little Fatty let out a gasp of admiration, "So many, so beautiful!"
Inside, besides clothes, there were shoes, skirts, pants, hair accessories, headbands, hats, socks... Everything Ruan Jiaojiao could need was there, not just one or two items, but several of each.
Each item was exquisitely detailed; even headbands and hair ornaments were studded with beads and sequins, dazzlingly attractive.
The material of the clothes was also particularly fine, different from what they would buy at the supply and marketing co-op. They were not made of hemp or yarn, but satin, silky smooth, not at all harsh on the skin.
Ruan Wei couldn’t resist, picked up a skirt, and gently touched it, immediately leaving a black paw print on it.
Ruan Jie, who was beside him, distressedly swatted his hand away, scolding, "Look what you’ve done!"
Ruan Wei shrank back, looking at the dress guiltily. He hadn’t realized his hands were so dirty; after all, his own clothes didn’t get dirty when he touched them... Of course, he forgot that his clothes were black, and even if he had left a paw print, it wouldn’t show.
"Ruan Jie, watch your language!" Ruan Jianguo glared at Ruan Jie, then turned to comfort his nephew, "Xiaowei, it’s okay, this can be washed clean."
"These shoes sure are pretty." Little Fatty also pointed at a pair of leather sandals decorated with pearl pieces, and with Ruan Wei’s earlier mishap serving as a warning, he didn’t touch them but simply pointed in awe.