Chapter 27
When Sheng Xiao saw her reaction, he added, “You’re being optimistic.”
Mu Qiqi promptly glared at him.
“It’s almost five months since you’ve moved here to this mansion, a time where you’ve changed dramatically. Could you have no intention to show those who abandoned you a good look at you now?” Sheng Xiao then asked, folding his arms.
Staring at him hopefully, Mu Qiqi said, “Of course I do.”
“Then isn’t that just fine? Your sister would definitely be trying every trick in the book on that day so that she would get every attention and humiliate you, so let them see with their own eyes right then how happy and blossoming Mu Qiqi had been after leaving the Mu family.
“That is my intention in agreeing to the Mu family’s request, aside from them trying anything funny.
“You are my little princess—and of the Sheng family. Why should you fall short in comparison?”
For some reason, Mu Qiqi thought that she could overcome all trials and tribulations with such aspiring words from Sheng Xiao.
The truth was that she wanted to see the faces of her family when they saw how much she changed.
“Jing Yun would be coming tomorrow. He’ll help you prepare for the party… and I had already told him to keep an eye on the Mu family over the next few days. Whatever they are about to buy, we will take it from them—I want anything they would give Mu Tangxue, so that it can be yours instead.”
Sheng Xiao’s words left Mu Qiqi’s heart in an ocean of warmth.
It was only him who would do something like steal for her in this world.
The corner of her eyes reddened as she looked at him. “Suddenly, I’m hopeful…”
“Go to bed,” Sheng Xiao gave her a nudge on her head. “There’s still school tomorrow.”
“What about you?”
“What do you care?”
Mu Qiqi reluctantly returned inside the little mansion even as she looked into Sheng Xiao’s meaningful gaze.
It was clearly very cold outside, and yet…
“Xiaoxiao…”
“What is it?”
“It’s still my eighteenth birthday. Even if I really want the Mu family to see how much I’ve changed, I would rather be with you. I know you are busy everyday of course, but I really want to see you.”
“I can’t celebrate your birthday with you at the Mu family.”
“That’s alright… it’s Christmas on the day after, would I see you then?”
“There’s an event at the company,” Sheng Xiao simply replied.
After all, would a family trading in diamonds miss such an important day like Christmas?
“Okay. Well, I’m off to bed.” Mu Qiqi was very disappointed, but she quickly turned and closed the door so that Sheng Xiao could not see her sad face.
Was she being too optimistic?
Why was she daydreaming in such fashion?
Sheng Xiao was already being too nice to her. She shouldn’t feel such discontent.
Meanwhile, Sheng Xiao watched as Mu Qiqi quickly left.
He had actually seen through her expectant look, since for girls, all important days from birthday to Christmas were good chances where they could get close to the people they like.
Nonetheless, he said nothing, but he called Jing Yun on the way back, “Keep an eye on things in the Mu family over the next few days, and help me grab a few things.”
***
Mu Tangxue had definitely wanted to show off her vibrant side on the night she became an adult, seizing gazes of envy from everyone and especially humiliate Mu Qiqi.
After all, Mu Qiqi would always stir trouble and get beaten up on their birthday since they had been children.
She would receive gifts from friends and family, while Mu Qiqi would only receive complaints about her education.
This time, things would not end well for Mu Qiqi too. Because she was not even a part of the Mu Family now, and their parents would pay her even less heed.
As such, she needed a battle dress.
Mu Tangxue hence asked Mama Mu to go shopping with her for a gown.
The salesgirl in one of the luxurious shops they visited was certainly pleased, because Mu Tangxue had set her eyes upon one of their high-class in-season dresses: a pure-white lace dress.
“You like that?” Mama Mu thought that it looked beautiful on Mu Tangxue, and quickly decided to buy it for her daughter.
Mu Tang Xue nodded—it was the dress she was most pleased about yet.
However, just as Mama Mu held up her purse and was about to head for the payment counter, the shop manager had quickly approached her and apologized. “I’m sorry, madam, but the dress your daughter tried on had actually been bought early on. We forgot to take it off —it’s a mistake on our end.”
“There’s no other?”
“I’m sorry, it’s the only one anywhere. All our products are one and only.” The manager explained. “Perhaps there is another dress that you might be interested in?”
“It’s fine.” Mama Mu turned and told Mu Tangxue what the managed just said. “You don’t have to get angry, darling. We can just return home and get a designer to tailor something for you.”
“I’m not angry, Mommy. I could just wear something I already have, since I still have many other clothes.”
“Surely not—it’s when you come of age.”
Although Mu Tangxue really liked the dress, it meant nothing since it was someone else’s and there was no other one like it.
Still, mother and daughter simply did not expect that the ‘owner’ was barely a step ahead of them—and by purchasing the dress at double price, even the manager was very willing to find an excuse for having sold the dress.
***
At night, Mu Qiqi returned home to find a white box on the desk in her room, kept tied beneath a bow-knot ribbon.
Mu Qiqi opened it to find a white dress inside.
SU Zipei also entered her room right then, and smiled when she found her taking out the dress out. “I heard that Jing Yun snatched it from my sister since it was something that she planned to buy for Mu Tangxue—she is definitely going to be very angry when she sees you wearing that for the party.”
“You don’t have to try it on either since Mu Tangxue has basically tried it for you… you twins are not so different in size. In fact, your frame is a little smaller.”
“Xiaoxiao was not lying,” Mu Qiqi muttered quietly. “He is actually stealing right under Mu Tangxue’s nose…”
“What?”
“Nothing. I was just saying that the dress is very beautiful,” Mu Qiqi replied. “Relax, Aunt Zipei. Let’s enjoy the look on Mu Tangxue’s face on that day!”
“Yes, Young Master Sheng cares so much that he actually did that for you… don’t disappoint him, and hold your head high when you set foot inside their house!”
“I know.” Mu Qiqi nodded somberly. “Actually, I think I’m starting to love the feeling of making trouble for Mu Tangxue…
“What should I do if I really became bad, Aunt Zipei?”