Chapter 115: Shen Youchu’s Great Transformation
The staff member praised her from the bottom of her heart. "Oh, sweetie, you’re so beautiful! I’ve never seen such a pretty little girl before!"
Shen Youchu gave a bitter smile. ’Living in a place like the Hope Welfare Institute, being pretty is hardly an advantage.’
’If she hadn’t discovered that Lin Ruoxi was a bit of a clean freak who disliked grimy children, Shen Youchu would have much preferred to live as an ugly duckling.’
"Thank you, miss."
Seeing how well-behaved and polite Shen Youchu was, the staff member’s impression of her soared.
"Sweetie, your sister bought you new clothes. Go change into them! This white dress should look great on you!"
"Okay."
Shen Youchu obediently changed into the white dress, and the staff member was left completely stunned!
The white dress enhanced her features, making Shen Youchu look even more stunning!
"Oh my god! Is this a little angel descended from heaven?"
Hearing the staff member’s gasp of amazement, the other female guests in the changing room gathered around, their eyes lighting up as they stared at Shen Youchu.
"What a beautiful little girl! Can I take a picture with you?"
"Sweetie, how old are you? Are your parents here? I’d love to make you my goddaughter!"
Shen Youchu had never experienced anything like this. Frightened, she hid behind the staff member, nervously clutching her sleeve.
This amused the female guests, making them like Shen Youchu even more.
"Hahaha, look, the little girl is getting shy!"
"She’s so adorable! This makes me want to have a daughter of my own!"
"Oh, my heart! It’s simply melting!"
The staff member’s maternal instincts kicked in, and she quickly shielded Shen Youchu. "Ladies, please don’t scare her. Her actual sister is waiting outside."
The women laughed and dispersed.
The staff member led Shen Youchu out of the changing room to Lin Ruoxi. "Miss, your family has amazing genes. Your sister is just as beautiful as you."
Lin Ruoxi was startled. She instinctively looked up at Shen Youchu, and then she froze.
God!
’Are you sure this doll-like little girl is the same grimy kid from just a moment ago?’
’She’s an absolute vision!’
Before, Lin Ruoxi had merely felt sorry for Shen Youchu. But now, seeing her all cleaned up, her affection for the girl grew by leaps and bounds!
’Seeing Shen Youchu is like seeing my younger self!’
’She’s just too adorable!’
"Youchu, from now on, don’t get yourself all grimy, okay? You’re so much prettier when you’re clean!"
"Okay!"
Shen Youchu nodded emphatically.
"Come on! Let’s get your hair cut!"
Lin Ruoxi took Shen Youchu’s little hand and strode toward the salon area.
"Here for a haircut, ladies? I’m Tony." A hairstylist, Teacher Tony, greeted them with a smile.
"Teacher Tony, could you please give my sister a haircut? Something designed to suit her age and face shape."
Teacher Tony studied Shen Youchu for a moment and smiled. "Miss, your sister’s hair is in poor condition, especially the ends—they’re full of split ends. It’s not suitable for a long style. Would a medium-short cut be okay?"
Lin Ruoxi didn’t make the decision for her, instead looking to Shen Youchu for her opinion.
Shen Youchu nodded gently. "Yes, that’s fine."
"Then leave it to me."
SNIP, SNIP.
Teacher Tony’s scissors danced like an Elf, and strands of Shen Youchu’s hair quickly tumbled down.
Normally, a girl would be heartbroken to cut the long hair she’d worked so hard to grow out. Shen Youchu, however, wasn’t sad at all. On the contrary, she broke into a pure, innocent smile.
It was as if what was being cut away wasn’t just her hair, but her entire past.
’From this day forward, I will leave the past behind and start a completely new life.’
About ten minutes later, Shen Youchu’s new hairstyle was ready. It was a bob cut, but not a traditional one.
The bangs weren’t perfectly straight, but slightly layered, giving her a playful and mischievous look.
Teacher Tony looked at his handiwork with satisfaction. "Little lady, take a look. Is there anything you’re not happy with? I can make adjustments."
Shen Youchu stared, dazed, at the girl in the mirror. She couldn’t believe that this confident, radiant person was actually her!
Lin Ruoxi also nodded in satisfaction. "Teacher Tony, you’re very skilled. Next time I change my hairstyle, I’ll come looking for you."
"Okay, thank you for your business, miss."
Lin Ruoxi smiled at Shen Youchu. "Come on, let’s go give your brother a surprise."
Shen Youchu nodded obediently and followed Lin Ruoxi toward the entrance of the Bauhinia Clubhouse.
As they walked, an idea to tease Cheng Yuan suddenly popped into Lin Ruoxi’s head. "Youchu, you go out first and sit down next to your brother. Don’t say anything to him. Let’s see if he can recognize you."
"Okay."
Lin Ruoxi slowed her pace, while Shen Youchu walked briskly out of the Bauhinia Clubhouse, headed straight for Cheng Yuan, and sat down beside him without a trace of shyness.
Cheng Yuan paused. ’Where did this little beauty come from?’
’She’s not a bit less beautiful than my Ruoxi.’
’I wonder what Youchu would look like if she actually cleaned up her image? If she could be even half as pretty as this little girl, I’d be happy.’
’Sigh, women are so much trouble. What’s taking them so long?’
Just as Cheng Yuan was grumbling to himself, Lin Ruoxi walked out slowly, approaching him with a smile.
"Cheng Yuan, tired of waiting?"
Cheng Yuan paused, glancing around behind Lin Ruoxi. Not seeing Shen Youchu, he asked in confusion, "Where’s Youchu? Is she not done yet?"
"She’s done."
"Huh? Then where is she? Why hasn’t she come out yet?"
"She is out already!"
Cheng Yuan’s expression turned serious. "Ruoxi, don’t mess with me. I’ve been staring at the door this whole time, how could I not know if Youchu came out? Don’t tell me you changed your mind and just abandoned her?"
Lin Ruoxi rolled her eyes in exasperation. "Cheng Yuan, is that really what you think of me? That I’m some kind of evil woman?"
Seeing that the two were about to start arguing, Shen Youchu couldn’t take it anymore and quickly interjected, "Big Brother, Big Sister isn’t lying! I came out a long time ago! You just didn’t recognize me!"
Before Shen Youchu spoke, it hadn’t even occurred to Cheng Yuan to connect this breathtakingly beautiful little girl with Shen Youchu.
But now, Cheng Yuan was utterly dumbfounded, staring at Shen Youchu in complete disbelief.
"Youchu, you... you... you..."
After sputtering "you" for what felt like an eternity, Cheng Yuan still couldn’t form a complete sentence. He was simply too stunned!
The way Shen Youchu looked before and the way she looked now were like night and day!
A triumphant smile touched Lin Ruoxi’s lips. "So? I have a pretty good eye, don’t I? Isn’t Youchu gorgeous now?"
"Gorgeous! Absolutely gorgeous! With looks like hers, when she grows up, she’ll be every bit as beautiful as Ruoxi."
Lin Ruoxi laughed. "To be honest, she’s already on my level. When she grows up, she might even be prettier than I am!"
Shen Youchu quickly waved her hands in dismissal. "Lots of little girls are pretty when they’re young but don’t grow up as well. If I can be even eighty percent as beautiful as Big Sister when I’m her age, I’ll be more than happy!"