Chapter 98: Lantern Festival
Su Yaoguang sat in front of the dressing table while Jia Chunni combed her hair. Zhang Zhaodi, Zhang Pandi, and Zhang Yingdi were selecting clothes.
"Why does Yaoguang have so few clothes?"
"Indeed, it’s a bit less, and the colors are quite plain. A girl of this age is in her prime, she should wear bright red and purple clothes to look festive."
Jiang Jing pushed the door open and said, "I bought two outfits from Sister Chun’e, godmother, see if these styles are okay."
Zhang Zhaodi took them joyfully and said, "Did you buy them specially for Yaoguang?"
"Yeah, since Yaoguang is going to the lantern festival with my brother-in-law, I thought she didn’t have many suitable clothes, so I went to Sister Chun’e to buy two sets, just not sure if they are okay."
"They’re great, absolutely great." Zhang Zhaodi turned to Su Yaoguang, "You dress others so beautifully, why don’t you dress yourself up? Luckily, Jing’er has a good eye, these two sets are nice. It’s a festive day, let’s wear this red one."
"A red dress with a white inner layer, it’s the combination you taught Chun’e." Zhang Yingdi said, "I must say, it looks pretty good!"
Su Yaoguang watched them bustling about and said helplessly, "Isn’t this a bit too much? Wangshu isn’t an outsider; hasn’t he seen me in every form?"
"Even so, you can’t be so sloppy!" Zhang Zhaodi said fiercely, "There’s a saying that girls should dress up for those they like. You and Wangshu have a wedding contract, but the ceremony hasn’t been held yet! Besides, with Wangshu looking so good, if you stand there all sloppily, people might think you’re his sister. Who would think you two are a couple? You need to take better care of yourself, don’t embarrass Wangshu, understand?"
Su Yaoguang: "..."
Zhou Wangshu was writing his homework in his room, listening to the commotion next door, and the unsoftened voices, feeling complicated.
These women could be very fierce when dealing with outsiders, but when facing their own family, they seemed to want to give the best of themselves.
He originally just wanted to take shelter with this family, but the longer he stayed, the more he got used to living with them.
"Wangshu, Yaoguang is ready, can you step out now?" Zhang Zhaodi knocked on the door.
Zhou Wangshu immediately got up and opened the door, gently saying to Zhang Zhaodi, "Mom, I’m ready."
"Yaoguang is ready too, you can both go out now. Oh...," Zhang Zhaodi stuffed a pouch into his hand, "Take this for your needs, if it’s not enough, let Yaoguang pay."
"Thank you, Mom." Zhou Wangshu put it away.
Zhang Zhaodi examined Zhou Wangshu, wearing just a simple blue outfit, he looked handsome in it.
At this moment, Zhang Pandi was pushing Su Yaoguang out the door.
Zhou Wangshu looked up and saw Su Yaoguang, standing there awkwardly with an exquisite makeup.
Compared to their first meeting, Su Yaoguang indeed looked much prettier now. Her skin had become more delicate, her features had matured, and there was a vibrant spirit between her brows.
"Alright, go enjoy the lantern festival, don’t be too late, otherwise the beautiful sights might be gone." Zhang Zhaodi urged.
"Mom, we’re leaving." As soon as Su Yaoguang heard it, she grabbed Zhou Wangshu’s arm and walked outside.
She walked quickly as if she was fleeing.
Once out the back door, Su Yaoguang released Zhou Wangshu and exhaled lightly: "Finally out. They were so exaggerated just now! Look at the makeup on my face..."
Zhou Wangshu smiled faintly: "It’s very beautiful."
"Beautiful is beautiful, but when conducting business, this is fine, but going out with you dressed like this feels weird."
"Why?" Zhou Wangshu raised an eyebrow.
"I’m like your sister!" Su Yaoguang patted Zhou Wangshu’s shoulder, "Have you ever seen a sister dress up just to take her brother shopping?"
Zhou Wangshu nodded.
"Aren’t we going to the lantern festival? Let’s go!" Su Yaoguang tugged Zhou Wangshu’s arm towards the bustling area.
These days have been too busy, without a moment to properly enjoy themselves. Now that they have time, watching the various lanterns shine with the stars above, it truly is delightful.
"Yaoguang, I have a bit of a stomachache and need to visit the restroom." Zhou Wangshu said, "You go ahead and explore, I’ll find you later."
"Where do you plan to go for the restroom?" Su Yaoguang asked.
"I’ll find a restroom nearby."
"I know a place." Su Yaoguang pointed to the dance house not far away, "We can go there to borrow the restroom."
Zhou Wangshu: "..."
If he didn’t know how discreet he was, he would have thought Su Yaoguang was testing him. In fact, his stomach ache was just an excuse to go perform a piece at the dance house.
He had five performances a month, and with the month almost over, still missing one. Just conveniently today, he wanted to make up for it.
"Alright."
"Let’s go." Su Yaoguang urged, "I can also ask the girls at the dance house if they have any feedback about our shop’s goods, how they feel using them."
Upon entering the dance house, the shopkeeper looked surprised to see Zhou Wangshu and Su Yaoguang appear together.
Zhou Wangshu signaled the shopkeeper with his eyes. The shopkeeper understood, ignored him, and turned to Su Yaoguang: "Miss, are you here for business or..."
"This is my brother, he urgently needs to borrow your restroom, can you arrange for someone to show him the way. As for me, I just want to chat with the girls here, and see if they need any new products. If so, I’ll deliver them later."
"Okay." The shopkeeper called over an attendant, who took Zhou Wangshu away.
"Sister-in-law is here." Chen Buyu came down from the upstairs, smiling at Su Yaoguang, "The girls said their makeup isn’t fresh enough and want to ask your advice on improvements. Please take a look at where they might need adjustments."
"Mr. Chen, you’re really good at getting people to work for you." Su Yaoguang said, "But since you’re my major customer, this request is nothing. I’ll go now."
Last time she came to the dance house to deliver goods to the girls, she met Chen Buyu and learned that Zhou Wangshu’s dormmate friend was the young master of the dance house.
"Is Wangshu here?" Chen Buyu asked, "I haven’t seen him these days, it’s been boring, and I was hoping to have a few drinks with him!"
Su Yaoguang eyed him warily: "A few drinks? Let me tell you, not even a sip allowed. If you dare let him drink, I won’t allow you two to hang out anymore."
Chen Buyu: "...You just said I’m your major customer, and now you’re turning your back on me?"
"You don’t know." Su Yaoguang leaned closer, whispering about the consequence of him taking just one sip of alcohol yesterday.
"Hahaha..." Chen Buyu burst into loud laughter.
Zhou Wangshu had just reached his small room and sat in front of the zither when he saw the two talking in the main hall through the gauze curtain. Chen Buyu’s laughter was too loud to ignore.
People around looked at Chen Buyu.
Chen Buyu immediately quietened and glanced towards the window, and sure enough saw the figure sitting there, hurriedly restraining his laughter.
"Sister-in-law, have a seat upstairs."
"No need, I’ll just sit here and wait for our Wangshu."