Chapter 98: Lantern Festival
Su Yaoguang sat in front of the dressing table. Jia Chunni combed her hair, while Zhang Zhaodi, Zhang Pandi, and Zhang Yingdi picked out clothes there.
“Why does Yaoguang girl have so few clothes?”
“Indeed, there are a bit too few, and the colors are very plain too. A young lady at this age is like a flower in bloom; she should wear bright red and purple clothes to look festive.”
Jiang Jing pushed the door open and came in, saying, “I bought two outfits from older sister Chun E. Godmother, what do you think of this style?”
Zhang Zhaodi took them, happily saying, “You specially bought them for Yaoguang?”
“Yeah, Yaoguang is going to the lantern festival with brother-in-law. I thought she didn’t have many suitable clothes, so I went to older sister Chun E and bought two outfits. I just don’t know if they’re okay.”
“They’re okay, more than okay.” Zhang Zhaodi turned to look at Su Yaoguang. “You dress others up so nicely, but why don’t you dress yourself up? Luckily Jing’er has good taste; these two outfits are both nice. It’s a festive day today, so let’s wear this red one.”
“Red skirt with white inner layer—this is still the matching you taught Chun E.” Zhang Yingdi said, “Not to mention, it really looks pretty good!”
Su Yaoguang watched them bustling about helplessly and said, “No need to make such a big fuss, right? Wangshu isn’t an outsider; has he not seen me like this before?”
“Even so, you can’t be this sloppy!” Zhang Zhaodi said fiercely, “There’s a saying: girls should dress up for the person they like. You and Wangshu have a marriage contract, but you haven’t had the wedding banquet yet! Besides, Wangshu is so good-looking. If you stand next to him all sloppy, people who don’t know would think you’re his older sister. Who would think you’re a couple? From now on, you have to take good care of yourself too. No disgracing Wangshu, got it?”
Su Yaoguang: “…”
Zhou Wangshu was doing schoolwork in the room, listening to the commotion next door and those unlowered voices, his mood complex.
Those women were as fierce as could be when dealing with outsiders, but when facing their own family, they wished to give the very best of themselves.
He had originally just wanted to borrow this family to hide out, but after spending time together, he surprisingly grew more and more accustomed to being with them.
“Wangshu, Yaoguang is ready. Can you head out?” Zhang Zhaodi knocked on the door.
Zhou Wangshu immediately got up and opened the door, saying mildly to Zhang Zhaodi, “Mom, I’m ready.”
“Yaoguang is ready too, so you two can head out. Right…” Zhang Zhaodi stuffed a sachet into his hand. “Take this to use. If it’s not enough, have Yaoguang pay.”
“Thank you, Mom.” Zhou Wangshu put it away.
Zhang Zhaodi looked Zhou Wangshu up and down. Just a simple set of blue clothes looked good on him.
At this moment, Zhang Pandi pushed Su Yaoguang out the door.
Zhou Wangshu looked up and saw Su Yaoguang’s figure. She stood there awkwardly, with delicate makeup on her face.
Compared to when they first met, Su Yaoguang was indeed much more beautiful now. Her skin was much more delicate, her features had matured, and there was a spirited look between her eyebrows.
“Alright, you two hurry to the lantern festival. Don’t stay out too late, or all the nice and fun things will be gone.” Zhang Zhaodi urged.
“Mom, we’re off.” Su Yaoguang grabbed Zhou Wangshu’s arm upon hearing this and headed outside.
She walked quickly, like she was fleeing in panic.
After going out the back door, Su Yaoguang let go of Zhou Wangshu and let out a light breath. “Finally out. They were so over the top just now! Look at the makeup on my face…”
Zhou Wangshu smiled faintly. “It looks very good.”
“It does look good, but it’s fine if I have to do my makeup like this when doing business usually. Going out shopping with you like this just feels weird.”
“Why?” Zhou Wangshu raised an eyebrow.
“I’m your older sister!” Su Yaoguang patted Zhou Wangshu’s shoulder. “Have you ever seen an older sister grooming and dressing up to go out shopping with her younger brother?”
Zhou Wangshu hummed in acknowledgment.
“Aren’t we going to the lantern festival? Let’s go!” Su Yaoguang grabbed Zhou Wangshu’s arm and headed toward the lively area.
These past few days had been too busy, with no time to properly stroll around. Now with some leisure, looking at the colorful lanterns echoing the stars in the sky was indeed pleasing to the eye.
“Yaoguang, my stomach is upset. I want to use the outhouse.” Zhou Wangshu said, “You go ahead and browse. I’ll find you later.”
“Where do you plan to use the outhouse?” Su Yaoguang asked.
“Mm, find an outhouse nearby.”
“I know a place.” Su Yaoguang pointed to the dance hall not far away and said, “We can borrow their outhouse.”
Zhou Wangshu: “…”
If he didn’t know he’d been so discreet, he’d think Su Yaoguang was testing him. In fact, he was faking a stomachache just to perform his piece at the dance hall.
Five times a month, and this month was almost over with one still left. Perfect timing with free time today—he wanted to make up that one performance.
“Okay.”
“Let’s go.” Su Yaoguang urged. “Perfect chance for me to ask the girls at the dance hall what they think of our shop’s goods and how they feel using them.”
Entering the dance hall, the shopkeeper saw Zhou Wangshu and Su Yaoguang appear together, full of surprise in his eyes.
Zhou Wangshu gave the shopkeeper a look. The shopkeeper understood and ignored him, turning to Su Yaoguang instead. “Young lady, are you here to do business today or…”
“This is my younger brother. He’s in a hurry to borrow your outhouse here, so arrange for someone to take him. As for me, I want to chat with the girls and ask if they need new goods. If so, I’ll deliver them later.”
“Sure.” The shopkeeper called over a shop assistant and had him take Zhou Wangshu away.
“Sister-in-law is here.” Chen Buyu came down from upstairs and smiled at Su Yaoguang. “Perfect timing—the girls think their makeup isn’t fresh enough and want to ask you how to do it! Go take a look at where they need improvement.”
“Young Master Chen really knows how to order people around.” Su Yaoguang said, “But who let you be my big customer? This much isn’t a big deal. I’ll go right now.”
Last time she came to the dance hall to deliver goods to the girls, she met Chen Buyu and learned that Zhou Wangshu’s roommate and good friend was the young owner of the dance hall.
“Is Wangshu here?” Chen Buyu asked. “I haven’t seen him these past few days. It’s really boring. I wanted to find him for a few drinks!”
Su Yaoguang looked at him warily. “A few drinks? Let me tell you, not even a sip. If you dare let him drink, I won’t allow you two to hang out anymore.”
Chen Buyu: “…You just called me your big customer, and now you’re turning on me?”
“You don’t know.” Su Yaoguang leaned in and lowered her voice to tell him about the consequences of him taking a sip of alcohol yesterday.
“Hahaha…” Chen Buyu burst into wild laughter.
Zhou Wangshu had just reached his small room and sat down at the qin. Through the gauze curtain, he saw the two talking in the hall. Chen Buyu’s laughter was too brazen; it was hard to ignore.
The people around looked toward Chen Buyu.
Chen Buyu quickly shut up and looked toward the window, indeed seeing the figure sitting there. He immediately restrained his laughter.
“Sister-in-law, come sit upstairs.”
“No need. I’ll just sit here for a bit and wait for our Wangshu.”
