Rebirth to Save Myself

Chapter 111 New Clothes

Lu Lu walked out of the dressing room wearing a cashmere coat, and was greeted with a round of compliments.

Wow, you look even better in this outfit than on the model!

"It really suits your skin tone so well!"

"It would look even better with a scarf around your neck!"

Upon hearing this, the sales assistant quickly grabbed a scarf of the same color and wrapped it around Lu Lu's neck, thoughtfully tying a bow on her coat belt. Then she said to Lu Lu, "This color really suits you; you have such a great figure."

Lu Lu was a little embarrassed. This outfit was put together for her by Chen Chunqi. She wore an apricot-colored V-neck sweater underneath a black midi skirt. Over that, she wore a light brown cashmere coat and she wore sheer tights. If it got cold, she could wear a thermal undershirt in the same color underneath the sweater.

"You can wear ankle boots or casual shoes then." Su Xia nodded. Lu Lu looked like a very well-behaved lady when dressed like this, perfectly capturing her elegant demeanor.

"Isn't it too expensive?" Lu Lu glanced at the price tag when she was changing clothes. The coat she was wearing now cost four figures.

"It's not expensive. Good clothes can last a long time. This one you're wearing contains 90% real cashmere. The material is top-notch, and it can last at least ten years. That works out to just a few cents a day." The sales assistant quickly started praising her product.

"Why isn't it 100% pure cashmere?" Chen Yuan asked curiously.

"Haha, many customers have asked this question. It's impossible to make a garment from 100% cashmere, so we usually mix it with other materials. At this point, the amount of cashmere content determines the price. This coat is our brand's new winter style this year, and it's selling very well." The sales assistant explained in detail.

"I think it's pretty good. Lulu, go change into your next outfit." Chen Chunqi nodded while sipping his tea.

"Go ahead." Su Xia nudged Lu Lu and then smiled at her.

Lu Lu came out in less than ten minutes. This time, she wore a white lettered hoodie underneath a black down jacket, which was warm but not bulky. She paired it with straight-leg black jeans, giving off a casual and everyday vibe. This outfit was put together by Su Xia.

Seeing Lu Lu come out, Su Xia nodded and said, "They look really good. These shoes go with everything."

"They look great, they look great! It's my turn to choose!" Chen Yuan said eagerly.

"Take it slow. Lulu must be tired after changing so many outfits. Let her have some water first. Lulu, come here and have some water."

"Okay." Lu Lu finished her water and went back to the dressing room. After a while, she poked her head out and said to Chen Yuan, "Let's forget about this outfit."

"Why? I think it looks great. Why don't you try it on and show it to everyone?" Chen Yuan said, puzzled.

“But this has nothing to do with everyday life!” Lu Lu looked at Su Xia with a troubled expression.

"Try it on, and we can change if it doesn't fit," Su Xia comforted Lu Lu. Chen Yuan had been lingering in the dress section, so Su Xia could roughly guess the styles of the clothes and said this to Lu Lu.

"Okay." Lu Lu could only turn her head back and close the door.

"What clothes did you pick out?" Chen Chunqi asked curiously.

"Hehe, we'll know when she comes out," Chen Yuan said, keeping everyone in suspense.

After waiting for a while, the dressing room door finally opened, revealing a light blue skirt. Above that was a strapless cocktail dress, the fabric of which was adorned with sparkling stars, and an outer layer of tulle in the same color. The dreamy blue color accentuated her skin tone, and her casually draped hair added to her beauty.

"Ta-da! Isn't it beautiful? I chose it specially. A girl may not attend a ball, but she must have a dress of her own. Pleasing yourself is part of happiness." Chen Yuan stood next to Lu Lu, speaking with great emotion as if she were giving a speech.

"It seems pretty good. Did you pick it yourself?" Chen Chunqi asked Chen Yuan.

“Of course, your daughter has great taste, right?” Chen Yuan nodded, a proud expression on her face.

“Indeed, your taste is quite good. Lulu, then we’ll stick with these three outfits. What about the two of you?” Chen Chunqi asked Su Xia and Chen Yuan.

“I’ve already bought it online,” Su Xia said, shaking her head.

“I’ve made my selections, and I’m just waiting for you to reimburse me!” Chen Yuan quickly handed over her phone, which displayed the bill.

"Ask your dad for reimbursement." Chen Chunqi pushed Chen Yuan's phone away and turned to the sales assistant, saying, "I want all three outfits she was wearing just now."

"Okay." The sales assistant smiled sincerely and quickly took Lu Lu's clothes to the counter to pack them up.

"I've bought the clothes, now I'll go buy shoes to match." After paying, Chen Chunqi turned around and went into the next shop.

"Be prepared to stay here all afternoon," Su Xia said, turning to Lu Lu.

“That’s right, my mom’s fighting power is top-notch.” Chen Yuan nodded in agreement.

"What kind of clothes did you buy for the New Year? Let me see them." Chen Yuan asked Su Xia.

"Nothing special, just some Han-style elements." Su Xia handed over her phone so she could see the order.

“You’ve grown to love Hanfu more and more these past few years, which has halved my purchasing power.” Chen Yuan handed the phone back after reading it. Back then, a large part of Chen Chunqi’s shopping prowess came from buying clothes for the two of them.

Later, when they went to high school and had to wear school uniforms, they didn't wear the clothes they bought much, so Chen Chunqi toned it down a bit. Now that they're in college, they've developed their own sense of style, and they buy even fewer clothes, which makes Chen Chunqi feel like he's lost a lot of fun.

“You’re the same way, rebellious and saying the clothes Mom bought aren’t nice, so you won’t wear them,” Su Xia said, glancing at Chen Yuan.

"That was all because I was young and reckless. Now I realize how good my parents are!" Chen Yuan sighed. Ever since her allowance was reduced during her internship, she felt like she didn't have enough money. Even her skincare products seemed to have dropped a level. They originally planned for her to pay for her own clothes for the New Year this year, but luckily Lu Lu was there, and Chen Chunqi covered everything.

"You only realize how nice home is once you start working," Su Xia sighed. She explained that you only understand how much money you can spend on seemingly insignificant little things after you start working. And if you're still renting, the cost is even higher!

“Yes, yes.” Chen Yuan nodded vigorously.

Su Xia recalled that when she first graduated, she was looking for a job and an apartment at the same time, and her money was running out. As soon as she graduated, her family cut off her living expenses, claiming that she was already working and should earn her own money. Su's mother even said to Su Xia in a grand manner, "I think you are not good at saving money. When you earn 3,000 yuan a month, transfer 2,000 yuan to me and I will save it for you as your dowry."

Su Xia was really broke back then. With a salary of three thousand yuan, there was hardly any money left after deducting rent and food. So she pretended not to hear what her mother said. Later, her mother brought it up a few more times, and Su Xia did a detailed calculation with her mother before her mother finally stopped, adding, "If you don't have money to give me now, I won't have money to give you when you get married. It's mutual."

Su Xia didn't quite understand her mother's words, so she asked, "My salary will be my dowry, but what about the bride price? Aren't you going to give it to me?"

Isn't it said online that betrothal gifts and dowries are start-up funds given by both sets of parents to the young couple? Aren't those who covet betrothal gifts said to be parents who don't treat their daughters as human beings and only want to make money for their sons so that they can save themselves trouble later?

Like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, Su's mother started yelling: "I've raised you all these years, how much money have I spent on you, and you're still thinking about it. Don't you think about how the wedding banquet costs money? What about the jewelry I'll give you when you have a baby? All of these things cost money. You've taken all the dowry, where am I supposed to get the money? When your in-laws look down on you because we can't afford the jewelry, you'll regret it!"

Su Xia wanted to argue, wasn't this just putting on a show without spending a penny? But seeing her mother's displeased expression, and considering that she was of average appearance and no boy had ever liked her from school to work, her attitude towards dating was "if it happens, it happens; if not, it doesn't matter." It wasn't like marriage was a given, so she stopped arguing to avoid upsetting her mother.

Looking back now, I realize I was blinded by my longing for family, completely ignoring their undisguised true selves. Growing up with my grandmother, I never received care or love, so I sought it from my parents. Even if it came at a price, I still felt a sliver of joy when my parents praised me for being sensible and well-behaved, and when they complimented me in front of others.

Sometimes Su Xia hated her own sensitivity, extracting the fact that her parents didn't love her much from their words. She also hated her own heart, so yearning for family affection that she treasured even the smallest favors from her parents. Now, given a second chance, those things she had deliberately ignored resurfaced clearly, extinguishing her hope for family and making her harden her heart to sever ties with them.

Some might ask, "They've treated you like this, why do you still hold onto the hope that they're different?" That's because everyone loves their parents and believes their parents' sacrifices are selfless. From childhood, books and TV dramas teach you that parental love is selfless, that parents can give everything for their children, even their lives. But they don't tell Su Xia that not every parent is like that; they don't show their negative side. This leads Su Xia to believe that because she wasn't around much growing up, her parents loved her less. She thinks that if she's obedient and sets a good example as an older sister, her parents will love her more.

The four of them strolled around the mall, their bags and purchases filling the trunk and back seats of their car. They had originally planned to go straight to the hotel after shopping, but now they had to wait for Chen Jianguo to pick them up, and their car, overflowing with belongings, would be driven back by the driver.

Chen Jianguo booked a seafood restaurant, and worried that Lu Lu might not like the food, he also asked the hotel to prepare some spicy dishes just in case. After picking up the four of them, Chen Jianguo set off for the hotel, asking Chen Chunqi as he drove, "What did you buy today?"

"Your daughter asked you to reimburse her for her New Year's clothes," Chen Chunqi said directly to Chen Jianguo without replying to him.

“Sure, Xiaxia and Yuanyuan, send me the bill for how much you spent, and I’ll transfer the money to you.” Chen Jianguo nodded and then said to the two behind him.

"I remember your clothes seem to have been custom-made. Go pick them up when you have time," Chen Chunqi nodded and said.

"Then I'll have my assistant go get it. Is your clothing ready?" Chen Jianguo nodded and then asked Chen Chunqi.

"Mine will be ready in a few days, but it will be finished before the New Year." Chen Chunqi ordered a cheongsam this time, but had to wait a while because of the fabric.

“We’re still buying ready-made clothes, while they’ve already had them made to order!” Chen Yuan said enviously.

"You can also order custom-made ones, as long as you have the money," Su Xia said, pouring cold water on the situation.

"Hmph, you're no different," Chen Yuan said angrily, arms crossed.

“I’m different from you, I’m still in school.” Su Xia shook her head in disagreement.

"It's infuriating! Is she like this in your dorm too?" Chen Yuan turned to Lu Lu, trying to find some agreement from her.

"Xiaxia is doing well in the dorm, she takes good care of people." Lu Lu shook her head and then said.

"That means you haven't fully explored her personality. This is how she is in front of me, tsk tsk tsk, even a dog wouldn't want to talk to her." Chen Yuan shook her head as she looked at Su Xia.

"Is it possible that you're different, so I treat you differently than I treat others?" Su Xia retorted defiantly.

"Mom and Dad, look at Su Xia, you need to discipline her!" Chen Yuan couldn't argue with Su Xia, so she directly brought up the parents.

Chen Jianguo and Chen Chunqi looked at each other for a second, and then Chen Chunqi said, "Xiaxia, please forgive my ignorance."

"She only holds the title of an older sister; she's not as mature as Xiaxia."

"Hahahaha!" Lu Lu couldn't help but laugh at Chen Jianguo and Chen Chunqi's reactions. This family was just as Su Xia had described, so natural and easy-going. She had gone from being reserved at the beginning to feeling at ease now.

When Chen Yuan saw Lu Lu smile, she exchanged a glance with Su Xia, then pretended not to have noticed anything and continued chatting. Everyone happily headed to the hotel to welcome Lu Lu and have a big meal.

At first, Su Xia thought Lu Lu was the same kind of person as her, so she wanted to help her, which was also a way of helping her former self. Later, she realized that Lu Lu was different from her and much stronger. Su Xia had benefited from being reborn, but Lu Lu was able to strive for a brighter future through her own efforts despite her difficult family background. Su Xia admired her for that.