Chapter 15

Xie Tong became more and more excited as she spoke. Shen Chutang thought for a moment and nodded, calling Uncle Shang to drive them.

Shen Chutang didn’t like shopping, but Xie Tong did. She also loved buying clothes for her. This wasn’t surprising. Whenever Xie Tong tried clothes on her, it was like dressing up a doll, making it addictive.

When they arrived at the mall, Xie Tong pulled her straight to a store she had already chosen. “Hurry up. They have a new collection. The moment I saw it, I knew it was made for you!”

“You don’t need to rush. We’re already at the mall.” Shen Chutang patted her chest and gasped. She really couldn’t handle Xie Tong’s boisterous nature.

Xie Tong scratched her head and grinned sheepishly. “Oh, right.”

Uncle Shang took them up in the VIP elevator and waited for them outside the store.

“Miss Shen, Miss Xie.” The manager greeted them. These two were not only regular customers but also VIPs. Knowing their habits, he said, “These are the new arrivals for this season. Take a look first, and call me if you need anything.”

Shen Chutang stood there obediently, and Xie Tong held the clothes and compared them to her. “This one looks good, this one is okay too. Why don’t you try them all?”

“No way!” Shen Chutang quickly retorted. “You’ll tire me to death!”

Xie Tong chuckled sheepishly. “Just kidding, just kidding. I can’t afford to buy them even if you try them all. Just pick something you like.”

“This one.” Shen Chutang pointed to a blue dress. Out of all the colors, she preferred blue. It was like the sea, like the sky, vast and free.

“I knew it.” Xie Tong said, putting the dress in her hand. “Then Miss Shen, please go try it on.”

Xie Tong knew that she didn’t need to do this usually. She either had clothes custom-made or had someone try them on for her. It was only because she liked shopping that Shen Chutang accompanied her out. Her heart felt warm.

Uncle Shang waited outside. From a distance, he saw a familiar figure walking towards them. He became alert. When the two were about to enter the store, he stepped forward and stopped them. “Miss Lin.”

Lin Chushuang was surprised that Uncle Shang was there. She then smiled and asked, “Uncle Shang? Is Chengyu inside?”

Uncle Shang frowned, his expression serious. “No, Miss Shen is inside.”

Fortunately, Shen Chutang was changing clothes and didn’t hear anything. He had been at the Shi family for so many years and had never seen such a shameless person.

Miss Shen. Lin Chushuang remembered the little girl she had met at the Shi family’s house. A feeling of disgust rose in her heart, but she didn’t show it on her face. “Really? We had a good chat last time. I…”

“Miss Lin, what I mean is Miss Shen is inside. Please go to another store, or maybe another mall.” Uncle Shang had seen through her little tricks. He had a cold face and a cold voice. He wondered if the person who delivered the message had actually delivered it. Otherwise, why was she still approaching?

“What do you mean? We can’t go in because she’s inside? Is this mall owned by her family?” The person next to Lin Chushuang shouted when she heard Uncle Shang’s words.

That’s right.

Lin Chushuang pulled her arm, her cheeks burning. She nodded slightly to Uncle Shang and said softly, “Is this Miss Shen’s wish?”

“If I said anything that upset her that day, please tell her. I didn’t mean to.”

“Miss Lin, it’s Mr. Shi’s wish.” Uncle Shang’s tone became even colder. “I’m just reminding you, don’t use those dirty thoughts on our Miss.”

Lin Chushuang’s face flushed red and then pale. “Uncle Shang, you’re misunderstanding. I…”

“Miss Lin, what you want to do is none of my business. I’m just doing as Mr. Shi instructed. Please leave, Miss Lin.” Uncle Shang smiled faintly, but there was no smile in his eyes. “I don’t want to make a scene, so I won’t call security.”

He said that, but two bodyguards were already waiting not far away.

Lin Chushuang’s newly done manicure almost broke. She asked stubbornly, “Do I have to avoid her from now on?”

“It’s best to. Even Mr. Shi. Mr. Shi’s meaning is that Miss Lin grew up abroad, so you might be more comfortable living abroad.” Uncle Shang looked at his watch. “Miss Lin, do I need to ask you a third time?”

“You…” The girl next to Lin Chushuang wanted to say something, but Lin Chushuang pulled her arm and left. “Forget it.”

“Uncle Shang, do you think this one looks good?” Shen Chutang came out after changing clothes and called out.

“Hey, Miss, Miss looks good in anything. Mr. Shi will definitely compliment you…” Uncle Shang hadn’t even gone in yet, but he was already rushing to reply.

Lin Chushuang walked a little further and couldn’t help but look back. Her eyes were filled with tears. Shen Chutang was surrounded, wearing a sky blue dress and spinning in circles, like a princess in a crystal showcase. Uncle Shang was taking pictures of her with his phone.

Lin Chushuang had never felt the gap between people so clearly. She thought her family background was already better than most, but now, she didn’t even have the qualifications to enter.

If she hadn’t gone abroad then, would things be different…

“Shuangshuang, are you okay?” Li Meng asked with concern.

“I’m fine.” Lin Chushuang said softly, losing her desire to shop.

Just as she got out of the mall and into the car, she received a call.

“Dad.”

“You went to provoke Miss Shen again?!”

Before she could speak, the angry words came out from the other side.

“Didn’t I tell you clearly enough last time? The Shen family is not someone we can afford to provoke, let alone the Shi family. How many times do I have to tell you?!” Lin Yuanhong was helpless and angry. He advised, “You just came back from abroad. You’ve been warned once. One time is enough. Stay out for a few days. If you really make people angry, even a few Lin families won’t be enough for you to deal with!”

Her suppressed emotions burst out. “Why! I didn’t do anything wrong! Do I not even have the right to go out?!”

“I didn’t say you can’t go out, just don’t go near Miss Shen.” Lin Yuanhong was a little helpless. His daughter was good in every way, except that she was too stubborn. “Don’t go looking for Mr. Shi either. How old were you when you knew each other? Why do you think those few days of friendship will make him remember you now?”

Moreover, there was never any real friendship.

Back then, who in the courtyard followed Shi Chengyu without being beaten by him? If Lin Chushuang had been a boy, she would have been beaten the first time she approached Shi Chengyu.

Lin Chushuang was unwilling. She hung up the phone angrily and threw it aside.

*

Shen Chutang, of course, didn’t know about all this. She was dragged by Xie Tong to several stores. They said they were trying new arrivals, but she had seen some of them at home last month and didn’t like them. In the end, Xie Tong bought the dress she tried on first, as well as two pink crystal pendants, one for each of them.

She chose the color Xie Tong liked for Shen Chutang’s gift. She said it was so that Shen Chutang would remember it was from her. Shen Chutang smiled and didn’t expose her.

Shen Chutang’s birthday was on August 15th. Her parents rushed back from S City the day before, and Shen Yanheng also happened to be back. The Shen family villa was unusually lively.

Early in the morning, Shen Chutang was pulled out of bed by Chen Mushengg. “My dear baby, you can’t sleep in on your birthday.”

“Mom, this isn’t sleeping in.” Shen Chutang rubbed her eyes, looking at her with a whimper. “It’s only eight o’clock.”

“It’s already eight o’clock, baby!” Chen Mushengg pulled her up and went to the dressing room. “Today is your birthday, Mom wants to dress you up nicely.”

Chen Mushengg picked out two dresses. “Which one should you wear, baby? Okay, okay, go wash up.”

Shen Chutang pouted and reluctantly got out of bed, slowly going to wash up.

As soon as she finished breakfast, Chen Mushengg pushed her to the dressing table. “Baby, let Mom do your hair. The curls you had last time were super pretty.”

Shen Chutang looked at Chen Mushengg, who was full of anticipation in the mirror, and smiled. “Anything is fine, Mom.”

Chen Mushengg’s hair was tied up at the back of her head. She was wearing a green cheongsam, and her face showed no sign of age. Outsiders would never guess that she was already the mother of four children.