Chapter 27: Shopping at the Capital’s Department Store

One hour later.

The capital, at the largest department store.

“Big Sis, look! This is where my boyfriend works. The stuff they sell inside is really expensive.

You’ve never been here before, have you? Today I’ll take you on a proper shopping trip.”

Lin Xuefei enthusiastically pulled Lin Xiaodou inside.

Today, Lin Xuefei wore a blue-and-white Bragi-style dress.

Combined with her pretty round face, she looked youthful and radiant.

But Lin Xiaodou beside her was a completely different story.

A faded blue short-sleeved shirt, black trousers, green rubber shoes—one glance and you could tell she was someone who hadn’t seen much of the world.

Add to that the striking, frightening scar on her face—it drew even more attention.

The two of them standing together looked like night and day.

In the department store, many people cast curious glances their way, wondering how two such drastically different people could be together.

Lin Xiaodou didn’t mind the stares at all.

Back when she first transmigrated into the original host’s body, she had already mentally prepared herself to accept this face.

Later on, after finding the Jade-Skin Beautifying Pill left behind by an immortal in the space, she felt even more at ease.

To avoid suspicion, she hadn’t used the Jade-Skin Beautifying Pill yet.

When the time was right, she would naturally use it.

The scar on her face would disappear—it was only a matter of time.

So now, no matter what kind of strange looks people gave her, she wasn’t afraid.

Lin Xuefei didn’t know what Lin Xiaodou was thinking; she was basking in her own sense of pride.

She really liked being the center of attention.

Especially when she had an ugly freak next to her for contrast.

Wu Ya walked behind them, clearly reluctant to be associated with Lin Xiaodou.

She wanted to warn Xuefei, but seeing how happy she was, she held back.

The capital’s department store had three floors.

The first floor was trendy food and snacks, the second was everyday goods, and the third sold appliances and furniture.

Lin Xuefei first brought Lin Xiaodou to the clothing section on the first floor.

“Big Sis, see if there’s anything you like. Let Mom buy you two sets.”

Lin Xiaodou glanced around.

The clothing styles at this counter were mediocre.

The most expensive outfit—a short-sleeved shirt and a pair of pants—was only 5 yuan and 8 jiao altogether.

Maybe for an average family, that was already considered expensive.

But the Lin family, being a prestigious family in the field of medicine, wasn’t short on money.

Even the Bragi dress Lin Xuefei was wearing today cost over 10 yuan.

If even a fake daughter could wear something that pricey, why should she settle for cheap?

“I don’t like the clothes here.” Lin Xiaodou pointed with her jade-like finger to the upscale counter across the way. “I want to buy from over there.”

Wu Ya’s face darkened instantly.

That damn girl really dared to choose!

The clothes at that counter were imported from Hu City and were considered high-end fashion.

Not only were the designs new and stylish, but the prices were sky-high too.

It was the most expensive clothing section in the entire department store.

She and Xuefei had shopped there before, and the counter staff knew them.

She really didn’t want to bring that ugly girl over there.

It wasn’t just about not wanting to spend that much on her—she also didn’t want their acquaintances gossiping about it.

“I didn’t bring that much money today…”

Wu Ya hadn’t even finished her excuse when Lin Xiaodou was already walking over.

Fuming, Wu Ya had no choice but to quickly follow.

She couldn’t let that ugly girl make a scene over there.

Lin Xuefei watched their movements and followed after them too.

“Mrs. Lin, you’re here! We just got a few new styles in today—come take a look!”

The counter lady stood up with a smile the moment she saw Wu Ya.

She didn’t even glance at Lin Xiaodou, as if she didn’t exist.

These days, the women working counters at department stores were all connected—definitely not ordinary people.

Unless you were from a rich family, they wouldn’t even bother with you. Their arrogance was off the charts.

“Mm, just here to buy some clothes for the kids,” Wu Ya responded with a slightly stiff expression.

“Kids?”

The counter lady gave Lin Xiaodou a surprised glance.

Just a moment ago, she had thought this little country bumpkin was only here to window-shop. Who would’ve thought she was actually part of the group?

Lin Xuefei beamed as she said, “Sister Li, my sister says she likes the clothes here.
She’s never really bought clothes outside before—why don’t you help her pick out two nice sets?”

At those words, the shop assistant immediately understood.

So this was a poor relative from Madam Lin’s side, here to mooch off them.

But this poor relative had no sense of shame, did she? These clothes were expensive—did she really dare ask for them?

The shop assistant sneered internally, though her face remained composed.
She casually picked out two of the cheapest dresses from the rack and placed them on the counter. Then she said to Lin Xiaodou:

“Here, these are the latest styles this year. They’ll look just fine on you.”

Lin Xiaodou didn’t even glance at them and asked directly:

“Didn’t you say new items just came in today? I want to see those.”

The shop assistant’s smile twitched. This little bumpkin really had the nerve.

Those new arrivals were the priciest in the store.

Wu Ya’s face had already turned completely black.

She glared at Lin Xiaodou and muttered through clenched teeth:

“Why would you buy such expensive clothes? You’re already disfigured. No matter how pretty the clothes are, they’re wasted on you.”

She thought those words would surely wound Lin Xiaodou.

But instead, Lin Xiaodou gave her a slight smile.

And then, in Wu Ya’s confused gaze, Lin Xiaodou’s eyes suddenly turned red with tears.
She raised her voice and wailed:

“Mom? Are you really my mom?!
I was switched at birth and only just reunited with my real family after 17 years,
and now you won’t even buy me a single piece of clothing?!”

If she couldn’t shut the old woman up with fists, she’d do it another way.

Let’s see if she still dares to run her mouth!

Wu Ya panicked instantly.

“You shut up… What nonsense are you talking about?!”

This was the biggest department store in Jing City!

If someone she knew saw this—what would become of her reputation?

“You want me to shut up? I won’t!”

Lin Xiaodou spun around and called out loudly to the curious onlookers gathering around:

“Uncles, aunties, big brothers and sisters—please, I beg you to judge fairly!”

They want to paint her as the poor relative? Afraid of being embarrassed?

Then she’d do the opposite of what they wanted!

“My name is Lin Xiaodou. I’m the biological daughter of Lin Zhengmin, the Deputy Director of Jing City First Hospital.
This woman here is my birth mother, and this one is their adopted daughter—the one who was mistakenly swapped with me for 17 years!”

Crash!

The crowd exploded in a frenzy.

What? What did they just hear?

The Deputy Director of Jing City First Hospital’s daughter had been switched at birth? Swapped for 17 whole years?

“Hey, that lady really is Deputy Director Lin’s wife! She’s the head nurse too!”

“What’s going on here? Why would a daughter accuse her biological mother in public?”

“There must be some injustice involved. Let’s hear her out!”

The crowd instantly transformed into gossip-hungry bystanders, all ears and eager.

Seeing this, Wu Ya no longer dared to stop Lin Xiaodou directly. She could only glare at her viciously.

Lin Xuefei, on the other hand, was in full-blown panic.

She had agreed with her parents to keep this a secret for now.

They planned to let Lin Xiaodou take the blame first, and then briefly announce it later—it wouldn’t affect her much that way.

Who could’ve predicted that Lin Xiaodou would go public with it so early—and in such a crowded place?

If this got back to her social circle, she’d be laughed at for sure!

How would she ever face anyone again?

But Lin Xiaodou had no idea what she was thinking.

And even if she did, she’d only sneer: What does that have to do with me?!

“I just reunited with my birth family yesterday.
At first, my birth mom said she’d take me shopping here at the department store, and I was really happy.
But when I finally found a few outfits I liked, my birth mom refused to buy them for me.
She said I was disfigured, and that no matter what I wore I’d still look ugly. That buying anything for me was a waste of her money.
She even said I wasn’t as obedient as their adopted daughter, and told me not to embarrass her by showing my face.

But what she doesn’t know is—my face was disfigured by the adopted daughter’s biological mom!

I just feel wronged. That’s why I wanted to ask everyone for a fair judgment.
Tell me—am I really so repulsive? Did I commit such an unforgivable sin?”