Outside the hospital.
The two who had just been discharged successfully watched Su Li sitting atop her sports car, standing by the roadside.
“Su Li sis… you mean that I, Lu Yuan, am now going to accompany Lian Xue to buy a little dress?”
“Of course~” Su Li said, “Not just Lian Xue, don’t forget to buy one for yourself too. I’m actually quite curious to see you in a little dress.”
Su Li’s expression was teasing, as if deliberately provoking Lu Yuan.
“I’ve been wearing dresses all along, haven’t I? What’s with that look, Su Li sis?! Does that fit your character at all?” Lu Yuan complained, “Aren’t you supposed to be the cold beauty who’s indifferent to women?!”
“I’m serious, not expressionless,” Su Li corrected her.
“Alright, alright, take a taxi by yourself to buy them. I have to head back to Headquarters to handle some business.”
Su Li waved and stepped on the accelerator, speeding away.
***
Watching the sports car fade into the distance, Lu Yuan’s mind was full of ellipses.
Damn it, just because you have a car doesn’t mean you’re special! I’m now a human with a monthly salary of 100,000! A high-quality woman! I want to buy a car too!
Saying that, Lu Yuan pulled out her phone to check the price of Su Li’s car.
Two million…
“Forget it, forget it,” Lu Yuan muttered as she slipped the phone back into her pocket, “I was just kidding, sorry.”
“Lu Yuan sis… what should we do now?” Chen Lianxue timidly tugged at Lu Yuan’s pleated skirt and asked.
Lu Yuan, who had been grumbling moments ago, suddenly softened.
“Well then, let’s find a mall and help you pick out a pretty little dress.” Lu Yuan gently patted Chen Lianxue’s head.
Such a cute creature—who could resist giving her a little pat?
“Really!?”
Chen Lianxue looked a bit happy but didn’t show much emotion; Lu Yuan could tell she was afraid to express herself fully.
What a sensible, good girl.
“Yep, buy whatever you want! Big sis will pay!” Lu Yuan patted her chest confidently. She was definitely a little rich now; financial power had to be handled carefully!
***
Speaking of shopping, the first place anyone in Tongmen City would think of was undoubtedly the largest shopping center—Qianda Plaza.
Lu Yuan held Chen Lianxue’s hand as they stepped out of the taxi.
“I’ve transferred the fare to you, driver!” Lu Yuan waved at the driver, watching the taxi pull away.
The driver didn’t respond and drove off with a hum.
Lu Yuan awkwardly lowered her hand.
Ah, the cold realities of the world.
But right now, buying clothes for Lian Xue was what mattered most.
***
A moment later, outside a clothing store.
“Lian Xue, what style do you like?” Lu Yuan pointed at a few dresses displayed in the window. “Sweet and cute? Or something simpler?”
Chen Lianxue’s gaze lingered for a few seconds on a pale pink lace-trimmed dress but quickly looked away, softly saying, “I… I’m fine with anything, Lu Yuan sis, you decide.”
Lu Yuan sighed and rubbed her head. “Don’t be so reserved! Today is your shopping day!”
She directly pulled Lian Xue into the store and told the salesperson, “Please have her try this pink one and that white one with the bow!”
“Of course!” The salesperson eagerly came forward, chatting nonstop. “Miss, we just got some new stock, all very high quality. Would you like to look at more…”
Lu Yuan raised her hand to stop the sales pitch. She had been a corporate drone before and knew all these sales tactics by heart. Honestly, she understood them better than the salespeople did.
Seeing Lu Yuan’s gesture, the salesperson could only sheepishly fall silent.
Chen Lianxue carried the clothes into the fitting room. A few minutes later, she carefully pulled the curtain open, cheeks flushed, and asked Lu Yuan, “Is it… pretty?”
Lu Yuan’s eyes lit up.
The girl’s slender figure was made even softer by the pale pink dress. The lace edges fluttered gently like cherry blossoms blooming in spring. She nervously fiddled with the hem, pink hair cascading over her shoulders, looking like a fairy stepping right out of a fairy tale.
“Su-per—cute!” Lu Yuan couldn’t help but pounce and hug her tightly, nuzzling her. “This one it is! Now try on that white one!”
Suddenly, Lu Yuan understood why girls loved playing with Barbie Dolls so much. Such a cute girl wearing all these pretty dresses—this kind of satisfaction was pure ice.
Chen Lianxue was a little shy from Lu Yuan’s enthusiasm but obediently nodded. “Okay…”
She then picked up a white dress and went back into the fitting room.
That white dress would definitely look beautiful on Lian Xue!
***
While Chen Lianxue was trying on clothes, Lu Yuan casually browsed through the dresses on the rack.
Suddenly, her eyes were drawn to a black little dress.
The entire dress was a fitted mermaid shape, made of black satin with broken lace covering the surface. The cinched waist design accentuated the wearer’s curves.
“…Pretty cool?” she muttered, oddly picking it up and holding it up to herself.
“Miss, are you going to buy this too?” The salesperson immediately came over.
“Ah? No no, I’m just looking,” Lu Yuan quickly waved her hand.
“But Su Li sis said Lu Yuan sis should get one too,” Lian Xue’s head peeked out from the fitting room.
“…” Lu Yuan twitched at the corner of her mouth. How did Lian Xue hear that?
In the end, under the combined “encouragement” of the salesperson and Chen Lianxue, Lu Yuan still carried the black short dress to the checkout counter.
“Ugh, damn it…” Lu Yuan gritted her teeth as she pulled out her wallet, then sighed in relief.
After all, she was a girl now. She couldn’t wear pants forever. Might as well buy it…
“How much?”
“This fabric is imported from abroad, miss, but we can offer you a good price…”
This sales pitch was obviously designed to raise the price; Lu Yuan had no patience to listen to this nonsense.
Not the kind of conversation I like—she cut him off.
“6,880 how about…”
“1,300,” Lu Yuan said firmly.
“…Miss, we…”
“1,280. Too expensive, I’m not buying.”
“Miss…”
“1,250.”
“Deal.”
Lu Yuan smiled faintly. When it came to bargaining and playing mind games, she was unbeaten.
***
When they left the mall, the setting sun had already dyed half the sky red.
Lu Yuan carried bags and packages, while Chen Lianxue hugged a newly purchased rabbit plushie. The two stood by the roadside waiting for a taxi.
“Oh right, Lian Xue, have you arranged a place to stay yet?” Lu Yuan suddenly remembered.
Chen Lianxue shook her head. “Su Li sis said… the Magical Girl Headquarters would help arrange it, but they haven’t notified me yet.”
Lu Yuan was stunned. “Then where are you staying tonight?”
Lian Xue lowered her head, unconsciously tugging at the rabbit plushie’s ear. “I—I can stay at a hotel for now…”
“Are you kidding!” Lu Yuan grabbed her shoulders. “A minor girl living alone in a hotel? Absolutely not!”
Though Chen Lianxue’s body was already an adult’s, with her personality, how could anyone feel comfortable letting her spend the night outside?
Lu Yuan thought for a moment and made a decision. “Come on, you’re staying at my place tonight!”
Lian Xue’s eyes widened. “Re-really?”
“Of course!” Lu Yuan patted her chest. “My place isn’t big, but it’s definitely cozy!”
Half an hour later, the taxi stopped outside Lu Yuan’s apartment building.
“We’re here!” Lu Yuan excitedly pulled Lian Xue upstairs and took out her key to open the door. “Welcome to my, uh…”
The smile froze on her face as the door opened.
In the living room, a blue-haired girl was standing on tiptoe in front of Lu Yuan’s wardrobe, holding a pair of Lu Yuan’s black stockings.
Hearing the door open, Lin Wan suddenly turned around, her face full of guilt.
“Uh… welcome home?” Lin Wan smiled awkwardly.
“Wait, why are you at my house?!”