Chapter 158: Dressing up

The clothes were a bit small.

Obviously, Mother hadn’t anticipated that under the thick fleece pajamas, Bai Yao’s chest had already started to form.

If counting from the day she got her ID card, it had only been a few days since her son turned into a daughter.

Could development be this fast? She remembered that on the day of the traffic accident, Bai Yao’s chest already seemed quite noticeable.

On the twenty-ninth of the lunar year, New Year’s Eve.

Bai Yao changed into the women’s clothes Mother had bought—a cardigan sweater with a plaid skirt.

The white sweater added a bit of sweetness, and the long skirt made her look gentle.

She sat quietly at the head of the bed, sideways, obediently letting Mother comb her hair.

“Are you comfortable wearing the skirt?”

“Mmm… it’s okay.”

“Your legs are inconvenient, so a skirt is easier to wear.”

‘I’ve even worn miniskirts, let alone this autumn-winter long skirt.’

But in front of Mother, she didn’t dare reveal her little thoughts, so she pretended to be demure, letting Mother comb her long hair into small braids, like the cute hairstyle often worn by kindergarten girls.

“Be gentle~ You’re pulling my scalp.”

“You used to be quiet, a bit introverted. It’s fine to be a girl now, gentle and soft.”

Mother mumbled while combing, as if comforting herself.

“Besides, you were good-looking since you were little. People said you looked like a girl, remember? Your aunt even made you wear a skirt.”

“Mmm… I don’t remember.”

“Other boys were running wild outside every day, but you? You liked to stay home and play house. I still have your toys.”

“They’re still here? I thought they were thrown away.”

“In kindergarten, there was a little boy who liked you and gave you a doll.”

Mother teased.

“He thought you were a girl.”

“Ah? Really?”

Qiu Ye sat on a small stool, listening to the mother-daughter memories, and chimed in, “He had good taste.”

Mother glanced at him.

“How could he have as good taste as you?”

Qiu Ye looked at his future “mother-in-law” with the clear but slightly foolish eyes of a college student.

Earlier, Mother had actually believed Qiu Ye was Bai Yao’s good friend, but now that they were spending the New Year together, no matter how you looked at it, it didn’t seem like just a normal friendship.

“In a bit, I’ll go buy some dumpling wrappers and meat, and make dumplings to eat?”

Bai Yao’s family didn’t actually have the tradition of eating dumplings for the New Year, but considering they were in the hospital, they couldn’t make a big New Year’s Eve dinner.

Besides, there happened to be a person from the north.

As for seasonings, the local market could grind the meat into a paste and have the boss season it.

“I want shrimp and three-delicacy dumplings.”

“Okay, Xiao Qiu, do you know how to fold dumplings?”

“I do.”

Bai Yao’s head was being yanked around by Mother’s braiding, causing her to wince in pain, but she couldn’t make a sound.

Qiu Ye, sharp-eyed, noticed a cross pendant on Mother’s neck.

“Auntie, do you believe in the Lord?”

Mother looked down.

“I started believing a few days ago. Bai Yao recovered so quickly, and the sisters at church are very nice. They heard about Bai Yao’s situation and recommended many doctors…”

No wonder Mother had been going out for a while every day; she was going to church.

Bai Yao thought to herself, ‘Better not talk about this everywhere.’

“Bai Yao, since you’re in the hospital with nothing to do, read the Bible when you have time.”

“Mmm… if I have time.”

Bai Yao actually didn’t believe in anything, but she could understand that Mother needed a spiritual anchor when she was at a loss.

The fact that her son turned into a daughter wasn’t as easy for Mother to handle as it seemed on the surface.

She felt stifled and silently let Mother finish braiding.

“You just need to be well and healthy in the future. I don’t expect you to make a fortune.”

Mother rambled as usual.

“If you want to get married, find a boyfriend. If you don’t want to get married… it’s still better to get married. Then someone will take care of you. Otherwise, what will you do when I get old? Just don’t find someone like your father.”

“Mmm.”

“On New Year’s Eve, don’t say things like that…”

Bai Yao looked down and picked at her nails, feeling the urge to bite them, but afraid of being scolded by Mother.

The atmosphere was nice right now; she didn’t want to break it.

“Besides, you’ll lose out if you don’t get married.”

Mother counted on her fingers.

“Your cousin’s engagement cost a 30,000 gift, your uncle’s wedding also 30,000, and your other cousin—altogether it must be over 100,000.”

Bai Yao hated talking about money, even though she herself was a bit money-grubbing.

Mother changed the subject and joked, “Even if you don’t get married, you can have a fake marriage, right? Hold a banquet and get the money back.”

“Fake marriage? Who would I fake marry?”

Qiu Ye eagerly wanted to volunteer.

“Don’t fake marry; just really marry him.”

“I also think Bai Yao should get married. She’s so pretty; she’ll definitely find a good husband.”

Mother glanced at him, his little thoughts practically spilling out.

Suddenly, a loud bang came from outside.

It startled Bai Yao, making her flinch and instinctively turn her head to look out the window.

“Which kid is setting off firecrackers in the hospital?”

Qiu Ye frowned, stood up, and went to the window to look outside.

“Aren’t fireworks prohibited?”

Technically it wasn’t allowed, but in reality, only the city center was strictly enforced.

In the districts and counties below, basically no one cared.

Every New Year’s Eve, the smoke from firecrackers and fireworks formed a thick fog that took a day and a night to clear.

From far away, a few more bangs could be heard.

As long as they weren’t as loud as the one just now, Bai Yao actually felt it added a bit of New Year’s atmosphere.

“Then I’ll go buy groceries and come back to make dumplings for you.”

Mother stretched.

“If I’m any later, the market and supermarket will close.”

“Mom, walk slowly.”

Bai Yao and Qiu Ye watched Mother leave the room, and the next moment they both turned to look at each other.

“Auntie has good taste~ Look how cute you are.”

“She’s made me look like a nineteen-year-old kid.”

Bai Yao awkwardly grabbed the little braids on her head.

“They made my head hurt.”

“Get up and take a few steps? Do some rehabilitation exercises.”

“I don’t want to. It hurts.”

“You’re just lazy.”

Qiu Ye forcefully pulled Bai Yao up from the bed.

Although she looked unhappy, she let him show a bit of dominance occasionally.

He led Bai Yao to the mirror.

Bai Yao rarely dressed up after being hospitalized.

The moment she saw herself in the mirror, she immediately forgot the discomfort of rehabilitation training and stepped forward, almost pressing her face against the mirror.

“Is my skin a bit better again?” she asked, turning back in surprise.

After all, she ate light meals and went to bed early and woke up early.

Occasionally, when Mother wasn’t around, she’d sneak some takeout, but only occasionally.

“This skirt really suits me.”

“But I still prefer short skirts.”

“By the way.”

Bai Yao turned around playfully, hands clasped in front of her stomach, smiling at Qiu Ye.

“Happy New Year.”

Her bright smile made Qiu Ye’s heart melt, his legs felt weak, and he unconsciously smiled back.

“Happy New Year. Get well soon.”

“I want to drink a bit tonight~”

“Looking for a beating!”