NOVEL NEXT Chapter 38: The Little Sister's Devotion
Chapter 38: The Little Sister’s Devotion
After much persuasion, the two mothers-in-law finally accepted Lu Yuan’s gift bags and retreated to change clothes. As they hefted the surprisingly heavy packages, they exchanged looks of astonishment.
Su Lina emerged first, transformed by her new attire. The adage that “clothes make the person” proved undeniably true—the naturally pretty young girl now looked absolutely beautiful in her new outfit.
When the two mothers-in-law appeared moments later, a hush fell over the gathered villagers. Their transformation was stunning. Both women possessed a rare, mature beauty that the new clothes only enhanced. As members of the demon race who aged gracefully, they looked particularly striking with their hair elegantly styled and wearing the fashionable cheongsams Lu Yuan had selected.
One elderly man stared so intently that his wife had to pinch his waist to break his trance.
The two women stood awkwardly, unused to such finery. “How… how do I look, Yuan’er?” Zhao Qiaoer asked, barely meeting her son-in-law’s gaze.
Lu Yuan could hardly speak. The cheongsams, with their high slits revealing glimpses of shapely legs, paired with the red and beige high heels he’d purchased, created an image of mature elegance that took his breath away.
“You both look stunning,” he finally managed. “Like heavenly beings. I couldn’t have chosen better—you’re absolutely worth it.”
Though pleased by the compliments, the women retreated quickly to change back into everyday clothes, too embarrassed by the attention and practical enough to know such finery wasn’t suited for daily work. These were garments meant for special occasions, like the upcoming banquet.
When they returned in their usual attire, Lu Yuan felt a twinge of disappointment. He’d purchased several outfits and had hoped to see them modeled, but realized this wasn’t the right moment with so many onlookers.
Noticing Su Lina still in her new clothes and nestled in Lu Yuan’s arms, the mothers spoke up. “Lina, change back before you dirty your new outfit. Save it for your sister’s banquet.”
As Su Lina nodded and attempted to wiggle free, Lu Yuan held her fast. “Let her wear it,” he insisted. “She should show her friends how pretty she looks.”
“But son-in-law,” they protested, “children play in the fields. These fine clothes will be ruined in a day and worn out within weeks.”
Lu Yuan smiled easily. “Then we’ll get new ones. She’ll outgrow them in a year anyway. I bought her several sets precisely for everyday wear.”
He turned to the child with a grin. “Let’s go show Erniu and Xiuhua your beautiful clothes.”
To Lu Yuan’s surprise, Su Lina shook her head, arms still wrapped around his neck. “No,” she said softly. “Don’t want to dirty pretty clothes. Need to take care of them.”
Lu Yuan couldn’t help but laugh. Like mother, like daughter—both Su Liyan and her little sister had been raised to be frugal.
“It’s alright,” he assured her. “If they get damaged, brother-in-law will buy you new ones. Our Lina deserves to look pretty every day.”
The two mothers watched with mixed emotions. They felt a pang of regret that little Lina had grown up with so little while other village children at least had new clothes for festivals. Even Su Liyan had enjoyed relative comfort in her early years. Despite their hard work, they could never earn enough to provide such luxuries.
Thankfully, Lina had never complained or demanded things she saw others enjoying. She was too well-behaved for that—which only made her mothers feel more distressed on her behalf. Now, seeing the child receive such generous treatment from her brother-in-law felt like sweet compensation after years of hardship—though they still worried about Lu Yuan’s extravagance.
Lu Yuan carried Su Lina out to the yard where several villagers lingered, likely hoping for cigarettes. He distributed a pack to each man and some candy before the crowd finally dispersed.
“Son-in-law, you haven’t eaten yet!” the mothers-in-law suddenly remembered.
Lu Yuan smiled. “I’ll just have a bowl of noodles. I’ve been out shopping all morning.”
Before heading to the kitchen, Zhao Qiaoer called, “Lina, stop bothering your brother-in-law. Let him rest.”
“It’s fine,” Lu Yuan assured her, settling into a chair with Su Lina on his lap. He unwrapped a gold-foil chocolate with liqueur filling from his pocket and handed it to the child.
From the kitchen, as they prepared the noodles, one of the women called out, “Lina adores you. Since you and Liyan left last time, she’s been asking when her brother-in-law would return—several times each day!”
Lu Yuan looked down at the little girl contentedly eating chocolate on his lap. “Oh? You like your brother-in-law that much?”
Sitting primly on his thigh, Su Lina nodded with complete seriousness. “Mm-hmm. I like brother-in-law the most.” She paused, then added with childish certainty: “I’m going to marry brother-in-law when I grow up.”