Chapter 27 - Let’s Go and Buy New Clothes for You

The next morning, Gu Nianbin was woken up by the familiar sound of sweeping. He rubbed his eyes and looked out of the window. Sunlight shone through the white curtains, making the room warmer. He stretched his body a little bit and walked to the window, finding Du Xiaoxian sweeping under the trees carefully in the lavender uniform. Her soft hair was dancing in the wind, and her laced apron was bulging around her small body. She looked like the girl rotating in circles in the music box.

Gu Nianbin kept watching her until she swept all the way to the front door. Standing in front of the bathroom mirror, he was surprised to find that his lips were slightly raised, as if he was smiling. It must be the good weather that cheered him up.

He turned on the tap and splashed a handful of cold water over his face. After washing up, he put on a sweatshirt and went jogging downstairs.

The air was fresh in the morning. Although the sun was still behind the clouds, it had already dyed the sky light red. Du Xiaoxian had swept all the way to the front gate, but the sweeping sound was still very clear.

Having finished warm-up, Gu Nianbin started running. Du Xiaoxian was so focused on sweeping that she didn’t even notice it when Gu Nianbin ran near her. He coughed and she turned around, looking surprised, “Young Master,” she stuttered.

He responded to her casually and kept on running. After he finished running around the court, Du Xiaoxian had finished cleaning and went towards the backyard.

She didn’t like walking through the living room. It was too grand and splendid for a maid. So she always made a detour through the side door to the backyard. She went to the kitchen and took a steamed bun as breakfast. It was so hot, soft and sweet that she was gorged eating it. Back at home, she could not enjoy a steamed bun made with white flour unless during the Spring Festival. She waited eagerly and her aunt would give her two buns right off the stove. She wrapped them with her clothes and went back home to enjoy them slowly, one for lunch and one for dinner. She would recall the pleasant flavor for many days.

Here in Gu Mansion, she was provided with the white-flour steamed buns every day. Every day was like the Spring Festival. No, it was even better. She was also offered new clothes and a lot of delicious things that she had never heard of, including the precious bird’s nest. What a happy life! In addition to all that, she could also go to school. Therefore she had her breakfast earlier today. She couldn’t be late on the first day to school and had to get ready in advance. Du Xiaoxian swallowed the last bite of the steamed bun and drank half a cup of cold water. She would feel happy as long as she was full.

She looked through the wardrobe and picked a pair of black trousers and a shirt with flower patterns. She wanted to wear a T-shirt because it was hot outside. But all her T-shirts were old. The collars of two T-shirts had worn out and the color of another one had faded. She did not want to wear old clothes on her first day to school, so the long-sleeved shirt became her choice. She could just roll up the sleeves when it was too hot.

After getting dressed up, Du Xiaoxian took out a bag sewed by herself. It was made from the yellow coarse cloth and embroidered with lotus and dragonflies. She liked it very much even though it was not delicate. This was her only schoolbag she had.

Lanzhi came in and found that Du Xiaoxian was not wearing the maid’s uniform. She asked, “Xiaoxian, are you going out today?”

Du Xiaoxian tidied herself up and felt a little embarrassed, “The Young Master is going to send me to school today.”

Lanzhi was surprised for a moment. She closed the door and said joyfully, “See? What did I told you? You didn’t believe me. I was not lying, was I?” She examined Du Xiaoxian from head to toes and shook her head, “Are you going to school in these clothes? Your clothes were so unfashionable, not to mention the bag…”

Du Xiaoxian became less confident after hearing her words. It was a good thing to go to school. But would her poor dressing embarrass the Young Master?

Lanzhi said, “Why don’t you wear my clothes and buy new ones after you get paid?”

Lanzhi was taller and her clothes did not fit Xiaoxian. But her clothes were fashionable and beautiful. Du Xiaoxian hesitated a little. But as long as she wouldn’t embarrass the Young Master, she would not care what other people would say. Encouraged by Lanzhi, Xiaoxian finally took off her clothes and put on Lanzhi’s instead.

However, she refused to change her bag. Lanzhi wouldn’t allow a rustic bag to ruin the overall effect, so she insisted on changing it with her backpack. However, Du Xiaoxian remained silent and clenched her bag tightly no matter what Lanzhi said. Lanzhi tried everything she could and eventually gave up.

“What a stubborn girl.” She whispered angrily. She wouldn’t bother to persuade those who wouldn’t listen to others.

It was about time for school. Du Xiaoxian went out from the side door secretly and stood under the phoenix tree, waiting for Gu Nianbin.

Xiaoding was waiting by the car. He had never seen Du Xiaoxian wearing anything else other than the lavender uniform. He walked to her, “Xiaoxian, you look pretty today.”

She glanced at him and moved aside vigilantly. Xiaoding was puzzled. Was she avoiding him just because he praised her? He was speechless and walked away. He felt sorry for her. The little girl was actually quite beautiful. She would be very attractive if she knew how to talk and smile sweetly. However, she was quiet all the time. What a pity.

After a while, Gu Nianbin came. He swept a glance at Du Xiaoxian, walked over and examined her. She lowered her head and blushed. Du Xiaoxian felt embarrassed for wearing other people’s clothes. Now she wanted to find a hole to hide from being looked up and down like this.

A moment later, Gu Nianbin said, “The clothes are too big for you.”

She replied shyly, “These are Lanzhi’s clothes. I borrowed them.”

“What about your own clothes?”

“My clothes are not good enough,” Her voice lowered.

“Are you afraid of what others might say about you?” He asked.

Du Xiaoxian shook her head. She bit her lips and said，“I’m afraid of embarrassing you, Young Master.”

It turned out that it was because of him that she paid attention to her clothes. She was doing this to preserve his dignity.

Gu Nianbin smiled and pointed to the car, “It’s getting late. Let’s go.”

Xiaoding opened the door and Gu Nianbin sat in first. Du Xiaoxian stood outside. She hesitated for a moment and got in. The calfskin seat was soft and thick with the smell of genuine leather. She was not used to the smell. The car started and the air conditioner was on. She felt a little dizzy and suffocated. Also, Du Xiaoxian was nervous to sit in such a luxury car for the first time. She felt uneasy for being so close to Gu Nianbin. All things came together. She couldn’t help but moaned.

Gu Nianbin was actually observing her all the time. Finally, he asked Xiaoding to pull over and lower the window to let her take in fresh air. He asked, “are you feeling carsick?”

She nodded. When she left her hometown, the road was bumpy and the air in the crowded car was foul. She vomited three times along the way, and even spat out some yellow bile. The Young Master’s car wasn’t bumpy, but the window was tightly shut and the leather smell was strong. She felt uncomfortable. But to prevent vomiting, she could only moan.

She panted for a while, and her face was pale. Gu Nianbin got out of the car with her and walked along the road. She felt much better after getting off the car. After walking for a while, she said, “Young Master, I’m OK now.”

Gu Nianbin nodded but didn’t say anything. He continued to stroll along the road.

“Young Master, aren’t we in a hurry?” Du Xiaoxian mumbled. She didn’t want to be late on the first day to school.

“No,” Gu Nianbin smiled at her, “We’re going to buy you new clothes now.”

Du Xiaoxian stopped for a second and looked at herself. Lanzhi’s clothes were beautiful enough for her. The Young Master was still not satisfied? Besides, no shopping mall would open so early.

Gu Nianbin read her mind and made a phone call. It was brief but mingled with several English words, which she didn’t understand at all. She looked at him with admiration. The Young Master was really knowledgeable. He spoke excellent English. How she wished she could speak fluent English as well…

Xiaoding drove the car slowly and followed behind. It was strange that the Young Master should have the time to take a walk with this little girl early in the morning. Didn’t he need to send Du Xiaoxian to school and rush back to the company for the morning meeting? He was extremely busy on most days. Things were unusual today.

Turning around at the cross, they found a large boutique that sold women’s clothes. Several windows facing the street were showcasing the clothes worn by the models. Fashionable and exquisite clothes were categorized by color and style. Du Xiaoxian couldn’t take her eyes off from the window and kept looking back after walking past them.

Gu Nianbin asked, “Like it?”

She nodded quickly. Who wouldn’t like such beautiful clothes? After entering the store, she found more beautiful clothes inside. Rows of colorful clothes in various styles were on display. There were shirts, T-shirts, skirts, trousers, shorts, and jeans she had been dreaming of.

It seemed that the shop assistants had just arrived. Du Xiaoxian saw someone running into the fitting room, put on makeups and changed into work uniforms. Everyone came to serve them. Then the door was shut and a sign “Closed” was put on the front door.

Why were they so attentive to them now that the shop was closed? She was puzzled but didn’t have time to figure it out, because she was surrounded by several beautiful shop assistants.

Someone pulled a clothes shelf to her and asked which one she liked. Some served a fruit plate for her. Some praised her for her beauty. And others began to ask her about her preferences…

Du Xiaoxian suddenly felt scared after being surrounded by so many strangers. They were all smiling at her and treated her politely as if she was a noble lady. But she was not, she was just a maid. They must have made a mistake. She panicked and turned to the Young Master for help.