Chapter 383

One Hundred Eightieth Page New Appearance

The European-style hall with platinum undertones, its ceiling painted with classic bare-bottomed angels, seemed to want to descend from the clouds to spread the gospel of God.

God, that might be the overall leader for Europe during the divine era?

The person welcoming us on the first floor of the hall was not only Dog Sister and Mù Xī but also the young Miss Lǐn Huā, who wore all black. She squatted down to hug her youngest sister, then looked up at us and complained, “How cold it is outside today? Since you’ve come, why didn’t you come in earlier? What if Little Xià gets sick?”

“Even if we all catch a cold, this child won’t. Her physical condition is much stronger than most people… When did you arrive, Lǐn Huā?”

“At seven, I arrived much earlier than you, to prepare.”

Aunt Zhēn, Zhú Běihǎi, and Uncle Bìfāng had also arrived, but they were held back by funeral affairs. They were conversing with other adults on the other side of the hall… We would go greet them later when they were free.

Lǐn Huā chatted with me for a bit, pinched Xià’s little face, then turned to look at Sister Lěi with surprise.

“Oh? Sister Lěi, how did you end up here too?”

Like with Xiǎo Hǎi Táng, Lǐn Huā was surprised by the existence of this fool.

Sister Lěi answered with her hands on her hips, “No classes, plus free food, so I came along!”

This response was much more straightforward. She must have truly thought so.

“Don’t you think you might not have a seat? This funeral isn’t open to just anyone!”

Indeed, without status, one couldn’t easily get in, “Hehe, you wouldn’t deny me food, would you?”

“I’m done, arrangements will be made, but don’t embarrass yourself too much. Basically, no one is here for food. Your status isn’t something you can mess around with, many of them are seniors you graduated from years ago… Anyway, just stay close to me and don’t wander off.”

After thinking it over, Lǐn Huā decided it was safer to keep this fool around.

Unaware she was being treated as a burden, Sister Lěi asked happily, “Are you coming from the southern part of the city with Dog Sister?”

“No.”

Dog Sister denied first, saying, “Today, I’m the driver for Old Lady, and Mù Xī is accompanying me.”

“Double穗sister, don’t call Old Lady ‘Old Lady,’ can there be a seventeen-year-old old lady in the world?” (Does this include Yāoxiān Zǐ?)

Dog Sister muttered, “Well, there’s no seventeen-year-old grandmother either.”

Correcting Dog Sister’s address, Lǐn Huā turned to the fool again.

“Sister Lěi, use your brain more. If I go to the temple, I’ll transform randomly, so I can’t attend the funeral! So, I came here today with my mother from our main house… Oh right!”

As if remembering something, Lǐn Huā took Xià’s hand and walked toward the stairs.

She said, “Little Jīng is also here, perfect for Little Xià to meet her cousin. Let’s go to the upstairs lounge.”

Upon hearing about a cousin, Xià’s eyes lit up.

“Oh oh! Does Little Xià have a sister?”

“Yes, an older sister a few years older than you.”

Huángfǔ Jīng’s chest offered no hope, probably not much different from Lǐn Huā’s, so Little Xià might be disappointed.

Lǐn Huā continued, “Grandmother is also in the lounge, perfect to see her new look.”

“New look?”

Lǐn Huā explained seriously, “Yes, a completely new look! At the upcoming funeral, she will appear as her youngest daughter, not for family members, but for guests. So, a brand-new image is very important.”

Xiǎo Hǎi, holding her arms, nodded knowingly behind them.

“So, you want Principal to reaffirm her identity and reclaim her original network, right?”

Yòu Zi, perched on top of Xià’s head, raised a paw and asked, “I don’t quite understand. If Huángfǔ family has already confirmed her new identity internally, why make such a big deal to let outsiders know? Can they really interfere with internal decisions?”

“My little Yòu Zi, unrecognized currency is just like scrap paper.”

Lǐn Huā picked up Yòu Zi and continued, “Though it’s a fake funeral today, it’s a big test for Grandmother. The guests are like examiners, and whether she gains their approval directly affects her future influence.”

Grandmother wants to use her new identity to support Aunt Zhēn in managing the Huángfǔ family, but a common girl can’t achieve this. To reach her goal, she must make these guests understand that even though Huángfǔ Yuèhuá is gone, the sisters can still uphold and expand her legacy.

I sighed, “Rebuilding one’s reputation is tough. It’s almost like starting over from scratch.”

“Oh? Cherry Sauce, why do you sound so detached?”

Lǐn Huā jumped like a ballet dancer, twirled, then leaned in with one hand holding Yòu Zi and the other on my shoulder.

“Remember, you and Younger Aunt will be on stage together. Aunt Zhēn will introduce you both. If you become a weak link, it will lower Grandmother’s rating in the guests’ eyes!”

This didn’t sound good. Did I just become a liability?

“In advance, I haven’t prepared any speech.”

I wasn’t good at such scenes, maybe better than Xiǎo Kǎi, but not by much. Lǐn Huā’s words added pressure.

“No need, no need for that! Don’t worry, I know your reserved personality, Cherry Sauce.”

Lǐn Huā waved her finger, “You’re the granddaughter, with a younger sister beside her, you shouldn’t have to speak.”

“Do I just stand there then?”

“Kukuku, it’s not just standing!”

She laughed mischievously and brushed past my face.

“When Grandmother speaks, you must fully display your charm, your beauty is your strongest weapon!”

I felt she was plotting something.

“What are you planning?”

“We do have plans, but for now, it’s confidential… Alright, we’ve arrived.”

We climbed the elegant spiral staircase to the second floor.

The lounge Lǐn Huā mentioned was right in front of us, a room with double doors facing the staircase, where Dog Sister had greeted us earlier.

Lǐn Huā knocked on the door respectfully, “Younger Aunt, we’re here.”

Even without many guests, the hall staff were cautious to avoid misunderstandings. She called her Younger Aunt.

“No need for formalities, come in.”

The girls filed in.

Unlike the bright and holy hall, this lounge had a heavy, castle-like atmosphere. A fireplace, paintings, large potted plants, copper candlesticks, and a grand crystal chandelier hung high, dark red circular carpets covered the floor with several sofas.

It felt like a place for noble gentlemen to hold salons…

Before we entered, only one person was in the vast room.

On the sofa, a silver-haired girl faced the terrace drinking tea. She spoke without turning around, “So early, everyone’s here?”

I replied, “Yes, after all, it’s an important day for Grandmother.”

“Haha, Little Yīng, you’re so well-behaved, unlike Lǐn Huā and Little Jīng, those two are more lively.”

Even joking, Grandmother didn’t turn around, I could only see her white hair.

“Grandmother, I’m right here!”

Lǐn Huā exclaimed, then asked, “So, where’s Little Jīng?”

“She went downstairs to find her Big Sister Fēi, what are you all doing standing? Sit down!”

Grandmother stood up, turned around, and invited everyone to sit.

Only then did I understand what Lǐn Huā meant by “new look.”

Grandmother was wearing Bìyáng Girls’ School’s winter uniform (including tights), her flawless long white hair was cut short, but the bangs were slightly longer. She wore a contrasting black hairband, and removed her silver wire glasses, the chain that usually hung from them now wrapped around her wrist holding a teacup.

Moreover, she had put on makeup. Shiny lip gloss added youthful vitality, and eyeliner highlighted her eyes under the bangs. Grandmother herself probably didn’t understand this youthful style of makeup. I looked at Lǐn Huā.

She gave herself a thumbs-up.

“That’s right, I did it! Not bad, huh?”

“…What did you base your design on for Grandmother?”

“It’s all minor details, doesn’t it suit her well!”

Her makeup skills were masterful, indeed enhancing Grandmother’s charm, though now she resembled a character from a game, missing only a black eye patch.

Xiǎo Hǎi couldn’t help but comment, “Principal, shouldn’t you wear mourning clothes at a funeral, not a school uniform?”

Grandmother smiled and countered, “For students, a school uniform is formal attire, and since Huángfǔ Yuèhuá is the principal of Bìyáng Girls’ School, why not wear a uniform to a funeral?”

“Whatever, as long as you’re happy.”

Since her rescued daughter and granddaughter returned, Grandmother’s spirit had been fragile. But today, she seemed better, as she could confirm the situation of Xiǎo Kǎi and her mother.

Grandmother continued, “Chén family girl, do you think I should return to school as a student to become the Student Council President?”

“Ah?”

Grandmother rarely joked, making current Student Council President Xiǎo Hǎi nervous, unsure if it was real.

“Hold on! Principal, I haven’t even warmed up my seat yet!”

“I was just kidding, don’t be scared. You were elected by the students, so I won’t break my own rules.”

Grandmother’s smile resembled Lǐn Huā and her mother, she must have been a little devil when young. Now, at seventeen again, everything returned… including that little devil.

“You’re not a joker, joking suddenly just makes people scared!”

Student Council President relaxed, Xiǎo Hǎi breathed a sigh of relief.

“But if everything goes smoothly, I should be able to become the principal of Bìyáng again.”

I asked, “Um… Are you joking about that too?”

“No, I’m serious.”