Chapter 10: Is that all the guts you've got?

With no room for argument, Hua Lianxi could only let the store manager show her one dress after another. Then, under the joint supervision of Fang Xiufang and Lin Xiao, she tried on dozens of evening gowns in various styles and colors, along with matching shoes. It wasn't until Fang Xiufang nodded in satisfaction that they finally left, laden with bags. By then, Hua Lianxi could barely remember how many outfits she'd been dressed in, and the price tags in her mind had blurred together, her sense of numbers fading.

After being treated like a mannequin for a full two hours, Hua Lianxi felt utterly exhausted. However, the elderly Fang Xiufang seemed to have endless energy, like she'd had a shot of adrenaline. No sooner had they left the dress shop than she turned and headed into a world-renowned jewelry store.

"Sweetheart, have a look around. Grandma wants to give you a set of jewelry as a wedding gift for you and Chengyi! You two went and got your marriage certificate secretly, acting all 'what's done is done,' and didn't even give me a chance to give you a present!"

Kong Chengyi, who had always been a loner, suddenly bringing back a wife had surprised her greatly. But the more she looked at Hua Lianxi, the more she liked her, and the more she felt the two were a good match.

Stepping into the brightly lit jewelry store, Hua Lianxi was once again met with incredibly attentive service. For a moment, she felt dazed, as if she were in a dream world. Fang Xiufang's soft words pulled her back to reality, and the refusal she had on the tip of her tongue just wouldn't come out.

Forcing a smile, Lin Xiao hadn't dared to disagree with Fang Xiufang on anything all morning, afraid of upsetting her. But seeing yet another large expense, and feeling like Hua Lianxi was being overly spoiled, she finally couldn't hold back.

She interjected, "Mom, Chengyi has already bought Lianxi everything she needs. She has diamond rings, diamond necklaces, all sorts of things. We really don't need to worry about adding more. If Lianxi needs anything, Chengyi will definitely buy it for her! We..."

"Now listen here, you, as the mother-in-law, you also need to give your daughter-in-law a welcoming gift! Didn't I buy you a jade bracelet back then? Are you really going to fuss over this little bit of money now?" Fang Xiufang tapped her cane on the smooth floor, making a sharp "thump thump" sound. She lowered her voice with displeasure, cutting Lin Xiao off. "Honestly, you've got such a small, petty mind!"

Standing to the side and listening to Fang Xiufang scold Lin Xiao, Hua Lianxi felt incredibly awkward. She quickly stepped forward to support Fang Xiufang. "Lianxi thanks you for your kindness, Grandma. Why don't you help Lianxi choose? I don't really know much about these things!" Judging by how the dress shopping went, Hua Lianxi figured she wouldn't be able to refuse jewelry either. It was better to just go along with it now and hopefully ease Lin Xiao's embarrassment.

"Store manager!" Fang Xiufang called out loudly, her voice full of energy. "Bring out all the latest limited-edition pieces and let my granddaughter-in-law take her time choosing!" Leaving Lin Xiao behind, she once again pulled Hua Lianxi straight to the VIP room, once again acting like she was going to buy out the entire stock.

Sparkling jewelry was laid out before them. Hua Lianxi sat upright, inwardly marveling at the exorbitant prices but barely registering the dazzling beauty.

Having been repeatedly told off, Lin Xiao's smile had vanished, but she still sat beside them, her sharp eyes scanning the glittering jewels. She didn't ask any questions. Fang Xiufang, seated in the middle, listened to the store manager's descriptions and nodded repeatedly, occasionally gesturing for the manager to let Hua Lianxi try something on, all the while appraising her with a critical eye.

Carefully examining all the dazzling jewelry took nearly an hour. The forced calm on Lin Xiao's face was almost cracking, and Hua Lianxi's upright posture was gradually relaxing as she hoped Fang Xiufang would quickly end this exhausting shopping trip.

"Lianxi, this necklace is completely set with diamonds, and the color is so unique – a fresh and elegant blue-green. Grandma will give you this one!" Pleased with her choice, Fang Xiufang immediately instructed the store manager to wrap up the necklace.