Lian'er didn't dare ask any more questions. The two of them walked to the clothing shop next door and saw that Mrs. Chen had already bought a huge pile of clothes, making the Shopkeeper beam from ear to ear.
When Mrs. Chen saw Gu Fei arrive, she relaxed and beckoned to Lian'er. "Come here. I'll buy you a new outfit for the New Year as well."
Lian'er quickly backed away. "I don't need any. My old clothes are fine."
Gu Fei looked at Lian'er's clothes—a dusty gray cotton jacket and pants with several holes torn in them, revealing the cotton padding inside.
Mrs. Chen glared at her. "How can you refuse? You're part of our family. If you're dressed in rags, it brings shame on our household."
Only then did Lian'er fall silent. Mrs. Chen took charge and picked out a plum-yellow jacket and a cyan cotton skirt for her, then had her change into them.
Besides, her tattered clothes were quite an eyesore on such a bustling street.
