So Jiang Xue was coming along today after all.
Mom was indeed swayed. She held the dress up against herself, still hesitating. "Really? But I feel like it makes me look a bit heavy..."
"Not at all!" Jiang Xue immediately protested. "Mom, you have such a great figure, *anything* looks good on you! This dress was practically made for you! Once you put it on, you'll *definitely* be the center of attention!"
> *[Lie: "You have such a great figure, anything looks good on you!"]*
> *[Truth: "Her waist bulge is practically spilling out, and she calls that a good figure? She has no self-awareness. Perfect though—the more she embarrasses herself, the happier I am."]*
Listening to Jiang Xue's honeyed words dripping with malice, I almost laughed out loud.
I walked over and picked out a simple yet elegant sapphire-blue dress from the rack.
"Mom," I said softly, "I think this one would look much better on you."
Both Mom and Jiang Xue turned to look at me.
Jiang Xue's eyes held a trace of disdain. Mom also frowned. "This one? Isn't it too plain?"
"Not plain at all," I said, handing her the dress. "Mom, your skin is so fair; this color complements it perfectly. Besides, you're going to an afternoon tea, not a gala. Dressing too formally would seem overly deliberate. This dress is simple yet elegant, understated but luxurious—perfectly suited to your status and temperament."
My words were calm, confident, and reasonable. Most importantly, they were true. Mom's refined aura really *was* better suited to this clean, simple style.
She took the dress from me, half-doubting, half-intrigued, and went to try it on.
The moment she stepped out of the fitting room, even she was stunned.
The sapphire blue dress perfectly accentuated her well-maintained figure, making her skin glow radiantly. She looked at least five years younger, exuding an air of sophisticated elegance and undeniable presence.
"Oh my..." she murmured, staring at her reflection in the mirror.
Jiang Xue's face turned green.
"Y-yes, it does look nice," she forced out reluctantly.
> *[Lie: "Yes, it does look nice."]*
> *[Truth: "Dammit! How can it look that good?! She's stealing all the spotlight! That bitch Jiang Yue, since when did she develop such good taste?!"]*
I smiled, stepped forward, and gently adjusted Mom's collar.
"Mom, you look truly beautiful," I said. This time, it was sincere.
Mom looked at me, and for the first time, a flicker of genuine warmth appeared in her eyes.
"Yueyue, you do have an eye for this," she said, patting my hand with satisfaction.
> *[Lie: "You really do have an eye for this."]*
> *[Truth: "Huh, the girl might actually be useful. Looks like confining her in the ancestral hall for a few days did teach her a lesson."]*
Hah.
A lesson?
My growth went far beyond just that little bit.
The afternoon tea was held at an exclusive club.
Mom walked in, arm-in-arm with me, radiating confidence.
Jiang Xue trailed behind us, wearing the frilly pink dress she thought was so pretty. Now it just looked petty and childish. Her face was as sour as if someone owed her a fortune.
Several society ladies were already in the private room.
"My goodness, Mrs. Jiang, you look radiant today!" Mrs. Li immediately greeted her. "That dress is perfect on you! Where did you get it? You must tell me!"
Mom beamed, unable to contain her smile. "Really? My eldest daughter picked it out for me." She nudged me forward. "This is my eldest, Jiang Yue."
"Yueyue, say hello to Auntie Li, Auntie Wang, Auntie Zhang."
I greeted them obediently: "Hello, Auntie Li, Auntie Wang, Auntie Zhang."
The ladies looked surprised.
"So this is your eldest daughter?" Mrs. Li scrutinized me. "Oh, she's lovely! Why did you always hide her away before, never bringing her out to see us?"
A flicker of discomfort crossed Mom's face. Because in the past, she always said I was "not presentable."
Jiang Xue seized the opportunity, stepping forward with a sugary smile. "Auntie Li, don't you remember? *I'm* the one Mom always brings out! I'm Jiang Xue."
*[Lie: "I'm the one Mom always brings out!"]*
*[Truth: "You senile old bats! Praising that block of woo,d Jiang Yue! *I'm* the prettiest one! Look at me! Praise me!"]*
Mrs. Li went "Oh," as if remembering. "Right, you're the one who plays piano so beautifully! I heard you play at your house last time; it was wonderful!"
Jiang Xue immediately puffed out her chest proudly. "Thank you, Auntie Li! I've been practicing a new piece recently, even better than the last one!"
"Oh? Then you simply must play it for us again sometime!" The ladies clustered around Jiang Xue, showering her with praise.
Mom's expression darkened again.
I spoke up at just the right moment, my voice soft but clear enough for everyone to hear.
"Xiaoxue is amazing," I said, looking at Jiang Xue with what seemed like pure admiration. "She just competed in the city piano competition a few days ago, and she even won an award!"
Jiang Xue's face turned white as a sheet. It was true she'd competed, but she hadn't won anything. She hadn't even made it past the preliminary round. She'd only told *me*, swearing me to secrecy.
Now, I'd "mentioned" it in front of everyone.
"Wow! Really? Xiaoxue, that's wonderful!" Mrs. Wang exclaimed delightedly. "What award did you win? Show us the trophy!"
"Yes, yes! Let us see it!" Jiang Xue stood there, flushed, then pale, shifting awkwardly, her lips trembling soundlessly. She shot me a desperate look for help.
I gave her an "innocent" smile.
"Xiaoxue, what's wrong? Show the Aunties your trophy!" I "urged" her. "Didn't you say it was especially beautiful, your most precious treasure?"
> *[Lie: "Didn't you say it was especially beautiful, your most precious treasure?"]*
> *[Truth: "Go on, show them. Lie, keep lying. Let's see how you dig yourself out of this one."]*
Jiang Xue looked like she was about to cry. She glared at me, her eyes filled with venom.
Mom also sensed something was wrong, frowning. "Xiaoxue, what's going on? You won an award and didn't tell us?"
Jiang Xue stammered for a long moment before finally whispering, "I... I didn't win... Sister... she remembered wrong..."
Silence fell over the room.
The ladies' expressions instantly became distinctly awkward. The enthusiasm from moments ago had completely evaporated.
Mom's face went utterly black.