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Xie Liuzheng said, "Okay."
"If you need anything, contact Assistant Li anytime."
"I will," Xie Liuzheng said.
"I'll head out, then, Brother. Get back to work."
With her biggest worry settled, Xie Liuzheng felt a weight lift off her shoulders.
"Go on." Xie Chengyue nodded. Just as she was about to reach the door, he called her back.
"Xiao Zheng, take your sister-in-law shopping sometime when you're free."
Xie Liuzheng looked at him in surprise. "Got it."
Something was off with her nephew. Her brother was acting strange too. Come to think of it, so was she.
Xie Liuzheng left the Study and found Shen Wan in the Greenhouse. "Sister-in-law, are you picking flowers?"
"The flowers here are gorgeous."
Shen Wan looked at her and nodded. "I'm picking some for an arrangement. Want to join me?"
Xie Liuzheng didn't bring up what had been said in the Study, and Shen Wan didn't ask.
Be less curious and focus more on herself. That was a rule Shen Wan had learned to live by.
"Sure," Xie Liuzheng said. "I'd like to wrap a bouquet too."
Shen Wan caught her meaning. "For your husband?"
Xie Liuzheng looked a little shy. "Mm-hmm."
"My brother agreed."
Shen Wan smiled. "Congratulations. I'm happy for you."
"Thanks."
"Sister-in-law, are you free tomorrow?"
"I heard a lot of big brands have new collections out. Let's go shopping together."
"Sure," Shen Wan said.
"I've been wanting to get out and browse."
"Then I'll drive over to pick you up tomorrow and bring you back afterward," Xie Liuzheng offered.
"Wouldn't that be too much trouble?" Shen Wan hesitated.
"Not at all." Something occurred to Xie Liuzheng. "Sister-in-law, can you drive?"
Shen Wan shook her head. "I'm learning."
Xie Liuzheng nodded. "Once you get your license, you can go for a drive whenever you like. It's so much fun."
"I'll definitely give it a try," Shen Wan said.
"Once I get my license."
Xie Liuzheng and Shen Wan smiled at each other.
Xie Liuzheng stayed for dinner at the Xie Residence before heading back downtown. Delighted, she held a bouquet she had wrapped herself and rang her doorbell.
After the bell rang three times, Duan Xing opened the door and found a bouquet of Champagne roses thrust into his arms.
"For the most handsome husband," Xie Liuzheng said with a beaming smile.
Duan Xing was thrilled. "They're beautiful! Is it a special occasion? My dear wife brought me flowers."
"I picked them in the Greenhouse at home and wrapped them myself," Xie Liuzheng said. "Do you like them?"
Duan Xing couldn't take his eyes off the flowers. "I love them. The colors look stunning together. You did such a great job, honey."
"I'm putting them by the bed so I can see them the moment I wake up." Duan Xing was already eagerly deciding where the bouquet belonged.
"Sounds good," Xie Liuzheng said.
"Let's put them in a vase so they'll last longer."
Holding the flowers in one arm, Duan Xing drew Xie Liuzheng close with the other. "Thank you for the effort, my dear wife."
"Arranging flowers is fun. It wasn't any trouble," Xie Liuzheng said.
"I told my brother about our plans today."
Duan Xing's eyes darkened, though his voice was full of concern. "Why didn't you ask me to go with you?"
"Adopting a child was my idea. I should've been the one to tell Eldest Brother."
"You were busy with work," Xie Liuzheng said.
"We're husband and wife. Me telling him is the same as you telling him."
Duan Xing looked deeply moved. "My wife is the best... So what did Eldest Brother say?"
"Of course he agreed," Xie Liuzheng said.
"I'm going shopping with my sister-in-law tomorrow. If you have time the day after, we can visit the Welfare Institute together."
"Okay," Duan Xing said. "I've gathered information on several Welfare Institutes. You can look through them later and narrow down the choices."
"Sure," Xie Liuzheng said.
"I'm a little sleepy today. Let's choose after I get back from shopping tomorrow."
"Okay. Go get your clothes, honey. I'll run you a bath so you can have a nice soak."
"Mm-hmm," Xie Liuzheng said.
Duan Xing watched her walk away, a faint smile tugging at his lips. Everything was going according to plan.
... The next day, the sky was clear. Xie Liuzheng had set an alarm the night before. As soon as it rang, she got up, washed up quickly, and picked out a Hummer from the garage.
The vehicle looked cool and had plenty of room.
After breakfast at home, the two sisters-in-law set off.
"Let's look at formal gowns first. There's an important banquet next month," Xie Liuzheng reminded her.
They had personal assistants to help choose their outfits and makeup, but they still needed opinions of their own. They couldn't let others make every decision for them.
Xie Liuzheng had heard that Shen Wan was studying fashion design. This was a perfect chance for her to put it into practice.
"I'm quite interested in designing formal gowns," Shen Wan said.
The moment they entered the luxury formalwear boutique, a sales associate greeted them warmly. "Welcome! What kind of gown are you looking for? All our gowns are custom-made by top designers, and every one is unique..."
"Do you have gowns for a sixteen-year-old girl?" Shen Wan asked.
"Are you looking for... Baili?" Xie Liuzheng asked.
"Yes. Let's see what styles you have for girls, then we can look at the others..."
The sales associate led the way. "Right this way, please. These dresses are designed for teenage girls, with all sorts of styles... What does your child usually like?"
"It would be even better if she could come in and try them on herself..."
The sales associate continued her enthusiastic introduction.
Shen Wan and Xie Liuzheng listened as they looked around, occasionally holding up a dress to get a better look at its style.
None of the gowns struck Shen Wan as particularly special. Xie Liuzheng felt the same and asked outright, "Do you have any other styles?"