Chapter 23 - Feeling Alone Inside The Crowd
Chapter 23 – Feeling Alone Inside The Crowd
"Oh My, My daughter is looking so stunning."
Lin Qianru could not stop the praises coming out of her mouth when she saw her daughter, Mo Roulan wearing the dress she bought for her.
Even Mo Roulan who was standing in front of the mirror thought that she looked… decent and beautiful. The white dress she wore was just perfect for the girls of her age. It does not make her look seductive like adults but enhanced her beauty at the same time. The parts that should not be shown were completely covered and she felt very comfortable wearing it.
Because of today's events, she couldn't help but remember her last life. She had thought, to stand by his side, she first had to blend with the society he lived in. So she tried her best to make a good impression on others attending those business parties. But she only made fun of herself in front of them.
How could she who resided in a small town Wenhua and then in an orphanage compete with those other girls from rich and noble families? How could she compare to their gracefulness and elegance even if all of it was fake?
By the time, she learned all of their ways, their living style; she had already become a clown for them at whom they could laugh whenever they saw her. The insults and humiliation lowered her self-confidence with time and made her a different person altogether.
Her mother's voice brought her out of her trance and she looked sideways at her mother who was looking at her with a worried expression.
Seeing her daughter standing in front of the mirror in a daze, Lin Qianru thought maybe she didn't like the dress so she asked her with a worried expression on her face.
"Roulan, Is the dress not to your liking?"
Speaking of this, Mo Roulan felt curious. After spending these four-five days with Shen Youlin, she knew that the other was from a very good family or perhaps from a very popular family in City H. So the birthday banquet would definitely be grand. The dress she was wearing was perfect for such occasions.
But how did her mother select such a nice dress?
"No Mom, the dress is very nice. I like it. But don't you think it is a bit over and gaudy for today's banquet? I mean it is just a birthday party."
Mo Roulan intentionally put her question like this.
Lin Qianru who heard her words immediately replied.
"No… It is not gaudy at all. You don't know because you have never attended these banquets and parties of the City's people. From the way you tell about your friend's family, I am sure she is from a very impressive background. If you attend the party wearing your simple pants, Mother assures when you will reach there, you will think that it is you who is looking so simple and unattractive."
Mo Roulan raised her eyebrows and smiled a little.
"Mom, how do you know all this?"
Lin Qianru stiffened at the question. How does she know? She had lived that life for twenty years. How could she not know all this?
She forced a smile on her face and lied avoiding her daughter's eyes.
"The saleslady from the shop where I bought this, told me."
Mo Roulan could feel the change in her mother and it was not the first time she had seen her mother like this. Sometimes, she feels that her mother is hiding something big from her. But she didn't want to drag this issue anymore on seeing how uncomfortable her mother looked right now. So she changed the topic deliberately.
"Okay, so how do you think I should keep my hair? Open or…"
Lin Qianru's lost energy immediately came back and she guided her daughter.
——————–
When Mo Roulan reached the address Shen Youlin had given to her, she saw a huge villa. Two security guards stood outside guarding the large gates. On the nameplate was written 'Shen Villa'. She showed them the invitation card and they let her enter the villa.
Standing at the entrance of the large hall, she could see people chatting and having drinks. All of them seemed from rich and noble families. She felt uncomfortable going inside. Despite have been part of all this before, she thought she will never get used to this lavishness. She will never feel that she can be a part of this crowd. She is alone even in their presence. This was one of the reasons she didn't want to attend Shen Youlin's birthday party. This richness and fakeness suffocated her.
For a moment, she thought it will be better to run away from this suffocating feeling. But before she could run away, she was seen by Shen Youlin who had been constantly glancing at the door in her wait.