A stylishly dressed woman drove up to the courtyard house, and she felt a pang of envy.

"Hello, is this Ms. Guan?"

"Yes! That's me."

"Please come with me. Our young lady is all ready, all that's missing is your makeup."

Guan Xiaodian was taken aback. "Wasn't it...wasn't it me who dressed her up?"

"Oh? I'm sorry you're late. The old lady has already dressed Miss Pear Blossom. You can go in and get your makeup done."

"Alright!" The clothes of rich girls must be very beautiful; she can just go and do her makeup.

"Pear Blossom, how is it? Isn't it beautiful! This is the red dress I wore when I got married. Wear thicker thermal underwear underneath, and wear a pair of red embroidered shoes with it. I guarantee you'll outshine everyone today."

Ma Lihua was reluctant, but seeing her grandmother so happy, she really couldn't bear to take it off.

As soon as Guan Xiaodian entered the door, it felt as if she had returned to a distant era. When she saw Ma Linghua and Ma Lihua, she had a strange feeling that she was looking into the eyes of people from the past.

"What are you standing there for? Miss Guan, hurry up! The one in the red dress is my Miss Pear Blossom."

"What?"

She was taken aback. "This...this is to attend a banquet, right?" she asked uncertainly.

"Hey! The stylist's here! Perfect timing, just need to do Lihua's makeup, I've already got her all done." Ma Linghua greeted Guan Xiaodian warmly.

As Guan Xiaodian approached, he looked at Ma Lihua's attire and his lips twitched. "Which country girl is this?"

"No, we have to change. Wouldn't it be embarrassing for you to attend the banquet like this?"

"What? No way? What nonsense are you talking about? This red dress of mine was brought to me by Zhongguo in Hong Kong back then. You really don't know its value. A stylist? You're obviously unreliable."

Ma Linghua really loves this dress; if she weren't so old, she would wear it herself.

"Just do my makeup, my grandma dressed me up nicely."

Ma Lihua didn't mind at all; she couldn't let her grandmother's kindness go to waste.

Looking at the beautiful and charming Ma Lihua with her two long braids, her lips twitched again.

Guan Xiaodian looked at Ma Lihua and sighed inwardly. Such a beautiful face was dragged down by her old-fashioned outfit, making her look like a rural bride-to-be from the old days.

She replied helplessly, "Okay, I'll just do a light makeup for you."

Ma Lihua sat in front of the mirror, her eyes sparkling with anticipation for the banquet, a gleam like the stars in the night sky.

But in her excitement, a violent cough shattered the beautiful moment, and her little face turned bright red.

Ma Linghua hurriedly handed over a large water bottle, which was so big it seemed out of place. Ma Lihua took it and gulped down a large mouthful of water, which dripped down her chin and soaked the bright red dress on her chest.

"Pear Blossom, you mustn't get excited! Your health is the most important thing."

Ma Linghua frowned, her face full of worry, her rough hands patting Ma Lihua's back repeatedly.

"No, I'm worried about you going like this. Let Xiaoxin go with you!" Her eyes were full of concern and reluctance, as if Ma Lihua was not going to attend a banquet, but embarking on a long and dangerous journey.

After a long while, Ma Lihua finally calmed down and comforted her grandmother with a smile: "Grandma, I'm fine, don't worry. Xiaoxin doesn't need to come along, I'm not a child anymore."

But Ma Linghua was still worried, constantly muttering various precautions, touching Ma Lihua's forehead one moment and checking her clothes the next to make sure they were in order.

Guan Xiaodian watched the interaction between the grandmother and granddaughter and was also touched. The strong family affection filled the small room and diluted her dissatisfaction with her terrible outfit.

The moment he stepped out, Li Xin's gaze fell on Ma Lihua, and her outfit made his lips twitch slightly.

He never expected his aunt to look like this. She exuded a strong rural charm, her red dress was so bright it was almost glaring, and her braided pigtails looked too simple and rustic.

"Auntie, did Grandma give you this outfit?" Li Xin asked cautiously, her voice trembling slightly, afraid of hurting her aunt's feelings.

Ma Lihua shook her head, a slight smile on her face. "My grandma dressed me up. What do you think?"

Li Xin seemed to be electrocuted, jolted awake, and hurriedly opened his eyes to lie: "It looks good, it's pretty good."

His words were stammered, and his eyes darted around.

Ma Lihua stared at him suspiciously, her eyes seeming to see right through Li Xin's thoughts, before saying calmly, "Are your eyesight not very good?"

She knew perfectly well how this outfit would look to others, but to her, it didn't matter.

These so-called fashion and beauty are nothing but worldly things in the face of family affection. As long as her grandmother is happy, everything is worth it.

"Hehe! Auntie, you already know all this and you still ask me, you're so naughty." Li Xin scratched his head, smiling a little embarrassedly, with a touch of arrogance in his expression.

Seeing him like this, Ma Lihua got goosebumps all over and reached out as if to hit him.

Li Xin laughed and dodged away, while Ma Lihua rolled her eyes. At that moment, her rustic outfit seemed to have a unique warmth to it.

Ma Lihua and Li Xin arrived at the magnificent five-star hotel, where the dazzling lights and luxurious decor flashed before their eyes.

Ma Lihua took out the slightly crumpled invitation from her pocket and handed it to Li Xin, saying, "Go and ask which floor we're going to."

Li Xin took the invitation and jogged to the front desk.

The receptionist glanced at the two oddly dressed people, a hint of disdain flashing in her eyes.

Li Xin handed over the invitation, and the receptionist glanced at it and said, "This is an invitation to the 909 Gala on the third floor. You can just take the elevator up."

Li Xin responded politely, "Okay, thank you, Auntie."

That single word "Auntie" was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, instantly creating ripples.

The receptionist's eyes widened in disbelief. "Ah... Auntie? I'm only 25 years old, and you're calling me auntie?"

She raised her voice, about to continue her outburst, when her colleague quickly covered her mouth with a smile, saying, "I'm sorry, sir, she's been in a bad mood lately."

But Li Xin wasn't having any of it. He raised an eyebrow and slightly lifted his chin. "Hmph! If you're in a bad mood, don't come to work and ruin our mood, okay? If you can do it, do it; if you can't, just leave! What's wrong with calling you 'Auntie'? Or you can call me 'Uncle'!"

His voice echoed in the lobby, drawing strange looks from those around him.

Ma Lihua frowned. She had no interest in watching this farce; her stomach was already rumbling. "Xiao Xin, let's go! Don't waste time."

As she spoke, she walked towards the elevator first. Li Xin snorted at the receptionist and hurriedly followed, leaving the receptionist looking embarrassed.