Silly Little Girl (2)

Shen Minyao took a long bath after Cheng Lifan left her alone in her room. The fox woman was impressed by how the humans managed to make their lives better by creating ingenious things that people in her past era would surely find spectacular and miraculous, as if bestowed by the heavens, at the same time. 

She enjoyed her long soak in the bathtub, and she didn't have to wait for too long just to get the water warm enough to be bathed in. Walking back inside Shen Minyao's room, she stood in front of a large mirror and gave her host's body a good look. 

Shen Minyao was obviously a little taller than Li Fei'er who was only a year younger than she was. Her hands were pale and smooth, contrary to the previous host the fox woman had, who had slight calluses on her hands because of rigorous sword fighting she had done for years. 

The only thing that the fox woman didn't like about her new host was her weak body. It was obvious that Shen Minyao had been pampered and spoiled by Cheng Lifan since childhood, and she didn't like to do some exercises. With her insane attraction to sweet food, it was surprising that she hadn't gained too much weight over the years. 

She opened her host's wardrobe and took notice of different clothing inside. The choice of clothes was something the fox woman found odd though. The skirts were shorter and the tops were looser, but they allowed more movement as they were less restrictive. The materials used weren't as expensive as silks, but humans had opted for convenience and practicality nowadays. 

If it was in the past, people would raise their brows for the amount of skin being exposed to the public by the women. However, it didn't matter to the fox woman, as long as it would be comfortable and wouldn't be easily torn when she moves. 

"I guess I'll need to change her style later." The fox woman muttered to herself. Shen Minyao's choice of clothes was rather bland and boring in her opinion… compared to Shen Qing whose dresses were always in style. No wonder Su Yin found her more appealing than Shen Minyao. 

She pulled out simple house clothes and donned them. After that, she resumed looking around Shen Minyao's bedroom. The floor was made with hardwood, and there was a white soft rug placed next to a large bed which was more than enough for a person to sleep in. 

White thin drapes hung above the bed, the bedsheet was light pink, and the quilt was purple ion with white bunny design on it. All of these the fox woman found a little girly for an eighteen-year-old woman like Shen Minyao. It wasn't like she was ridiculing her host's taste, but rather, she would have preferred if Shen Minyao had learned to be mature enough to protect herself. 

After drying her hair and pulling it into a ponytail, Shen Minyao went down to join the rest of the family for lunch. Shen Xin, who was speaking and laughing with Shen Qingyuan, pulled a long face and frowned upon seeing his daughter. 

Cheng Lifan's eyes narrowed at her husband before softening as soon as she saw Shen Minyao. She immediately asked the aunties to serve the dishes, but Shen Xin stopped her. 

"We aren't in a hurry. First, Xiao Yao, I have something to say to you." Shen Xin spoke to his daughter with a cold face. 

Grandpa Shen, who was seated at the head of the table, glanced between his son and granddaughter, the latter seemingly nonchalant and unusually calm today. If it was in the past, Shen Minyao would lower her head, fidget where she stood, and refuse to look at her father at all. 

Shen Minyao had just joined them at the dining table and cordially greeted him and her stepmother. She then pulled a chair next to her brother and slightly tilted her head to look at her father. 

For a man who was already over forty years old, the fox woman had to admit time seemed to be good towards this old man. Shen Xin looked like he was only in his late thirties and didn't seem like he already had a child for eighteen years. 

Shen Xin was slightly displeased and confused at the same time, seeing his daughter give him an observant look. It seemed to him that ever since Shen Minyao came back from Qingqiu Mountain, she wasn't the same foolish little girl they perceived her to be. He had to admit that he was also caught off-guard upon hearing her sharp tongue questioned him the other day. 

Was it possible for a person to have a complete one-eighty-degree change in their personality overnight? The girl in front of them still looked like his daughter, yet something about her made Shen Xin think that she was someone not to be reckoned with. 

Just what had happened to Shen Minyao back at the Qingqiu Mountain for her to return to them like this? Just what kind of hardship did she suffer from for her to have a sudden change of heart? 

As a person who'd been raised in a military family and been working in the army for years, it was impossible for Shen Xin's instinct not to be wary of his daughter's change in personality and attitude. 

"I'm sorry, Papa, but I really made up my mind. Can't you please support my decision, as your daughter? I really don't want to be with Brother Yin in the future—if that means I'll receive Qing Jie's ire and jealousy," she said as if Shen Xin had just wronged her and taken Shen Qing's side. 

Hearing what his granddaughter had just said, Grandpa Shen's face hardened, his hand slapping the table and making the utensils shake from their places. 

"Shen Xin! How could you let this happen to our Xiao Yao?!" He roared in anger.