5. A new taste
Anna sat in a chair after Wei Yan had thoroughly washed her.
Wei Yan had bathed Anna in the bathtub, helping her with tasks she couldn't manage due to her disability.
When Anna attempted to pick up a sponge, she was surprised to find that she couldn't actually lift objects.
Anna's hands tremble whenever she tries to hold something, causing items to slip from her grasp. Wei Yan saw the dissatisfaction and disappointment in Anna's eyes after this incident.
To help Anna relax, Wei Yan decided to use lavender fragrance known for its calming properties.
Searching the shelf, Wei Yan found lavender oil and applied it to Anna.
The fragrance did help Anna relax, but she couldn't shake off the nagging thought: was she now useless?
The weight of her inability to perform simple tasks left Anna feeling exhausted and saddened.
Nevertheless, Anna appreciated Wei Yan's efforts to lift her spirits.
"What time is it, Wei Yan?" Anna asked while observing Wei Yan displaying a dress from the closet.
"Madam, I believe it's 10:23," Wei Yan replied.
"Why hasn't the doctor arrived yet?"
"Perhaps he has some matters to attend to before coming, but I think Master George will be here soon," Wei Yan answered with her usual cheerful demeanor.
"Are you truly that pleased to see me alive?" Anna questioned after a brief silence.
Anna had been watching Wei Yan for some time, and though the maid was aware of it, she hesitated to turn towards her Madam.
"Master George has been waiting for your return for four years. He has treated us well and been kind to us. Our way of repaying him is by taking better care of you and ensuring your well-being. We're happy that you're finally back because your return brings happiness to Master George," and for the first time, a shadow crossed Wei Yan's usually bright face.
"He must be a nice person then," Anna uttered, recalling how she had treated him in the past.
Anna then shook her head, remembering how she had pushed George away as if he were a piece of trash.
The man she had once dismissed now stood as her most loyal companion.
George had turned into her savior when she had believed Wang Lixin to be reliable and trustworthy.
Pushing those heavy thoughts aside, Anna focused on the clothes Wei Yan had been showing her.
"How certain are you that these clothes will fit me?" Anna inquired.
Wei Yan surveyed her Madam's closet before answering, "Master George ensured he had your measurements taken before acquiring these clothes from the mall. Typically, he would have procured you a new set every three months, but you woke up this time."
"Huh?" Anna mumbled, slightly puzzled.
Wei Yan then picked up twelve gowns and turned towards her Madam.
"Master George acquired these garments for you two months ago. It hasn't been three months yet, so you've awakened ahead of schedule, Madam," Wei Yan explained.
"Ah, I see now. I usually prefer wearing trousers, but given my current situation, I suppose I'll have to dress more like a young princess," Anna remarked, already contemplating which dress to choose.
Anna's eyes fell upon a short black gown, and she selected it since black was a color she loved.
In her previous life as Li Xiu, her father frequently donned black attire.
Despite this, Anna in this world seemed to have a fondness for fashionable items, leading her to change her mind.
Anna tilted her head to the side. "I really adore that peach gown adorned with floral prints."
Anna had always been a fashion designer. In fact, she had earned several awards for her exceptional talent in the field. It had always been her dream, and she had achieved it.
Was there a distinction between the old Anna and the new Anna?
Both had led fulfilled lives by pursuing their careers and achieving success.
However, there was indeed a difference.
Old Anna yearned for love and the life of a wife. She aspired to pass down her design skills to her future daughters. These had been her dreams, along with marrying her boyfriend, Wang Lixin, in her past life.
But for the current Anna, whether old or new, her aspiration was to bring justice to herself.
The new Anna, from her previous life, shunned romantic relationships, never having been involved with anyone.
Li Xiu's main focus was always on enhancing her skills, even considering becoming a police officer.
Li Xiu, despite her beauty, had no interest in pursuing love; her primary desire was to excel in her career.
As she gazed at herself in the mirror, dressed in the luminous dress, Anna contemplated its design.
It wasn't childish; it was stylish. But to the new Anna, it appeared youthful.
"Oh, Mr. Liu would be thrilled to see you in this dress. Madam, you look like an angel!" Wei Yan's excitement was palpable, evident in her words.
"You've done an exceptional job, Wei Yan," Anna said serenely, appreciating her short wavy brown hair.
Anna Chen was twenty-five years old, with big emerald eyes and a heart-shaped face. Her remarkable beauty was fitting for a fashion designer.
"You are beautiful, Madam," Wei Yan uttered as Anna continued to gaze at herself in the mirror.
The previous host of this body had aspirations of settling down and having children, while the new Anna harbored dreams of becoming a police officer. There appeared to be a connection between them.
Anna's thoughts drifted to a memory from the old Anna's life, a time when she had hidden behind the curtain in Wang Lixin's office.
Though Anna had only caught fragments of conversation, she distinctly recalled Wang Lixin mentioning his involvement in illegal activities.
Anna's eyebrows furrowed as a sense of determination settled in. She needed to uncover the nature of Wang Lixin's illicit business.
Unfortunately, Anna currently lacked any concrete evidence of his attempt on her life, and she hadn't yet discussed with George how he had found and saved her.
All Anna knew for certain was that she needed to tread carefully. She had to be cautious and prepared simultaneously.
Her first priority was her health.