The day before the banquet.
As the final beat of the music fell, the two girls turned to face each other.
A second later, they separated and stood properly in their positions again.
“You danced well. When it’s time for the real performance, be more confident. Your poise is what matters most.”
Sun Jiao applauded them.
“Thank you for all your help these past few days, Miss Sun.” The two of them expressed their gratitude.
“No need, no need, I’m just doing my job. You both learned very diligently.”
Sun Jiao waved her hand with a smile and turned to tidy up her bag.
So it’s over, huh? Lin Yiren reached up to wipe away her sweat.
She looked up, as if trying to take in the entire classroom at a glance.
Her gaze was caught by two spots of pink at the window.
Lin Yiren grew a bit worried and reminded, “Miss Sun, Crabapple Flower only needs watering every two or three days.”
“Ah, I forgot again.” Sun Jiao looked annoyed with herself, but then her eyes lit up. “Have you been watering them these past few days, Yiren?”
“Uh, I guess so.”
“Then, could I ask you to take them home and look after them?”
“Huh?”
Lin Yiren was startled by the eagerness in Sun Jiao’s eyes.
“They really don’t do too well here,” Sun Jiao scratched her head, a bit embarrassed.
It’s not that they’re not doing well—the leaves are already drooping!
Lin Yiren curled her lips in a bitter smile, but in the end, she agreed.
“If you ever need anything, you can always come to me again.” Sun Jiao waved as she left.
Lin Yiren hugged the two pots of Crabapple Flower, following behind Chen Zhaoyue as they got in the car.
***
When they got home, the Crabapple Flowers were placed on the windowsill in her room. Lin Yiren gently pinched the pink blossoms and said to them, “From now on, I’m your owner.”
“What owner?”
Lin Yiren drew her hand back and saw that Chen Zhaoyue had appeared behind her without her noticing.
“It’s nothing.”
“What, are you trying to play some weird game?”
“How could I!”
Lin Yiren tried to slip past her, wanting to sneak away. Lately, being around the young miss too often was making her uneasy.
But she was grabbed by the hem of her clothes.
Her back exposed to the air, Lin Yiren didn’t have time to react before she was pulled back with a “duang.”
“Tonight—”
Chen Zhaoyue’s gentle voice drew out the word.
Lin Yiren held her breath.
“Go to bed early tonight, we have to get up early tomorrow.”
With that, she let go and walked out of the room.
Lin Yiren was left behind, feeling ashamed and angry, baring her teeth at the retreating figure in her mind. Why make an early wake-up call sound so ambiguous?
***
But the next day, she still got up at the appointed time.
Lin Yiren yawned as she walked into the bathroom. After putting down the toilet lid, she sat and relieved herself of a night’s pressure.
Why get up so early just for a banquet? she grumbled inwardly.
“Yiren, I’m waiting for you downstairs.” A graceful figure flashed outside the door, leaving those words before floating away.
Lin Yiren shivered—she wasn’t sure if it was from being startled or because the water had drained the warmth from her body.
After washing up and going downstairs, Chen Zhaoyue was already sitting at the table waiting for her.
The congee and fried dough sticks on the table were still steaming hot.
Lin Yiren picked up a fried dough stick, chewing as she drank her porridge, speaking intermittently, “So, where are… we going later.”
“To pick out dresses.”
Lin Yiren’s eyes widened, her movements slowing.
Seeing her dazed look, Chen Zhaoyue couldn’t help but laugh. “What’s wrong?”
“I thought I’d just wear a long skirt at most.”
“An evening gown is a long skirt too.”
“That’s much more formal!” Lin Yiren recalled the deep V and backless dresses she’d seen on TV, and a chill ran down her spine.
“It won’t be too revealing. The skirt’s just a bit longer, that’s all.” Chen Zhaoyue saw through her worries.
“Then, can I wear a men’s suit?” Lin Yiren made a last attempt.
She only received a “What do you think?” look from the young miss.
Alright, not happening.
She buried her face in her bowl in resignation and shoveled rice into her mouth.
***
After breakfast, the two of them arrived at the mall and went straight to the top floor.
They walked into an elegantly decorated store. The Store Assistant at the door had been looking around, and when she saw the two approach, she broke into a bright smile.
“Miss Chen, Miss Lin, you’re here.”
Oh, so the young miss booked out the place.
Lin Yiren was already used to such extravagant gestures.
“Everything’s ready, right?”
“It’s all been prepared.”
Everything? Lin Yiren frowned in confusion.
Chen Zhaoyue smiled and said, “Since there was no advance customization, you’ll have to try on a few different styles.”
“You’ll try them too, right?”
“I don’t need to. I have evening gowns prepared at all times.”
Why did it feel like she was being roped in by the young miss again?
Lin Yiren’s mouth twitched.
Forget it, it’s just one day.
She comforted herself, telling herself a single dress couldn’t faze her, then gathered her courage and prepared to head inside.
“This way, please. Let’s take your measurements first.” The Store Assistant wore her signature smile, making a “please” gesture.
Lin Yiren blushed. She’d never had her measurements taken before, just bought underwear based on rough estimates.
“I can help take her measurements,” Chen Zhaoyue offered eagerly.
“No need!”
Lin Yiren could tell from her tone that nothing good would come of it. Ignoring her, she walked further in.
“Please raise your arms.”
The Store Assistant smiled and picked up a soft measuring tape.
Lin Yiren immediately felt a sense of tightness across her chest. Looking down, she saw the tape encircle her, outlining the beautiful curves usually hidden by loose clothing.
As the Store Assistant softly reported the numbers, Lin Yiren raised her head, cheeks burning.
Her measurements were quickly taken.
“Miss Lin, you have a lovely figure. Your waist is so slender, and everything else is right where it should be.” The Store Assistant praised her sincerely.
Lin Yiren’s ears tinged red. Even though she was quite familiar with her body, being measured so precisely by numbers still made her shy.
What’s so good about being flat anyway—it’s more convenient for moving around. She grumbled to herself.
But just as the Store Assistant was about to leave, a small, curious voice sounded, “So, about how much is it?”
“How much what?”
“I mean, the cup size…”
“Oh, you’re just at a D.”
The pink at her earlobes instantly spread to her cheeks. Lin Yiren hadn’t expected something she’d only ever heard of in rumors to exist on her own body.
She shouldn’t have asked. Now, the letter “D” echoed in her ears, making her hyper-aware of that part of herself.
Wait, the Store Assistant just left—so…
Lin Yiren hurried out and saw the Store Assistant whisper a few words to Chen Zhaoyue. The young miss looked at her, her eyes curving like a fox.
Now even that isn’t a secret in front of Chen Zhaoyue!
Lin Yiren felt that Chen Zhaoyue’s gaze was unusually scorching. Was she staring extra carefully?
No, no, ignore it. I shouldn’t care about this sort of thing. It’s just useless fat. Muscle is what I should be after. I’ll add extra training when I get home.
Lin Yiren forced herself to ignore the burning gaze that seemed to pierce through her clothes.
Chen Zhaoyue, for her part, didn’t tease the tense girl as she walked over, merely motioned for the Store Assistant to prepare the dresses.
Before long, a row of gorgeous gowns was rolled out.
They were all fairly conservative styles, only revealing shoulders or arms, with exquisite embroidery on the skirts, some even studded with sparkling gems.
The noble, elegant designs left Lin Yiren staring, a trace of doubt in her eyes—would she really be wearing something like that?
“Try on that white one first, yes, the one with the patterned hem.”
As Lin Yiren was still hesitating, Chen Zhaoyue had already picked one out, grinning as she watched her.