Chapter 18: Matching Outfits Isn’t Scary; Ugliness Is Embarrassing

A vintage army green car was parked outside the August Photography Studio. Sunlight filtered through the banyan trees, dappling the ground. It seemed to have been waiting.

Gu Congshuang floored the gas pedal, arriving before four o’clock.

This studio was popular for wedding photos in the area and sold wedding dresses. The styles were trendy in Yuehai City, monopolizing the local wedding photography and dress market.

Gu Congshuang, worried about Yi Yun, got out of the car, carrying a fruit basket and supporting her grandmother as they entered.

She had to face Ye Bei’s mother, Wang Miaoxue, for the first time. Their previous meeting had been formal, with Gu Congshuang standing behind Gu Qinshan.

Wang Miaoxue wore an indigo blue cheongsam with silver plum blossom patterns. Gu Congshuang, though not an expert on cheongsam, was impressed by its high-quality fabric; it looked elegant and luxurious.

Ye Chuan wasn’t present; Wang Miaoxue was handling everything.

“Hello, Auntie. I bought some fruit from town—melon and grapes.”

Gu Congshuang placed the fruit she had bought in the market into a bamboo basket.

The round melons were fragrant, the grapes glistening like jewels. She added some roses and gardenias.

Simple country items, arranged beautifully by Gu Congshuang.

Her previous part-time job at a flower shop hadn’t been in vain.

Wang Miaoxue’s eyebrows rose slightly. She had liked Gu Congshuang’s straightforwardness during their previous encounter.

Now, smelling the gardenias, she was even more pleased.

“Oh, you’re so thoughtful.”

“Mom, take it. Congshuang is tired of carrying it,” Ye Bei took the basket, implying Wang Miaoxue had accepted it.

“Already showing affection for his wife… My good son. Men should cherish their wives,” Wang Miaoxue praised.

Gu Congshuang smiled, feeling she had made a good first impression.

They looked through the large photo album the studio owner, Shu Mei, had given them. The cover was vintage. The photos were colorful and a bit flashy.

However, some were nice. The photos, unlike older ones, were bright and new.

The film’s quality was superior to digital cameras; each photo had a captivating story.

Gu Congshuang touched a favorite photo, sighing, “Life was slower then; people only loved one person.”

Perhaps the limited choices and lack of information made people happier.

Now, people had more choices but seemed less happy.

“What do you think of this one?”

Wang Miaoxue pointed to a photo of a military wedding. The groom wore a green uniform, standing straight. The bride wore a white wedding dress and held a bouquet of artificial flowers—a typical 1980s style.

“This is our best-selling style. Want to try it on?”

Shu Mei, knowing about Ye Bei’s lavish dowry, was excited to have such a wealthy client.

Before Gu Congshuang could answer, Shu Mei produced a wedding dress. The veil was lace; it looked vintage and elegant.

“Here’s a fitting room. We have another dress if you don’t like this one.” Shu Mei took Gu Congshuang to the fitting room.

The fitting rooms were simple, two curtains forming makeshift rooms. One was partly closed; someone was already inside.

The other was open. Shu Mei gave Gu Congshuang the dress and closed the curtain.

“Call me if you need anything.” She left.

Gu Congshuang hadn’t expected to try on a wedding dress, especially one from her parents’ generation.

She quickly changed and came out, looking at herself in the mirror.

“Wanxing, come see if this dress looks good on me?”

The person in the other fitting room came out, wearing the same white dress. The two brides stared at each other.

Lin Wanxing, hearing the voice, was stunned.

He hadn’t expected Gu Congshuang to be there. After being angered by her, he’d bought gold jewelry, emptying his family’s savings for Mo Wanwan.

But seeing them both in the same dress, he felt strange and a little jealous.

He had heard that Gu Congshuang had not only scolded Liu Guoqiang but also received the city’s most lavish dowry.

Mo Wanwan’s cheerful expression turned cold.

Matching outfits wasn’t scary; ugliness was embarrassing.

She considered herself beautiful, being admired at the factory where Lin Wanxing worked.

But Gu Congshuang, once ordinary, now exuded confident beauty.

Mo Wanwan felt Gu Congshuang lacked coldness and was too flamboyant. She checked Lin Wanxing’s expression; he was looking at her but glancing at Gu Congshuang, his expression complex.

They were about to get married.

“Gu Congshuang, are you doing this on purpose? Showing off your rich husband?” Mo Wanwan said angrily.

Gu Congshuang hadn’t expected to see them. It was probably the novel’s plot, but the auspicious date and the studio’s monopoly made it inevitable.

“This isn’t your family’s studio. I can be here too. I did it to spite you. Are you going to bite me?” Gu Congshuang said defiantly.

She wasn’t polite to Mo Wanwan.

“You! Stop seducing Wanxing.”

“Sorry, I’m getting married. You should watch your husband.”

“You!” Mo Wanwan’s face flushed.

Gu Congshuang ignored her and left the fitting room.

Mo Wanwan took a deep breath, her face darkening.

“Wanwan, you’re the most beautiful today,” Lin Wanxing said soothingly.

“Get lost!”