Time passed day by day as Xiao Anlan eagerly awaited the wedding.

Since it was going to be a modern wedding, the wedding dress that the Yu family had prepared for Yu Wanru was no longer needed. As soon as the engagement gifts were sent, Madam Xiao had arranged for a tailor to take Yu Wanru’s measurements and ordered a new-style modern wedding dress.

In August, Xiao Anlan came to take Yu Wanru to try on the dress.

The Xiao family’s formal attire, including suits, was custom-made at a Western clothing store on Heping Road, and this wedding attire was no exception.

When they arrived at the store, several fashionable women were trying on clothes.

The shop owner, a woman in her thirties, wasn’t particularly young, nor was her appearance stunning, but she possessed an irresistible charm. She was even more captivating than younger, prettier girls.

Xiao Anlan seemed to know her well and greeted her as “Qin Jie.”

Qin Jie had delicate makeup, black, wavy hair, and wore a fitted modern qipao that showcased her graceful figure.

What surprised Yu Wanru even more was that she was smoking. She held a thin lady’s cigarette between her pale, slender fingers, exuding a unique blend of decadence and elegance.

Xiao Anlan introduced her to Yu Wanru. “This is Ms Qin, she’s like my older sister, my senior from my time studying abroad. Qin Jie, this is my fiancée, Wanru.”

Yu Wanru greeted her politely, “Hello, Senior Qin.”

Ms Qin chuckled, her eyes narrowing slightly as she said, “Don’t call me Senior Qin; just call me Qin Jie as he does. Or, if you’re kind enough, you can just call me ‘Jie.’”

Yu Wanru adjusted her greeting. “Jie.”

Delighted, Ms Qin studied Yu Wanru closely and then shot Xiao Anlan a sideways glance. “A well-behaved and innocent girl like this, and you actually managed to snag her. Heaven must be blind.”

Xiao Anlan chuckled. “Not blind—just kind to me.”

Ms Qin scoffed and, after chatting for a while, called a staff member to help Yu Wanru try on the dress.

Xiao Anlan was about to follow her, but Ms Qin stopped him. “What are you doing? That’s the ladies’ dressing room; no men allowed.”

Yu Wanru heard this and looked back at him.

Xiao Anlan awkwardly rubbed his nose and said, “Go ahead; I’ll be waiting here. Don’t worry.”

Yu Wanru nodded and followed the staff into the dressing room.

Sitting on the sofa, Ms Qin watched as Xiao Anlan stretched his neck to look inside and teased him with a puff of smoke. “Look at you, acting like a worried mother hen. Do you think my shop is some spider’s den that’ll devour your little darling?”

Xiao Anlan reluctantly pulled his gaze back, walked over, and sat beside her. “How’s everything been for you, Qin Jie?”

Ms Qin took another drag on her cigarette, her brows furrowing slightly before relaxing. “Same as always. But you surprise me. In just a few months, our once steadfast and progressive Xiao Anlan has succumbed to marrying his betrothed and is now eagerly waiting on his little bride. Not like you at all.”

Xiao Anlan smiled. “If you spent more time with Wanru, you’d like her, too. She’s kind-hearted. Although she grew up sheltered, she isn’t narrow-minded. On the contrary, she’s open to new ideas and loves exploring modern things. She’s really lovely.”

Ms Qin exaggeratedly shivered, feigning disgust. “Alright, enough. I get it; your fiancée is wonderful. You can stop now.”

Xiao Anlan laughed. The curtain inside rustled, and he immediately turned around.

Yu Wanru stood there, wearing a pure white dress, draped with a veil and wearing long white gloves. She looked both nervous and shy.

The dress’s upper part was similar to a modern qipao, with sleeves extending just below the shoulder. It narrowed slightly at the waist before flaring into a wide skirt that reached the floor.

The long white gloves extended past her elbows, yet still left a portion of her fair arms exposed.

Yu Wanru, having grown up to this age, had never exposed any part of her body other than her hands and feet in front of others. Now, she only felt a chill on her arms, feeling extremely uncomfortable, and instinctively clasped her arms with both hands to cover the exposed skin.

Xiao Anlan stood up and slowly approached her, staring at her without blinking.

Feeling even more embarrassed under his gaze, Yu Wanru lowered her head and averted her eyes.

Xiao Anlan came up to her, gently brushed aside the veil near her cheek, and softly sighed, “Wanru, you’re truly beautiful.”

Blushing, Yu Wanru asked him quietly, “Isn’t it strange? I feel a little odd.”

“How could it be?” Xiao Anlan replied. “This dress suits you well. You look as beautiful as an angel from a Western painting.”

He took Yu Wanru’s hand and brought it to his lips, gently kissing the back of her hand. “Only ten more days, and I can barely wait.”

Yu Wanru was too shy to respond.

Just as Xiao Anlan was about to speak further, Ms Qin suddenly came over and pushed him aside, scolding, “What is a man doing here while a lady tries on clothes? Stop wasting time.”

Xiao Anlan’s gentle mood was abruptly doused with cold water, but he didn’t dare to retort to the strict senior sister, so he sheepishly moved aside.

Ms Qin glanced at Yu Wanru and nodded approvingly, “Who would have thought you’d look so good in a Western-style dress? Come to my shop more often in the future, and I’ll make a few unique dresses for you. I guarantee no one else will have anything like them.”

Yu Wanru quickly nodded. “Thank you, Jie.”

Ms Qin smiled and then called an assistant to measure Yu Wanru carefully, noting the areas that needed alterations to ensure a perfect fit.

Then Xiao Anlan tried on his suit, which went much faster, as his clothes were often made here by Ms Qin, fitting him perfectly without needing adjustments.

After trying on their outfits, they chatted briefly with Ms Qin and arranged a time for the delivery before they took their leave.

It was neither early nor late, still a bit early for dinner, yet too late for afternoon tea.

Xiao Anlan was unwilling to send Yu Wanru home just like that, so he lingered, driving slowly down the street at a pace barely faster than walking.

People riding bicycles or rickshaws passed them, often looking back in curiosity at the unusually slow-moving car.

Sensing his intent, Yu Wanru didn’t want to embarrass him by mentioning it, feeling a bit bashful. She accepted his actions, not directly asking him to take her home.

Feeling slightly guilty at first, Xiao Anlan grew more emboldened by her silent approval, eventually turning into a secluded alley and parking the car by the roadside.

Yu Wanru looked outside, wondering what he was up to, when he said, “Darling, how about a kiss?”