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Chapter 11: The Department Store

Xu Jiaojiao studied her carefully and honestly said, “The color doesn’t suit you very well.”

Besides, the outfit didn’t look great even under the good lighting in the store, let alone at home.

Shen Yun’s smiling face cracked slightly, her smile stiffened. “I think it looks good. Jiaojiao, are you saying that just because you look good, others aren’t allowed to?”

The moment Shen Yun entered the store, she had her eyes on the only brightly colored dress. She had stared at it for a long time; Shen Yun particularly liked unique clothes like this.

“Exactly, this dress makes you look fair and delicate, like a peeled egg,” the saleswoman chimed in, disagreeing with Xu Jiaojiao.

Xu Jiaojiao sighed internally. Stores everywhere seemed to be the same.

Hearing the saleswoman’s words, Shen Yun felt smug and shook her head, glancing at Xu Jiaojiao, convinced that Xu Jiaojiao was simply jealous of her.

“Jiaojiao, let’s go somewhere else,” Xie Zhi suggested, starting to feel uneasy around Shen Yun. He was beginning to associate her presence with trouble.

Xu Jiaojiao nodded and was about to leave.

“Jiaojiao, could you… could you lend me some money?” Shen Yun suddenly called out to her.

The dress cost ten yuan, but even with all her savings, Shen Yun was still short by three yuan. She couldn’t bear the thought of giving it up.

Xu Jiaojiao found this amusing, turning back with a smile. “Lend you money? When have you ever paid me back?”

She pulled Xie Zhi by the hand to leave, but Shen Yun quickly rushed up and tried to grab her hand, only for Xie Zhi to block her.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Xie Zhi asked sternly.

Shen Yun suddenly slammed the door shut and sat down on the floor. “Jiaojiao, I really love this dress. Please lend me the money. It’s just three yuan. You have so much money, it’s nothing for you.”

Tears streamed down her face as she acted like she was willing to do anything, refusing to leave without the money.

Xu Jiaojiao had never expected the proud Shen Yun to resort to such tactics—crying and shamelessly clinging to her.

But Xu Jiaojiao wasn’t one to be swayed by moral blackmail. With a cold snort, she replied, “You want to borrow money from me? Pay me back what you’ve already borrowed first.”

With that, Xie Zhi forcefully opened the door. His strength was overwhelming, and Shen Yun, who was blocking it, couldn’t resist.

“You have so much money, why not lend me just a little? Xu Jiaojiao, you have everything. I’m only asking for three yuan. What’s wrong with that?” Shen Yun screamed, breaking down.

The saleswoman, enjoying the spectacle, added, “Exactly, what’s the harm in lending her three yuan when you two are dressed so well?”

Xie Zhi, unfazed, shot a cold glance at the saleswoman. “If you’re so generous, why don’t you give her a discount?”

The sharpness of his gaze made the saleswoman shiver, as if an icy wind had pierced through her bones.

Xie Zhi pulled Xu Jiaojiao behind him, sternly asking Shen Yun, “Do you really need to make this so ugly?”

“Xie Zhi, how can you treat me like this?” Shen Yun sobbed, tears falling like pearls.

She thought that if she cried in such a pitiful state while wearing the dress, Xie Zhi would be moved like other men. But instead, she received nothing but harsh words.

“Shen Yun, three yuan is nearly a week’s salary for my mother. Yes, I have money, but I’m not stupid enough to throw it away. And haven’t you taken enough from me over the years?”

Having said her piece, Xu Jiaojiao strode over and forcibly pulled Shen Yun aside. She then grabbed Xie Zhi’s hand, and the two of them walked out.

Seeing the door open, Shen Yun quickly got up, embarrassed, and tried to leave after taking off the dress.

“Hold on! After rolling around on the floor, how am I supposed to sell this dress now?” the saleswoman sneered.

Shen Yun, flustered, stammered, “I only sat on the floor; the dress didn’t get dirty.”

“How would I know that? I don’t care; you have to buy it.”

“But I only have seven yuan,” she weakly replied.

“Fine, just give me the seven. But don’t make a fool of yourself like that again,” the saleswoman said, snatching the money from Shen Yun’s hand with a mocking tone.

Shen Yun had never expected to actually get the dress, and with a sudden burst of happiness, she joyfully walked out wearing it.

Meanwhile, Xie Zhi pointed at a pale green dress on a mannequin and said, “Jiaojiao, that dress looks beautiful.”

Xu Jiaojiao glanced at it, her expression softening. In a playful tone, she teased, “Husband, I didn’t know you liked this style.”

The saleswoman promptly took the dress down as soon as the couple entered, even though they had yet to say a word. The handsome man and beautiful woman had already drawn a lot of attention.

When they entered the store, the owner felt like her little shop had suddenly become high-class and immediately greeted them with a wide smile.

“Comrade, you have a great eye! This is the newest Bragi dress. I’m telling you, there isn’t another dress like it in the entire department store.”

Xie Zhi looked hopeful. “Try it on.”

He couldn’t help but feel excited about seeing his beloved dressed up.

Not wanting to spoil his mood, Xu Jiaojiao took the green dress into the fitting room. It had a vintage, classic vibe with a playful touch, reminding her of that iconic green dress in foreign films.

When she came out after changing, she nervously tugged at the skirt. Seeing Xie Zhi staring at her silently, she asked, “Does it look good?”

The shop owner took a deep breath and exclaimed, “It’s stunning!”

The girl standing before them had fair skin, and the green dress made her look like a delicate porcelain doll. Her hair, lazily curled, draped over her shoulders. It wasn’t just men who would find her beautiful—anyone would.

The owner blinked hard, worried she might be imagining things.

Suppressing his inner excitement, Xie Zhi retrieved a lace ribbon from his pocket and walked slowly toward her. Xu Jiaojiao felt each of his heavy footsteps echo in her heart.

Xie Zhi lifted her wrist and tied the white lace ribbon around her delicate arm. His eyes, filled with barely concealed desire, finally gave in as he lowered his head and kissed the back of her hand.

In a hushed, possessive tone, he whispered, “Jiaojiao, you’re so beautiful.”

Blushing, Xu Jiaojiao tried to pull her hand back, glancing at the shopkeeper, who was clutching her chest in awe. She wanted to withdraw her hand but couldn’t bear to let go of his warmth.

“Where did you get that ribbon?”

“I bought it at the bridal shop. I was going to use it for your hair, but now that I see it, it looks just as beautiful on your wrist.”

Xu Jiaojiao never expected her husband’s sense of style to be this good. She turned and admired herself in the mirror for a long time. The dress fit perfectly, even the neckline, as if it had been tailored just for her.

The girl in the mirror looked stunning, with the skirt revealing a bit of her leg, looking fresh and lovely. Suddenly, she had an idea and turned to Xie Zhi with a sweet smile. “I could wear this dress when we go meet your parents.”

Xie Zhi’s dark eyes lit up instantly, and his voice even stuttered a little. “Jiaojiao, you’re willing to meet my parents?”

Xu Jiaojiao smoothed her hair, looking a little shy. “Even an ugly daughter-in-law has to meet her in-laws eventually.”

“You’re not ugly,” he said earnestly.