Chapter 35: Trying on Clothes

Zhao Chen's "clinging offensive" was like the most addictive honey. Yu Ling gradually sank into this suffocating sweetness, finding herself willing to be consumed. That cold, formal agreement had long been forgotten in the corners of her memory, buried under the dust of what they now called "habit" and "dependency."

In the blink of an eye, the weekend arrived. On the afternoon, Yu Ling walked arm-in-arm with Zhao Chen through a bustling shopping district.

Surrounded by a fashionable, fast-paced crowd, soft background music drifted through the air. This was Zhao Chen’s idea of a "weekend getaway," euphemistically described as "experiencing the warmth of mundane life." In reality, his tall, imposing figure paired with Yu Ling’s elegant and gentle charm drew many eyes; they looked more like a walking fashion editorial.

"That store ahead seems to have launched its new seasonal collection. Want to take a look?" Zhao Chen tilted his head, speaking to Yu Ling in a low, gentle tone, as if it were a casual suggestion. He was dressed in simple casual wear, yet the exquisite tailoring and texture gave him an indescribable presence even amidst the crowd.

Yu Ling nodded. They stepped into a boutique with an artistic interior. Soft spotlights highlighted the meticulously displayed garments, each one like a work of art. The sales associate was well-trained, her smile professional and not overly eager, maintaining a perfect sense of distance.

Yu Ling’s gaze swept across the room, and a dress hanging on a standalone rack instantly captured her heart.

It was a vintage-style dress with a square neckline. The primary color was a deep, midnight-sky navy velvet, thick and lustrous, cool to the touch.

Most breathtaking were the hand-embroidered vines and star motifs in ultra-fine silver thread. Under the lights, the silver thread shimmered with a cold, mysterious radiance, as if the entire galaxy had been woven into the hem. The vintage square neckline perfectly framed her delicate collarbones, while the cinched waist highlighted her graceful curves, and the calf-length hem flowed with an elegant drape. The entire piece exuded a sense of understated luxury, retro elegance, and an ineffable artistic allure.

Yu Ling’s steps faltered and stopped before the rack, her eyes fixed as if glued to the fabric. She could easily imagine herself wearing this dress at some important event or perhaps just on a quiet, candlelit dinner night, radiating a heart-stopping beauty. No woman could resist such a masterpiece.

"You have a wonderful eye, miss." A sophisticated senior sales associate approached at the perfect moment, wearing an expression of genuine admiration. "This is our brand's high-fashion limited edition, 'Whispers of the Galaxy.' There are only twelve pieces worldwide; currently, only our store and the flagship store in the Imperial Capital have one in stock. The designer was inspired by Renaissance star charts, and it is crafted from top-tier velvet with entirely hand-stitched embroidery—the craftsmanship is incredibly complex." As she spoke, she professionally took the dress down. "You have such a gentle and elegant temperament, and your skin is so fair; this dress is practically made for you. Would you like to try it on?"

The associate’s words struck a chord. Made for her... She looked at the dress, now within reach, with starlight flowing across its surface, and her heart began to race. She subconsciously reached out, her fingertips cautiously brushing against the cool, silky velvet and the delicate, slightly raised embroidery—the sensation was breathtaking.

"Try it on, Lingling," Zhao Chen’s voice sounded beside her, carrying a warm smile and encouragement. "If you like it, just see how it looks on you."

The associate immediately handed the dress over and guided Yu Ling toward the spacious, brightly lit fitting room. Clutching the heavy garment, which felt as if it held an entire galaxy, Yu Ling took a deep breath and stepped inside.

The moment the door clicked shut, the gentle, harmless smile on Zhao Chen’s face faded, just a fraction. He stood in place, his gaze sweeping over the other displays with apparent indifference, but the corner of his eye, like the most precise radar, remained locked firmly on the fitting room door. His fingers, tucked into his trouser pockets, curled unconsciously.

Time seemed to stretch. Every second was filled with a subtle anticipation and a trace of imperceptible tension.

Finally, the fitting room door was gently pulled open.

Yu Ling stepped out.

The light in the entire store seemed to focus on her. The deep navy velvet clung perfectly to her graceful curves, making her exposed shoulders and collarbone look like fine, luminous mutton-fat jade.

The silver-embroidered vines and stars seemed to wind and flow across her, refracting a dreamlike luster with her every slight movement, as if she were cloaked in a silent, brilliant galaxy. The vintage square neckline gave her a classical, oil-painting-like elegance and mystery; she radiated a heart-stopping, breathtaking beauty.

Even the senior associate, accustomed to seeing beautiful women, couldn't help but let out a low gasp of admiration: "My goodness... perfect! Miss, this dress is your armor!"

Yu Ling stood before the giant floor-to-ceiling mirror, looking at herself in a daze. The person in the mirror was noble, elegant, radiant, and possessed a powerful aura she had never seen in herself before. She subconsciously turned, the hem of the dress sweeping out in a beautiful arc, the velvet’s luster flowing like water.

"How is it?" Zhao Chen had appeared behind her at some point, standing a step away, his gaze fixed on her reflection. His voice remained steady, but Yu Ling caught a flicker of something in the depths of his amber eyes—an astonishment so profound it bordered on distraction—gone as quickly as an illusion.

"It’s... very beautiful." Yu Ling looked at him in the mirror, her cheeks flushing slightly, her voice tinged with a mix of hesitant shyness and undeniable love. "It's just..." Her gaze drifted involuntarily to the small, stylish tag tucked inside the hem.

The price printed on it was a cold string of digits that sent her plummeting from the clouds back to reality—six figures! An astronomical number that would require her to work for an entire year, without eating or drinking, just to barely approach.

The fire in her heart was doused by a bucket of ice water. All the awe, affection, and fantasy shattered completely in the face of the reality on the price tag. A profound sense of loss and a sobering restraint instantly gripped her.