Chapter Thirty-Six: Winning the Prize

"It is beautiful, yes," Yu Ling said, striving to keep her voice light and casual. She turned once more before the mirror, her fingertips lingering with reluctance over the delicate embroidery on the hem, before she finally shook her head. Her tone held a forced, self-persuading nonchalance. "It’s just... I don't feel it’s suitable for daily wear. It’s far too grand. If I bought it, it would just sit in the back of the closet. That would be such a waste."

Having said this, she dared not meet Zhao Chen’s eyes. She turned and hurried back to the fitting room, her movements bordering on a retreat.

A flash of regret crossed the sales assistant's face, but her professional training kept her expression fixed in a polite smile.

Zhao Chen stood where he was, his gaze following Yu Ling until she disappeared behind the fitting room door, then slowly shifting back to the massive floor-to-ceiling mirror. It was as if the fleeting, breathtaking sight of her in the "Whisper of the Galaxy" still lingered in the glass.

His hand, tucked deep in his trouser pocket, clenched into a fist, then slowly relaxed. His dark eyes surged with complex emotions—awe, tenderness, and an intense, undeniable sense of frustration mixed with a silent, resolute vow at seeing his beloved obstructed by reality.

"That dress, actually, you looked truly beautiful in it." Once they had left the shop and merged into the mall's crowd, Zhao Chen spoke as if in passing, his voice gentle.

The hand Yu Ling had linked through his arm tightened. She forced a light laugh. "It’s beautiful, sure, but you heard it too—a limited-edition haute couture piece, ridiculously expensive! And the sales assistant was right; I really wouldn't get much wear out of it. It’s not worth the price. Forget it, let's look at something else." She tried to suppress the lingering regret in her heart, pulling Zhao Chen toward a nearby fast-fashion brand known for a younger, livelier style.

For the rest of the time, as if to prove her "carefree" attitude, Yu Ling tried on several outfits in the shop with great enthusiasm. There were vibrant knit sweaters, playful A-line skirts, and a simple, floral-printed dress. With each piece, she would twirl in front of Zhao Chen and ask with a smile, "How about this one?"

"Beautiful."
"Nice."
"It suits you well."

Zhao Chen’s responses were as gentle and patient as ever, accompanied by an encouraging smile. He gave his feedback earnestly, even offering sound advice when she agonized over colors. His performance was flawless, like the most considerate husband, deeply respectful of his wife's choices.

Yet, only Zhao Chen knew of the faint, imperceptible distraction hidden in the depths of his eyes. No matter what she tried on, his mind kept returning to that deep midnight blue, the flowing silver starlight, and the breathtaking, coronation-like grace she had radiated when wearing it.

The vibrant, playful clothes looked fine on her, but they were like pearls covered in dust, unable to compare to the impact of the "Whisper of the Galaxy."

His Lingling deserved the best. She deserved that singular starlight, not to seek comfort in these "substitutes."

Watching Yu Ling finally purchase an affordable off-white knit cardigan, her face wearing a smile of satisfaction that could not hide a trace of melancholy, Zhao Chen felt as if his heart had been pricked by a fine needle. He maintained his gentle smile, took the shopping bag naturally, and draped an arm around her shoulders. "Tired? Shall we go get something to drink?"

"Okay." Yu Ling nodded, leaning against him. The regret over the expensive dress seemed to be washed away by his thoughtfulness. Yet, the shadow of that deep blue galaxy remained etched in her heart like a brand.

The following evening.

Yu Ling returned to their apartment after work. No sooner had she opened the door than she heard the familiar clatter of a spatula and the enticing aroma of a home-cooked meal. She changed into her slippers, the fatigue of the day seemingly dispelled by this warm, domestic atmosphere.

"You're back?" Zhao Chen poked his head out of the kitchen, wearing a little whale-patterned apron and a warm smile. "Wash your hands, dinner is almost ready. We're having your favorite stir-fried shrimp."

"Smells delicious!" Yu Ling set down her bag and walked toward the kitchen with a smile, eager to see the night's spread.

Just then, the doorbell rang.

Yu Ling turned to the door, puzzled. Standing outside was a young man in a store uniform with a beaming smile, holding a massive gift box tied with a golden ribbon. Beside him stood a middle-aged man in a suit, looking like a manager.

"Excuse me, are you Ms. Yu Ling?" the young man asked politely.

"I am. And you are?" Yu Ling was bewildered.

"Congratulations, Ms. Yu!" The man who looked like the manager stepped forward, his face full of an enthusiastic, almost exaggerated smile. "We are from the Hongyuan Tiandi Shopping Center! Yesterday afternoon, you participated in our 'Decade Anniversary Gratitude' lucky draw, and you were the incredibly lucky winner of our sole grand prize! We have come specially to deliver it to you!"

A lucky draw? A grand prize? Yu Ling was completely stunned. She had visited Hongyuan Tiandi yesterday, but when had she participated in a draw? She had no memory of it at all.

Hearing the commotion, Zhao Chen walked out of the kitchen, wiping his hands, his expression showing just the right amount of surprise and curiosity. "A lucky draw? Lingling, you secretly entered a draw yesterday?"

"I... I didn't?" Yu Ling looked at Zhao Chen in a daze, then back at the two beaming staff members. "I never filled out any raffle tickets."

"Oh! That's how it is!" The manager immediately smiled, explaining with a tone that suggested he understood she was simply too excited to remember. "Our draw was automated by the system! During the event—yesterday afternoon between two and five—any purchase at the mall, regardless of amount, had its receipt info automatically entered into our system!

"You purchased a Tiramisu at the 'Champs-Élysées' dessert shop on the first floor of Area A yesterday at 3:17 PM, right? That receipt is your entry!"

Yu Ling remembered! Yesterday, when she and Zhao Chen were tired from shopping, they had indeed stopped at that famous dessert shop on the first floor. Zhao Chen had ordered a Tiramisu for her! She had even wondered why he only ordered one and why he only had a cup of coffee himself. So that was why?!

She looked sharply at Zhao Chen. His expression of surprise was perfectly managed; his eyes were filled with a dawning realization, accompanied by a touch of genuine joy for her.

"Oh! Right! That’s what happened! Lingling, you were busy replying to work messages, so I went to pay! So that’s how it works? We’re that lucky?"

The manager nodded repeatedly, his smile widening. "Exactly! Mr. Zhao has a great memory! Ms. Yu, you are truly fortunate! Our grand prize this time is incredibly generous!" He signaled the young man to bring the massive gift box forward, his voice rising with the excitement of announcing major news.

"Congratulations! Your grand prize is—provided by the Hongyuan Tiandi Shopping Center—one 'Whisper of the Galaxy' haute couture limited-edition dress, valued at 1.28 million RMB!

"And, provided by our partner jewelry brand 'Star-Light,' one blue diamond 'Stellar Radiance' theme brooch, valued at 580,000 RMB! A total value of 1.86 million RMB! Congratulations to Ms. Yu for being our chosen lucky star for the Hongyuan Tiandi tenth anniversary!"

The manager’s words struck like a thunderclap, booming in Yu Ling’s ears!

Whisper of the Galaxy! Blue diamond Stellar Radiance brooch!

It was the very dress she had been unable to put down yesterday, the one she had turned away from due to the price! And that brooch... the one she had glanced at in the glass display case next to the dress, a piece shaped like a starburst, clustered with small diamonds around a central stone!

The young man respectfully presented the massive gift box with both hands. Through the semi-transparent packaging, Yu Ling could see the familiar, deep midnight blue velvet luster inside!

She stood frozen, her mind a complete blank, as if struck senseless by this massive, absurd "surprise." Her heart hammered against her ribs, the thumping so loud it made her eardrums ache! 1.86 million?! A grand prize?! Automatic entry?! Buying a single Tiramisu?!

This coincidence... it was so perfect it sounded like a fantasy! It was so perfect that all the blood rushed to her head, and a name hovered on the edge of her chaotic thoughts!

She turned abruptly, staring fixedly at Zhao Chen, who stood beside her.

The expression on Zhao Chen’s face was a textbook display of "surprise" and "disbelief." He widened his amber eyes, his mouth slightly agape, looking from the massive gift box to the stunned Yu Ling, and finally to the manager. His tone was filled with perfectly measured shock and a hint of pride, as if to say, "My wife’s luck is heaven-defying."

"Good... good heavens! Are you serious?! Just from buying a small cake?! Lingling! You... your luck is too good! Quick! Hurry and thank them! Take the gift!" He even gave her a gentle, excited nudge, reminding her to come back to her senses.

Pushed by him, Yu Ling reached out mechanically and took the heavy gift box, worth nearly two million. As her fingertips touched the cold packaging, the reality of the sensation sent a jolt through her.

"Congratulations! Here is your prize confirmation slip, please sign for it." The manager handed over the document and a pen, beaming. "Congratulations again, Ms. Yu! You are truly favored by fortune! It is an honor for this dress to find an owner like you! Have a wonderful life!" Having completed their task and offered their enthusiastic congratulations once more, the two men politely took their leave.

The apartment door clicked shut, sealing out the rest of the world.

In the foyer, only Yu Ling remained, cradling the massive gift box as if it were a red-hot iron, standing motionless. She turned her head slowly, her gaze like a sharp searchlight, boring directly into Zhao Chen.

The exaggerated "surprise" on Zhao Chen’s face had faded, replaced by his customary gentleness, even tinged with a smile. He walked over, naturally reaching out to take the box from her hands. "Is it heavy? Put it down first. Lingling, your luck is truly incredible! It seems I should take you out to buy cake more often!"

Holding the box, Yu Ling took a sharp step back, avoiding his hand. Her chest heaved, her eyes so sharp they seemed ready to pierce through him. Her voice trembled, fueled by the sheer shock and absurdity of the situation.

"Zhao Chen..."

Her voice was low, yet carried the oppressive weight of an approaching storm. She asked, word by word:

"Tell me..."

"What, exactly, is going on here?!"