Chapter 132
With Xia Shiyu finally agreeing to move into his villa, Su Lin lived like an emperor, spending his days affectionately with Lin Xiaowan at the company and his evenings with Xia Shiyu.
However, this blissful period was short-lived as the birthday of Qin Jiuyue, the heiress of the Qin family, finally arrived.
Su Lin, without bringing anyone along, drove from Zhongjiang to Donghai for the birthday banquet. Upon arriving in Donghai, his first stop was the Quan Le Gou supermarket branch.
Zhao Yanyan was both surprised and delighted to see him. After her heart-to-heart with her father, Zhao Yanyan had come to terms with her feelings, finding herself constantly thinking about Su Lin.
Seeing Zhao Yanyan staring at him, Su Lin asked, “Yanyan, what’s wrong? Aren’t you happy to see me?”
“No, it’s not that. Why are you alone today? Where are Xiaowan and Xiaoyu?” Zhao Yanyan managed to collect her thoughts and asked.
Su Lin casually replied, “It’s not appropriate to bring them to someone else’s birthday party, so I didn’t.”
“Oh? Really?” Zhao Yanyan couldn’t hide her happiness, seeing a chance to be alone with Su Lin.
Su Lin nodded, “Of course, it’s true. I heard Qin’s family also invited Xiaowan’s family, but since her dad couldn’t come, they didn’t attend.”
“It’s a pity, I was thinking of shopping for clothes with Xiaowan,” Zhao Yanyan feigned disappointment.
“Shopping for clothes? Are you also attending the little princess’s birthday banquet?” Su Lin curiously asked.
“Of course, the Qin family is well-known in Donghai. My dad, being the police chief, is definitely on the guest list,” Zhao Yanyan proudly said.
Su Lin acknowledged her point, considering Zhao Tiande’s status in the provincial capital city of Donghai.
Observing Su Lin’s casual attire, Zhao Yanyan was concerned, “You’re not planning to go to the banquet dressed like that, are you?”
Su Lin, in shorts and a t-shirt, chuckled, “We’re not the stars of the evening, so why dress so formally?”
Zhao Yanyan insisted, “We must show respect to the Qin family. Why don’t you accompany me to buy clothes?”
Moved by her earnestness, Su Lin agreed, “Alright, I’ll go with you.”
[Zhao Yanyan: 18 years old, 175cm tall, 55kg, 36B.]. [Favorability: 92 and rising.]. [Skills: Junior management, basic English, master-level dance.]. [Health: 100.]. [Purity: 100.]. [Current mindset: Nervous, hesitant, on the verge of speaking.].Surprised at her high favorability rating, Su Lin wondered what he had done to make it soar. After agreeing to go shopping with her, Su Lin noticed her favorability increase again.
“What are you thinking, Yanyan? Why is your favorability rising so strangely?” Su Lin thought, perplexed by her behavior.
“Okay, just wait for me. I’ll arrange things, and we can leave,” Zhao Yanyan said excitedly, rushing off.
Twenty minutes later, Su Lin and Zhao Yanyan arrived at Donghai City’s Clothing City, a mall specializing in apparel before the emergence of larger commercial plazas.
With both domestic and international brands available, they looked for ready-made outfits for the banquet.
“Welcome to both of you. Are you looking for men’s or women’s clothing?”
Su Lin pointed to Zhao Yanyan, “Start with her. We’re attending the Qin family’s birthday banquet tonight. Please help us choose an appropriate outfit.”
“The gentleman made the right choice coming to Chanel. Many ladies have been picking evening gowns here for the banquet,” the salesperson said.
Su Lin nodded in agreement, “That’s normal. Since not many international big brands are established here yet, Chanel is indeed the best choice.”
A salesperson approached them, pointing to a long dress, and asked Zhao Yanyan, “Madam, how do you like this dress? It’s our newly released vintage split long dress this year, designed to perfectly showcase your long legs.”
Su Lin followed the salesperson’s gaze to the pale blue dress with a high slit. He thought if an average girl wore it, it might reveal too much, but for Zhao Yanyan, it would likely be just right, elegantly displaying her long legs.
Picking up the dress, Su Lin said to Zhao Yanyan, “This dress suits you well. If you wear it to the banquet, you will definitely dazzle everyone’s dog’s eyes.”
Zhao Yanyan chuckled at his comment but warned him about using such phrases as “dazzle everyone’s dog eyes,” especially when referring to distinguished guests.
Nevertheless, Zhao Yanyan seemed intrigued and decided to try on the dress without delay. After a few minutes, she emerged from the fitting room, stunning Su Lin.
The slit on one side of the dress revealed her fair legs tantalizingly, and the dress hugged her slender waist and curves beautifully.
“How do I look, Su Lin?” Zhao Yanyan asked with a flirtatious look in her eyes, twirling in front of him.
Su Lin, propping up his chin, admiringly nodded, “You look stunning, truly beautiful. In this dress, I bet even Qin Jiuyue would feel inferior.”
Zhao Yanyan modestly doubted she could outshine Qin Jiuyue, the reputed beauty of Donghai University.
Su Lin asked for a photo of Qin Jiuyue, but Zhao Yanyan mentioned there were none online, likely due to the Qin family’s protective measures.
Su Lin mused about the power of big families to control online images, something that would have been impossible on his previous version of Earth.
“I haven’t seen Qin Jiuyue, so I can’t compare,” Su Lin responded. “But as you are now, I think you’re just as beautiful as any girl.”
“And Xiaowan and Xiaoyu?” Zhao Yanyan asked.
“Of course, you’re no less than them. Each of you has your own unique charm and beauty,” Su Lin affirmed.
Zhao Yanyan playfully accused him, “You really know how to play it safe, huh?”
“Heh! I’ve been good at maintaining balance since I was a kid. Keeping things fair isn’t a problem for me at all,” Su Lin replied confidently.
“Look at you, so full of yourself,” Zhao Yanyan teased.
The salesperson then interjected, “Have you decided to purchase this dress, sir and madam?”
Su Lin nodded affirmatively, “Yes, we’ll take it.”
But Zhao Yanyan shook her head, “No, we won’t.”
Confused, Su Lin asked, “Why not? Isn’t the dress beautiful?”
Zhao Yanyan continued shaking her head.
“Then you don’t like it?” he asked.
She shook her head again.
“What’s the reason then?” Su Lin inquired.
“This dress is too expensive, over fifty thousand. Even if you sold me, I wouldn’t fetch that much. Let’s not buy it,” Zhao Yanyan said, somewhat regretfully.
She came from a typical high-official family, and they didn’t have the wealth of Lin Xiaowan’s mother.
Therefore, she usually chose cheaper and attractive clothes. She had never bought anything over four digits before and was shocked by the price tag of this dress.
Su Lin softly assured her, “Money is not an issue. Consider it a gift from me.”
“That’s still not acceptable. I can’t accept such an expensive gift,” Zhao Yanyan insisted, biting her lip.
Su Lin looked at her earnestly, “Yanyan, are you rejecting my gesture?”
Hesitating, she said, “I…”
“Since you’re hesitant, it means you don’t want to refuse. So, I’ll buy it,” Su Lin said and handed his bank card to the salesperson, giving Zhao Yanyan no chance to change her mind.
“Su Lin, it’s over fifty thousand! You’re just going to buy it like that?” Zhao Yanyan looked at him as if he were being wastefully extravagant.
“Joy cannot be bought with money. If you like this dress, I’ll buy it for you. It’ll make both you and me happy,” Su Lin said lightly.
After he spoke, he felt a gentle peck on his cheek, like a dragonfly skimming the water.