Author’s Note: Announcement: Due to the rapid updates, my word count has skyrocketed, and the editor says it’s time to go VIP… Originally, this chapter was supposed to be VIP, but there wasn’t time to notify, so I discussed with the editor to keep this chapter public first, then retroactively make it VIP. On the update day, there will be two consecutive updates == I’m prepared to be abandoned… 555, don’t be too fierce, girls… 20
Chapter 20… That woman was called Shen Qian, sister. Shen Qian was first stunned, her mind briefly shocked, unable to process this sudden address from the woman. Still, You Ran suddenly laughed, and said in a normal tone, “Nan Nan, her name is Shen Qian, but she’s not your sister.” The woman named Nan Nan looked at You Ran with a face of incomprehension, though she had many questions in her heart, she didn’t ask further, only apologizing to Shen Qian, “Sorry, I mistook you for someone else.”
Shen Qian felt an indescribable awkwardness. She clearly saw the tears flashing in the woman’s eyes, and the subtle eye contact between You Ran and her, unable to figure out what was going on. Perhaps, as the woman said, she had mistaken her identity?
“Let’s go inside to talk; it’s not convenient here.” Nan Nan chuckled and led the way into the inner room. Shen Qian stood still, thinking this was their reunion, and it had nothing to do with her. Unexpectedly, You Ran suddenly extended his long arm, pulling Shen Qian into his embrace, smiling, “Together.”
“Isn’t it inappropriate for me to go?” Shen Qian struggled a bit, but You Ran’s strength was too much; her struggle was in vain. “I want you to come with me.” You Ran used brute force to make Shen Qian comply. This was really domineering. Shen Qian internally rolled her eyes.
The two entered a small conference room, simply furnished with a sofa and a coffee table, and various kinds of dresses lined up, enough to dazzle the eyes. Occasionally, Nan Nan turned her head to see You Ran embracing Shen Qian, and couldn’t help but give a bitter smile, yet she felt relieved from the bottom of her heart. After all these years, You Ran could finally find peace. She couldn’t remember how many years it had been since she last saw the two of them shoulder to shoulder, walking together.
Back then, You Ran and Shen Qian’s names were always written together, inseparable, not even by teachers. Nan Nan was recognized as Shen Qian’s sister, although she was older, she still called her sister. The reason was that Shen Qian had saved her life. Her personality was once very introverted, unable to make friends, often alone. During the busy high school years, with late self-study sessions, one night she was walking home alone and encountered a thug. With no money on her, the thug intended to assault her. If it weren’t for Shen Qian passing by, wanting to buy some dumplings for You Ran, and bravely using a pencil sharpener to stab the thug’s major artery, scaring him off, that night would have ended differently. From that night, she admired Shen Qian’s bravery. She always remembered Shen Qian’s words afterward, “I actually don’t think much, I just act impulsively like a tiger, without considering the consequences. Later, I’m always scared to the point of almost wetting myself.”
Back then, she didn’t believe it. Later, she did. Shen Qian dared to skip class, sit on the balcony on the fifth floor, swing her legs waiting for You Ran, unafraid that a backward lean could lead to her death. Shen Qian laughed, saying she did it so You Ran would see and carry her down, allowing her to dive into his embrace. Shen Qian dared to stay out overnight, booking a room with You Ran. Shen Qian still laughed, saying, “My You Ran, if I don’t take advantage, it’s a waste.” At that time, she thought Shen Qian was shameless, but later she understood, their love was already one entity.
Their side-by-side walk became a scenic view on campus. They dared to openly date, teachers’ advice was futile, and Shen Qian’s mother was too busy in another city to intervene. You Ran’s father was equally busy, only mentioning it casually. She remembered standing silently behind them, watching You Ran embrace Shen Qian, laughing and chatting, feeling both envious and jealous.
“Nan Nan, what are you thinking so deeply about?” You Ran pulled Shen Qian to sit down, asking.
Nan Nan chuckled, regaining her composure, “Brother-in-law, did you come looking for me for something?”
“Help Miss Shen find a suitable dress; she has an engagement ceremony coming up and doesn’t want to appear too plain.”
“Sister… no, Miss Shen, the outfit you’re wearing now is quite nice.” Nan Nan thought for a moment, then walked to the row of dresses, pulling out a long, light coffee-colored gown, “This would suit you too, Miss Shen has a tall figure, this dress would make her look both noble and elegant, with a strong presence.”
Shen Qian looked over, thinking the dress was a bit conservative, only her arms would be exposed, and not enough of her neck. You Ran seemed to notice this too, pointing out, “The color of this dress is nice, but we could modify the neckline slightly, open it up a bit to show the neck, which would elongate the face. Qian’s neck is very beautiful, we shouldn’t waste it.”
Shen Qian was taken aback, how did You Ran know her neck was beautiful? She hadn’t noticed. What shocked her even more was what happened next. You Ran took the dress, measured it against her, and said in a neither light nor heavy tone, “Qian’s measurements are 84 cm bust, 62 cm waist, and 86 cm hips, this dress is a bit small.”
Both Nan Nan and Shen Qian were stunned, Shen Qian’s cheeks flushed red, how did he get her measurements so accurately? She herself didn’t know, how did he do it?
“Brother-in-law, wait, I’ll go to the fitting room to adjust it.” Nan Nan went into the small room inside.
You Ran looked up at that moment, his gaze meeting Shen Qian’s, who coughed lightly, feeling quite embarrassed, “Why does Mr. You know my measurements?”
“I remember after touching.” You Ran said quite calmly.
Shen Qian’s blood rushed to her face, making her cheeks bright red, stuttering, “You didn’t touch that much, you just touched once. You guessed.” You Ran smiled without answering, suddenly stood up, sat next to Shen Qian, and asked, “Miss Shen, whether my numbers are accurate, we’ll find out soon. And…” You Ran suddenly raised his hand, moving towards her chest. Shen Qian’s eyes widened in shock, recoiling, “What are you doing? There are people here, don’t…” Before she could finish, You Ran’s slender fingers stopped three or four centimeters from her chest, pinched something, and pulled away a long hair, “There was just a hair there, Miss Shen, I didn’t intend to ‘do’ anything, don’t get excited.”
Shen Qian clenched her teeth, almost gnashing them. At that moment, Nan Nan came out of the small room with a thread in her mouth, shaking the newly adjusted dress, “Miss Shen, try this on. The changing room is inside.”
Shen Qian nodded, taking the dress and walking in. The tailor’s secluded workspace was Shen Qian’s first visit, truly an eye-opener, with various threads and fabrics, many of which she couldn’t name. As she glanced around, her gaze fixed on a photo in a frame on a desk.
