The image designer smiled, looking her up and down, and said, resting his chin on his hand, "Mr. Yang mentioned you're attending a fashion awards ceremony tonight. Shall I help you pick out an outfit? What do you think?"
Gu Susu knew that the image designer Yang Sijie had booked for her in advance wouldn't be subpar.
She quickly nodded and said, "Okay, I trust your professional judgment."
The image designer grinned and told her, "Then please have a seat in the lounge area for a while. You can read magazines or have a drink. I'll go select a suitable gown for you."
"Alright," Gu Susu sat down in the VIP lounge area and picked up a magazine at random. A piece of news on the front page shocked her.
Qin Tianyi was set to marry Shu Yan next month!
A photo of them in a sweet embrace at a lavish banquet occupied the entire cover.
Such high-society weddings were always a topic of much discussion, and the article was accompanied by gossip about the intricate feuds between the two wealthy families.
The tales of love and hate were written like a romance novel.
Had Qin Tianyi fully recovered? She hadn't expected him and Shu Yan to marry so soon, nor that they would publicize it so grandly before the wedding.
Gu Susu clutched her chest and tossed the magazine aside, picking up another. However, the prominent news was still about Qin Tianyi marrying Shu Yan, along with more gossip. This article, however, differed slightly from the one in the previous magazine.
She flipped through several more. The latest issues were all about this upcoming high-society wedding, a match made in heaven between the rich and handsome and the beautiful and wealthy. Two prominent families, a grand dowry, who wouldn't enjoy following such news and gossip?
Moreover, every magazine featured the same photo of Qin Tianyi and Shu Yan. A handsome man and a beautiful woman, with Shu Yan leaning against Qin Tianyi.
Qin Tianyi tilted his head slightly, gazing at Shu Yan with a smile, as if he had found his long-lost moonlight.
She didn't know when they had taken the photo. Gu Susu stared at it, feeling a dull ache in her heart, a sense of breathlessness.
"Miss Gu, I've selected everything for you. Please come over here to try them on," the image designer said with a smile, appearing beside her without her noticing.
Gu Susu snapped back to attention. "Oh, okay."
As she was about to close the magazine, the image designer noticed the gossip she was reading. He smiled and said, "What an enviable couple! Miss Shu also came yesterday to choose her outfits and bought over a dozen. Besides a few wedding dresses, she also picked out gowns for the banquet, and I was the one who served her."
Gu Susu felt an indescribable sting upon hearing this. She tried to compose herself. Wasn't this precisely what Qin Tianyi and Xiao Anjing had told her? Why did she still feel heartbroken and upset when faced with it?
She didn't want to be sad for Qin Tianyi. To escape his shadow, she should completely forget him.
She decisively closed the magazine, forcing a stiff smile, and said, "Let's go try on the dresses."
The stylist had her try on a champagne-colored, floor-length gown. The fabric was comfortable and fitted well, with a V-neckline adorned with numerous small diamonds, making it exceptionally dazzling under the fitting room lights.
Gu Susu looked at herself in the mirror, wearing the gown, and couldn't help but recall Qin Tianyi's photo with Shu Yan. Shu Yan was wearing a champagne-colored gown similar to this one.
"I'd like to try a different color and style. This one isn't quite suitable for me."
The stylist stood beside her, confused. "Miss Gu, I think this fits you like it was tailor-made. It accentuates your figure so perfectly."
"But I don't like it," Gu Susu said petulantly, feeling unhappy. "I want a pink dress. Please pick out a pink one for me."
"Are you sure you want to wear a pink gown?" The stylist hesitated to say it outright. In such a fashionable gathering, wouldn't pink make her look too young and perhaps unsuitable?
Seeing her standing still, Gu Susu said, "I'm sure. Please find me a pink gown."
"Alright," the stylist respected the client's request and immediately went to select a pink gown.
Soon, the stylist brought her the gown in the color she wanted. Gu Susu changed into it and looked at herself in the mirror. It was completely different from the champagne-colored one. This pink gown made her look cute and playful.
Gu Susu said with satisfaction, "Then I'll take this one."
"Certainly," the stylist said, looking at her in the gown. After a moment's thought, she added, "To complement this dress, let's tie up your hair at the back, leaving some strands on the sides, and secure it with a small diamond tiara. With matching shoes and a clutch, it will be perfect."
Gu Susu nodded. "Okay, that sounds good."
She let the stylist work on her. After being completely transformed, she walked out of the fitting room. Just as she was about to go to the entrance to ask if Mark was there or if Yang Sijie had arrived, she saw Yang Sijie already seated in the VIP lounge, leisurely flipping through a magazine and drinking coffee.
As Gu Susu walked towards Yang Sijie, feeling a bit nervous, he seemed to sense her presence and looked up at her.
Yang Sijie was wearing a sharp grey and blue plaid suit, paired with a light blue shirt. The top buttons of his shirt were unbuttoned, exuding a casual charm within his mature and sensual demeanor.
He gazed at Gu Susu without blinking, his deep, calm eyes revealing surprise.
Gu Susu, in turn, felt a flicker of doubt about her choice of gown. She asked softly, "What's wrong? Is this not suitable for me?"
Yang Sijie didn't answer immediately. He stood up and took her hand, saying, "No, it's very suitable for you. I like it very much."
As he spoke, he gently squeezed Gu Susu's shoulder, saying with a hint of excitement, "Susu, you remember, don't you? Remember the pink princess dress you liked, and us..."
Gu Susu quickly stepped back, creating some distance between them, wondering if her impulsive choice had been right.
She had chosen this pink gown precisely because she couldn't accept Yang Sijie's pursuit when she thought of Qin Tianyi marrying another woman.
However, Yang Sijie's reaction still left her flustered. She wasn't ready to embrace a new relationship.
"Isn't it getting late? Should we head to the event venue? We don't want to be late," Gu Susu said, deliberately changing the subject.
Yang Sijie noticed Gu Susu's continued avoidance and didn't press further. He smiled calmly and said, "Yes, we should get going. It's not good to be late."
He still took Gu Susu's hand and led her out to the car.
Sitting next to him in the back seat, Gu Susu was grateful for the car's spaciousness. She deliberately maintained a space and distance between them, gazing out the window.
Yang Sijie behaved like a gentleman, making no inappropriate moves or bothering her.