Shu Yan had been putting on a pitiful act in front of Shu Zhongze at home, repeatedly admitting her mistakes. Coupled with the methods Jia Nanfang and Shu Zhongze had discussed to salvage the Shu family's reputation, Shu Zhongze finally stopped confining Shu Yan. He allowed her to go out, but only with Jia Nanfang accompanying her, still unwilling to let Shu Yan be seen by the public.
He also told Jia Nanfang that he would not be involved in arranging another wedding for Shu Yan, leaving it to Jia Nanfang to handle it herself and ensure there were no further mishaps.
Jia Nanfang had also made up her mind. As long as Xiao Anjing agreed, she would meticulously prepare and ensure Shu Yan's wedding was conducted with utmost dignity, free from any unexpected incidents.
This morning, Jia Nanfang mentioned she was going out to try on a dress, and Shu Yan insisted on accompanying her. Jia Nanfang agreed.
Shu Yan had grown tired of staying at home these past few days. She longed to return to her former life as a socialite, attending various events, parties, beauty spas, shopping, and being doted upon by young masters from prominent families.
But back then, she had been infatuated and only had Qin Tianyi in her eyes. These past few days, she had constantly told herself, "Shu Yan, it's time for you to wake up."
She had clearly accepted the reality that she could not have Qin Tianyi. However, just because she couldn't have him didn't mean she couldn't make things difficult for the one who did. She vowed that one day she would destroy what she had liked but could not obtain.
Zhang Ting led them in with a smile, saying, "This way, ladies."
Jia Nanfang stated directly, "I've been here before. You don't need to lead the way. Where is your head designer?"
"Certainly, the fitting room is just ahead. Sister Susu has everything prepared and is waiting for you," Zhang Ting indicated the direction and returned to the front desk.
Shu Yan, upon hearing the girl mention "Sister Susu," asked curiously, "Mom, who exactly did you find to design the dress? This place looks newly opened, and I don't recall you coming here before."
"Yes, this place is newly opened. A Mrs. introduced me, saying that although this designer isn't very famous yet, her designs are very unique and will definitely make me stand out."
Shu Yan hummed, thinking about the affluent wives her mother often interacted with. Their taste in clothing was rather ordinary. What good designer could they recommend? She wondered if it was Gu Susu's own studio.
As she was thinking this, she saw Gu Susu upon entering the fitting room. Fate truly has a way of bringing people together.
"Mom, is this the designer you were talking about?" Shu Yan asked with a cold snort.
"Yes," Jia Nanfang subtly reminded Shu Yan, "I have my reasons for asking her to design the dress. Since you insisted on coming, you need to be patient and not cause trouble."
Seeing the expressions of the mother and daughter, Susu thought Jia Nanfang was too hypocritical. At Shu Yan's wedding, Qin Tianyi had pulled her away.
If Jia Nanfang had bothered to investigate her, how could she not know that Susu was the one competing with her daughter for Qin Tianyi? It seemed she had come specifically to have Susu design her dress with ill intentions.
However, she would wait and see what these mother and daughter were up to. She greeted them, "Mrs. Shu, Miss Shu, hello. The ready-to-wear is over here. Mrs. Shu, please take a look. Do you like this style?"
Before Jia Nanfang could look, Shu Yan rushed towards the hanging dress, examining it with a critical eye. "What kind of design is this? It's bizarre, and there's so little fabric. Are they afraid we can't afford it?"
"Miss Shu, this is the latest mandarin duck color scheme, emphasizing asymmetry and novelty," Xu Shishi quickly explained.
Shu Yan disdainfully said, "Mom, is this beautiful? I don't see any beauty in it. Perhaps we should find another designer."
Xu Shishi felt that Miss Shu was deliberately nitpicking. The ready-to-wear was already made, and she was rejecting it without even trying it on. The small deposit paid wouldn't even cover the cost.
Moreover, the dress was fashionable and stunning. When the finished garment was delivered, Xu Shishi herself found it increasingly appealing. It was a pity she couldn't afford it; otherwise, she would have bought it for herself.
"Mrs. Shu, but this dress was custom-made according to your measurements..."
Susu interrupted her, "It's alright, Xiao Xu. If they're not satisfied, it's fine. They can find another designer. Put the dress away for now."
Her implication was clear: you can leave now.
Shu Yan wanted to drag her mother away, sneering, "She hasn't even become a big-name designer yet, but she already has the airs of one..."
Jia Nanfang tugged at Shu Yan's hem, urging her to restrain herself, and smoothed things over, saying, "Miss Gu, my daughter doesn't speak very well. It's nothing. I'll decide on my own dress. I like this dress, and I'll try it on."
Seeing that Mrs. Shu was a reasonable person, Xu Shishi smiled and said, "Then I'll accompany you to try on this dress. The effect when you wear it will surely amaze you."
"Alright," Jia Nanfang politely and gracefully followed Xu Shishi into the fitting room, not forgetting to turn and say to Shu Yan, "Sweetie, wait for me outside."
Shu Yan smiled sweetly, "Mom, with your figure, anything looks good on you."
Susu observed them coldly, feeling that Shu Yan's current sweet demeanor made anyone who didn't know better think she was a little darling. This hypocritical and pretentious expression was indeed molded after Jia Nanfang.
For a moment, only Susu and Shu Yan were left in the waiting area outside the fitting room. Shu Yan dropped her pretense and asked, "You opened such a large studio so quickly. Was it all Qin Tianyi's money? The wealth of the returning Mrs. Qin is truly different, no longer having that stingy aura from before."
"I think you've become quite shabby yourself," Susu said with amusement. "Women who hide away to give birth really change a lot. Your clothing isn't very refined either. Is that outfit on you a clearance item from last season? Unfortunately, none of my clothes are suitable for someone like you."
"Gu Susu, I'm your customer. How dare you speak to me like this!" Shu Yan immediately exploded, knowing that Gu Susu had already found out about her giving birth.
Susu said coldly, "Do you believe in karma? Your heart has turned so black; aren't you afraid of retribution?"
"If there is karma, then you and Qin Tianyi should be careful. People like you are the ones who deserve retribution. Don't think that just because you've firmly secured Qin Tianyi, you can be reckless. It's as easy for my father to crush him as it is to crush an ant." Shu Yan's fierce tone carried a threat.
Seeing that she was unrepentant and still intended to harm Tianyi, Susu could no longer tolerate it. She grabbed Shu Yan's hair, catching her off guard, and said, "Try and touch Tianyi! Don't think that no one knows about all the things you've done. Huo Jin was killed by you!"
Shu Yan's face instantly paled. Her eyes widened in panic as she clutched her hair, her breathing becoming rapid. She still forced herself to say, "You need evidence to speak. What does Huo Jin's accident have to do with me!"
Susu looked at her reaction and knew her previous guess was correct. Huo Jin's death was indeed related to her!
Susu pulled her hair even harder. "Huo Jin always treated you as her best friend. When you were betrayed and no one cared about you, she was the only one still speaking up for you. Yet you killed her. You're not even human anymore..."