Chapter 11: Dressing Room Games

Gu Fangyu returned home to find Mother Gu and Gu Yao sitting on the living room sofa, engaged in a lively discussion. Whatever they were talking about seemed amusing, as they both burst into laughter at the same time. Standing at the entrance, she looked at the heartwarming scene, feeling a sense of alienation—as if, no matter how hard she tried, she would never truly belong.

The family maid noticed her standing by the door and called out, "Miss Fangyu is back."

In the past, the house staff had always addressed her as "the eldest young lady." Later, after Gu Yao arrived in the family, her parents feared that such a title would make Gu Yao feel insecure, so they had ordered the staff to change how they addressed her.

The two women in the living room turned back to look at her, their faces still lingering with smiles they hadn't yet managed to收起.

"Since you're back, you might as well come over and take a look," Mother Gu said, her expression slightly cooling. When she faced Gu Fangyu, she was never as affectionate as she was with Gu Yao.

Gu Fangyu hesitated for a moment before changing into slippers and walking over.

"The dress designs for your sister and Xie Chenhao's wedding have arrived; you should pick one out too," Mother Gu said, handing her a hardcover catalog. "Later, go with Yao-yao to the shop to try them on."

Gu Fangyu didn't want to take it, but she knew that any sign of refusal would only lead the mother and daughter to conclude she was still pining for Xie Chenhao. Reluctantly, she accepted the book.

"As the elder sister, you will need to be by her side that day. Put some thought into choosing your dress. While you're at it, if you happen to meet any suitable candidates from other families at the wedding, be proactive."

Gu Fangyu stood to the side, her hand tightening around the catalog as her heart sank. She hadn't held any expectations of Mother Gu to begin with, but hearing her plans for her own life still stung. How terrified was this woman that she might disrupt her daughter's affair with Xie Chenhao, to the point of forcing arrangements upon her even at the wedding?

A flicker of mockery crossed Gu Fangyu’s eyes. She bent down and set the catalog aside. "In that case, Mother, please choose for me instead."

Mother Gu looked displeased and was about to lash out when Gu Hanchen walked in from outside. He sat down casually on a single-seat sofa nearby and picked up the catalog from the side table, flipping through it idly.

"She’s just going to be a bystander that day anyway; it doesn't matter what she wears."

As soon as these words were spoken, Gu Yao, who had always been hostile toward Gu Fangyu, felt a wave of relief. "Mom, see? I told you. I’m the lead on the wedding day. As a sister with no blood relation, she just needs to show her face for the family portrait. There’s no need for anything else," Gu Yao said, looking triumphant. "Look, even Brother says so."

Mother Gu felt somewhat helpless but clearly favored Gu Yao. "You young people can handle your own affairs, but you must go to try on the dresses."

"Got it, Mom," Gu Yao said, her expression smug, wearing the look of a victor. Mother Gu poked her, signaling for her to hide her expression.

"While the dress doesn't need to be too stunning, it mustn't be too shabby either, or it will shame the Gu family," Mother Gu instructed. "You are pregnant, so have your brother drive you two over later."

Gu Hanchen sat sprawled in the sofa, looking relaxed, and did not refuse.

As they were leaving, Gu Yao leaned toward the man. "Brother, I don't want to wear the same brand as her. It would make me look so cheap."

"How could she possibly compare to you?" the man said, ignoring Gu Fangyu who was following them, as he ruffled Gu Yao's hair.

Gu Fangyu’s lips curled in mockery. So, he considered letting her warm his bed a grand act of charity, did he?

When they arrived at the shop, the manager personally led a team to greet them at the door. "Young Master Gu, Miss Gu, your dresses are ready. Please follow me."

A shop assistant took Gu Yao to a dressing room to try on her gown. The manager looked at the man who had been sitting in the waiting area since they arrived, looking somewhat troubled. "Young Master Gu, Madam Gu requested that you try on your suit as well."

"No need. Just cut it according to the measurements my assistant provided," Gu Hanchen said, showing no intention of trying anything on. Faced with his overwhelming presence, the manager bowed and complied.

Gu Fangyu, who had been trying to stay invisible since they entered, was finally remembered.

"Choose a dress for her, but nothing too revealing," Gu Hanchen said, eyes fixed ahead.

Gu Fangyu instinctively wanted to refuse, but as the words reached her lips, she saw the look the man shot her and swallowed them back.

The assistant soon brought over several gowns for her to choose from. She had never intended to steal the spotlight from Gu Yao, so she pointed to the most plain one—one that could even be described as ugly.

Even the manager looked surprised. "Miss Gu, are you sure about this one?"

"This one is fine," she replied, indifferent. It didn't matter to her what she wore.

The manager glanced at the man sitting nearby and, after receiving his silent nod, said, "Very well, Miss Gu, please follow me."

The assistant led her away, and as fate would have it, her dressing room was right next to Gu Yao’s.

"Miss Gu, please call us if you need anything," the assistant reminded her before leaving.

"Thank you," she replied. She didn't like having people around when she changed, especially now that she was hiding a secret in her womb. However, while regular clothes were easy to put on, these formal gowns were not.

The zipper caught on the edge of the fabric. She tried several times, but failed to fix it. Just then, the door to the dressing room opened and closed.

Gu Fangyu kept her head down, still struggling with the dress. Without looking up, she said, "Could you please help me with the zipper?"

The next second, someone stepped close behind her, their cool fingertips brushing against her skin. Gu Fangyu shivered involuntarily. Gradually, those hands covered her back, and warm, thin lips pressed against her skin.

She snapped her head up. In the mirror, the man’s tall figure stood behind her, his deep eyes filled with aggression.

Terrified, she turned around quickly and pushed against him. "Gu Hanchen, have you lost your mind?"

This was a dressing room. Not to mention the staff outside, but if this man went crazy and made a scene, his own sister, Gu Yao, was right next door.

The man remained unmoved, letting her push against his chest. She couldn't budge him an inch. Gu Fangyu was anxious and angry. "Get out!"

Gu Hanchen frowned, annoyed by her noisy mouth, and leaned down to kiss her. With one hand, he pinned her wrists above her head; with the other, he pulled her waist toward him, pressing her hard against the dressing mirror.

His kisses fell, one after another, turning wild. Gu Fangyu’s eyes welled up with tears; she didn't know why, but her nose began to sting painfully. As she struggled, her foot kicked a stool, which hit the dressing mirror with a loud crash.

"Miss Gu? Is everything alright?"