Chapter 58: Far Too Extravagant
Chapter 58: Far Too Extravagant
Wang Guocheng held Fan Xiaoyao close as they entered Jiuding Mall, passing by sales assistants who enthusiastically introduced the products along the way. Wang Guocheng politely told the assistants, “Thank you, but my fiancée and I would like to browse by ourselves.”
Seeing that he preferred to shop alone, the sales assistant gave Fan Xiaoyao a slight bow, “Sir, Miss, I wish you an enjoyable shopping experience!”
Fan Xiaoyao was a little puzzled. “Wouldn’t it be helpful to have the assistant nearby? Why did you turn her away?”
Wang Guocheng shot her a sideways glance. “Do you actually like having a sales assistant trailing after you when you shop? Don’t you find it annoying when they keep chattering beside you?”
It was only then that Fan Xiaoyao realized Wang Guocheng was much like herself—someone with a strong sense of autonomy, who didn’t need others dictating their choices. She quickly stuck out her tongue, “In that respect, we’re quite similar. Honestly, I don’t like it either, hehe...”
Wang Guocheng glanced at the directory by the stairs. “Let’s go. We’ll head up to the sixth floor and check out the luxury brands.”
Fan Xiaoyao looked down at her jeans and white t-shirt, feeling they hardly matched Wang Guocheng’s attire. “Um, my clothes don’t really belong on the luxury floor...”
The sixth floor was reserved for luxury brands. Occasionally, Fan Xiaoyao, Feng Youru, and Yang Huahua would go there to have a look, but the items were all limited editions, most of them exquisite, and the prices were steep.
Wang Guocheng, ignoring her reluctance, pulled her along. “Come on, I said I’d buy you some clothes. Today, I’m making the decisions. All you need to do is try them on.”
Despite her hesitation, Fan Xiaoyao was dragged to the women’s fashion area on the sixth floor, surrounded by an array of popular brands displaying the latest styles.
Wang Guocheng glanced at the sign by the stairs and led Fan Xiaoyao straight into the ANCALY boutique.
Fan Xiaoyao had shopped there before, so as soon as she stepped in, a familiar sales assistant greeted her warmly. “Miss, it’s been a while since you last visited. We’ve just received some new arrivals. I think you’ll like them.”
With that, the assistant brought over a few outfits. “You have such fair skin and a lovely figure—these pieces will show off your beauty.”
As the saying goes, a woman dresses up for the one she loves. “Why not try them on and let your boyfriend see how beautiful you look?”
Wang Guocheng, ever possessive, promptly corrected the assistant, “I’m her fiancé.”
The assistant apologized awkwardly, “I’m sorry, sir.”
Wang Guocheng raised an eyebrow and took the clothes from the assistant, selecting a lake-blue chiffon dress and handing it to Fan Xiaoyao. “Xiaoyao, try this one. I think it suits your temperament perfectly.”
The assistant chimed in with praise, “Sir, you have an excellent eye. This ‘Dolphin’s Love’ dress is a brand-new arrival. If you purchase it now, you’ll also receive an exclusive Dolphin’s Love brooch, designed personally by our chief designer. This brooch isn’t for sale—only ten exist in the entire country, each handcrafted by ANCALY’s lead designer.”
Fan Xiaoyao accepted the dress, unable to hide her delight. But when she glanced at the price tag, she hesitated. The price was simply outrageous; she couldn’t bring herself to buy something so expensive.
She thought of Wang Guocheng’s salary—university instructors weren’t exactly well-paid. This dress could cost him two months’ wages. Holding the dress, she nervously stammered, “Guocheng, I don’t think I can wear this dress. It’s just...”
Wang Guocheng could easily guess what was worrying her. He patted her shoulder and leaned in to whisper, “It’s alright, just try it on. This is the first time I’m buying you clothes—you have to give me this honor, don’t you?”
Seeing the earnestness in his eyes, Fan Xiaoyao couldn’t refuse. “Alright then, I’ll try it.”
When she emerged from the fitting room in the Dolphin’s Love dress, she stunned all the sales assistants present. They whispered among themselves, admiring her fair skin and graceful demeanor.
Wang Guocheng was momentarily speechless. He had always known she was fair-skinned, but he hadn’t expected her to look so ethereal in that lake-blue dress—like a fairy descended to earth. The hem of the dress was tailored in a fishtail design, and the Dolphin’s Love brooch on her chest sparkled brilliantly beneath the lights.
Embarrassed by everyone’s reaction, Fan Xiaoyao blushed and anxiously asked Wang Guocheng, “Is there something wrong with how I look?”
Wang Guocheng stepped forward, looked her up and down, and even spun her around. “You look absolutely stunning—perfect!”
The assistant joined in at just the right moment, “Miss, you look like a fairy in this dress. So beautiful. Your fiancé certainly has great taste.”
Admiring herself in the mirror, Fan Xiaoyao turned to the assistant. “Can you give me a bit of a discount on this dress?”
The assistant looked troubled. “Miss, as you know, our ANCALY pieces are all limited editions. This Dolphin’s Love dress is the only one of its kind in Kangcheng. So...”
Before she could finish, Wang Guocheng saw her dilemma and quickly handed over his credit card. “We’ll take this dress.”
The assistant’s smile deepened. “Sir, you have excellent taste. It’s clear you adore your fiancée.”
Fan Xiaoyao pouted beside him. “But it’s just too expensive, far too extravagant...”
Wang Guocheng found her more and more endearing. He realized that her thriftiness and generosity both stemmed from her nature. The day she made Zhao Gang spend a fortune, she hadn’t batted an eye. But here she was, balking at a mere ten-thousand-yuan dress.
He couldn’t help but smile indulgently and ruffled her hair. “A woman dresses up for the one she loves, doesn’t she? And this dress suits you perfectly.”
When the assistant brought over the credit card slip, Fan Xiaoyao’s heart ached at the five-figure total.
“Look how expensive this is! Not even enough fabric for two panels, and it costs over ten thousand—it’s worth two months of your salary...”
Seeing her distress, Wang Guocheng leaned in close and whispered, “Are you upset about my money? Then could you spare a little concern for me, too?”
Fan Xiaoyao blushed deeply, embarrassed by the assistants’ glances. “Oh, come on, everyone’s watching...”
With that, she ran out—still wearing the ANCALY dress, of course.