Chapter 39: The Fitting

“But why does this dress feel so weird?”

Cheng Yiyi’s upper body was now down to just her bra.

Anyue could see at once how neat her shoulder and neck lines were, long and clean. Her collarbone curved in a shallow hollow. Her back stood straight and tight, with no extra flesh.

The line from shoulder to side flowed smoothly. Her waist was drawn in thin, but squeezed between fingers it turned out soft and yielding.

“What are you doing?!” Yiyi grabbed Anyue’s wandering hand, a hint of red creeping up her cheeks.

“Nothing. I was just curious about the feel.” Anyue was half a head shorter than Yiyi. When they sat on the bed the same height, Anyue could look down, while Yiyi couldn’t see her face.

A lingering want flickered in Anyue’s eyes, and then she spoke: “Sister, if you feel it’s unfair, you can squeeze my waist too.”

She lifted the hem of her top, revealing her slim, soft waist.

When she moved closer, Yiyi’s nose caught a faint, subtle fragrance.

“Here, sister, want to try?” Anyue asked seriously.

“No, no thanks!” Yiyi would never fuss about such a thing.

She lifted the gown draped over her legs and looked at it for a moment before continuing: “Look here. Deep V strap, and a backless design.”

“It doesn’t go with my bra at all. If I wear this dress, my bra will show.”

“Oh, that’s simple.” Anyue had been around clothes like these before. She rarely wore them, but she knew them well.

“Use nipple covers, or a strapless bra.”

“Sister, didn’t Su Xiaoyu stuff some underwear into your wardrobe a while back? There should be a strapless bra in there.”

Anyue wasn’t keen on nipple covers. They lacked support, could slip and even let things show. A tiny accident like that would hurt her sister’s image badly.

Just picturing it, Anyue felt a weight on her chest.

How could she let her sister show up looking embarrassed in front of other people?

She hadn’t even made her move yet!

Yiyi went back to her own room and rummaged through the wardrobe. She found what Anyue mentioned right away.

It was the first time Yiyi had touched this kind of undergarment.

The strap was delicate. Once under the dress, it would hide perfectly, almost invisible.

The material felt cool and soft…

But…

“Anyue, you keep staring at me. I don’t feel comfortable changing like this.”

Yiyi was not someone with no shame.

Even before another woman, she found it hard to bare herself.

“It’s fine, I’m not blocking you.”

Anyue’s answer was utterly sincere. Her clear, clean gaze showed no trace of an improper thought.

“But…” Yiyi started, then swallowed whatever she meant to say.

She turned the thought inward. Anyue was a young lady of a rich household; very few people were ever allowed near her. And she loved staying home. So she must have had little practice getting along with others.

Seen that way, it made sense that this girl had a blurred sense of personal space.

“Also, sister, do you even know how to put this on?” Anyue asked suddenly. “I can help you.”

“Of course, if sister is disgusted by me… then go find Su Xiaoyu.”

Her face took on an unfounded sadness. Her eyes, which had been like glass moments ago, were now shadowed over.

“I’ve never worn one, but I should be able to…” Yiyi trailed off as she met Anyue’s pitiful gaze. Her heart softened at once.

“By myself, I won’t manage it well.” She gave a faint smile. “I can’t see my own back, after all. I’d better have you help me.”

“Yes yes!” Anyue nodded eagerly. (No, I can’t smile yet.)

Just as Anyue was about to win, Yiyi turned her back to her and quickly peeled off the last of her underclothes.

Then she picked up the bra, held it up to check the size, and slipped it on.

But this was her first time with this kind of garment. She fiddled with the clasp along the strap and failed several times.

Only with Anyue’s help did Yiyi manage to wear it properly.

Anyue hadn’t gotten to see the front, but she didn’t feel discouraged. She’d seen the back, at least, hadn’t she?

The days ahead were long. She could wear her down over time.

Shen Anyue’s inner voice: ‘My sister’s back smells so nice. I want to press myself against it…’

Once Yiyi was ready, she turned her eyes to the luxurious, artfully crafted gown.

To be honest, she had never worn a decent outfit in her whole life.

Before middle school, Yiyi only ever wore plain children’s clothes. There was no such thing as an ornate style.

After middle school, she went to the city to study. But with school rules to follow, the only thing she wore most days was her uniform.

The long dresses hanging in clothing shops, the princess gowns, the Lolita frocks, Yiyi had never bought any.

Was it because she didn’t want them?

Or because her parents wouldn’t buy them?

No.

It was simply that Yiyi knew how to be sensible.

Everyone has desires. Controlling desire is the prerequisite for growing up.

Yiyi’s family was warm but poor, and that was exactly why she became an adult early.

Those clothes carried little meaning for her. When she worked shifts or did odd jobs, fancy clothes never lasted. And they cost a fortune for next to no real value.

And yet, now that a luxurious, gorgeous outfit lay right before her, how could she not be tempted?

She first took the layered pearl and gold chain for her neck. The thin chain wound around her collarbone twice, and the sapphire pendant settled right at her chest, its cool touch spreading over her skin.

Then she lifted the dress and slipped her feet into the fishtail hem. The velvet slid across her skin, cool and soft, wrapping her waist and hips.

She turned her body slightly, straightened the strap on her shoulder, and fixed the sapphire brooch firmly over her chest.

Anyue stood by and smoothed the wrinkles at Yiyi’s waist. Her fingertips traced the velvet’s grain all the way down to the hem, arranging the layered ruffles.

Then she adjusted the gems, which had been slightly messy, into a finely layered arrangement.

Last came the blue-to-white gradient sleeves, fastened at the wrist with gold clasps.

“Done…” Anyue stared at Yiyi, wonder impossible to wipe from her eyes.

‘So beautiful… Can I go kiss her now?’

“It feels odd wearing this. Anyue, do you think these gems will fall off all of a sudden?” Yiyi’s words yanked Anyue back from sinking below her moral line.

“I just feel they’re not fixed tight.”

Anyue waved a hand. “They won’t. The material connecting the gems is special. It’s strong yet light. Sister, even if you pull hard, you won’t break it.”

“And you truly look gorgeous right now, sister!”

“Quick, go look in the mirror!”

“Really?” Yiyi held onto the table’s edge and rose slowly. The slit of the fishtail skirt gently swayed with each step she took.

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