Chapter 62: Wedding photos

Stopping her steps, Yin Xuelian’s gaze was drawn to the pristine white wedding dress displayed in the shop window.

Every girl dreams of the day they will wear a wedding dress, and Yin Xuelian was no exception.

What’s more, even in her previous life, she had fantasized about such a day.

However, after her breakup with Su Cheng, that fantasy had shattered.

But now, she still had a chance.

At least she wouldn’t have to wait so long.

“Little Chengzi, look at that wedding dress. Isn’t it beautiful?”

Su Cheng blinked in slight bewilderment, following Yin Xuelian’s gaze until her eyes quickly settled on the wedding dress Yin Xuelian had pointed out.

A faint smile touched Su Cheng’s lips. “It’s beautiful, yes, but…”

“But what?” Yin Xuelian turned her head, awaiting her response.

Su Cheng gently squeezed Yin Xuelian’s hand, murmuring softly, “It would be even more beautiful if Sister Lian were to wear it.”

Yin Xuelian paused, her eyes widening slightly, before a mischievous grin spread across her face.

Tightening her grip on Su Cheng’s hand, she strode directly towards the wedding dress shop. “Hmph, if anyone’s wearing it, it’s you! Since you’ve said so, I’m going to see what Little Chengzi looks like in a wedding dress today.”

“Oi, are you serious? Why are we trying on wedding dresses when we’re not even getting married? Hey, hey, stop!”

No matter how much Su Cheng struggled, it was all futile; she was ultimately dragged into the wedding dress shop by Yin Xuelian.

****

“Welcome, beautiful ladies! Do you have any particular styles in mind?”

Upon seeing the two pretty young women enter, the shop assistant enthusiastically stepped forward to greet them.

“We’ll just browse for now,” Yin Xuelian replied, her eyes falling upon some wedding photos displayed in the shop. She then continued, “Sister, how much does it cost to take these?”

A flicker of confusion crossed the shop assistant’s eyes, but she answered smoothly, “Oh, for a photoshoot, it’s two hundred per set. You get ten photos, and you can choose any one wedding dress style.”

“Are you two young ladies looking to take bestie wedding photos?”

“No…” Su Cheng began to deny.

“Yes, we’d like to take a set.”

Yin Xuelian shot Su Cheng a resolute look, leaving no room for refusal.

Su Cheng parted her lips, but in the end, she could only mutter under her breath, ‘Tyrant.’

“Alright then, I’ll show you around. Let me know if you see any styles you like.”

The shop assistant didn’t press further, smiling as she led them to choose their preferred wedding dresses.

“Oh, and her figure is just average, so let’s see which style would suit her best.”

“Certainly.”

Su Cheng’s eye twitched; she longed to squeeze Yin Xuelian’s hand hard, but she feared retaliation.

‘What does ‘just average’ mean? It’s not like my chest is flat, is it?’

“As for me, I’ll take this one.”

Yin Xuelian pointed to the pure white, strapless, off-the-shoulder wedding dress in the shop window, its glittering embellishments shimmering under the lights.

Having received her chosen wedding dress, Yin Xuelian headed directly to the changing room. Su Cheng, after looking around once more, selected a strapless wedding dress with the help of the shop assistant.

Inside the changing room, separated by a thin wooden partition, Su Cheng could hear the rustle of fabric and Yin Xuelian’s quiet breaths from the adjacent stall.

Su Cheng’s heart rate quickened slightly; she felt a touch of nervousness.

In her previous life, Su Cheng had once dreamt of such a scene.

Within a grand hall, Yin Xuelian, clad in a pristine white wedding dress, her head adorned with a delicate veil, and a bouquet of flowers clutched in her hands, stood on a stage bathed in the spotlight, awaiting the arrival of her fated one.

Regrettably, it seemed that day would never come for her now.

After a slight, helpless sigh, Su Cheng dutifully put on the wedding dress.

‘I only hope this is the last time.’

‘Because I have no intention of marrying a man; no matter what, I still prefer women.’

Fortunately, this backless wedding dress wasn’t too complicated; it just needed a zipper pulled up.

In the mirror, most of Su Cheng’s smooth, unblemished back was exposed, prompting her to exclaim, “Good heavens, it’s so revealing! A little lower, and even my butt would be showing.”

It certainly felt like experiencing how ‘backless’ was almost synonymous with ‘butt-less.’

****

Having changed into the wedding dress, Su Cheng carefully exited the changing room, her hands clutching the hem of the skirt.

As she pushed the door open, she was met by Yin Xuelian’s astonished gaze.

The wedding dress perfectly accentuated Su Cheng’s slender waist, the lace at the neckline highlighting her exquisitely delicate collarbones. Her exposed beautiful back, in particular, sparked numerous fantasies.

A blush spread across her cheeks, and her eyes shone with astonishing brilliance.

“Is it… is it beautiful?”

Su Cheng had no time to admire Yin Xuelian in her own wedding dress; she lowered her head and whispered the question, her fingers nervously intertwining, simply because Yin Xuelian’s fervent gaze remained fixed on her.

Yin Xuelian felt her throat tighten.

She wanted to say it was beautiful, to say she was stunning, to say this was the scene she had always dreamed of.

But all words caught in her throat, ultimately dissolving into a gentle nod.

At this moment, Yin Xuelian was so overwhelmed with emotion that words failed her; she simply wished to express her excitement through action.

“Little Chengzi, you are truly beautiful.”

Yin Xuelian gently took Su Cheng’s hand, slowly stepping closer.

They were so close that they could feel each other’s breath.

Yin Xuelian unconsciously leaned forward, and Su Cheng subtly tilted her face upwards.

Just as their lips were about to meet…

****

“Young ladies, have you finished changing?”

Yin Xuelian’s body stiffened, and Su Cheng’s face burned a fiery red.

Fortunately, Yin Xuelian’s body was currently blocking Su Cheng, so the shop assistant could only see Yin Xuelian’s back.

Yin Xuelian turned around with a hint of resentment, glanced at the shop assistant, and said coldly, “Yes, we’re ready.”

The shop assistant shivered slightly; she hadn’t done anything, yet it felt as though she had somehow offended Yin Xuelian.

Su Cheng squeezed Yin Xuelian’s soft hand firmly. “Alright, alright, let’s go take photos.”

“Alright… alright, please follow me.”

Led by the assistant, the two arrived at a meticulously decorated area.

Both Su Cheng and Yin Xuelian were momentarily stunned, surprised by the elaborate setting.

Spotlights illuminated a white stage strewn with rose petals, backed by a massive European-style archway and crystal chandeliers, creating a dreamlike illusion.

The stage faced a walkway, and passersby, without exception, cast glances of either envy or bittersweet longing towards the two figures on stage.

The middle-aged female photographer adjusted her camera settings and addressed the two on stage, “What style would you ladies prefer? Sweet best friends, or a pseudo-couple style?”

Yin Xuelian merely glanced at Su Cheng before immediately answering.

“She’ll be the bride,” Yin Xuelian suddenly declared.

Su Cheng’s ear tips instantly flushed crimson, and she frantically reached to cover Yin Xuelian’s mouth. “What nonsense are you spouting?!”

The photographer and the shop assistant simultaneously wore expressions of dawning realization. The shop assistant even subtly made a ‘thumbs up’ gesture.

“I understand!” The photographer suddenly adjusted her lens with excitement, unable to suppress her smile. “Please stand facing each other, yes, and this pink-haired lady can wrap her arm around her waist, just like that.”

The moment the flash fired, Yin Xuelian suddenly leaned in, the distance between them no more than the length of a pen.

Beneath Su Cheng’s long lashes, her eyes flickered, and her heart rate instantly accelerated.

‘When the camera is right there, she’s still this bold?’

‘She must be crazy!’

“Good, good, this one’s great! Let’s try another pose.”

The photographer and the shop assistant’s lips curved upwards, their smiles so wide they couldn’t be contained, as if a captivating movie was unfolding before their eyes.

“Little darling, let’s do something exciting.”

Yin Xuelian whispered in a breathy voice close to her ear, her arm tightening around Su Cheng’s slender waist, her eyes holding both mischief and affection.

At that moment, it was as if they were in a wedding hall, and Su Cheng was her bride.

“Hm? What?”

Su Cheng hadn’t quite caught Yin Xuelian’s whisper, but she watched her lips move, and the shape seemed to form the word.

‘Wife.’

The next second, Yin Xuelian leaned in and kissed her, right in front of the camera.

“Woah, exciting!”

A mixture of surprise and dumbfoundedness flashed across Su Cheng’s face, her eyes unable to widen any further.

What astonished her even more was the black-haired girl, both familiar and unfamiliar, in the distance, staring intently at them.

All the astonishment, sorrow, anger, and hatred in her eyes flickered across her face.

“I wondered why I couldn’t reach you. So you were here, taking wedding photos, huh?”