best friends
On the last day of the weekend, the sun was dazzlingly bright, and the air still held the heat of summer, but the breeze that brushed against my face carried a refreshing coolness of early autumn.
At the entrance of a large, high-end shopping mall in the city center.
Qu Shiyao got up unusually early and was standing there gracefully, wearing a well-tailored light yellow dress that made her skin look as white as snow.
Her long, thick eyelashes drooped slightly, concealing the boredom in her eyes, and she exuded a serene and elegant lady-like temperament, attracting frequent glances from passersby.
However, this beauty only exists on the surface.
Qu Shiyao chugs down iced cola while scrolling through a novel on her phone, her mind filled with a fascinating world.
[I won't listen! I won't listen! This system demands an explanation! This system demands justice!] The system, like a three-year-old child whose candy has been stolen, threw a tantrum in her mind, its voice filled with grievance and accusation.
[You promised to wear that white fairy dress! You went back on your word! You deceived my feelings! Waaaaah...]
This incessant, nagging noise has continued since before she left the house, like a symphony of a hundred flies buzzing in her ear.
"Alright, alright, Tongzi, it's just an outfit~ Next time! Next time we go shopping, I'll definitely listen to you! I swear!" Qu Shiyao tried to appease her, feeling her patience rapidly dwindling.
【Next time is next time! This time is this time! Best friends should wear matching outfits when they go shopping! That white dress is a perfect match for me! Yellow has no soul!】 The system clearly wasn't buying this empty promise and made an even bigger fuss.
The buzzing protests continued to bombard us.
Qu Shiyao's temple throbbed, and with a "snap," she crushed the empty Coke can in her hand into an abstract work of art!
"You're hurting my eyes!!!" she practically yelled.
system:【! ! ! 】
In an instant, the world became quiet.
The system was like a screaming chicken with its neck being choked; the data streams were so frightened that they huddled together, trembling, and hid in some corner.
The passersby were startled by her sudden action and roar, and their admiring gazes instantly turned to surprise and suspicion, and they tacitly kept a three-meter distance from her.
Qu Shiyao breathed a sigh of relief and casually and precisely tossed the scrap metal-like Coke can into the trash can.
She felt a long-lost peace in her ears, and even the sweltering weather seemed more pleasing to the eye.
"Shiyao!" Just then, Shi Qingqing's energetic voice and Zhuang Rou'er's gentle greeting rang out at the same time.
Qu Shiyao looked up and saw Shi Qingqing wearing a bright orange T-shirt and denim shorts, looking full of energy;
Zhuang Rou'er, on the other hand, wore a light blue dress, looking quiet and elegant.
The two men were waving at her from afar.
Qu Shiyao immediately smiled gently and quietly, her eyes seemingly shimmering with spring water, and her voice was so soft it could melt water: "Qingqing! Rou'er!" She walked gracefully to greet her.
Shi Qingqing's eyes lit up instantly, as if she had discovered a treasure, and she circled around Qu Shiyao for a short while.
She exclaimed in admiration, "Wow! Shiyao! You look absolutely stunning today! This dress suits you so well! It's like it was made for you! You're a walking clothes hanger!"
Zhuang Rou'er blushed and whispered in agreement, "Yes, it's really beautiful."
Qu Shiyao smiled and returned the compliment: "Not at all, you all look absolutely gorgeous today!"
Her gaze swept between Shi Qingqing's liveliness and Zhuang Rou'er's quietness.
The perfect combination of e and i people?
The system peeked out timidly from the corner: [How did those two become friends? Don't their personalities clash?]
Shi Qingqing boldly pulled out a small notebook, no bigger than the palm of her hand, from her surprisingly large canvas bag and opened it.
She pointed to the words above and announced, "Sisters! The battle plan is ready! First stop: Huadu Shopping Center! Our target is those hidden gem shops that are having a sale!"
Her voice was loud and clear, and her imposing manner drew the attention of passersby once again.
Zhuang Rou'er silently and naturally turned her head slowly, focusing her gaze on the growth of a small wildflower in the flower bed next to her, pretending to be invisible.
Well, as long as I don't look at others, embarrassment won't catch up with me!
Qu Shiyao was completely oblivious to the stares around her, and even observed her two colleagues' reactions with great interest, gaining a deeper understanding of them.
"Let's go!" Shi Qingqing grabbed Qu Shiyao with one arm and pulled Zhuang Rou'er, who was still "admiring the flowers," with the other, and rushed into the mall like a little train engine.
***
The first two stores went relatively smoothly. With her keen sense for discounts and her social skills, Shi Qingqing helped Zhuang Rou'er find a skirt she liked, and she also got herself a stylish top.
Qu Shiyao maintained an elegant, observing demeanor throughout.
Soon, they arrived at the main event of the day.
The third store that Shi Qingqing highlighted in her notebook: [Yunshang].
This is a big brand that's usually incredibly aloof and whose price tags can make your heart skip a beat!
Rumor has it that this is an unprecedented 10% discount! Shi Qingqing is itching to grab this golden opportunity!
As soon as you enter, a well-trained waiter greets you with a professional smile.
Shi Qingqing immediately went into "battle mode" and headed straight for the new product section.
Zhuang Rou'er, as if she had found a safe haven, quickly nestled into a comfortable-looking sofa in the corner, took out her phone, and tried to minimize her presence.
Qu Shiyao strolled leisurely, her gaze sweeping over the store's simple yet sophisticated decor and the clothes racks that exuded an "I'm expensive" vibe.
"Shiyao! Quick! Come and see!" Shi Qingqing called out excitedly.
Qu Shiyao looked in the direction of the sound and saw Shi Qingqing holding up a dress.
It was a dress with an extremely simple design, yet exuding a sense of sophistication in every detail.
The flowing cut, the light beige fabric, and the delicate thin belt in the same color at the waist perfectly accentuate the feminine curves without any unnecessary embellishments.
Qu Shiyao seemed to see the meaning behind the dress: "Poor people stay away, I'm very expensive."
"Oh my god! This suits you so well, Shiyao! You should try it on!" Shi Qingqing excitedly shoved the dress into Qu Shiyao's hands.
Zhuang Rou'er was also drawn over. She took the dress and held it up against Qu Shiyao, her face slightly flushed. She exclaimed softly, "It really... suits Shiyao's temperament so well."
Even the system, huddled in the corner, couldn't resist chiming in: [Host! This dress is a perfect match for your current 'peaceful and serene' disguise!]
Qu Shiyao's gaze precisely caught the dress's price tag: ¥2999...
Great, at this price, how many hot pot meals and how many skewers could she eat?!
But seeing the expectant looks in Shi Qingqing and Zhuang Rou'er's eyes, and the "Buy it" barrage flashing wildly in her mind, Qu Shiyao resignedly took the dress and walked into the fitting room.
A few minutes later, the fitting room door slowly opened.
The entire [Yunshang] store seemed to have been muted.
Shi Qingqing remained in the position of handing over the phone, her mouth slightly open and her eyes wide open.
Zhuang Rou'er looked up from her phone screen, froze instantly, her mouth slightly agape, and forgot to breathe.
Even the waitresses, who were used to seeing beautiful women, were stunned, their eyes wide with undisguised amazement.
Even passersby outside the store couldn't help but stop and stare intently at that figure through the glass window.
Qu Shiyao came out.
That dress seemed to have been made for her.
The light beige color made her skin look like jade, clear and radiant.
The smooth cut perfectly fits the body, outlining a slender yet powerful waistline.
The flowing fabric swayed gently with her steps, exuding an ethereal and otherworldly aura.
She simply stood there casually, slightly tilting her head to adjust her shoulder strap, and the aloofness and indifference she exuded instantly struck everyone's hearts.
"My goodness..." Shi Qingqing finally found her voice, cupped her burning cheeks in her hands, and looked dazed.
"Shiyao...you're so charming...you're irresistible to both men and women! My heart is pounding!"
She excitedly pointed to Zhuang Rou'er beside her, whose face was already flushed red: "Look at Rou'er! Her face is completely red!"
Zhuang Rou'er suddenly came to her senses, and blushed so much that she immediately raised her bag to cover her flushed face, leaving only her big, watery eyes showing.
Qu Shiyao blinked in confusion at their exaggerated reactions.
That innocent and slightly naive look, paired with that ethereal dress, doubles its charm!
She's just like an innocent elf who has fallen to earth!
The system frantically cheered in my mind: [Did you see that, host?! This is the power of money! Oh no, I mean the power of aesthetics! Buy! Sell everything you own to buy it!]
Qu Shiyao got a little carried away by the praise and turned to look at the full-length mirror.
The person in the mirror... is indeed almost unrealistically beautiful.
She touched the fabric; it felt amazing.
Alright... For the sake of this beauty, I'll endure eating steamed buns for the next few days!
She took a deep breath, just about to tell the waiter to "wrap it up".
A woman's arrogant yet slightly sarcastic voice rang out at the shop entrance:
"Waitress! That dress on the mannequin by the door! Yes, the light beige one! Wrap it up for me! How much? I'll buy it!"
That voice... sounds familiar?
Shi Qingqing's infatuated smile vanished instantly, her brows furrowed, and she turned away with a look of utter displeasure.
Zhuang Rou'er also peeked half her face out from behind her bag, her brows slightly furrowed.
Qu Shiyao also looked in the direction of the sound.
At the entrance of the shop stood a woman with a hot figure and heavy makeup.
She wore a tight-fitting, bodycon mini-skirt that accentuated her curves, carried a huge LV monogram bag, and held her chin high, looking down at people with her nostrils.
She swayed in, her posture resembling that of a rooster that had just won a fight.
"Oh? Aren't these Shi Qingqing and Zhuang Rou'er?" The heavily made-up woman's gaze swept over Shi Qingqing and Zhuang Rou'er, a cruel smile curling at the corners of her mouth, her tone full of contempt.
"I never expected you two to get a job in a store like this. How long have you been saving up your wages?"
She clearly didn't take Shi Qingqing and Zhuang Rou'er seriously, and her gaze finally fell on Qu Shiyao, who was wearing that dress.
When she saw Qu Shiyao's face and her stunning outfit, which she had to admit was incredibly beautiful, her eyes instantly darkened, filled with undisguised jealousy and intense hostility.
Before Shi Qingqing could unleash her verbal skills to retaliate, Qu Shiyao made her move.
She slightly furrowed her delicate brows, raised a fair and jade-like hand, and gracefully covered her mouth and nose with her fingertips.
She turned to Shi Qingqing, her eyes clear and innocent, with just the right amount of doubt, her voice neither too loud nor too soft, just loud enough for everyone in the shop to hear:
"Qingqing, who is this...?"
Although it wasn't explicitly stated, the gesture of covering her nose, the slight backward lean of her body, and the disdain in her eyes were even more ruthless than directly cursing someone!
The woman's face instantly turned a deep liver color! Her chest heaved violently with anger!
Shi Qingqing's originally gloomy face was instantly amused by Qu Shiyao's brilliant move, and the gloom vanished.
She immediately switched into her dramatic persona, affectionately taking Qu Shiyao's arm and introducing her in an extremely exaggerated, almost aria-like tone:
"Oh my! Shiyao! Come on! Let's get acquainted! This is our legendary figure from the 8th floor! Senior Lin Weiwei, who successfully 'ascended' to the CEO's office on the 66th floor~"
She deliberately emphasized the word "senior," her face plastered with a fake smile, but her eyes were full of naked mockery.
"From now on, you'll be colleagues on the 66th floor! Surprised? Unexpected?"
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